The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1919-01-15

constitutional convention; the issu-
ancc Of permanent highway building
bonds, to be underwritten by the
State; reform in the tax laws Of the
State; increased appropriations for
the public schools; increased salaries
for State officials. and the application
of the Military College Of South Caro-
ina (thc Citadel for million dollar
appropriation to increase the facili-
ties of the institution.
| Thus far there has not been a great
deal Of agitation for the proposed con
lstitntional convention, but those who
larc sponsors for the movement point
to the patched up condition Of the
present constitution, due to the many
Iam"ndmcnts which have been made to
ii since it was adoDtcd in 1895. as suf-
ficiCnt reason, if no other could be Of
fcrcd, for rewriting the organic alw
Of tho state. Many hold that the three
mill school tax provided for in tho
present constitution should be done
away with as a handicap to the de-
,rclOpment Of tho public school svs-
tenn
Several meetings have recently been
held in the State in furthcrancc Of the
plan to issue State bonds to build per
mancnt highways connecting the yari-
ous county seats Of the State. The
automobile associations Of the State
are sponsors for the movement and
the plan is to increase the tax on mo-
tor vehicle; so as TO provide sufficient
revenue 10 pay the interest on the
honds and create a sinking fund to re-
tire them as they come due. 1t Is an
ticipatcd that the proposition will be
productive Of much debate in both
branches Of the general assembly.
There is a general demand through
out the State for Improved public
school facilities and 'hc appropria-
tions to he asked for tho purpose by
tic education department this wear arc
larger than at any time in the past
South Carolina is one Of the lowest
States Of the Union in percentage oc IL
literacy and there IS general desire
to improve conditions, including tho
passage OF Statewide compulsory
school attendance law, but the means
provided for the enforcement Of the
law are not considered adequate and
tho law is not broad enough in its
scope to satisfy those Who are urging
the Statewide measure.
The tax laws Of ;hc State have been
a source Of more or less dissa tisfac-
tion for several years and it is GER
tain that remedial legislation will be
urged upon the general assembly. At
the last session a determined fight
was made on the State tax commits
sion, but inc friends Of the commits
sion were in the majority and for the
time being the fight did not have the
desired effect, which was to- put the
commission out Of existence. There is
promise that the fight will he re-
sumed at the approaching session.
Early in the session bill will ho
introduced simultaneously in the
house and senate providing for in
creased salaries for certain State Of
icers. The salaries now paid these
officers is considered inadequate and
1t is the hope Of the proponents Of the
bill to get the measure through both
houses in time for the Increases to ~
ply to the incoming officials. who will
take the oath Of Office a week after
the general assembly meets. The con
stitution OF South Carolina provides
that the salary Of no State officer shall
be increased during the term for
which he was elected. 1t will, thcrc-