The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-01-08

rious State officers, of the various
state institutions, colleges, etc.
The place on the Circuit Bench
made vacant by the resignation of
Judge Robert f.. Copes, of the lst
| circuit, will have to be filled. For this
| position three candidates have been
announced, Messrs. Octavus Cohen.
| OF Monck's Corner, Z. T. Hildebrand,
or Orangeburg, and NJ. S. Connor, OF
st. George. 1t is understood that very
strong pressure is being brought to
bear on Senator T.. j. Dennis, of
Berkeley County. IL enter the race,
and If he does there will be four can
didates for the vacancy. The term
OF Judge Thomas S. Sease, of the 7th
judicial circuit, also expires, but he
will more than likely be reelected
without opposition. The term of Su-
perintendent d. j. Griffith, Of the
State penitentiary. expires and he is a
candidate for reelection. Others an
nounced for this position are former
Sheriffs Hunter, of Bamberg, and
Long, of Union. Three members OF
the Penitentiary board of directors,
Chairman A. X. Sanders, Messrs. John
g. Mobley and Jasper M. Smith, a. SO
expire, and they are candidates to
succeed themselves. All Of them will
probably have opposition.
One important matter to come be-
fore the legislature will be the ques-
tion providing funds for continuing
the work Of moving the State Asy-
lum out to the new location, some sew
en- miles from the city. The present
quarters are congested and relief can
only be had by more room. To this
end the State purchased some 1900
acres OF land in the Sand Hills and
commence erecting buildings with
the Idea eventually Of moving the
entire State Asylum there and dispos-
ing Of the present property in the city
OF Colqmb bia, and using the funds thus
secured to pay for the new quarters,
To provide the funds $1,000, 900 |
bond issue was proposed, but this was |
defeated by the people. Some $780,
goo has already been borrowed from
the state sinking commission to carry
on the work at the new Asylum plant, !
and this must be returned. To do this
L Is believed that 1t will be necessary
10 levy an extra two mill State tax,
and this Is bound to raise a mighty
protest. Some action, however. must
DO taken TO provide the necessary
funds for this work.
An effort to amend the commission
'orm government bill so as to give
Charleston the right to vote on this
measure next year is promised to be
brought to the attention OF the Legls-
ature, and this will reopen all the old
bitterness in Charleston politics. May
pr John p. Grace, of Charleston, and
nis friends will likely fight the propo-
'ition bitterly. The present Charles
on Commission Act cannot be voted
IN until Mayor Grace's term of Office
expires and this concession was only
reached last year after a strenuous
light.
fight will be made to give the
common schools an increased appro-
)riation, and there is talk Of making
| levy of one mill for common school
unds 1t is not believed that there
will be any increase in the appro-
'riations for the various State col
eges. The appropriations of the last
General Assembly totalled over sa,-
100000, and cry for retrenchment
nd reduction In appropriations had
'ohe mp over the whole State.
The bill providing for compulsory
ducation will be pushed and stren-
lously fought. 1t is said that bills
'roviding for woman suffrage and TO
'rohibit hazing in colleges will also
,e introduced in the Legislature,
The time for the meeting of tN@
General Assembly Us close az Nand
md every one Is getting matt'crs into
shape preparatory 10 thar date. The
second Inauguration Of Governor
Blease takes piaC. on noon of jan
nary 21. onp Week after the General
assembly ASSEMBLIES. The inaugural !
,xerciscq will take place in the pres
enct ot the joint assembly. Magis-
rate Caskey, of Lancaster, will ad-
minister the oath Of Office to the Gov
ernor and the Rev. \, y. Hemricf, |
of Newberry will Offer prayer. Lieu ,
tenant Governor Smith will be ir' |
nuguratcd for his second term at the |
qa ms time The pnVar,oor NVisi deliver