The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-11-19
SOUTH CAROLINA TO THE FRONT
Governor Blease Writes COmprehen-
sive Appreciation of Conditions

The editor of Lesslie'S Weekly not
long ago requested the governors OF
various States to write for it state
nent of how things were going IN thelr
respective commonwealth. The hrst
three replies, including one from Gov
ernor Cole. l.. Blease of South Carroll
ma were published in the issue OF the
weekly for November "A. Governor
Rlease's reply is as follows:
In the phenomenal material growth
of the South during the past three de-
cades South Carolina stands forth pre-
eminent among her sister States, and
vet her wonderful resources have bare
lv been touched. The fertility OF her
soil has given her a worlds record.
which she still holds, in the proouc-
ton of corn per acre, notwithstanding
her principal crop is cotton. The mar
velous development of her manu1ac1-
uring interests has placed her secono
in the manufacture of cotton goods
Along every line there has been ra-
pid and substantial progress,
With a population which, whlle
nroud of the wonderful traditions OF
its mast. is busy seizing the opportunl-
ties of the present and has its lace
turned toward the future, and with re-
sources. the development OF which mas
only begun, perhaps more varied than
those Of any other State in the Onlon'
the outlook for prosperity in South
Carolina today will compare taVoraoly
with the prospects for the future III
onv section of the United States or IN
any part of the world. The farming
lands are owned largely by the farm
ers who receive directly the benefit OF
their labors. Improved farming metn-
DDS have been introduced, and diFersl-
fed and intensified farming IS steadily
increasing the yield per acre and tne
returns to the producer. Lands are
we'll cared for, the farmers naturally
taking a pride in building up tnelr
own. and the fertility of the soil is be-
ing increased.
In the manufacturing and industrial
enterprises of the State, capital and Ia
] or are working hand in hand ana
sonth Carolina has been singularly
free from tn labor troubles Wnlcn
have disturbed other sections OF tne
country The great proportion of the
toilers in these manufacturing enter
nrises are natives of the State, with
that love for South Carolina and that
Jealous regard for her interests WHICH
have ever characterized our people
In every department of activity 1ne
neople are contented-not contented IN
the sense that they are not seeking
further progress, for they are; but IN
the sense that they realize and appre-
ciate the prosperity with which they
are blessed.
Fine progress is being made along
educational lines. The common-school
system is being improved throughout
the State, and the higher institutions
of learning are in fiourishing condition.
Sentiment everywhere in the State Tor
improved highways is growing ana
better roads are being built, bringing
the crops closer to the markets, unit
ing closer the people of the rural dis
tricts, and in every way making rural
life more attractive.
With her native population, her
snlendid resources, her unexcelied Gil
mate and her diversified industries,
South Carolina is an inviting field for
the investment Of capital, and the
wonderful development now going on
in the State is evidence of the fact that
capital realizes the fine opportunity
which IS pTSS6uLeu. OlOoI "et'NA ~
ers are being put to work for materlai
progress, and figures which have been
cited show that South Carolina now
Il has more than two hundred thousand
developed home-power of this kind.
This development continues to go
steadily forward furnishing the power
for new enterprises which are beng
built, for the lighting of our cities and
even many of our country homes. 1t IS
only recently that the mineral re-
sources of the State began to attract
the attention which they deserve and
that their development was begun in
the manner which they warrant. Stock
raising. for which South Carolina Is
peculiarly adapted, was long neglected,
and even now the advantages OF the
c+ota in. this regard are only begin