The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1915-07-02
Gov. Manning Speaks
On Law Enforcement


ing the press to consider the situa-
ton in its true light and to treat the
city fair
'.No power conferred on the gov
ernor by the laws of this State that
I do not propose to use to secure the
enforcement of d3ese laws said Gov.
Manning. 81 am not in the least at
the end of my row." he said, express
ing his determination to exhaust ev-
cry resource in his power to enforce
the laws. The governor said he was
not discouraged by the action of the
grand jury in returning mo bills" in
the 80 blind tiger cases. Tie COVER
nor said he was not making any
threats but he wanted the people to
understand that the laws are going
to be enforced.
81 propose to go after the big men,
the men higher up said the governor,
stating tat he did not propose to have
it said tnat the small fellows were
being bounded and the big fellows left
alone. He said he was going after
the big dealers promptly and firmly.
The governor said results were be-
ing accomplished in Charleston, point
ing out that so revenue licenses had
been given up, the Eotels and clubs
had given up the open bars, and there
is, steadily increasing sentiment for
law enforcement. He pointed out the
many difficulties and how the improve
ment must necessarily be slow and
asked the press not to be skeptical,-
but be patient and realize the situa-
ton and he promised not to "let up"
but to do all in his power to enforce
the laws in Charleston and else
wnere.
The governor turned next to the
matter of the selection of a superin
tendent of the State Hospital for the
Insane and how he lad gone over the
field carefully and determined to get
a man who was capable, for the sit
uation there demanded such a man.
He explained frat he found the man
in DIR. G. Fred Williams, but he could
not get lin for $4,000, and it was ne
cessary for the governor to guaran-
tee him $4,000 and the governor him
self is borrowing the $3.50 extra a
month and if the legislature does not
reimburse him he will pay it himself,
which was cheered.
The governor told something of the,
results, Of the saving of 1854 month
in salaries in the laundry at the asy-
lum by dispensing with some of the
negro washerwomen and giving en-
pIoyment to dse patients. He told Of
under the old conditions how in one
of the female wards where 80 women
were locked in at night with only
two nurses to look after them and in
many of the rooms were straps hang
ing from the walls with evidence of
what was often done. The governor
told of the many improvements which
are being made at the asylum under
the new administration, all aimed for
the comfort and care of the patients.
Tie chief magistrate advocated pris-
on-reform, mentioning with disapproT-
al the locking in the cells at 5 p, m.
every day of the penitentiarg prison
ers and the conditions of many Of the
chaingangs and jails He advocates
more humanitarian treatment of pris-
oners and the Importance of seeing
they are given every opportunity to
redeem themselves. He approved Of
the compulsory education law and
urged the press to keep on working
for the cause of education, mentioning
that South Carolina stands At in il
literacy in the States as proof positive
of the need of more educational IA
cilities.
The governor said the tax commits
sion deserved the support of every one
and was working for TIE equalization
of tax assessments. He does not be-
1ieve the tax commission will do any
thing radical this year and if there
are any defects in the act it can be
remedied at the next meeting of the
legislature.
eve need more home owners in
South Carolina" said the governor,
urgin the need of land registration
act, which he says is a necessary step
towards rural credits law The gov
ernor asked if eve have pluck
onouoh" to onac+ coroo low unich will