The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1921-01-06
GOVERNOR ON TAX NATTER.
Favorable to All Necessary Expendi-
tureS in State.

mendation Of appropriations which
will impair the progress of the state
in matters of education, good roads,
health and sanitation. and those
things which increase the morale of
the people will be made by him, said
Governor Cooper today, in a letter to
Walter B. Wilbur, an attorney and fl
nancier of Charleston. The expression
of the executive was in answer to a
letter from Mr.. Wilbur, in which the
latter says he is fearful that the re-
ported retrenchments of the Budget
commission will strike at something
vital in the structure Of the state gov
ernment. and. will retard progress.
Mr.. Wilbur, in his letter. dated Dec.
q, fears that 'tin any programme
of retrenchment sacrifices will be
made of some of the activities the
value Of which is not properly appre-
ciated, but which activities constitute
the most vital and constructive work
the state is DOING and concludes
that it is much more important to-
interpret the states progress and con-
tinue to move forward, than to save
some money by admitting the dispens-
ability of any Of the institutions the
state now has or ought to have.
Admitting that there possibly are
measures of economy which could be
taken along progressive lines to save
the taxpayers money, Mr.. Wilbur
takes the position that he can only
emphasize the general proposition
that whatever money we spend in ad-
vancing the general well-being of the
state is equalizing opportunity, in
promoting public health, in facilitat-
ing transportation, and is strength
ening the morale of our people, is
economically SPENT
Stating that any person knowing
the condition Of the state must realize
that there is an absolute necessity
of "a programme of strict economy
and anv expediture which is not i'm
perative must be deferred for the
present.
The governors letter, written yes
terday, says:
CT am in receipt of your favor of
the 9th instant.
"The formal statement which [
have made with reference to the state
budget for 1921 was given to the
press several days ago. I think every
person who is familiar with condi-
tions in the state realizes the absolute
necessity of programme Of strict
economy and that we should deter,
for the present, any expenditures
which is not imperative. If you have
gotten the impression, however, from
any statement attributed to me that
7 would favor retrenchment to the
extent of injuring any institution or
department of the state government,
or retarding in any way the substan-
tial progress made in the matter OF
good roads, health and sanitation,
education and in the reform of our
penal and corrective institutions, such
impression is an erroneous one. |
feel, however, that We can defer, for
a time, such matters as permanent
Improvement and expansion of many
activities without doing them serious
injury.
I'm the matter of good roads, pub
lie health work and education, | fully
agree with your view. 1t may be pos
sible to reduce appropriations on some
of these items, but I shall never con-
sent to the adoption of any policy
which will hinder a continual and
continuous advance along these lines.
If there was ever a time in the his
tory of the state when we could not
afford to neglect our educational IN
terests, that time is now.
st expect to discuss these matters
in detail when the legislature con-
venes. and I am satisfied, when you
know my position fully, you will see
that the economies and retrenchments
which I will suggest will be consist
ent with the policy of progress and
development.
'I wish to thank you very much
for YOUR letter. 7 only wish that we
had more men who felt as you do
and who would express their convic-
tions as you have"