The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-01-12

ton of $4,000, if so much be need
ed. A fuller account of the organ
ization and activities of the State
Council will be furnished the gener-
from that body.
State Troops.
AS a corollary to the State Council
of Defense, provision should be mado
In substantial way for the equipment
and maintenance of Stnte troops. This
matter having been brought to thu
attention Of the department OF war by
myself and other governors who real
lied the need of military organic, -
ton to take the place Of the federal
lied National Guard units, permission
was granted, based on a ruling from
the judge advocate general, to or.
service by the State and federal au-
thorities but which cannot be drafted
and sent abroad as in the case Of the
National Guard. The department or
war urged the formation of such
troops. sS.
For the last two months the work
of organization has been going for
ward, and today 1 am in position
to say that a regiment IF State troops
cto dc d1, 70
some of the companies have already
been mustered in.
These troops will be furnished with
rifles by the federal government, but
the governments attention must be
directed first to the equipment ami
maintenance of the army and navy.
1t is imperative, therefore, that you
provide for the equipment and Sup
port Of such troops The military
code Of South Carolina should be
amended so as to make regulations
governing these State troops ana
otherwise to conform To the National
Defense Act. Such troops will be
subject to duty at the call of the gov
ernor as -commander-in-chi of the
States forces.
Let us hope there will be no cause
for me or my successors to use troops,
but should the occasion arise when
such forces are needed the hands OF
your state executive and the admin
istrative fores would be hopeIessiy
tied without such troops to assist In
the suppression Of law,essness, rebel
lion and invasion. ..e -, s511s
Soldiers and Sailors OWL Rights. :
Our National Guard. which rena-
cred such signal service ON the Mex
ican border and which is now in the
service Of the United states both at
home and abroad, our quota In the
National army now being trained, and
our volunteers in the navy and other
branches Of the military service,
should have their civil rights pro-
tected. therefore recommend that
a law be passed similar to the one
considered by our national congress
to the end that the families OF those
now or hereafter in the military SER
vice may not be Disseminated against.
In this connection I desire to call
your attention also to the need OF
making ample provision for obtain
ing the vote Of the South Carolinaians
in the service.
The worth Of our State will be
measured this year by our man-powsr
and by our willingness to set aside
certain provisions, which though nec-
essary in times Of peace are awkward
barriers to progress and cooperation
in times Of war. This would seem to
be paradox. but the contradiction is
apparent rather than real, :, and is
most clearly shown In the legislation
, regarding labor which now recon-
mend. s,
J During the months preceding your
annual gathering and eliminating
particularly in the recent action of the
, government in assuming control of
the vast transportation facilities OF
J this country, no problem has received
more constant study than the handl-
ing of labor in its connection with
the prosecution Of war. The doctrines
of business as usual and pleasure
as usual have proven false; in their
| stead we must learn ard follow this
precept: Each one must do his or her
task so that there may be no one
guilty Of vagrancy; the pleasures of