The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1916-01-20
SPEAKS OF STATE HOSPITAL.
Clear, Lucid Exposition of Conditions
of Asylum by the Governor.

COLUMBIA, Jdu. L f.-1I Was d great
personal victory that Governor Man.
ming accomplished today. By his in
tense interest in the State Hospital
for the Insane, by his apparent sim
cerity, by his unvarnished statement
Of facts, he completely captured the
members of the general assembly and
won their sympathies in cause that
is already close to his heart. There
has been much misunderstanding
about Governor Manning's course in
connection with the appointment of
DR.. Fred Williams as superintendent
of the hospital for the insane, and
in~other phases of the governors ac-
tivities in connection with the hos
pital for the insane. Today, by in
vitation of the general assembly,
Governor Manning presented in per-
son his message on the hospital for
the insane, particularly devoting HIM
self to a statement of the reasons
that made it necessary for him to ap-
parently go counter to the law fixing
the compensation for the superintend-
ent. 1t was really remarkable pre-
sentation; there was no attempt at
eloquence, for the facts themselves
were sufficiently eloquent as related
by the governor. 1t was a perfectly
plain, unvarnished, clearly presented
statement that compelled conviction.
1t removed cobwebs of doubt even
though there were questions of poll
cies and whatever criticism there
may have been has been overshadow-
ed-completely so-by the realiza-
ton of the fact that whatever Gov
ernor Manning did in connection with
the employment of high salaried and
efficient officials at the asylum was
done as a result of the absolute
needs, as he saw them, of an instltu-
ton that was caring for eighteen
hundred helpless souls.
A Precedent Indeed.
Perhaps never before has a per-
sonal message been so convincingly
and sympathetically presented to an
audience of lawmakers.
And when it was all over it
brought forth the unanimous adop-
tion of the following resolution offer
ed by Mr.. Mccullough, of Greenville.
Resolved, That the thanks of this
Joint assembly are hereby extended
to his Excellency, Governor Manning,
for his most instructive, interesting
and soul stirring message, and we
pledge to him and those in authority
our hearty support in their efforts to
better the conditions of these unfor-
tunate wards of the State confined
in the State Hospital for the In
sane"
Governor Manning said that con-
ditions at the asylum were such when
he was inaugurated governor that
they could not continue, and, when
he cast about for man of such ,ex-
ecutive ability and such humanity
that he could handle the State Hos
pital efficiently, he found that the
salary must be increased. He made
the necessary increase, paying the
money out of his pocket. This sac
rifce l made willingly, gladly" he
said, but stated that it was now up
to the legislature to relieve him of
the burden that he could carry no
longer. The present administration
of the asylum has improved the in
stitution in efficiency of administra-
ton and of treatment, $4,000 alone
being saved by redistribution of la
bor.
He gave instances where occupa-
.tional treatment had cleared the
mental cloud of many Of the pa
tients
The board of regents, finding that
they had balance of s17,SS5 on
hand, agreed to eliminate the appro-
priation of $4,000 for improve
ments, but the governor stressed the
necessity of allowing the S325,0OO
asked for maintenance.
The senate went on record today
as opposing the creation of new Of
fees when the bill for the establish
ment of library commission for the
State was killed by vote of "a to o..
The Carlisle measure prohibiting
publication of whiskey advertising in
South Carolina went to third read
ing.
The Wightman bill repeating the
law requiring two years study in a
law school or law Office before being
allowed to stand a bar examination,
passed third reading and was ordered
sent to the house.
A mass of new bills was introduced