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" ' r | / " " : / T * ''' - GO?. McSWEEl CITES WONDERFUL h IN THE ENDORSES THE DISPENSAR cuvrRAT. iMENTmi L?jj r uuiiu The Finances of the State in j and Good Will Prevail Th ferent Departments of Numerous and Timeh As to Taxation-Claii Government?Gooi Gentlemen of the General Assembly: j ! " -* - +V10 Vimw hand of I ; .Lmnng tne po?L affliction was laid upon the chief execu- , tive of the State and the people were called to ruourn the death of their Governor. After a long illness Governor William H. Ellerbe died at his home in Marion County on June 2, 1S99. Young in years, full of honors, and commanding the respect of his countrymen he was gathered to his fathers. Holding the position of Lieutenant Governor, to which I had been elected, and obeying the Coni " ? T oath of office as I SUIULIVU, i - _ Governor on the 3d day of June, 1899, and immediately thereafter began the discharge of the duties pertaining thereto. Since you last met there has been very marked material progress in the State in almost every branch of industry. The husbandman has garnered the products of his fields with the assurance of good returns for his labor. Manufacturing enterprises have gone forward with almost miraculous rapidity and are furnishing lucrative employment for many of our people. There has been great activity in r ~ -3 ~ rrrAQt* the Ouiidmg 01 rauruaus, ? ? velopers of a country. Peace, happiness and prosperity prevail in every portion of the State. Factional bitterness and strife are things of the past and the poeple are united for the upbuilding, progress and development of the entire State. Death has not thinned your ranks and you come together to deliberate and make laws for < the people under most auspicious circum- ? stances. I trust that m all vourdelibera- . * f tions you may be guided by a single purpose?the welfare and happiness of . the people whom you have the honor to i represent. However you may differ, as differ you will, your combined wisdom and high patriotism, I am sure, will re- : suit in the passage of such laws as will i redound to the good of all the people. In the accomplishment of this purpose I : stand ready and anxious to aid you and co-operate with you in so far as my power > and ability may go. I EVIDENCES OF PROGRESS. In cotton manufacturing South Caroli- ' :na leads all of the Southern States and j stands second only to Massachusetts in ' the number of spindles and second to sane in equipment. If the progress of She past year augurs anything for the future ?e shall soon lead all others in this important industry ana instead of furnishing aa3* of of our staple crop for j export to other places for manufacture we 1 * ?< will be large importers ui , other States to supply the local demand. During the past year eleven new mills have been organized and are in process of construction, representing a total capital ?f $3,275,000. Sixteen old mills have been enlarged, representing an increase of their capital stock of 52,429,000. This not onlv means a large addition to the wealth of the State and an increase of the taxable property, but it means wealth put into active service and employment for : many of our people. In railroad building, as I have already stated, there has been very decided activity. 237 miles have been completed and in actual process of construction. ' This represents an outlay of least $25,000 ; a mile, or nearly <6,000,000, and when completed and returned for taxation, even at a valuation of $10,000 a mile will -add $2,370,000 to the taxable property of the State. In cotton seed oil miils, the lumber "business, and other branches of industry there has been very marked activity. For the exact figures in all of these new en terprises x ucg Louucti jvui amuuvu ^ the full and exhaustive report of the Secretary of State. A study of these figures and a realization of the material progress upon which the State has entered should be cause of sincere congratulation to every true Carolinian and should move you as representatives of the people to do all that , you can to foster and encourage this prog- : ress and these institutions and industries : which mean so much for our State. I 1 lave thought proper thus briefly to direct { your attention to these substantial evidences of progress and growth as an encouragement and an incentive to our people to the accomplishment of even greater things which lie easily within our grasp if we will but put forth our hands and lay hold of the advantages and opportunities that thickly surround us on every side. FINANCES. I take pleasure a!so in congratulating -vrm rm rrvrtrlifinn r>f til** fn.ltires of the State. The State Treasuter has been able to meet all of the obligations of the : State promptly and also the interest on ; the public debt without the necessity of UTS MESSAGE MATERIAL PROGRESS STATE, Y SYSTEM AND SUGGESTS iJMTS TU 'IH?i LAW. a. Healthy Condition?Peace roughout the State?Difthe State Reviewed, j Suggestions Made, ns Against General w d Roads?Read it. ? having to borrow any money or overdraw his account, and stili has a balance in the Freasurv. I give herewith a statement of tbe receipts and disbursements of the past year: t m ? ^-x ~ ? x cr ro c o I 0 ^u-,x s*x 5 - f-rx ?r c occ c t>? r^vC N tN IT N N to O OX Q O mo O -ex - ir.X ? - NO OX OOCC^ c* >C c - OO TX - lO *> ??? O 00 n 0? o o cc fOM/iw f r ro I wT ~ 7T T ~ ? <-< O - ?"> C\ C i/"3 "7 LC CN U"5 C* I ~ a j : " S*? | i : j | : ? i i i : i i : : : : : : ?:::::: 2 :::::::::::: g=8 : j j ; : : fn - *. I * I ! . : t?. ..!!!!!! 1 jlMMIjl = i : ::::::::: I :; ;ig:::;::; il: :: i;::: ? ii: :J :::::: :S ::: :cs :: : S illilMllhSifHHIi! SliilSijiiiMiifiilJjji 2 i I -S :;1| - 5i_=?f=| : is" ? t : : :=2o :g *2 c? 2o~g i i2 11 jlfi isif SJf*ilf??s I if s H&Si'iifrSidUi i? = I e ?< = ?- S-~ 35 r 5 = : 8 >> l=S5e?-=0-SP" i-S-S-2 2 ;:!|siii5-5ii3 if?ji 1 ?gggs? = ??? = 5= ?*?$=? s.ai?535*5a ? - ? ? - ? ? ^ r^vf\- r* ?. ? X %???' Vw 25 u"5r*? t>? ? t^"0'! <N CTs ^ C> X CMO^O ro CN r>- tOCC C^ C\ CC ?1 O X x ?o to rr ? - ~ f^vr. ? rr ?On& O w o^oo -<r c2.5: 2-, I^ro^r^ X fO ?r rQ c^C^^OCipcC rOX ?0 "C rr - <N O CN P^ "<rX O ? I^ ?0 O O JO ? ci -? -* ^ io io ^ i i l__5 ^ . # ? *<0 OX ^ 9 5J lO C3 O f> ? ^ . rs ^ g p\ ? W o jjv N M . .... ? (X) |0 E) . . S 'j * U3 * 5 ; i '-s :; i::;;:;-t ;i:; :?? : % II ; I; :|! \S; ;* : iis; ? ! !h ; i . . S . .? 2 .2 * :S : : * : :?S : s ;; is- :| :r:; :?.s| : ;:?? ;jfes? ifji? ^ ;<r*. 5 : *-*% -Mi \'s* I U :"!ipl ;I<l| ilPilll s; mm mi %im ? -i;.= .i;ii ?- ' ; = = u~ : <2S2 Sx'X jJ ""?? 00 = = s a-"--1 = = 'aro.-j-J ='5 = *?2-2? :~J?gS&?s -- o ? y r-=.-.- 5 * ~ - c - e =_ ? - ? S Sec 3 -y ? ee 2 ? ii=lim^^|=3!|i^?a5 - sf="=^ii ? ? S ?---~ oj 5^ c~~.2.? e K?'ii,'yy<5,fi'j:^22Sy'j:-2Xw^.2H'j The Treasurer of the Slate has called my attention to the fact that there are a number of old bonds which have hitherto been reported as fundable, but which under the Act of 1893 are now no longer so, and among them are the bonds claimed by the State Bank (Bine Ridge Railroad honds of iS^ol to the amount of ?r7.ooo. The Act of 1896 referred to prohibits the State Treasurer from funding or paying any bonds after the expiration of twenty years from the date of maturity. The bonds above mentioned matured on July 1st, 1879, and the twenty years limitation expired on July 1st, 1S99. These bonds, it may be recollected, have been the subject of several applications to the General Assembly for permission to fund the m without the surrender of the bonds themselves. One hundred thousand aonars 01 inese oonos were, 11 is alleged, plundered and taken from the Bank in February, 1S65, by the Federal troops in their march through the State. They have from that time been constantly claimed by the Bank, the receiver of which obtained an injunction from the courts as early as 1S70, restraining the Treasurer of the State from paying principal or interest of any of them to any one but to the receiver, and under that injunction all of these bonds but the thirtyseven now remaining upon the Treasurer's books have from time to time been recovered by the receiver of the Bank, and by him funded. No one has during the thirty years since the injunction has been in force claimed the bonds in question, and the Courts of the State have declared that they are the property of the State Bank, and that the receiver of the Bank is the only person entitled to fund and collect them from the Treasurer of the State. The State owes these bonds to some r\no an/1 tVip nHii^rtinn tVif? ("ipnpral Assembly has hitherto had to the funding of them has been, it is understood, the fear that some one might still produce and present them to the Treasurer, for funding under the funding Act of the State, and that the State might in this nai7 have tr> nav them twire This r>h jection seems now removed, as no one but the receiver of the bank has the right to ask to have them funded, all other persons being now barred by the statutes from applying to the Treasurer for that purpose. But however this may be, some action must now be taken in regard to them. They can no longer be carried on the books of the Treasurer as bonds fundable. It rests with the General Assembly to say what must be done in the matter. A short time ago I received a communication from the Secretary of the Treasury at Washington calling my attention to a claim of the United States Government against the State":>f South Carolina and an Act of Congress massed March *d. i$99, requiring him to institute such pro- J j cecdings as be might deem proper to collect any bonds or stocks, principal and interest, which the General Government holds against this State before any claipis on the part of the State against the General Government should be paid. This communication was brought forth c n account of the claims put in by this State i for reimbursement of expenses incurred in organizing volunteer troops for service in the war with Spain. I submitted the letter to the State Treasurer and asked him for a statement. I submit herewith his statement and ask for this matter such consideration and action as in your wisdom you may deem proper to take: "In pursuance of this provision of law the Secretary of the Treasury* of the United States has notified us that theGeneral Government holds certain State bonds to the amount of5125,000, principal; and interest to maturity of $123,750, aggregating 524S,750, and requests payment of the same. These bonds bear interest at six per cent, and were issued under Act of December J9? *855, for construction of new State House, issued January ist, 1S56, redeemable January ist, 1SS1.. By reference to the records of the State Treasurer's office . it is noted that there was some correspondence had between this office and the Treasury Department at Washington in -' November, 18S1, and during the administration of Governor Johnson Hagood, but without a settlement of the claim so far as we know. "Under the Act of the General Assembly at that time of force these bonds,. principal ana interest unpaia to ist January, iS3o, were fundable in six per cent.' consolidation bonds at fifty' per cent, of said amount. The consols being redeemable on ist of July, 1S93. The Act of the Legislature of 22nd of December, 1S93, provides that all bonds and stocks hithf erto fundable in these consols upon their. surrender be exchanged for the new.204c years 4^ per cent, bonds and stocks authorized by Act of December, 1S92, for the redemption of Brown Consols. These . coupon bonds now held by the United States Government are fundable as above: stated upon their surrender, i. e. , at 50 * per cent, of principal and interest up to maturity. The State, however, has Revolutionary War claims to the amount, in round numbers of <550,000. Jn the investigation of this claim against the United States Government theGeneral As sembly in December, 1S56, passed a resolution authorizing the appointment of some suitable person to investigate and prosecuie the State's claims as aforesaid, . and under that authority Governor R;- i\ W. Allston appointed Hon. Jas. 'A'. Black agent for that work. The said agent "incorporated the result of his labors in a report to the General Assembly, which.was ordered to be filed with Comptroller Gen era 1, wincn cannot now oe iouna among the records of his office. There -is a la'rge mass of old papers now in one-of the rooms of the State House, among. which this valuable report might be found if-the means were in hand to employ an efficient and painstaking person or. persons to examine this confused mass of papers.] There are, in all probability,.other claims held by the State against the General '? Government, to say nothing of private' claims of large amounts amounting. jiq! millions of dollars." ' * This is a matter of very great ; tance to our State. At your last s'e^ion. you passed a joint resolution requesting- ~ and directing the Governor and State. Treasurer to furnish all information avail--.? able to our Senators and "Representatives; f touching the claim of the State against; the United States for money advanced; duriug the War of 1S12, and that' -our Representatives in Congress be requested' f to urge forward all legislation on the-sub- > ject. You also rescinded all outstanding * contracts if any should exist for the collection of this claim. It seems that the. : Black Report made in 1S5S and mentioned ; by the State Treasurer embraces all the testimony and facts relative to the State's claim. In view of the importance of this ; report I recommend that you provide for an examination of all the old records and especially the old rubbish that is stored away in one of the unoccupied rooms of the State Capitol to see if this report can be found. Its recovery may be the means of our getting a considerable sum of money from the United States Government and it is important to put our Senators and Representatives in possession of? all the facts that can be obtained. As.Iunderstand it, the claim of the "Uuited States Government for the settlefrie.il of ine {>125,000 01 oouin v_aroiiD3 oonns uelongiug to the Indian Trust Fund anci.the accumulated interest is a just and honest claim which, we ought to pay and which we could pay. with our claim against the United" States. Govern-* ment and have a balance to'the credit of the State if we can find the testimony to substantiate the claim of the State; The matter was in process of settlement when the Civil War broke out in i860, and the a/1 f Vi /\f U a?? Cf d-afi < n rvrA Oldie uau |y;utu witu wtun nwwoiu yi utest against the unfair methods of the United States in adjusting the claims ani it was to sustain its contentions that Black was employed to -work up the State's case. It may not be possible' to obtain the full amount claimed by .the" State, but I am informed that.there^is absolute proof in official documents that the United States acknowledged that it owed the State of South Carolina in 1831 $7S,ooo and this with accumulated inter-, est for fifty-nine years would amount to about $350,000. If this could beadjustedwithout going into the disputed claims-the State could pay the claim the United. States Government holds against it and have about $100,000 left. Underthe consolidation Act of 1873 State Treasurer can only refund old bonds at fifty cents, on the dollar, but if a settlement as suggested could be made with the United' States Government you might pass-an Act authorizing the State Treasurer tooaf tic* of t An f c r\ n tViA r\r%\}ctr r\r) condition that the United States pay the just claims to the State of South Carolina' as acknowledged in the report of the Secretary of the Treasury in 1S5S. For a statement of the bonded debt of the State your attention is directed to the annual report of the State Treasurer. Our bonds find a read}' sale in the markets of the world at a premium and the credit"of the State is good. taxation*. The Constitution says that "All taxes upon property, real and personal, shall b'e laid upon the actual value of the property taxed, as the same shall be ascertained by an assessment made for the purpose of laying such tax." It also says the "General Assembly shall provide by law for a uniform and equal rate of assessment for taxation." It is a fact that very little if any property is assessed for taxation at its "actual value." For if it were the taxable property of the State would be a great deal more than it is and the rate o! taxation could be considerably reduced. T.o. the taxpayer, however, that is not a matter of very great concern, for a certain amount of money has to be raised to meet the expenses of government and while, if ( __ . the valuation were hiyh the rate could be j reduced, yet in'the end it amouuts to the sa:ne thin#. The question that concerns i the taxpayer is to have a uniform value | of assessment .whether it be the actual value or one-half the actual value. The : burdeu of taxation would then fall equally | on all the taxpayers in proportion to the I property they own, but if one man's prop- j erty is assessed at its actual value and another man's at one-half its actual value the one either contributes more than his share to the support of the government or the other does not measure up to his duty 111 tliis matter. The main desideratum is to secure such a mode of assessment es will give a uniform valuation to all property subject to taxation. That such results are not obtained now I am sure. Whether it is the fault of the law or its administration I am not prepared.to'say. We have township boards of assessors and county' boards of equalization, but the manner in which they as a rule discharge their duties and the time they allot to the discharge of these duti.es does not secure a uniform valuation of property for the pUipUDCD U1 1UUCCU LUU1U they do.it under the present plan if they gave;moxe time to it. They may secure an approximate uniformity for valuation in each county,'and so far as county purposes are-concernedi that might suffice, but the average in the counties varies and the burden of State taxation does not fall equally Oh the several counties. I have no fully'matured plan to submit for your consideration as a remedy for this evil, but I am persuaded that if some plan could'be'devised by which the Constitution could-be obeyed and all property as j _4. :* ^i a.A..u scbseu at/ USra-ciuai vaiuc iuc uuiueii wuuiu bear more easily and equitably upon all taxpayers.' As the law now stands the County Auditor is required to go into each township and take returns of property and then the township boards meet and go over these returns and then they are gone over by the county boards of equalization'. I submit for your consideration the advisability of requiring that the*" Constitution be carried out and all properly assessed ac us aciuai vaiue ana .that the County Auditor take returns only in the townships and that the township boards be required to attend while these returns are being made and if any queson arises as to the valuation of the property it could be settled by the Auditor, the board ' of assessors Mid the owner of the property.1'.These township boards should be men-of. ability and character and should> be in position-to determine the actual value of the property. I believe that sopie such, plan if properly carried out-would materially increase the taxable property of the-State and go far towards equalizing the burden of.taxation. There is need for something to be done along this line. ^ - ? There is-also some complaint of the irregularity in \\vhich' some County Treasurers remit taxes collected by them to the State Treasurer.* "The law fixes the times at which they shall remit but mauy of them do.not observe it. I think it would be,a4vj^ble .to place them on salary the sapie ' a^. County.. Auditors and require tocnihfy statenfents from them and withhpld .tjheir salary -until the statements &ere received And j also require them t6 lil&ffit with their monthly statement a. statenfeat from the bank'of deposit showing .th^, amount, of'.money to their credit as Treasurer. , . And penalty should, be ? * i' rL '* / _ r -i A. proYiaea ior me iaiiure to turn over ftinds-'.'&sd make -Veports1 as required by lav.:._aod.-.pow^ given the -Governor to suspend or remove such as persistently refuse or neglect to obey the law. This subject of taxation is one that more' directly' concerns the people than any other with which you will have to deal aM' if deserves your most earnest consideration and in whatever you do you should endeavor to.'make the burden bear equally-Upon all the pfopefty of the State. By comparison of the figures in the Comptroller' General's reports you will see that the taxable property for the fiscal year commencing January i, 3S99, is $3,i&5,1S5 more than for the preceding fiscal vear. . Total taxable property for the fiscal year commencing Jan uaryj.st, 1S99. .'..$176,422,288 Total taxable property for the fiscat year commencing Jan -nary rst, 1898 173,237,105 Increa^.. 3>iS5,iS3 I SINKING FUND. I beg to-direct your attention to the report.of.the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund from which it appears that the Cumulative. Phosphate Sinking Fund now amounts to j347.73x.38. This shows an inrrease. of .these assets of 12s;.04 since the report of last year. Of this amount.!11,746.65 is derived' from interest and $39,379.28 is derived from phosphate royalty during theyear. : The assets of this fund consist of the following: State stocks '$ 35,728.56 Bank loan secured by State Bonds:.^.20,000 00 Loans to Counties..;.. 113,084.33 Interest bearing deposits in Banks 178.91S.49 Total _ 7*T.?S * V v?-r/ ' / KJ ~' sj " The assests of. the Ordinary Sinking Fund amount to $43,330 .64 of which S3O,20o.tx> is loaned to counties and $13,.130.64 deposited iii banks. This shows a decrease-of this-fund of $2,143.42 since the last report. - This is covered by the purchase of escheated lands which have since been sold, at a profit but the terms of sale have not yet..been fully complied with by the purchaser. .The report gives full details of the. work of -the Commissioners for the year and I invite your careful attention to it and the recommendations contained therein. , PENSION'S. A.generation has passed since the War Between the States. The Southern soldiers who fought for a cause they believed to be right laid their all upon the altar of* their country. Greater sacrifice and selfdenial were never more cheerfully made in any cause or in any country than in this struggle by the Southern soldier. i ney aispiayea a iortnuae anu a iieruiMii that will furnish themes for the. poet and the historian for all time to come. They lost in battle because of overwhelming numbers and resources on the other side, and without repining laid down theirarms and returned to their homes and began with a spirit of cheerfulness rarely seen to rebuild their lost fortunes. Many of them have passed to the other shore and now rest under the shade of- the trees, and every year .the ranks grow-less. It is our sacred duty to honor their memory and defend their good name. Not only so, it is our duty to take care of and provide for | those who are in need of our help. This we can do without the slighest semblance of disloyalty to the Union. There is no longer any antagonism between the sections^ The Southern soldier .will-defend the Unio'ii as cheerfully now as any citizeni This was demonstrated in the war with Soain. where those who had oooosed .. : ? each other in battle fought shoulder to shoulder for the flag. What we are able to give is but a pittance, but it helps and we should give it cheerfully. Last year you appropriated for pensions to Confederate soldiers and widows of soldiers the sum of <100,000. I recommend a like appropriation this year. It is inmnrtnnt fliar this armrnnriatinn r should be expended and distributed wisely and in such a manner as to meet the intention of the appropriation. The selection of good, competent, and conscientious township and county boards, men who know the conditions and arc acquainted with the needs of the applicants, is of very great importance. It is difficult to get men to work without pay, and while in'this case it seems that good men might be found who would be willing to serve without compensation, I suggest that you consider the wisdom and advisa? n : 41.~ -~r uj11Lj ui auuwjiig cuc iJiciiiucii ui uic county and township boards one dollar per day for not exceeding two days for this service. As you will see from the report of the Comptroller General, there were on the pension roll the past year 7,158 pensioners. Of this number 2,910 are widows of soldiers. The total amount disbursed in pensions was 598,675 So. The widows were paid $38,412 and the soldiers $60, *6;. So. DIRECT TAX. Under the provisions of the Act of Congress August 5, iS6x, a direct tax was imposed upon the citizens of the United States, and a part of it was apportioned to and assessed upon the State of South Carolina. Direct Tax Commissioners were appointed to demonstrate this law, but at that time no part of the State of South Carolina was under Federal control. In November, 1S61, the whole of the parish of St. Helena, and all of that portion of St. Luke's, which was composed of islands, fell into the hands of Federal forces, and the Direct Tax Commissioners established themselves at that point, and under the administration of the law ?u ^ u.u : ~ *: illl VI LiiC piupciLY UClUilglllg IU tllC L1LI* zens of those two parishes was sold and bought by the United States, aud resold under tbe provisions of that Act, and of other Acts amendatory thereto, and these citizens were entirely divested of their properties. Later upon the determination of the war a portion of the direct tax assessed to the State of South Carolina was collected in Charleston and in some other lower counties of the State. The pro ceeds arising from tee sale of the lands in Beaufort went into the Treasury of the United States uuder the different laws relating thereto, and have been disposed of by the United States Government in accordance with those laws. A number of school farms, consisting each of 160 acres, carved out of the plantations entirely in St. Helena parish, were reserved from the early sales, and leased by the Government, and rents collected and separately kept, and at the close of the war the Government found itself in possession of these school farms, of a number of houses and lots in the town of Beau-, fort, and a number of lots in what was then known as Port Royal City, a mythi- j cal city sought to be laid out and estab Iished by the Direct Tax Commissioners, and which, though thoroughly laid out and projected, failed to become a city, and is now a part of three plantatioxs in St. Helena parish. By special enactment (Act of Congress, July 16, 1S66) it was directed that these school farms, houses and lots in Beaufort, and lots in the city of Port Royal on St. Helena Island, should be sold and the proceeds invested in bonds of the United States, and the interest used under direction of the Secretary of the Treasury in the support of schools, without distmc tiou of color or race, on the islands in the parishes of St. Helena and St. Luke's, and by subsequent Act of Congress, approved March 3, 1S73, it was directed that in addition to these funds the rents derived from the lots of school farm lands should be likewise invested in such bonds of the United States, and all of these bonds retained by the Secretary of the Treasury as a fund for the use and support of free public schools in the parishes of St. Helena and St. Luke's, South Carolina, in equal parts, the interest of which should be annually expended to increase the efficiency of any free public schools established and sustained in.said oarishes by authority of said State, if such ~ 1 1 1 I**. * _ - A. il.. _3 * scnuui Mian e-xisL.umerwise ai uie aiscretion of the commissioners herein named, and a special board cf three commissioners, directed to be appointed by the Secretary of the Treasury, removable at his pleasure, each to receive a salary of $rco per year for his services in administering this fund. The Act concludes with the following statement: "This Act shall be subject to amendment or repeal at the pleasure of Congress." From the proceeds of sales directed by these Acts of property formerly belonging to citizens of Beaufort County there was realized a sum-of money iu the neighborhood of $53,oco, which money, in obedi ence to these'Acts, has been invested in bonds of the United States, and these bonds are now in the Treasury of the United States, and the interest, though a mere pittance, 'after the payment of the salaries of three commissioners, is added to the school fund for Beaufort County, and continues to be so applied to this day.' An Act of Congress approved March 2, 1S91, was passed to refund the money collected by the United States under Direct Tax Acts, and a provision was made in the 4th section of that Act to make some partial compensation to the citizens of Beaufort for the loss of their lands and the actual direct tax, with the penalty ami interest, has been refunded to the citizens of this State, and the citizens of Beaufort have received from the Secretary of the Treasury the gratuity which was given to them on account of their land, but this fund, the immediate proceeds of lands of former citizens of Beaufort County, still remains in the Treasury of the United States undisposed of, and is still withheld from them, though the Supreme Court of the United States (McKee vs. U. S., 164 U. S. Reports, 29 1) has declared that "a perusal of the entire Act (March 2, 1S91) shows that its purpose was to pay back to the States, and to! individual citizens of the States the amounts of money received from them in the course of the a : _ z 4.1. _ t~> ? t* _ c .or. execuuun 01 me i^ircci iax .-vets 01 iooj, and Acts amendatory thereto.1' This fund could not be paid back for lack, of legislation, inasmuch as the effect of the Act of March 15, 1S73, has been to confer it into bonds, and impound it in the Treasury "subject to the pleasure of Congress." It seems to be somewhat of an anomaly that the Government of the United States should feel itself interested in the free schools of two of the parishes of this State, and should go to the extent, of withholding and using monev which morally be longs to the citizens of Beaufort County to obtain the funds wherewith to do it, and it has also seemed to me that it was the peculiar province of the State of South Carolina under its Constitution to providi for ail of its free schools, and this it ha: done without making any exception it respect to the schools in these two forme parishes, and the conduct of the Govern ment of the United States in this regarc wrml/l t/\ T?r? CAmAirlinf r\f o ti mtraclAt' of the constitutional rights of the State, a: well as an injustice to those citizens, the proceeds of whose lands are thus withhelc and perverted. I have, therefore, requested a nietnbc; of Congress to introduce a bill to repea the provisions of the Act of March 15 1S73, to provide for the sale of those bonds, the proceeds to the persons frorr the sale or leasing of whose lands the} originated, and such action, taken at request, at the suggestion of parties inter ested, is now peuding before Congress. When this matter is concluded th< t. .1.. ~ f i: i- - t - ?Mi. wiiuie buujeci 01 uireci lax may ue saiu u be ended. Penal and Charitable Institutions, The Constitution of the State impose: upon us the duty of caring for the insane blind, deaf, and dumb, and the poor, anc says that institutions for this purpose shall be fostered and supported. STATE HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE. While we all deplore the fact that we should have amongst us 'those who arc mentally afflicted, we should not onlv consider it a duty but we should esteem it ? 4-t T J 4.~ <X piCUOUIC IU UiC 1UI tilCill. J. UCdIIC Lt call your special attention to the full and complete report of your efficient Superintendent of the State Hospital for the Insane, Dr. J. W. Babcock, and to ask for it your careful consideration. It is a sad fact that the population at this institution is gradually and constantly increasing,the average daily population being cnethous and. The total number being cared for at this time is 1,002, an increase over last year of 36. Of this number 599 are white and 407 colored. The number admitted during the year closing December 31 was 1 415. The discharges were 397. In the I report of the Board of Regents to me it is stated: "The steady growth of the institution in the last twenty-five years has imposed burdens upon us beyond the expectations of our predecessors. The number of colored insane will in a few years exceed the white. While the races have always occupied separate buildings 01 wards, yet we cannot but anticipate the time when a wider separation than now exists will' be deemed necessary. In dealing with her charitable institutions as with other vital questions, no progressive commonwealth should be satisfied with temporary makeshifts. These subjects demand not only consideration for to-day but also provision for to-morrow. ~ We must adjust our present plans to meet so far as possible future needs." All these matters and the improvements deemed nprpwaru art* rar^fnllv sn/1 miniifelu rlic J ? ? ? cussed in the report of the Superintendent. ~ The Board of Regents- desires to suggest for your consideration the better development of the system of .county poor houses and the consideration of the matter of "settlement," bySvbich it would be better established wlicu^nay claim bene'ficiary support in the State Hospital. Our law should also be more specific in dealing with "Inebriates and the criminal insane. During the prevalence of an epidemic disease it is also recommended that for the protection of the patients in the Hospital the right of quarantine against the infected territory be entrusted to the Governor, the Chairman of the. State Board of Health, and the President of the Regents. orrnxrtVi Vior ? V* VMV W VtWAV/lA UOO U\r\~U> so great that the necessary repairs from ordinary wear and tear have become a considerable drain upon the maintenance fund. The Board estimates that in order to keep up these repairs and make some of the improvements recommended will require about $10,000.- An itemized statement will be found in the Superintendent's report. . The Board estimates that it will need for this year appropriations as follows: For maintenance $100,coo For debton Wallace property and interest 4,360 For permanent improvements 10,000 For Regents' 1,200 ..... ?n*.?;6o The institution is efficiently managed and the appropriation is as economically expended as isjxesible with a -wise conduct of tne affairs. I commend to your favorable consideration the suggestions'of the Superintendent and Board of Regents. SOUTH CAROLINA INSTITUTION TOR THE EDUCATION OF THE DEAF AND THE BLIND. The annual report of this institution for the year closing December 31,1899, shows an enrolment of 1S6 pupils, representing thirtv-seven counties As an nf the economical manner in which, the institution is managed the average cost in twenty-four schools in which this school was included was $222 per pupil as against si32 for this school: But the school has grown beyond the accommodations which it has to offer. The Superintendent in a report to me says: "The time has come in the history .of the institution when it willbe necessary to limit the number of pupils admitted or to arrange for the accommodation of a greater number." At a meeting of the Board the following action was taken: "On motion of Mr. D. E. Converse the Sunerintendent was instructed io ask the Legislature in next annual report for an appropriation of $20,000 for the erection and equipment of a school building. Also- to renew request for appropriation of $ro,ooo for building for department of colored pupils." The following appropriations are deemed necessary for the proper maintenance and equipment of the institution for the ensuing fiscal year: For support ..$20,000 For general repairs 500 For school buildinn\ 20.000 For building for colored pupils..... lo,ooo Superintendent Walker aHd his efficient corps of instructors are performing a labor of love and doing an excellent work at .this institution. The carfe and education of these'unfortunate children of the State should enlist your'sympathy and command your thoughtful consideration. penitentiary. At your last session a resolution was adopted ordering an investigation into the affairs of the State Penitentiary." That investigation was had and a report of the committee was saomiueu to me as uirecied by the resolution. I have submitted in a separate message the action '.aken by me on this report and beg to direct your attention to it and also to the report of the special committee. That committee performed the duties laid upon it'efTicient]y and well as you will see from an examination of their work. The present Superintendent.of the Penitentiary, -Capt. D. J. Griffith, took charge ^ ~ TZ-fV* "A To ?/-T-i _* *-? flvflmitintiAn \j 11 Lilt lQLti, ui .uai v-ii. . xii " of his report will show that the affairs of the Penitentiary have been managed in a I g very satisfactory manner and the finances s of the institution are in a very healty con1 | dition. He found it necessary to do much r | repairing on the buildings at the institu I tion and on the farm and there is much I i more work that is necessary to be done. i j When he took charge there was turned over 5 j to him by his predecessor ?114.35 in cash ? and he found it necessary to commence i buying provisions to support the inmates at once and from March 15th to the harr vesting of the new corn crop he was cota1 pelled to buy 3.3SS bushels of corn and , meal. It uoes not appear to me to ; be good business judgment, with the 1 farms that are worked by the State, j r to be forced to buys so large a quan- J ; tity of corn and meal when they could - and ought to to made on the farms. J i am giaa to oe a Die to state tnat tne sui perintendent thinks his supply of corn > made (luring the past year will be suffi cieut to supply the institution during this year until the new crop comes in. There ' was also a large crop of oats made, some; thing over 4,000 bushels having been sold. , The Superintendent says: "The year agl riculturally has been satisfactory, consid i ering tne iaie start ana otner aisacivantages under which the work was done." Z. The cotton crop will amount to nearly six hundred bales. ' *\A There has been no serious sickness ^ amongst the prisoners except a few cases . of miuingitis, from which there were several deaths. The Superintendent informs \ me that there are Several prisoners who are suffering from consumption and close i.uuuucmcui uuiy dj^^iiivciucs LUC ujscasc. I have thought it would be wise and humane to secure a report from the physician of such cases and have them turned ^ out, or. placed in a separate building re- ?' ^ mote from other convicts, for their , 1 puuishment was not intended to be g a slow death. There have been only 15 escapes under the . present "man- > agement and 12 of these were from stockades of private parties who have convicts" leased.- I understand that the Board of , ..Directors have been making contracts ' 'for the lease of convicts when there was | riot' a - sufficient .number' to fill existiiff-r^-j ' contracts. I do not consider this gojod 4 business judgment. Neither do I thimk : it wise to make contracts for a I$ng term of years, for conditions might arise which would not leave a sufficient number to . work the State's property. I ask a careful consideration of these contracts.'These suggestions are made only in the interest of the efficient management of the institution and not with a view of criticism. There has been a slight total increase of convicts during the past year, as the fol' "lowing statement will show: .... COXVICT STATEMENT. . ./ ' Prisoners in confinement De-. cember 31, ,1898 . 784 From courts, since .that date.272 Recaptured 27- 289 - ' 1,073 I Discharged......... 199. !, Pardoned 16 .... - -Escaped". ?? Accidently kiHed...V?:\....v.."....V i : Died H- . 272 'In-prison' December 31, 1899.,.. 801 A summary of expenditures and receipts during the past year shows a net cash balance on hand of $9,886.67. . *. , Balance cash on hand Dec. 31,'98$ 4,804.44 Total receip?s"fortheyear...."..63,518.23 ' ''v l $6S,322.67 Total expenditures for the year. 58,436.00 1 Cash balance December 31, '99.$ 9,886.67 In addition to the above receipts the following amounts were collected and belong-properly to the earnings of 1899. Janv 3. Collected from contrac- ^ tors $ 431.60 Collected - from J. M. Graham, Hosiery Mill, October, 1899, hire... 2,182.29 "" . , 12,613.89 In this statement the provisions and supplies made on the farms to be used in the maintenance of tlie institution are notincluded. This,'it appears to me, is a good showing and demonstrates good business .management. -It/seems to me it would be wise for the Superintendent to keep on hand a sufficient amount of this money to meet current expenses and to pay the cash, fox what hed? compelled to buy, for by so dojng he can run the institution much more economically, and .thus in the end be able to save money for the .State. I commend 'to your careful consideration the report of-the Superintendent and Board of Directors. EDUCATION. Along with the material progress that has come to our State there has been a lively interest in the education of our youth. Not only has this been manifest in our higher institutions of learning but the country schools and the primary schools throughout the State have been greatly improved. In almost every incor-' porated town and many of the country districts the three mill constitutional tax v \s been supplemented and the schools k kept open for the full school-year. The teachers are educated Christian men and women who have gone out from our. colleges, and training schools fully equipped for their work. In a government like ours the education of our youth is of paramount importance. Any legislation that will foster and encourage our common , schools should receive your hearty approval and endorsement for vnn m?v -fhc. ter and build colleges as you please, the fact-remains that a vast majority of our children can never avail themselves of a collegiate training. If the means are available it is within the range of possibility for all of them to obtain a common school education, and thus be equipped for the proper'jdischarge of the duties of citizenship. Intelligent citizens make Itvtellicrent voters. Educated mnthprs rear intelligent citizens. When you put money in education you invest capital that will give you .ever increasing return and can neither be lost nor squandered. To secure efficiency iu our common schools three things are of paramount importance: First, you must have the means with which to operate them. Second, you must Vi3vf? p/lnratfvl and consecrated teachers. Third, you want intelligent and efficient County'Superintendents of Education. Unfortunately with the money which the State is able to expend for common school education the average length of the terms of the" public schools where the public school tax is not supplemented is only from three to four months. It is impossible to secure that efficiency and thoroughness which we should have unless the schools .could run louger. The teachers as a rule, are efficient and competent and their pay is far too small for the work they render. I fear that the parents too often feel when they have paid their tax that they have shifted the'responsibility for the education of their children from their shoulders to the btate. It the parents could be "made to realize the importance of this matter and their responsibility and duty