The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1914-09-15
BIElSE TkiKS CT
SPEtIAL SESSION
TELLS WHAT HE THINKS LEGIS.
LtTJRK SHOULD Do
Leaves for Portland, Me-. to Attend
Meeting OF National Council of
Red Men.
News and Courier.

News and Courier.
Columbia, Sept. 11.-Governor
Blease left Columbia this afternoon
for Portland, Me-, where he goes to at
ten the National conccil Of the
Order of Red Men In half jocular
vein, but perhaps VITA more or less
serious intent, he suggested that he
was going to see his campaign for the
vice presidential nomination started
at Portland.
in pursuance Of his suggestion that
he would have something further to
sav by way Of explanation OF his proc
Iamation of the official and formal call
for the special session of tie general
assembly, Governor Blease mad this
statement prepared for the press.
Il stated TO TIE News and Courier
correspondent last night, when | gave
him the proclamation calling for an
extra session O. the legislature, that |
did not have the oportunity then 70
nrepare a statement of mi views in
reference to tte extra session, but that
! would give them to MIN this morn
ing. | did make few remarks to him
as he states, among them that | was
not inclined to agree that stay law
of some kind or form could not be le-
raIlv enacted. My reason for calling
the extra session o. the general as
semblv are clearly and fully set forth
in the proclamation. shall Of course
when the legislature is convened send
them a short message, giving to them
such suggestion as l think are proper
and then leave it with them to enact
snch laws as they deem wise.
81 think. however, that one of the
very things that they should do would
he to appoint a non-factional commit
tee to confer with similar commit
tee for the legislature Of other cot
TON growing States as to what is best
to do in reference to the cotton sltua-
ton so as to get together upon a
proper and uniform law that the oene-
fits derived from it will be given to all
of the cotton growing people and ap-
proved by the governors Of the cotton
growing States.
'Now invidually, | am Of the opln-
ion that they should pass law pro-
tecting the poor people OF the State
from being imposed upon by the ore
closure c. either personal or real es-
tate mortgages during this panic.
am satisfied that such law can be
passed as will meet every constitution
al requirement Tley may not call it
stay law, but it most assuredly can
be termed law for the protection of
the majority OF tle citizens of the
State.
q also think that they should pass a
law to reduce tae rate of interest in
this State and to make 1t felony
punishable by a long term c.; impris-
onment. without the alternative of a
fine, cor any person association or cor
poration to charge any money-borroM
er. either by discount or otherwise
any greater rate Of interest than that
fixed in the bill 50 as to stop tie usury
or YOU might properly say robbery, OF
TIE man wao is compelled to have a
little money,
Il think they should also take u
and give r1eir, most careful and ser
5ous consideration q State waresouse
system-either such bill as was intro
duced at the last session, or such bill
as will give the farmers proper relief.
"And yet the most important of all
matters to be considered, as see it,
is to make arrangements to finance the
State during this crisis, without issu-
ing executions against the property OF
the individual citizen Woo will not
be able to meet his tax obligations this
fall. The present administration bor-
rowed all the money it wanted this
year-suficient amount to run it-at
3 1-2 per cent, in the face of all the
cursing, abuse and vilihcation and the
lies that have been told on the present
governor, and with the bankers, money
interests, all fighting him and trying
to hamper his administration in order
to cause his defeat. It certainly would
seem taen that the incoming admins
tration, with very, very, wealthy bank
president at its head, endorsed by
all The money interests OF the State
iaclud1ng capitalists. bankers, railroad
officials, cotton mill presidents ana