The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1916-01-19

pital for the Insane. The frankness
and whole-hearted manner in which
the governor laid the details of the
Improvements which have been made
during the past year at the asylum
and the earnestness which characteriz-
ed his impromtu remarks made a most
profound impression on the general
assembly. The recital of some of the
conditions before the improvements
were made and the pitiful cases in the
institution aroused the sympathies of
the legislators and the result Of that
message was clearly shown in the
adoption by the joint assembly unani-
mously Of resolution pledging their
support to anything which is needed
for carrying on the great work which
has begun there Of modernizing and
humanizing the care Of the unfor-
tunate wards of the State.
Governor Manning frankly said
that he had borrowed on his personal
salary of $4,000 appropriated by the
State to get physician for superin-
tendent of the institution. There has
been much criticism of the governor
In regard to this matter but when he
told the joint assembly that he knew
they could not reimburse him for
nd <hok Ixo
cheerfully gave it and was sat-
isfied with the results Of the great
work which had been done for the un-
fortunates his friends say that he
made a mastery stroke. There are
some of the friends Of the governor
who believe that he should not be ex-
pected to contribute from his pock-
ct to supplement the salary Of the SUI
jperintendent of the asylum. although
praising his motives and his gener-
osity, and SO the Columbia Record in
its issue of yesterday called on the
people to contribute fund sufficient
to make up this $4,000. Senator Alan
Johnstone of Newberry is in favor of
this plan and said the other day that
Newberry would contribute her quota
and he stood ready to send a check
Tor the amount Immediately. Some
money for this fund has already been
placed in the hands Of The Record by
friends Of the governor in the South
ern part Of the State.
What the attitude of the governor
Will be on this proposition no one
knows. But his friends believe that
the fund should be raised to show
that the people of the State stand be-
mind the high and noble aim which
Is being made to lift the State Hospital
for the Insane above politics and make
its one aim and purpose the care and
comfort the well being and the i'm
provement of the mentally sick.
Legislation for the enforcement of
the prohibition laws is plentiful. The
bill to make it a misdemeanor to be
drunk on a public highway has been
passed and is ready for the signature
|of the governor. Three members OF
the house introduced a bill making
available Immediately a fund of $50.
OOO to be placed at the disposal of the
governor to employ constables in as
sisting to enforce the prohibition laws.
Several bills aimed at cutting down
the one gallon a month now allowed
to be ordered from outside the State
are about to be introduced and it is
understood that bills absolutely nro-
hibiting the importation OF liquor or
intoxlcants for any use will be offered.
Some of the prohibition leaders are
beginning to fear that the legislation
may run to the extreme and become
fanatical.
A conference Of the legislators from
those counties which had dispensaries
Will be held early tomorrow morning
to agree on some bill looking to the
disposal of the left over stock of
"hiskey. 1t is understood that one
element wants bill passed allowing
the dispensaries to reopen for a cer
tain number of days and sell out at
retail what whiskey is on hand. An
other section wants a bill passed al
lowing the left over stock to be sold at
wholesale price to some interest in one
or the wet States. But several of the
prohibition leaders are opposed to
like this and say they will
not agree to but one thing-treat the
left over stock as contraband and pour
1t into the gutter. There is some-
thing like 100000 worth of whiskey
on hand in the various counties and |
tho members of those counties DOME