The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1921-01-18

these estimates to you for your in
formation. | trust you will see this
matter as do. We probably never
can come abreast of our responsible
ties under the plan we have hereto
fore followed. A building is more
permanent than road; yet roads are
constructed from bond issue pro-
eeeds. Why erect public buildings
out Of annual levies?
Law enforcement.
The violation of law in this and
other states is a matter of serious
public concern. A great deal of this
can be attributed to a natural reac-
tion from the war. Another cause is
the distress Of our people, due to the
unsettled condition of business,
which is also attributable to the war.
Whatever may be the causes, the
fact is that the past year has wit
messed an unusual wave of crime. A
great deal depends upon proper
enforcement Of the prohibition law.
Reports in my Office from the activl-
ties Of the few state. sconstables |
have been able to employ, and from
other sources, show that the illicit
manufacture of alcoholic liquors and
beverages in the state is appalling.
Almost daily 4 receive complaints
from good citizens in various sec
tions Of the, state, and not infre-
quently from wives and mothers who
are the especsal victims of the vio-
lation Of this law. This state, as
wen as the United States, is definite
" committed to,the policy of prohSbi-
ton of alcoholic beverages; it there
fore becomes the duty of the state to
enforce It's own enactment. If the
governor, is to be charged with the
responsibility land no doubt he
should bel of the enforcement OF this
Law, It is necessary that ne be pro-
yided with sufficient funds and suf-
fcient authoity. The entire police
authority-state county and munich
pal-should, with proper restrictions,
be subject to the governors orders
in the enforcement Of this particular
law, -
I have requested an increase in
the appropriation for law enforce
innsnt. There are those who believe
that this law, Like ali others, shouid
be enforced by the regularly elected
officers of the counties and cities. II
sheriff, with the help usually given
him, is required to enforce the pro-
hibition law in his county. be must,
necessarily, do so, TO the neglect OF
other duties., It is believed also
and this belief is based on expe-
rience- that specially employed con-
stables are necessary for the en-
forcement of law which is so gen
orally violated. / nave reached the
conclusion, after carefully consider
ine the matter, that the law should
be SO amended that person found
guilty Of q wilful violation OF che
prchibition law should serve term
of Imprisonment. and thar the pay
ment Of any amount of money should
not be sufficient to relieVs from the
service of the imprisonment sentence
! and that there should be no suspen-
son of such sentence except after
the service of from three to SIX
months. The people Of the state,
notwithstanding the present distress
ed condition Of business, can not
afford to pursue a policy Of inafer-
enee or neglect ip reference to this
question. In the matter of law en-
forcernent, there is involved not only
the rights of property, but human hu
life itself. Every constable employ
ed by the state, during the past year
has caused to be paid into the various
county treasures, in addition to time
served IN prison, SIMS in excess OF
the amount Of salary and expenses
paid. While this has been an ex-
pense to the state, 5 it has produced
revenue for the counties. If all fines
and forfeitures collected from yio-
lations Of the prohibition law were
paid into the state. treasury, this ap-
propriation would show balance TO
its credit very mach in excess OF the
amount expended.
State Highway Department.
At the 1920 session of the genera!
assembly, an act was passed amend
ing the then existing law with refer
enee to this department. Under the ne
provisions of the new act board
rr,oa ani,ointed and assumed ONCE