The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1917-01-09

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at this session Of the legislature, :c
be put into effect IN 1918.
Law Enforcement.
The enforcement OF the law de-
wolves upon the executive branch OF
the government and upon the regular
ly constituted officers Charged with
that duty. Experience has shown
that the means now provided for the
enforcement of law are not adequate
If laws are disregarded and violated,
our progress in civilization will BE-
retarded. Security Of life and prop
erty must be assured; the constitu-
ton and laws of the State must be
respected and obeyed. II We are to
advance in the great race Of human
achievement, and If this attitude to-
wards law is to be established so
that our attention can be directed
to those constructive measures thnt
have been made necessary by new and
changed conditions, the law must BE
supreme.
The governor Is held responsible
for the enforcement of law, and he
is expected to require peace officers
in the counties to discharge that duty
This is in accordance with the princ:
pie of home rule; but under our con-
stitution, the sheriffs of the counties
are not subject to suspension or re-
moval by the governor, even in cases
where they manifestly fail to enforce
law. Thus, while the Chief Execu-
tive is responsible for the enforcement
of law, he is not given the authorl-
ty or power which would make his
orders effective.
l believe that the Governor should
be held responsible for the enforce
ment Of Law. If he is held RESPONSE
BILE for it, he should be given the
power to require local peace officers
to discharge their duties, or, upon
failure to do so, to suspend such
officers.
l will, at later time, make spec
ial report to the general assembly
of events that transpired in Eovem-
Der in Anderson county, where. as q
result of the sheriff's failure to exc
cute the order of the courts and to
maintain peace and good order, It
became necessary to call out the Ma
tional Guard to protect the civil au-
thorities in executing the orders of
the courts, which was clearly the duty
of the sheriff to perform. l. there
fore, commend this subject to your
consideration.
If, under the constitution, these de-
fciencies can be supplied, I urge
such action. If, after careful inveS-
tigation and study, this cannot be
done, then l would urge that you
submit to the people of the State an
amendment to the constitution thai
will permit a remedy for this cond,-
ton. This VII require time. For
immediate relief, l urge that authori-
ty be given the governor to appoint
constables in his discretion, VITA
Statewide jurisdiction, to enforce the
Prohibition law, and also, in case OF
failure of the peace officers in any
county, to enforce all laws. The gov
ernor may then use constables for
this purpose l believe that the peo-
pie of South Carolina demand enforce
ment of law. This public sentiment
should be respected and encouraged
The means to make enforcement of
law effective should be provided.
again pledge my best efforts to up
hold and enforce the laws.
National Guard.
The South Carolina National GuarG
has demonstrated its value during the
past year, both to the nation and to
he State. It's members have mad
serious sacrifices in responding to the
,all of the nation and the State, In
The protection of life and property
The sacrifices of both officers and
men in the emergencies of the past
year have proved their loyalty, eff
cheney and patriotism. 1 state frank
~ that without the South Carolina
National Guard the governor would
have been powerless to enforce the
laws and to protect life and property
I recommend that the Nationa.
Guard be literally supported. 1 re-
gard it as very important part of
the government, under existing con-
diticns. l will communicate with
you further on this subject later.
Prohibition.
At the last session Of the legisla
ture l asked you to make adequate
provision for the pay of special con-
stables wherever and whenever needSl
to enforce the prohibition laws of the