The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-01-15
Defense Council
Wants. Compulsory Education
Law, Constitutional Conven-
,tion and New Fiscal

: YES IoE ltS cbtCioHCy diiu eAA0 w..
patriotism which. it reflected in tn
State, held its final meeting yestsr
day. At the opening of the meetln'
brief talk was made by D. X 90
ker. State chairman, in which MI
Cocker, explained that the Councll o
Defense was a war organization anS
had accomplished the purposes To-
which it had been planned. Oplnon 0
the members present was in CONFORM
ity with the sentiment expressed o!
Mr.. Coker and it was recommenoeo
that sthe legislature be asked TO ols'
continue the organization after rep
ruary /. ----
Following the determination to DIS
sbands ssesaraf farewell talks were
heard, one being made by Mr.. Coher
and another, by Goyernor. . Mannlns'
Both of these highly commended pne
wofko of the. members, the memoers
Of the county councils and the people
of the State generally, VINO nave -. ~
generously responded to the exactions
of the war. A resolution was oHereo
by William Banks, highly praSing the
work7of Mr.. Coker as chairman. II
WAS agreed to have the resolution en-
crossed and sent to Mr.. Coker. a
resolution was also adopted in when
was expressed the high regard IN
which the council held the late Lieut..
John S. Reynolds. killed on the battle
front ia France. Lieutenant Reynolds
Was oiie of the original members Of
the council: 80.
SThg last act Of the council was to
cair Son Governor Manning for legis-
iauon on vital subjects, as provided
81 the act creating the council. In
tbs petition recommended the
passagg Of a.. compulsory education
IAw: the calling. Of constitutional
convention; legislation looking to per-
uaauent highway building; public
heaIth regulations, Including a sana-
torium for negro tubercular patients;
me changing of the States fiscal year
sp as to terminate the year in time to
give the diferent departments ad-
SITUATE opportunity to compile their
annual reports before the meeting Of
the general assembly, and for the en-
.largenaent of the State historical COM
mission SO as to enable it to collect
and preserve. q complete record Of
South Car6ifsa's war achievements.
The foilbwfng lis the petition sentt to
Governor Manning:
s. SECTOR II Of the act creating the
South Carolina Council Of Defense
states that it shall recommend from
tine TO time such legislation as it may
Iserd necessary and proper in fur
t1eranee OF the purpose for which
said Council Of Defense organized. ),
Section I OF said act says that the
sosith Carolina Council Of Defense he,
ana IS hereby. created and establish
ed for the ptfrpose Of rendering adj
VICE ana assistance to the governor
RI tie performance Of an things he
may require OF them, in bringing
about the highest efficiency in the ad-
ministratfon of the affairs Of this
State, and the greatest effectiveness
during our present national crisis.
firsuant to the above, we hereby
transmit to you the following recon-
naendations to be transmitted by you
to tie legislature, IL you see fit to ,do
so: ,,4--e =: -: -. -.
$50 much progress has been: made
II recent years with respect to educa-
hon, health, good roads and, taxation
and the ideas and views of the body
polfffiic- have ,broadened 50 much, es-
pecialIy through what was done and
learned during the period Of the great
war that We believe that the. gen
uiiie development of the State along
these lines, as well as others, requires
tie calling Of a constitutional conven-
tion, The .copstitutional provisions
should be recast in order to give scope
to the enlarged ideas Of our people.
Little can be accomplished by isolat-
ca amendments. :.
tafhe State of, South Carolina at
present has, no road system worthy
OF the name. During the past two
years, the, number Of automobiles. IN
TIE State has increased from about
1s geo, to about 5000. It is, not a
coi1nc;id ence, that the roads have great
" .deteriorated during that period, and
.H seems inevitable that further
deteriorations will continue to take
place as the number Of motor driven
vehicles increases until, point IS
reached (if it has not already been
reached where the social and eco
nonic welfare Of our people is seri-
opsly threatened. The future devel-
opment Of our State along almost er-
cry, line will depend. on good roads
and will be largely in proportion 10
the perfection, permanence and com
pleteness of the road system. We rec
.emmend, therefore, that the legisla-
tnre at this session take up the mat
ter of providing for the State a com
prehensive system of permanent
roads and for their proper mainte-
nance.
There can be no more important
subject for legislation than the safe
guarding of the health Of the people
The happenings Of the past two years
have demonstrated the need Of more
liberal support Of our State board OF
health.
tt1.. We especially recommend tht
creation and appointment of bureau