The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1919-01-23
NEW GOVERNOR OUTLINES
CONSTRUCTIVE PROGRAM

acCer ana cOmprenenSlve in scope,
was outlined by r. A. Cooper, of
Laurenso who yesterday took the
oath of Office as governor of South
Carolina.
In the inaugural address Mr.. Coop
er commits himself definitely to a
policy of granting few pardons, n
strict enforcement of the laws of the
State, and calls for strengthening of
the prohibition laws 80 as to reduce
the menace of drunkenness incident
to the sale of compounds, extracts
and patent medicine with a high al
coholic content.
The new chief executive also calls
for continuance Of the State Coun-
Gil of Defense, for which an appro-
priation Of $4,000 is being asked.
Better educational facilities has
been one of the chief planks of Mr..
Cooper's platform in his different
campaigns, and he now calls for the
enactment of a Statewide compul-
sorry attendance law, for all pupils
between the ages of eight and ID, to
be increased to 16 as soon as condi-
tions justify. Military training was
compulsory in time Of war" Mr..
Cooper emphasizes. 'If you would
avoid conditions that lead to war,
make school attendance compulsory
in times of peace
Also in keeping with his campaign
utterances, Mr.. Cooper calls for the
abolishment of the scholarship to aid
INDECENT young men and women TO
procure an education. In lieu there
of, he advocates the establishment of
a State loan fund, without interest.
to be repaid in four annual Install
ments. The first payment under the
plan would become due within two
years after graduation.
Mr.. Cooper favors a central board
or commission to direct the policy of
all State colleges, which plan he also
suggests may be applied to penal and
charitable institutions.
Taxes a Problem
A large portion of Mr.. Cooper's ad-
dress is given to the problem of tax
reforms. The system now obtaining
is unbusiness-like, he says. He re-
iterates his expectation of no reduc-
tion in taxes. The greatest deficien-
cy of the present system is the un-
equal distribution Of tax burdens.
The plan he is advocating is, when
the appropriation resolution is fixed
the general assembly, by joint reso-
luton, shall apportion the amount to
the various counties according to tax
able wealth. This would necessitate
the maintenance of the present tax
commission or other central board
to procure and submit necessary in
formation in making the county ap-
portionment. The county would be
subdivided according to townships
or school districts.
A health survey by the State board
of health, with the school district, is
urgently recommended. The war, he
points out, has brought to the people
a keen realization of the necessity
to better the physical fitness of the
people. "Our people, if we are ade-
quately to safeguard the future,
must be physically and morally clean
as we'll as mentally vigorous"
The ceremony Of inducting the
Governor into Office occurred Tues
day afternoon at | :05 o'clock. The
oath was administered by Associate
Justice R. C. Watts, of Cheraw, ma
tive of Laurens County, and the in
augural prayer was offered by the
Rev. S. II. Templeton, ID, pastor
of Mr.. Cooper's home church. AS
soon as Mr.. Cooper had been sworn
in the keys to the executive Offices
were presented by Governor Man
ming, who also made a brief and
complimentary speech. Governor
Cooper then delivered his inaugural
address, embodying the policies of
his administration. At the conclusion
Of Governor Coopcr's speech, Juni-
us T. Lilies, Of Orangeburg, took the
oath of office as lieutenant governor.
Other elective State officers were
sworn in in the Office of w. Banks
Dove, secretary of state. These
we're: w. Banks Dove, Columbia, sec
retary Of state; S. M. Wolfe, Ander-
son, attorney general; Rut. l.. Os-
borne, Anderson, comptroller gener-
al; w. w. Moore, Barnwell, adjutant
general; S. T. Carter, Columbia,
State treasurer; John E. Swearingen,
Columbia, State superintendent Of
education; b. Harris, Pendleton,
commissioner Of agriculture, COM
merce and industries, and II. H.
Arnold, Spartanburg, railroad COM
missioner.