The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1916-01-29

Columbia, Jan. 25.-Andrew ]. Be-
thea, lieutenant governor, who re-
turned Sunday from journey abroad
OF seven weeks as a member of the
Ford peace party. addressed the sem
ate as follows on it's convening last
night after the weekend recess:
Gentlemen Of the South Carolina
Senate:
las lieutenant governor Of our great
commonwealth, 1t gives me uncom-
NOR Joy to stand before you again
to assume the duties of presiding off,
Ger Of this honorable body. For when
think Of the splendid traditions and
history Of the past, the many men
Of ability and high character who
have left an inspiring example of
public service. and when recall also
tho lofty patriotism, honest purpose
and unselfish and statesmanlike spirit
which animate and control the
members Of this body at the present
time. come to my task rejoicing
in the opportunity which It affords
to join with you in q common SER
vice to my State and country.
"You con believe me then when
! tell you that 1t gave me great
anxiety and concern as well as dis
appointment and regret not to have
been with you on the opening day
0f the session. Having made this
statement. might content myself in
the belief that 1t will be accepted as
sincere and therefore would suffice.
But to remove all doubt or question
In the matter and to reaffifm my own
desire to be faithful to avery trust,
II shall be pardoned II add that my
absence was made imperative on ac-
count Of a severe and serious I'LL
ness. which fortunately came upon
ine while in the home lof the kind.
hearted American minister In the
city Of Stockholm. sweden. 'and when
Il had sufiiciently recovered I'd re-
sume my journey ! Encountered a
terrible storm at sea. which further
delayed and absented me from this
place.
'ro thu distinguished president pro
tim. to yod senator's, to the efficient
corps Of clerks and attdches Of the
senate. to each ana alI 81 You who
assisted in the discharge Of my duties.
I am under real and Tasting Aobliga-
tionB. - :
''1'hen. too, in addition to this ex-
perience. I am conscious today Of a
feeling Of genuine sorrow. For as I
stand here and look into familiar
faces and reflect upon the personnel
cf the senate year ago. I remember
that the grim reaper OF death has
visited our circle and taken from us
one of our most useful and active
members. AS you have already held
memorial exercises. at which fitting
culogies were spoken in honor of the
lnte departed senator from Clarendon,
it Is enough for me now to pay this
passing personal tribute and bear tes-
timony to his long record of faithful
and conscientious service to his county
and State. AS We bow in humble
submission to an all wise Providence
which has removed him from our
midst, so also We welcome here his
young and ma6ly successor. upon
whom the senatorial toga has fallen.
"And what now shall 1 say with
regard to the serious and vital busi-
ness Of legislation in which we find
ourselves engaged You have re-
served In you the supreme privilege
and constitutional right to determine
what laws to enact and what to re-
5ect. I have confidence in your judg-
ment and patriotism and shall not at
tempt to dictate to you in this mat
ter.
but may venture to suggest that
the South Carolina senate should so
direct the machinery OF legislation as
to conserve and promote the highest
welfare of the people Of tho whole
State. Statutes and constitutions
never have and never can cure all
the ills we find the commonwealth
heir to. but wise and just laws rightly
are a boon to any pco-
pie.
ITO this end. therefore, lot us seek
to discover immediate needs, let us
frankly ask ourselves If disease. pow
ert" and illiteracy are not among
tn ital questions to be dealt with
today and let us make conscientious