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

other than the heads OF families be
prohibited. and that such changes IN
the Law regulating the transporta-
ton OF liquor be made SO as to en-
force strict observance with the pur-
pose and object Of the law.
l earnestly desire the reduction in
drunkenness and crime. l believe
that hte enactment Of a sane but
strict law regulating the importation
Of liquor, strictly enforced. would
bring such result. l desire law
that will be respected and obeyed,
and l again pledge my very best ef-
forts and service to the adm:nistra.
ton and enforcement of law.
Coed Roads.
In urging good roads legislation at
! this session, | call your special al
teation to the following facts:
First South Carolina is spending
approximately s1,o0o,o00 a year on It's
/ roads-practically a 3-mill tax. This
sum is raised by county taxation ana
is expended on the chain gangs, ROADS
and bridges entirely through county
agencies.
| Second. Forty-two States have es-
tablished State highway departments
to do educational or administrative
work. or both, in behalf of good roads.
South Carolina is one of the six that
still follow the system of county or
local management. Viewing the mat
ter nationally and for a century and
quarter, local road management has
resulted in a striking lack OF prog
ress. despite the fact that there Is
now being spent in the United States
IN this way more than $3.50 oOO, 900.
Only In those States which have
adopted State policy has there been
real marked progress in highway
construction. There are now more
than $4,000 miles of State highways
and no State after having once adop-
ted State policy has reverted to the
old plan Of management
Third Under the terms of the Fed
eral Aid Road Act no State can re-
ceiEe its apportionment until a State
FhlghWay department has been estao
ilshed and the necessary cooperative
machinery provided Failure to ere.
ate State highway department. In
accordance with the provision of this
Federal Act, means the forfeiture OF
South Carolina's apportionment Of
Federal aid, for the five fiscal years
ending June 80, 1921, totals more
than $1OOO,00O.
Fourth. For motor vehicles there
is now being collected in this State
perennial license of $1.O0 Der car.
The Federal government estimates
the revenue accruing from this source
to have been $4,000 in 1915. TAX
ing the United States as a whole. the
average gross revenue return pe-
motor car registration was s7.46-
more than seven times that being Sc
cured by South Carolina.
These four facts, among others
emphasize the need for your giving
careful consideration at this time to
the whole question of better roads
10 meet the situation, will require
in my judgment, the ssYctment of at
least two laws: Firs.,a law Great
Ing State highway department and
asserting to the provisions of the
Federal Aid Road Act; second, a
motor vehicle law requiring the H.
censing of motor vehicles by the State
and the use On the roads Of the net
revenue thus derived.
Torrens System.
at the last session of the general
assembly you adopted the Torrens
System Of land registration. re-
garded this action then, as l DO now,
as most important prerequisite 20
rural credits and a successful opera
ton of the Federal Land Loan. Bank. /
The act which was passed has not
p owed practical measure, and I !
earnestly recommend such amend
ments to the Act as will make 1t
practical and workable and an. econ !
omical means Of determining the VAL
ldity of. title to land.
l trust you will realize the in2or% /
lance Of this measure.
Burial Credits. |
In my first message to the legisla-
ture l urged the passage Of Rural
Credits Act. Since that time the Fed
eral government has enacted a long
term rural credits law. The South.
especially, is to be congratulated on
the adoption of this law, and South