The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-09-16

LEClsIAATURE SHOULD APPOINT
COMMITTEE To CONFER.
Chief Executive Says That State
should borrow Money to Tide Il
Over ror season.


night. when / gave him the proclama-
ton calling for an extra session of the
legislature. that ] did not have the
opportunity then to prepare a state
ment Of my Views In reference to tn,
extra session. but that I would give
them to him this morning. I did
make n few remarks to him. as nc
states. among them that was not in
clined to agree that n stay law of
some kind or form could not be lc-
Ealfy enacted. My reasons for calling
the extra session Of the general as
sembly are clearly and fully set forth
In the proclamation. 1 shall of course.
when the legislature Is convened, send
them a short message. giving to them
such suggestions as I think are rrop-
or. and then leave 1t with them to en-
act such laws as they deem wise.
1 think, however. that one of the
very first things that they should do
would be to appoint a non-factional
committee to confer with a similar
committee from the legislatures OF
other cotton-growing States. as to
what Is best to do In reference to the
cotton situation. so as to get together
upon a proper and uniform law, that
tho benefits derived from 1t will be
given to all OF the cotton growing
people and approved by the govern
ors OF the cotton growing States.
Now. individually. l am Of the
opinion that they should pass laws
protecting the poor people Of the
State from being imposed upon by tho
foreciousre Of either personal or real
estate mortgages during this panic. /
am satisfied that such law can be
passed. as will meet every constitu-
uonl requirement. They may not
call II stay law. but II most assured
iy can be termed law for the pro-
lection OF the majority OF the citizens
OF the state.
i also think that they should pass
law to reduce tho rate Of interest in
this State. and to make 1t a felony,
punishable by long term Of impris-
onment. without the alternative of a
bne. for any person, association or
corporation. to charge any money
borrower. either by discount or other
wise. any greater rate of interest than
that liked In the bill, so as to stop
tho usury. or. you might moro prop
eriy say robbery. of tho man who is
compelled to have little money.
1 think they should also take up
and give their most careful and Sc
rious consideration "a State warehouse
system-cither such bill as was in
troduced 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 1 see 1t, /
In to make arrangements to finance
the state during this crisis, without
Issuing executions against the property
OF the individual citizen who will not
be able tn meet his tax obligations this
fall. The present administration bor-
rowed all the money 1t wanted this
year-sufficient amount to run tat
1-2 per cent. in the face of all the
cursins. abuse and vilification and
the lies that have been told on the
present governor. and with the bank
ers. money interests, all lighting him
and trying to hamper his administers
ton I'm order to cause his defeat. 1t
certainly would seem then that the |
incoming administration. with a very, !
very wealthy bank president ut its
head. indorsed by all the money inter- |
ests OF the State. including capit lists.
bankers. railroad officials. cotton mill !
presidents and others. surely should be !
able to borr'w money as chcapiy. IL |
not much cheaper. than the retiring !
administratiOn-and In view of this .
fact heartily favor tho extension of |
the time for the payment OF taxes In |
orccr To protect the property OF the |
poor and helpless.
The people are the state and each
individual. however poor he may be. |
is as much "a part OF his state us
the wealthiest man In 1t. and should
receive the same protection from It's
laws. In my opinion. II is q great deal
better for the state as n whole to
be In debt than II Is for the individual
to have every little thing nc has
forced upon the market and his wife
and children turned out Of home: and ,
as the state has borrowed this wear
all the money she wants at 3 1-2 per
cent. and no individual can borrow