The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1915-01-20
MANNING WANTS REFORMS;
FINE INAUGURAL ADDRESS
TAKES CHARGE OF
SHIP OF STATE
MUST ENFORCE LAWS

JOTefNOf-EAeCG aOHcSSOS A@ .
Crowd-Demands Enforcement O
Law and Guarantees FuIfllment O.
Constitutional ObHgations-Want!
ADEQUATE Facilities and Then Loca
Opion Compulsory Law-Demand:
Strict Economy But Says Needed
Works Must Not Suffer.
Mr.. President, Mr.. Speaker and Gen
tlemen Of the General Assembly:
In assuming the duties OF governo,
I am mindful Of the responsibilities
Of the position. Invoke Divine guild.
ance, and earnestly pray that wisdom
courage, and strength may be given
me 70 see clearly and to do justly IN
all that may come to me as duty.
Under our form Of government we
have the executive, legislative and ]u-
dicial branches, each separate and
distinct from the other, and each a
check on the other.
The governor Of the State is at the
head Of the epecutive branch. It Is
his duty to enforce the laws as they
stand on the statute books. 1t IS not
his prerogative to decide whether a
law is wise, or best suited to a COM
manity, but he is to see to 1t that the
law Is obeyed.
have faith in our people; I be-
lieve that they want the laws enforc-
ed, and their conscience is awakened
on this subject. The watchword OF
my campaign last summer was the
enforcement Of the law. / now de-
clare afresh my purpose to carry out
in good faith, this pledge. believe
In home rule-local se2f-government,
and expect every one who is charg-
ed with enforcement Of law to do his
duty. Ny desire is that In each COM
munity the laws shall be enforced by
the local authorities. l take this, the
very first occasion, to say to these
authorities that I stand ready and
eager to cooperate with them in this
work, and that they may be assured
Of my aid with every available law
full means to attain this object. Let
me add another word, not as threat,
but as q warning; II in any COM
munity the lawful authorities fail to
enforce the laws, it will then be my
duty to see that the laws are obeyed.
This intend to do.
The constitution provides that the
governor may make such reconmen-
dations to the general assembly as, IN
his judgment, are good and proper.
The time has come when we have
to meet new conditions; We are living
In a time Of change and progress
This condition gives US new prob
lens to solve-new difficulties to
meet. We are to be congratulated in
having at the head Of the nation a
man Of great discernment, courage.
and ability, vino is dealing with ma
tional questions in a statesmanlike
way. May ] hope that we will seek
inspiration from that example to deal
with State questions with wisdom and
courage.
We are progressive Democrats and
we must have the courage to 90 just
" to each and every class OF our clti-
zens, even If it requires legislation
hitherto untried by US.
Primary Election Law.
In my judgment, the people Of this
State, regardless Of party, owe a DEBT
of gratitude to the last State conven-
ton Of the Democratic party for
adopting rules and regulations gov
erning the primary elections. 1t Is
due to the members Of that conVen-
ton to say that the apprehenslons o.
those who opposed personal enroll
ment were not justified. and that per
sonal enrolment, together with the
publicity given to the rolls OF the
clubs. saved US from Irregularities
and charges OF fraud. So far as !
know, the last primary election was
one In which the will Of the people
was honestly expressed by their bal
lots, and these were fairly counted
recommend, therefore, that your
hono-ab body shall enact into law
for primary elections, such provisions
as controlled the last Democratic pr1-
mary election in order that, IN al!
primary elections, each and every
man entitled by law to vote. shall
have the right and opportunity tc
vote once and that no man shall be
allowed to vote more than once.
Educaffpn.
It is gratifying to know the pro
gress we are making in education; II
is even more gratifying to realize that
our people are aroused to its para
mount importance; that they are de-
termined that the children OF our
State shall be educated. This is man
ifested in the spirit Of self-help, and
eac hyear sees substantial increase
in the number of school districts thai
tax themselves for school purposes.
Our institutions Of higher learning
have shown steady growth and are
doing splendid work. We must pro
vide literally for their support sc
that their growth and development
can be maintained. But the fac:
stares US in the face that we are in 8
period Of general business depression
and we must jealousy consider every
item Of expenditure, to save the peo-
pie from unnecessary burden. I sug.
gest, therefore, that at this time we
should not undertake any enlarge
ment Of these plants or any unneces-
sary expenses.
Notwithstanding the progress we
are making in educational facilities
and the general awakening that has
come to US, we must frankly admit
that We are still far short OF the posi-
ton we should occupy in the work OF
education. 1t stands to our shame
that the percentage Of illiteracy
among our citizens is so great. This
stain must be iped out; and to dc
this, we must tax ourselves literally
for the public schools. in order tha'
their usefulness may be increased
md that the opportunity for educa
'ion may be given to ell OF our boy:
md girls.
we must encourage the spirit o
,sL~1- ,oS avArv district sholllC