The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1919-07-22
GOV i-0OPER'S SPEECH
TO LAW OFFICE

ipries. solicitors and magistrates !Gr
the purpose nf discussing the admin
sstration of criminal laws of this
State. | do not wish to create the
impression that the people of South
Carolina are lawless, because l am
sure that the great majority are law
abiding and law-respecting. But due
to a combination of circumstances we
have a lawless condition throughout
the State. The sale of Intoxicating
liquors and every compound or mix
ture of every kind that is calculated
to produce drunkenness has been
condemned. This prohibition is now
nationwide Owing to the very high
price which a great many people are
willing to pay for alcoholic beverages
Illicit distilleries have sprung up all
over the State, and various devices
are being used in the manufacture OF
!intoxicants. My information is to
the effect that men who ordinarily
would not think of engaging in any
illegal practice are so attracted by
the profits which they may make
that they are engaging in this ne
farious business. But there are 9TH
er matters closely allied with and re-
sulting from this practice that must
be considered. The population Of the
jails in this State is on the increase.
In various sections reports Of I'M
morality haYe been called to my at
ltention. A great deal of this condi-
ton is doubtless due to the natural
reaction following the war, and Incl
dent to the general unsettled condi-
ition. Whatever may be the cause, or
the explanation the fact remains
that there is more violation of law
in this State and more immortality
than is conducive to the best interest
of our people.
s'The governor can not without
the support Of the good people of the
State prevent crime The solicitors
can not suppress crime without the
aid of public opinion and cooperation
on the. part of the citizens. The
sheriff IS powerless in the discharge
of his duties unless he is likewise
supported by the people of this coun-
lty. Grand juries may present bills
!of Indictment, but no good results
lean be expected unless every pre-
sentiment IS approved by the people
whom they serve. The magistrate is
also dependent for the successful ad-
ministration of his Office on public
opinion. My experience as prosecut-
ing officer has led nae 1e the conclu-
sion that while all this is true, yet
the governor, solicitors, sherinffs and
magistrates can create a public opin-
ion and secure the cooperation and
support of the people of their county
by a tactful and efficient administra-
.tion of their respective Offices.
"My purpose, therefore, in calling
this conference is that we may take
counsel together, have anexehange
of views as to conditions, and the
remedy to be applied, and thus aid
in creating not only sentiment
against crime, but an active, aggres-
sive cooperation of all the machinery
for it's suppression. I confess to you
that I have felt deep concern over
conditions as they have been report
ed to me, but I am not pessimistic,
am not in the least discouraged, be-
cause I am sure that you gentlemen
will give to me. that support and CO.
operation which I need. can prom
ise you that I stand ready at all times
to support you in your efforts to give
the people of your respective coun-7
ties that protection and security that
law undertakes to provide for every
citizen.
81 think it is not inappropriate that
I give to you my conception Of the
duties of solicitors, sheriffs, grand
juries and magistrates. The solicitor
is the States attorney: He repre-
sents the State in all criminal prose-
cutions. The Office is created in Or.
der that the people who are vitality
concerned may be properly repre-
sented in the courts, and properly
protected against the criminal. While
I think it inadvisable for the solici-
tor, in any case, to become the pro-
secutor in the ordinary sense of the
the senate.
uo woo tho author of tho fret fond