The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-01-05
the c0M|NG LEGISLATURE.
4HE BIG PROBLEM WILD BE TO
PROVIDE MONEY FOR WAR
TIME NEEDS.
\ Resume OF Some OF the Important
MEASURES That the Legislators Must
CUnsificr and Act Upon.
BY Joe Sparks.

erol assembly Will be the first war ses-
sion In more than so years.
President Wilson has pronounced
ths policy that the only business be-
fore America In to win the war. This
policy should be the guiding policy of
the South Carolina lawmakers.
IL seems to be the general opinion
that no legislation should be under
taken that does not look to the help
ing OF the nation I'm it's greatest cri-
siA Well informed students of legis-
iativs and political affairs In South
Carolina firmly believe that the mem
pcrs OF both houses will respond to
every call that Is made for assistance
by the national government
Gov. Manning has been busy during
the last several weeks assembling
data for his annual message. II will
be war message and will deal
largely with the duty OF South Caro-
hna In this crisis to the nation. The
governor has given no intimation as to
the measures he will propose. The
message will be along the broad con-
slructive lines that have marked all
papers sent to the legislature by the
chief executive.
The first important business OF the
house will be to elect a speaker to
sncceed James A. Hoyt. removed to
another state. t. p. Cothran OF the
.orenville bar. II. G. Evans of the
Edgeneld bar and Jos. Berry OF Or
angeburg are the contenders for this
tmportant place. 1t is expected that
the elction will take little time. Both
houses win soon after meeting begin
work on the calendars.
u a great deal Of money will be need
ed for the war conditions. The people
might as well get ready to hear about
large appropriations. However some
sort of tax programme may be car
ried through which will reduce the
levy rather than increase IT,
Among the more important ques.
tions TO be considered wiz be:
Adequate support for the Home
Guard. which has been organized to
take the place OF the National Guard
Military training in the public
tshoois OF the State.
Rcarrangement OF the conduct of
the State department of agriculture
; Adequate legislation for the sup
port OF the State Council of Defense.
Amendments to the labor laws.
Strict vagrancy laws to prevent
itafng In the cities and thereby pro-
VIDE more labor for the farms OF the
staie.
Measures TO encourage the greater
pf6ducfion OF food stufrs.
Strict laws to prevent short weights
by the food merchants Of the State.
Measures which will insure a vote
Tor every man In the army from
eeuih Carolina.
Ample appropriations for the con-
ssnoance of the Improvement work at
the; State hospital for the insane.
Change banking laws so as to per-
nile greater investments in Liberty |
bonds.
Adequate protection TO be thrown
about the state election laws.
IL will be seen that the members
OF The general assembly are facing
hard task. No greater questions have |
evsr been before n South Carolina
legislature. II Is to be hoped that the |
nistnbers will Immediately get down
TO work and complete n progressive
programme or legislation at the earl |
lest possible moment. There is some |
talk Of doing away with night sessions |
on account OF the coal shortage. OBJ
servers assert that the legislature
should meet and adjourn within 90 |
days This would be impossible be-
canse all of the important matters
should be thoroughly debated before
final action.
There are over $1,000 men from /
south Carolina now i'm the military /
service. Probably $4,000 will be
added before the end OF the summer.
Many Of these men may be in for
eisn service by the time the next
election In held. This will mean that
the legislature must make provision
for at least 10000 men voting away
from home. Many OF the voters
may cast their ballot somewhere IN
France. This question should he
given careful consideration by tho
solons.
Ample appropriations will no doubt