The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-01-26

| statistics show that approximately
80 per cent. of our people are engaged
in agriculture; an increasing number
are textile workers. The federal gov
ernment, recognizing the Importance
of the industrial education Of our
boys and girls, has thrown down a
challenge to the States. Will we ac-
cept it?
Il therefore recommend that an ap-
preparation be made to make possible
activities relating to agricultural. in
dustrial and vocational education in
our State that can not come under the
federal law. If we fail to qualify our
selves to use the federal fund, any un-
used portion OF that fund will be
deducted from the States next allot-
ment and will therefore cause a direct
loss in money, and what is more i'm
portant, a greater loss in educational
efficiency"
OF the $4,000 appropriated last
session for the enforcement of State
laws, $15,O24.51 remains unspent. In
Justification Of the appropriation the
governor points out that during the
year constables seized 10000 quarts
OF whiskey, besides large volume Of
wine and beer valued at more than
$4,000. More than 200 persons were
convicted, in which cases more than
$4,000 in fines was collected and an
aggregate of $4,000 days in Jail SEN
tences imposed.
The governor asks for continued
liberal financial and moral support in
suppression Of illicit liquor traffic. 1t
requires constant vigilance and ac-
tivity to enforce the prohibition laws
of the State. 'and we can not afford
to relax our efforts" he says.
Construction Of q system Of high
ways would do much to relieve the
present congestion of railroad traffic.
1T is pointed out. The situation would
be greatly relieved "if our highways
generally permitted the use of auto
mobiles and heavy trucks. If ou!
highways were better, the city of
Spartanburg, now largely the dis
triputing point for coal over the
Clinchtield Railroad. would be easily
accessible. Similarly. if the roads
out of Charleston were improved the
prompt distribution of nitrate of soda
would virtually be solved" -"
The work Of the State tax commits
sion is highly commended. The gov
ernor emphasizes that the commits
sion has already placed $21 900. 900 o.
additional taxable property on tho
state tax books by equalzing assess-
ments on many classes OF taxable
property. Passage Of the bill now or
the calendars of the general assembly
10 make survey of the State is
urged. ~ can see no honest, sou,,
reason why this bill should not be
passed. 1t would be step in the right
direction and would provide the
ground work for a workable and ef-
fective Torrens system OF land regis
tration. which is demanded by ou~
farmers and people generally" In
meeting appropriations this year
which is the time for reassessment, i,
Is recommended:
THAT after making the appropria.
tions you diem necessary and wis
for State purposes during the yea
1918. you fix such rate of levy as
will raise the amount of apprOprio.
tions upon the present assessed val
ues with the proviso that in case tt"
assessed value Of the proper.y
the boards of assessors, the boards o.
the tax commission and
the board Of review, than is sufI.-
cient to raise the amount apprOpriat-
ed under the levy named. then the
general be directed and
required 10 reduce the levy to such
rate as he finds necessary to raise il,
taxes no more than the amount of
the appropriation made by YOU"
Suggestion is made that the qucS
tion Of increasing the bonded indebt-
cdness of the state be submitted to the
people at the next election, the
amount Of the bond issue to be large
enough to provide for the building tr
state offices, for the necessary inl
provements to be made at the va
rious State institutions and for the re-