The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-08-21

irlenu makes the request but the
most innocent victim of a miscarrioge
of justice stands no chance of OBJ
tanning executive clemency. unless he
can, by cash payment or political
influence. induce some accredited
friend OF Blease To become his spon-
ser in the presentation of a petition
Ii is useless to argue with those
who are voting for Blease, regardless
of his record. but to those who have
, an open mind and still adhere TO the
old-fashioned belief that no man,
who is not well qualified for the lice
= and who does not stand for some
thing larger and better than his own
greed for office. should be elected
Governor OF South Carolina. we wish
to present for consideration a few
planks from ledge Jones plat
form that of themselves alone recon-
mend him to the favorable consider
alton of the citizens of South Caro-
lima in preference to Blease. We
quote only few sections that treat
OF policies Of especial Importance.
The remainder of his platform is
sound, democratic and appeals to all
law-abiding and progressive citizens.
We quote from the platform of prin-
ciples read at the Sumter meeting Ly
Judge Jones:
favor the appointment of a
commission to examine as to the de-
STABILITY of adopting some system of
land title registration like that known
as the Torrens system. Some move
ment of this kind was begun some
years ago. but so far nothing has
come from it. This system takes its
name from Robert Richardson Tor
rens and was first enacted in Austria
lila In 1853. The main principles of
this system have been adopted In
many ountries-Australia. Canada,
England, Ireland. Germany. in a num-
ber Of States such as Massachusetts,,
Illinois. California. Montana, Mime
sofa. Oregon and Colorado, and has
been introduced in Hawaii and the
Philippines by the United States gov
ernment Under this system the title
Is examined officially and confirmed
by a court and the certificate is a
guarantee Of the title against the
world.
While the plan necessarily involves
some initial expense. as reasonable
charge for registration and for the
guarantee fund. it saves more in
avoiding the successive expenses Of
examining title every time the land is
sold or mortgaged. Under the pres
ent system many defects Of title may
exist which an examination of the
record would not disclose. such. for
example. as a claim of dover. adverse
possession. incapacity to convey. etc.
The plan avoids the uncertainty. de-
lay and expense of transferring titles.
In selling the land or borrowing
money upon 1t the transaction may be
effected with almost the ease and
simplicity of transfer of stocks or
bonds. Because of the difficulty and
uncertainty with reference to land
transactions under the old system.
real estate is least available as an
asset upon which to raise money. The
simplicity. cheapness. celebrity and
safety with which lands may he sold
or mOrtgaged under the Torrens sys-
tenn ought to make real estate practi-
cally as available as high class per-
sOnality and vastly increase the abl-
ity of the land owner to utilize his
land as a ready basis of credit on the
easiest terms.
i favor the enactment of an
employers liability and workman's
compensation statute, along the prin-
ciple of the New Jersey statute adop-
ted April 4. 1911. OF the Massachusetts
statute adopted July 2S. 1911. This
legislation involves the abolition of
the common law defenses usually
made in suits for personal injuries.
viz: CD that the injury was caused
by the negligence of fellow SER
want: CD that the injured party con-
tributed to the injury of his own
negligence: CD that the injured par
~ assumed the risks of the employ
ment. Either of these defenses If
sustained, would defeat a recovery un-
der the common law. The above sta
tutes abolished these defenses. except
where the contributory negligence