The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1919-01-22
GOVERNOR COOPER'S
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
Continued from Page Three.)

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| Continued from Page Three.)
you what seems to me, after a careful
study Of the question, the proper solu-
tion Of our tax difficulty. do not ex-
pect to accomplish the object desired
In year, or even two years, but be-
lieve the general plan is workable, and
will ultimately give us satisfactory re-
suits. 1t would require too much time
to go into details.
The Chief function Of the Governor
under our plan Of government as de-
clared by our constitution, is to see
that the laws are faithfully executed in
mercy. 1t Is gratifying to know that
there is an over increasing demand for
an Impartial administration OF justice.
DelieVe that the administration OF JUS
tice, to be effective and satisfactory,
should be tempered with mercy, but
first Of all standard of justice must
be maintained. The law is the securi-
ty OF the citizen, and he who wilfully
violates 1t should expect to pay just
penalty. l do not wish to be misun-
derstood on this subject I know from
my own personal experience that
events show juries sometimes make
mistakes. In some instances, judges
impose sentences that prove to be too
severe. Such cases, however, are eX-
ceptfonal. In vast majority of cases
juries render righteous verdicts, and
Judges impose just sentences. BelieY-
ing as do, that 1t is to the best inter
est OF all the people that the verdicts
Of juries. and the Judgments Of courts
should be properly respected, shall
not interfere with their decisions, ex-
cept where am convinced that the ends
of justice will be promoted.
After a careful consideration of the
task that is before us incident to war
and the readjustmcnt period, it IS my
opinion that it would be wise for this
General Assembly to continue for an
other year the State Council of De-
fense. If such an organization was i'm
portant In time Of war, and few will
deny that it was, it seems to me that
1T is equally important for short
| period at least immediately following
the war 1t will not be necessary to
appropriate as much money for this
body as was appropriated the past year.
An appropriation Of $5,00000 is con-
sidcred sufficient and | trust you will
find it consistent with your duty to
make this appropriation with view to
the prosecution Of vigorous cam
paign to arouse our people to the i'm
portance Of better educational facili-
ties, and various other questions which
will be acute for while.
| cannot conclude this address with
out word in behalf of the ex-Confed-
crate soldier. While we are honoring,
as I'VE should, the boys who are now
returning from the victorious fields Of
France, let us not forget the thin gray
line. Almost all Of those who composed
1t have already crossed the River
feel that the state Is financially able to
give to the Confederate soldier an in
creased pension at this time. We owe
these men debt of gratitude that we
can never repay in kind, but we can
give to them in these, their declining
years, the ordinary comforts of life as
q token Of our appreciation of their
heroic sacrifice. There arc some yet
amongst us who went through the thick
Of the fight, and the pension they are
now receiving is not enough to keep
the wolf from the door If we are cv-
or to do anything for these gallant men
more than is now being done, we must
| do it now. Ten years hence practically
all Of them will have answered the last
roll call.
| have not attempted to make to you
any detailed suggestions as to fcgiSla-
ton to accomplish and carry out the
recommendations which | have sub
mlttcd. | have tried to indicate in a
general way course Of action My
purpose is to lay before you some con
ditions as | see them. You will be able
to suggest remedies, if you agree with
me as to the existing necessities. There
are many matters Of real importance
that have not been able even to touch
upon | have tried, however, to give
you my views on what consider ques-
tions Of prime Importance, and Of
pressing necessity. shall from time
to time call other matters to your at
| tcntion as 1t may appear to me wise.
| believe 1t is necessary that you make
a liberal provision for an organized
militia. There is some doubt as to
what will be the future policy of the
war department. It is my purpose to
deal with this matter in special MES
sage as soon as I have an opportunity
to confer with the Adiutant General
and others especially interested
shall cndcavOr to discharge my duty as
it Is defined by the constitution and
laws Of the state. If You see fl to
| adopt measures not in accordance with
my views for the accomplishment Of
our common purpose. you may resi- as
sufcd that I shall give to such meas
urcs an unbiased consideration. 1t is
for the legislature to enact laws. and
for tho Governor TO execute them
| Whatever laws arc enacted ! shall en-
dcavOr to administer so as to accom-
pliSh the purpose intended | want to
see South Carolina take a positive and