The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1919-01-24
tax burden.
The Highway Question.


There is general demand and
real necessity for improving trans
portation facilities. We must have
better public highways. Whether you
decide to build roads by direct state
appropriation, by bond issue of the
state rthe various counties, what
ever method you may see fit to adopt
t means the expenditure of more
money. The people of the state want
better roads and better schools, and
are willing to pay tire necessary costs
but as you increase the amount Of
your tax the inequality already ex-
isting bec3.:es more burdensome,
and the dissatisfaction with our pre-
sent system becomes more intensi-
led.
In a general way have submitted
to you what seems to me, after a
careful study of the question, the
proper solution of our tax difficulty.
I do not expect to accomplish the
object desired in a year, or even two
years, but I believe the general plan
is workable, and will ultimately give
US satisfactory results. 1t would re-
quire too much time to go into de-
tails.
Will Uphold Judges and Juries.
The chief function of the Cover
nor under our plan of government as
declared by our constitution, is to
see that the laws are faithfully exc
cuted in mercy. It is gratifying to
know that there is an ever increas-
ing demand for an impartial admin
! istration of justice. I believe that
the administration of justice, to be
effective and satisfactory, should be
tempered with mercy, but first of all
standard of justice must be main
tanned. The law>is the security of
the citizen, and he who wilfully vio-
: lates it should expect to pay a just
penalty. 1 do not wish to be misun-
derstood on this subject. I know
from my own personal experiences
that events show juries, sometimes
make mistakes. 49, In some instances
judges impose sentences that prove
to be too severe. Such cases, how
ever, are exceptional. In vast ma
jority of cases juries render righte-
Gus verdicts, and judges impose just
sentences. Believing as I do, that it
is to the best interest of all the peo-
pie that the verdicts of juries and
the judgments of courts should be
properly respected, I shall not inter-
fere with their decisions, except
where am convinced that the ends
of justice will be promoted.
State Council Of Defense.
j After a careful consideration of
the task that is before us incident to
war and the readjustment period, it
is my opinion that it would be wise
for this General Assembly to con-
tinue for another, year the State
Council of Defense. If such an or
ganization was important in time OF
war, and few will deny that it was
it seems to me that it is equally i'm,
portant for short period at least
Immediately following the war. Il
will not be necessary to appropriate
as much money for this body as wa:
appropriated the past year. An ap
preparation of $4,000 is considered
sufficient and 1 trust you will find il
consistent with your duty to make
this appropriation with a view to the
prosecution of vigorous campaign
that will lead our people to the i'm
portance of better educational facili
ties, and various other question!
which will be acute for a while.
The Confederate Soldier.
I cannot conclude this addres:
without a word in behalf of the ex
Confederate soldier. While we are
honoring, as we should, the boys
who are now returning from the vic.
torious fields of France, let US moi
forget the thin gray line. Almost
all of those who composed it have
already crossed the river. feel that