The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1909-02-17

EHE MANN
this raise Of cne mill, he wanted
the levy to remain as it was re-
gardless of the deficit and the
curtailment of revenue. He said
he was satisfied he could finance
the county with its present in
come. the rest Of the delegation
did not agree with him and the
levy as above mentioned was sent
in to the ways and means commit
tee to be put into the supply bill.
It is my honest judgment to put
the county on business cash
paying basis. at the present un-
Just and unequal assessment OF
property, instead of a raise of one
mill. we should have raised it
four mills, but rather than take
chances Of raising too much we
simply provided for that part of
the back Indebtedness we knew
of and made scarcely no provis-
| ion for the curtailment Of reve
nue., and next year we hope to be
in a position to know just how
much money it will take to run
the county.
We have given to the people a
new board composed of substan
tial business men, but if these are
unable to put the county upon a
substantial business basis, then
the fault will be in the law, and
should it appear the law is to
blame, then 1t will ,oe my purpose
before the next session to have
drafted a new county government
act. even if in doing SO it must
provide for the abolishment of
the present system, Office of Su
pervisor included. We must have
a sound, safe and economical
county government.
Senator Otis has bill pending
providing for the appointment of
a legislative committee to inves-
tigate the county dispensaries. I
opposed it on the ground that the
state now has state Inspector of
dispensaries whose business is to
check up and investigate these
institutions, and if he finds any
thing wrong it is his duty to pros
ecute. If Senator OTIS bill goes
through with the appropriation
of S.. 900 it's effect will be to give
some senators and members of
the House junketing trips at the
expense of the state. to do just
what the state has an officer to
do and is being paid for it. No I
shall do all in my power to keep
this prohibition leaders hand out
Of the public treasury. | think
he wants to manufacture political
capital at the public expense.
These dispensaries are practical
| ly local affairs under state super
vision and with a state officer to
watch them, ard a county grand
jury where'they are located. I am
sure we have ali the protective
machinery necessary without
spending an additional $1,000 to
give a few political conspirators,
at the expense of the public job
to, manufacture political thunder
| l would however be willing to
have the Governor to send a man
into any county dispensary to in
vestlgate, If the state auditor is
otherwise engaged, there is no
objection to the Investigations,
but inasmuch as they are practi-
cally local affairs the local people
should look after them, and nota
legislative delegation.
There have been some rumors
concerning the State hospital for
the insane and a commission Will
be appointed to investigate. I
supported this measure. because
it is a State institution solely,
and the inmates thereof need
the protecting care of humanity.
I hope the commission will find
things we'll with the institution,
but if there is anything at all in
the rumors, and some of the
charges are IN the shape of aft
davits, there will be a sensation
that is calculated to eclipse any
thing we have had in this State.
If there is anything rotten in
Denmark financially, morally, or
due to negligence it will be un-
earthed and prosecutions must
follow. It is the demand Of hu-
manity, and the General Assem-
bly, will act with determination
and justice.
There is strong opposition to
the appropriation of S36, 900 for,
Winthrop, because last year, we
gave that institution $4,000 for
a new dormitory. now they want
$4,000 for enlarging the dining
room, kitchen and other equip
ment. They are going to get it,
and should, because, what in the
name OF sense was the use to
provide dormitory room for 200
more girls. if we were not also
going to make adequate provis-
ion for their comfort. I for one,
Mnllld not he WILLING To hay the |