The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-01-20

PiO' iUiiiS tiIal IN all cases
OF rape or assault, with intent to raw
ish, the female may be allowed to
testify in private, before the nudge. I'm
the presence Of the counsel for the
state and the defendant himself and
that the testimony so taken shall be
read to the jury as the evidence of
the said witness on the trial of the
case. This is the law in at least one
If not more, Of the States Of the Union.
and should be the law in this State
In this connection, I think it i'm
portant, also to ask that you pass an
act making it miscemeanor to post
or display in any public place or on
any street or highway, indecent pic
lures of females. 1t is an evil that has
been growing in the last few years
and one that calls for action on our
part. 1t is not necessary for me to
call to your attention the reasons why
this act should be passed. it is obvious
to all right thinking persons"
The governor concludes his message
as follows:
The salaries Of our State officers
and Supreme and Circuit Court judges
should be raised to at least what they
were few years since. 1t costs more
to live now than formerly, and the
ho
mensurate with the work they have
to do, and the dignity Of the positions
they hold. Compare the salaries Of
our officers with those paid by ohter
States Of the South to its officers of
like rank, and the difference will be
manifest
The increase will not affect me or
the other officers now holding office
under their present terms, but I feel
that it is due to those who come af-
ter us, and I, therefore, recommend it.
1t was my privilege to attend a con-
ference of the governors of the States
OF the Union at the White House in
Washington last May upon the i'm
portant question Of the conservation
Of our natural resources. Many valu-
able suggestions were made and much
Information disseminated. Since that
conference, I have appointed a COM
mittee Of gentlemen to get UP inform
alton upon this subject, so far as it
concerns our State, In order that I
may, at later date, make such rec
concentrations to you as to what
should be done along these lines.
These gentlemen are doing this work
without fee or reward.
/ recommend that a commission be
appointed to enquire into the cost and
feasibility of erecting a new mansion
uron the lot on which the present
mansion stands. and reiterate what
said in my last message, which is as
follows:
'The present mansion was erected
more than fifty years ago, and has
served the purpose for which it was
built. Since 1880, it has been used as
home for the governor. While it is
comfortable, yet it Is. deteriorating ami
will soon require many repairs. The
lot on which this building stands is
one Of the best in the city of Column
bia. A new mansion built in the CEN
ter Of the lot front on Richland street
with side encrances from Gadsden and
Lincoln streets, would be an ornament
to the capital city Of The States, and
an ideal home for your governor"
And now, gentlemen of the general
assembly, the future welfare Of the
State is in your hands. 1 know that
you will look we'll to her interests and
posperity Let wisdom and justice
guide you in all of your deliberations.
1 invoke the blessings Of the Su-
preme Ruler of the universe upon
each Of you and upon all the people of
the State.
Respectfully,
M. F. ANSEL, Governor.