The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1916-02-04
Governors Message.


sage follows:
Governors Message.
81 have the honor to transmit here
with the record in re mobilization, Ma
tional Guard and naval militia, in The
city of Charleston, October, 1915, for
the purpose of preserving the public
peace
Acting on the representations, re-
quests and recommendations contained
in the affidayits, letters and state
ments attached hereto, said affdaVits,
statements and letters having satisfied
me that there was imminent danger of
violence and disorder in the city Of
Charleston, incident to the municipal
primary election to be held in said
city of Charleston on October II, 1915,
and which might not be controlled by
the ordinary forces of that city, I did
as a matter Of precaution direct Com
panies A, B, C and D, I'd South Caro-
lima infantry, under Major A. Hardy
Silcox, and the 1st, 4th and 9th diVi-
sions South Carolina naval militia, IN
der Lieut.. Hasel w Crouch, to report
to their respective armories at 8
o'clock p. m on October II. 1915, fully
uniformed. armed and equipped for
active service.
Brig Gen. William w Moore, the
adjutant general of South Carolina,
was directed to proceed to Charleston
and take command of these forces and
report to the sheriff of Charleston
county. The sheriff of Charleston
county was directed that in the event
of disorder or violence in the city of
Charleston. incident to the municipal
primary election, to call upon Gen.
Moore for such troops as might be
necessary to put down said disorder or
violence and to preserve the peace and
dignity of the state at any cost.
81 further ordered and directed the
sheriff to appoint, equip and commits
sion such number Of deputies as in his
Judgment might be necessary in order
to assure the preservation of peace and
to guarantee the untrammelled ex-
preston of the will of all voters cast
ing their ballots. and to see that peace
and good order were preserved on the
day of election and so dong thereafter
as might be necessary. The sheriff
was cautioned to use the militia only
in case of necessity.
"On the morning OF October 13 Brig.
Gen. William W. Moore, the adjutant
general, relieved the troops from act
i've duty. On Thursday evening, Oc-
tober IA, l received the following COM
munication from Jos. A. Black, chair
man Democratic executive committee
of the city of Charleston" :"
The governor then sets out copy
of the request from Mr.. Black for the
militia, a similar request from Sheriff
J. Elmore Martin, and all the various
letters and telegrams which passed in
connection with that event. Copies of
the afidavits and the orders to the
troops are also included in the mes
sage. After giving copies of the record
in the case, the message continues:
'fThe men composing the National
Guard and naval militia, acting under
these orders from me as commander
in-chief, responded promptly, neglect
ing their private business and sacri-
fcing their personal interests because
of this call to duty.
81 desire at this time to commend
most highly their patriotism and de-
vction to duty. The officers and men
of the South Carolina National Guard
and naval militia have proven their
worth and their value to their state
ard country in the preservation OF
the ideals of those who believe in su-
premacy of law and the preservation
of the sacredness Of the ballot.
"To these men We owe debt of
gratitude and to them the law-abiding
citizens of the state will be under
lasting obligations 1t became neces-
sary to keep these men on du-y for
longer period of time than at first
anticipated, and inrmy judgment their
presence and regard for duty prevent
ed more serious disturbance and
greater loss of life.
"In order to provide funds for the
payment of the expenses OF this noz