Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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I t^c their children it would .be an easy j nk cr_to supplement. Jthe public school fwiid anti have j^ood common sclibols in < Jewry country community. Since-,the tSt.-lc has undertaken-, this matter the : j'i'. v is that shb is not able to do'it more i fh iiouxhly ainl completely, l'or .with i $h;s divided responsibility the children < Jn^u^tnv cases ;arc the sufferers. The "] greatest blessing thftt could-come to this , J State would bv: first-class common i i school open for the "full school year in r every country coimmwuty within.. her , < borders. vThe State .Superintendent of Educotion will Submit' to yoxrfiis ahhur.l report, in which ite will make many suggestions and recommendations and from which you can gather the true 'condition of the common" schools of the;State and to liiat rc-*K?rt J bet; to direct vour attention. HIGHER IXSTITCT10NS.. j Whatever may have been the difference of opinion as to the wisdom of establishing State colleges the policy of the State i:i this matter has.been fixed and \ these institutions "are here and are all doing a good work for the State and if i $> judged by the enrolment of students mere i;. .. uemaiiu iui. mciu. xw pun tliem down or to give them niggardly ( assistance would be a backward step which ft _ I feel that 110 true son of South Carolina B would be willing to take. It is no longer ft a question whether- or not- the State " should engage in higher education. That ~ has been settled. To make war on these 41* State institutions is to.retard the progress and development * of the State. lioc o nurol-^rnncr Til the subject of education in South Caro7" j lina and not only has the enrolment in t-- the St^te colleges been ^6od but the de ? nomination;;! Colleges' -have been more prosperous iii -recent years thau;ever before in their history. There should be no conflict between the denominational college and fhe'State" college!:--,Tligy 'are both doing a good,.work. Xo true friend ****** ^/-.n^orv.n-in waw w. rfarft on " O- any (fenoniinatienal pollege and there is 110 sound reason^ r.or any denominational . college to feel'rhukinaly towards the f- State colleges. '.The'jdgnnminational colleges have done ajjd are* do4jag a good ^ work in "this Stale and should^^eive our hearty .commendation. rrI . would like to' take up each State" coKfrge separately and call to-jour^tention the work done and theaaeedi Of-,these institutions, l?ut I can do nojno^^ha'n to refer ycax^totfjeir:, reports-ao^i^pbiamendations ami co^nier.<?sthem^pyour favorable ' consideration." . . ffiga&fiouth tgy"Cirolipa -College,. "GJeiason aii'u. Mechanical College, tirf^p.^a Caro lina* M )1 itary^cadenn\'\Yin^rd^'Xormal v. and Industrial Goilege, .and', tin* Colored College at Orangeburg wiii.allsubiftit 'to you through Vthe heads ot vthese institutions xietajlcd" -stateinenta of'-their con-', duion and needs and;, these deservej.-our careful attention: You shojjid be aseconomical in the?ie^penditui^oPaHoney <>.s is consistent with the efficient conduct of thc.-e insu^icm&^ut to wi&^oldinore i. than :S neCes^ry'TTSt^heir' proper main- ] ; tenancy -woafel bot be.^vise vjac^nchay. ] u: r I feel sure lhe}y$qjl rjo.t ag^, fcy.exlnava<ga?t 6r uYtflec^sltiry" appro'^mt?oi:?%'and .-V therefore, e$j>ftdcSD%iv.'c6pgStr^i tc?jfbU j ~ ' a* careful study "of their needs and de-1 minds as set forth in-the reports that will' be-submitted to you. r< J J ? <j "? By reference to the report of^the PhosphatelaspeGtOF.yoiv'wiU see an itemized f.. kaleni'^ of \vor-it accomplished. di>-_ -ifcg the 4ast fecal year. ' Th^joyalty paid rne state :or roc.< imnea iu iog* amounteu . / . ' .to553,5^2.64. During.tbe,hserH^-.ea/just ' -' --Closed itantOunt^d'l:p$^39,379.2S, being an increase of 5i5,856.64 over the preceding year., TlSjj '^&3j&t*es^tha.t]^he companies doing business 4n?our phosphate beds are recovering from the* disastrous effects of " ^ the; great stosms years The^ar&rand Jlevelopnfenuk^the phos piiate indus-try of .the Siate is of vital 5 m1 portance and demands our careful consid* eration. AtVour fas^essiort'no" provision was zaad.e to'defraj* the expenses, of the Commissioner and ihe."Board: T&ii" pvnpflw- has-h^n-.t-Ho-" Attorney. Gencralv under, resolution,. of..the Board;out of funds,,collected by, him.^nd ia&is hand's. I iu^esiTtiie ad?isabili'ty .of pro: - " vfding a-,sufccient )ainbWnt3 toT.covertfiis expense? ^w.uf^^^oriafiqn^bill. 'For an itquized .st^e^pt^pf^t^^vorji done by the Inspector.^-^keet wnr- atleiition.i t r\ T-.i c r/inort - ??-' *: ? //->*-* .IkEQ4C;?3SPARrMBSCT-. -i * ^ , As_ will be reSj^ce-to-.tiaiefogg port of the. - AVlorh^rGeneral, thdt Qm&i lias acccinplisie^>Iar^am6Si^t7af^:a0t fl'nrl ir js fb of that o'fScer. -T-L?'^ublieaticxu;_of sbiue of the op'4^iftp?.c>f <tb^ ^ttorue^-Crenerai ;" * of a'^geueral^a^i pfeWrc" nature is a corn^ men d able -uj h?r?p<?is; o f the s^.<3Jc>5g. ^ci&teigefom that'report are w'prtffv'oT^Qtir Srtenti'oaV. They show "that ih^elrorts'.of tliese "officers to punish' } and ?reveh?dp,$ie have.not j>e,ea^8avail-. "r.:rv ; : * "-..k !'' RAILROADS.1. ;' * : The twenty-tirst ciu?ua!l'-report-of the State-Railroad ^Commission will belaid before you. It is gratifying to note that the general condition of the railroad-b'usi-' iiess.?of the State is prosperous,-^JRai 1 roads properly conducted are public benefactors They are in one sense citizens and large Y* taxpayers, to the -State.--' It should be" gratifying to even- citizen of the State to know that."the business of the railroads the past year has been good,-for. itwiu'd ideates that .there has. been activity in every line of industry, j During the year, the Commission* ua revising the freight tariffs, has made various changes which have reduced TatfeS to the benefit of shippers without-acy (iimin i:t:o;i :n tne .^ross revenue 01 tne roans, which has been maintained' by* th&'increase of the tonnage. . . < 0:x- of the mosi important changes in the railroad situaiion tjuriutj-the ye:rt\ha's been the israsi:i^ qi" the South Carolina and Georgia Railroad by the Southern Ra^.way.'.*Systen:._ The result'_of this transaction Ii.:>-be >n to give the-city of Phar'lfc'rrn r> rr>n! iii'Trms Tnilpnr??? tariff tr> all sections o: the State .reaoiied by these lines. , The saints dwne bp: the Atlantic . Coast -Line system. : 7hjs;opcefation ox" a straight .mileage system by the Atlantic ' * Coast Line Railroad and the Southern .Railway was brought about' in" a' large measure by the persistent efforts turd rules of the Commission ..'.vho realized the importance ol general benefit to &s* ae* . riyedjjpm a closer commercial relation between the r seaports of the State and the. .jCourFtry north - a^d west; of, Columbia. .'?h,is results in placing'-oinv' principal seaport city: ?n a , rersocable' rate basis with-' the entire State, which, together/vVitbf just- inter-State rates on the parte: ihesejoads, will enable Ch?-Mest6nv with proper efforts on the part of her iuer- 11 chants, to take htr position ?.s the leading j i l>ori on the South Atlaniic'-tossL": _i /s ' ! .As I have already stated. there has been ; ;j;reat activity in railroad bu: loins; during *\ tin-. ]/ >* year and I' ana^pteafeecTtctgiv^' ] in tbiv c - i'io ti'i:-, t!:c<.\.<ocficjarr* uTiklfr fV h-'v i ! :: :::r:::'?? ?i :;ie*!?y tiie.K&iilrv < wiii tt?jl *>::5v atTonri "Uiij ; ' * "-a r< :; Is: ;>:>?) sender t , . ;> if., ji:ati<gi5ily j ' v.'j-.rli .::'{ii l!]?- ! \-*Mt [, tile iiti'l \Viil j;iv?- ryi|iJ??ynic;trt:t(> j t jjiiidV' I'CMl'J'f, . , . I r?V ;, r. -j. * * . ... , f . ... V, -. A" The Atlantic Coast Line has can- ,i >tructed from 'Denmark to Robbies, a. .< listance of 54 miles. * : .The Southern Railway has constructed < m extension from Cayce's' to Ferry, a i lisUnce 01*31.2 mile. The Seaboard Air Line has under con- i om/T \yrjr?r^m-n1 Atprl in a >LI auu nui iiu>v vv^^/*ww? - ? ? few weeks;- a line from Clieraw to the i [unction of, the F. C. 6c P. R. R., a distance .of 91 miles. The Sumter and Wateree R. R. constructed a. line from Sumter Junction to the City of Sumter, a distance of 15.8 miles. - ' ' The North Western R. R. Company have under construction an extension ; from Sumter to Camden, a distance of 30 miles, 10 miles of which is in operation, and the otherkmi!eage is under rapid construction. There "is'under construction a line from ? tVia AcVim-iilf. Rr S?r>?rtanbun? .1 JJUllll. >-uv "" --j R. R. to Lockhart Mills, a distance of 15 miles. A line from Conway to the Seashore is nnder construction, a distance of 10' miles. This will make a total new mileage of 237 miles in the State. Your attention is directed-to-the--report . of the Commission, in which you will -find much valuable and encouraging information. " . . - _ I submit herewith a synopsis of the i-fir's business. railroad earnings. Earnings of the railro ids of r the State from all sources for the year ending June 30,1S99* -. 5 S,9i6,3S3.04 total expenses. Maintenance . of way and structures, equipment, con .ductlbg, ^transportation, general expenses-. : 5,831,246.37 Taxes Income? 2,701,430.44 Increase in gross earnings .. , over 1090 01 $ o</)Ujj.w Gross earning per mile 3.377-43 Operating expenses per mile. 2?357-9^ Net income per mile 1S99 1,023.36 Net income per mile 1S9S.... S07.37' ' Increase per mile 215.77 THE DISPENSARY. There is no question that will engage'' ytxi.r attention'at this session that will demand more pare fail thought and In' ! which there is-morp interest manifested than that of the'control 01" liquor. You will no doubt have several pr-optS*'" sitions presented to you by different members of your body for your consideration. It. is important that you 'ishould take hold of the question in a ! posftire and direct manner and meet the issue squarely. Fnderthe Constitution of the State there are only three modes allowed for dealing with this 1 AMomW*! F question. "J.oe ucuci ai ^-i.aa^uu wijr L%say license persons or corporations to ilhjanufacture and sell and retail alcorijolic liquors or beverages within the Stat' /' "or the General Assembly may; prohibitrthe manufacture and sale and retail of'&lcoholic liquors and beverage^, witirfn. th*e:State;" p. it "may authorize and empgwer State,' county and municipal officers, all or either, under: the :'a.uth6pi^(>and:in the name of-fffi&tate, to bur ip any market and retail within the STate'li'quors and beverages in such packages and quantities, under such'rules'and regulations, as it deems expedient." And in no'case shall it be * * * ' sold in less quantities- i/uau uuc-uou; jtfnt or between suh-down and sun-rise, and it shall not be drunk on the premises. Neither can-the-General Assembly "delegate to any municipal corporation ;the' power to issue licenses to sell the ?ame." Under the last alternative the Dispensary. Law-is in-foree. At the present time and in .view , of the era of material progress and development, upon which th^e State has entered 51 do not beftev6*it would be wise or goocf business judgment to refer this c'ueStion to a popular election. J : .Xot.-that-thereis-any uneasiness or nnwilliagness to trust the people, but ,4t have a tendency to renew :^tuife^'and.bitternessaud engender bad ! fee^fig^-n^I''beileve would retard the progwi^OMhe'State in its material development:' MuehVof the prejudice : tHaCia's-iiei%tofgne^iisted against the Di$p#fcsary Law,-,h'j^been broken down ;and*maay-of-its most*bitter opponents LkaTO'come to realise its- good features : and'are ready; and willing and anxious : toseO'i^.impre.^d and enforced. With ' certain ^en'dments which seem neces!aary,.and;which will commend them'1 selves. -tp'.jjour. good -judgment, and cViniiM hp.'maflft at the nresent tie proper enforce; meat .of- the ;l?$.tjit fs the best solution' :otiha,iUi^ae-Question yet devised.-. p pose ib.e^Pj^c $<*?&. 1 z - km ?&& dffl&Kt*^^Kerj^s-?Been put under the ban aaa eTn e r ffiu prohibit it, license it. or tilKtwtffire"cha r sfe* of I r,' xhe princi; pte'is tbfc'satnfe. It-seems to me that 4t would be gop'd'judgment to take holdJOftb^^fesent'lavv and amend and im prove iv .Prohibition ^y^ry THce^n l" theory but- In exist18 jr-^wteurfrsTances 'and conditions I do ncfbe'lietfe itwo&Jd' be practicable. f'lxir^c^fittry/-machinery-would be necessary to enforce it and there would be no means with which tO-empioy the machinery except ;byvadditional taxation, and even then whiskey would be: freely-soid^and .barrooms bhder the guise of drug stores would spring up and ?ou?wh..in everyf town and hamlet *ja Sohtfi .Oardliha.|Such'ha$-'i>een the experience where-" I aver urohibition has been tried - Local I option' would be even worse than prohibition. : To have prohibiH?n?Htt_;o"&ecounty* a license sy.sjemfi?; as -*&<ijs>in-' ing county, and the .-da^emar^" i$> another,.;-would create .no ead*?C<?Oflfusion and trouble througho.pt-,.-; the State. . i*. /. i .. "i No law has-been enactedvinthisState, in recent years that has been'as bitferiy opposed and as stronglysypj>orted as the Dispensary Lav,-. Ap'd *yet, . with thft pvfpnrinn of a fpW lrrrn.fft.ir^. 'it, has been ,as well en forced as &s.-' pected, being revolutioria'fy'-as* it*was.' No law can be thoroughly enforced that ^iai not;behind i-t and to "snfcport 'it'- a be:'lth\* public sentiment in? iosi fafrotv K w.tbat'public .sentiment is* growing: ... its favor it seems to me that ifw -ic',bexinvise and bad judgment.to iu^eal the Dispensary Law and to make trial of some Oihersrst^m nf cr>nf.riVrlincr tii'e liquor business. ? That, there has "been bad management in*-some departments, is ^pt^o'ar^u- J ment against the.systeto. Tfiat,'.jhere '! should'.Have "been disagreement and- I contention amongst those irj cqatrol is ; unfortunate: " " " r*: ' Iwouid recommend for your consid- ! eration the abolition of the Scateand j C.'outfry-Boards of Control and that/the' \ duties of these officers he devolved iiuon* ! other;., Qffieial,s; You should . elect "a" 5tate.Commi?s1onerof high (jbafac&er 'I in a good business judarmen^' acd'jrrre . bjrn sufficient compeusati&i:-*to' X&a* aiahd the services of such a. man. . He -Ik-.hM l.rt 't 1iYH? v?n rVy*"V> n ri < lisrretion and rtijfiirc-d to fire (A-.good i in<t s'iffieteot bond and ^uhj^t .go ,< i-iinjval- by the Governor. * "A? 'the t 3!-<;<?r*n*. law stand* he h.-;s very, lie'h? ii.M-rvtiorjarv jKiwcr in the manage- i ju'iif. iiF tftu business arrd much j i noro Mian vv clertf ,t<* efcrry-.' outr: the-* c - .. * V .' v y fit ? * |M|||||| n 11 ^ inn t ules-and.-regula'tioEis of the Board of Control.. As an advisory board to the state Commissioner I would suggest the Comptroller General, the State Treasurer and the State Superintendent of Education, with such powers-and duties is in your wisdom you may think proper to confer upon them. I do not deem it wise to put the Governor'or the Attorney General on this advisory board. Vou might add to this board the chairman of the Finance Committee of the Senate and the Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee of the House. It would not be necessary for 0111b UUill'U lt\J lljcuo iiiui uucLu iuui' a year and at each meeting competitive sealed bids"Could be submitted and these bids, opened in the presence of the Commissioner and such purchases made as would be needed to supply the demand. The State Treasurer is the custodian of the fund's, the Comptroller General distributes the school part of the fund arising from the dispensary, and the State Supe; intendent of Education is the head of the educatiomildapartment which is the beneficiary of the fund. These officers are elected by the people and have to give account to them for the manner in which they discharge their-duties and are always men of'ability and character. ,,.In place of thS County Boards I would suggest that the County Supervisor.'the County Auditor, and the Mayor of-ihe County seat town, if a dispensary be located there, if not the mayor or intendant of Some town in the' .County in which there is a dispensary,'constitute the County Board, and that they serve without ext<ra compensation. They too are elected by the people and would l have to give account of their steward- . shipao fche people.' I ".'.would also suggest thatijthe county dispensers be elected by.; the people as other county officers., are elected and for a term of two v"ea?cs. . >. These changes are suggested not only because in my judgment;^ ey would improve the-ad ministration of the law, but on the ground of. economy. I regret that I havfe not the figures for the last fiscal year. They co4u!d not be obtained on" account, of the._ assembling of the "LeHslature-coming'so near to the close ... t C U 01 tne nscar year. xuc u^uics,. uu?: ever, will not be materially different from tbo?e of the fjlcjl year 1S98, so far as the County Boardiare concerned, buut .the- cost of the ^tate Board will undoubtedly be very nitt'ch'increased. In ' this year -the total co&t of the County Boards. jwaS vS^,724 20:^FOr the same >y&&r/the sost of the;"State Board of (Control, was $4.-390 01 j'which makes a total.,of ?14.144.21 as the^cost of the State and^Oounty Boards of Control and which , by their abolition would be tufcaed'into the profits of the dispen sar'y.? I would .also suggest that the law be so amended as to bring violations with' in'the" jurisdiction of the magistrates, so that all;cases might.be promptly and summarily" adjudicated. Much of the ' expense of- the constabulary arises from having to attend circuit courts as witnesses and 'prosecutors against blind tigers; Soon after I came'into office I reduced the constabulary force nearly one-half ;and endeavored as far as I knew and could.secure information to select men of. character and discretion to perform the duties of State Constables. As public r san.tim.enfr grows in favor-of the law and [j3^g_'istrates a^d thfeir-constables, and: 'ottier.officers realize-thatr it is as mucir their.duty, to enforce this as'- any other i law3;J-am.?atisfied tbacthe force can be still'furtjier reduced aed finally entirely abolished. . ' ? : . During the past vear,:I issued a circular letter-to/all' the magistrates and sheriffs of tbe^State and the mayors and intendents of the-incorporated cities and towns,'-- calling ttieir attention to xne fact that the Dispensary Lraw was'as* much a law- of the State as. any Other law?and,also directing their attention to their'duty to enforce it. just sls they woulflv the statute against larceny or any other crime, and'asking their aid and. co-operation in the wise and hti-:mane execution of all laws. The responses' were numerous and unanimous .in expressions of hearty cp-operatioa.. Some of them were frank enough to say that t&ey naa oeen ana wereopposea to the Dispensary Law but manly enough to acknowledge it as a law of the State and to pledge their support and co-operation in its proper enforcement. , -I am satisfied :that this circular has resulted -in gpod and: that in many .of-the cities and towns the-local authorities are dodog what they-can to apprehend viola. tofs^nd that there are fewer violations .of the Dispensary Law than of maDy "other "laws pp ihe statute books. Mr. W. -W. Harris, who is clerk'and is in charge of this department under, mTT ?-1;oontinn .in V.io .ronrtrt tr> mp> LXJ(V Uli WWiVuj *iU yrv^v? w ?v -? ? | "There. is "*ess complaint of the illicit j traffic irr liquor coming to this office j .from throughout the'State than e^cr ..bBfctffe. during the five years I have .be^n connected with this department ^and itrk very evident that there is less, violation, of the Dispensary Law over the entire-State, .with the possible exception of the city of Charleston and two or three of" the. counties in r.he north-west portion of the State, and itr is probable that even in those sections. there has been improvement." I submit herewith & table showing the comparative cost and the work-done by the reduced number jof constables' for the. last six months of 1899 and.the corre-. spording six months of LS9S.. It will , be seen that ..so far as the .wprk done* the number .of. .seizures fsv?bout .the same," while there has been a savin?, 'for*the'six months of 1899 ov.qr the.same si.vmonths' of 1S98 of 38,238.90 in this one item.'; ' " " .. . . I ? O ? ?? I Fl saiazpg-jousqainx | Z'z*? j ? *" . IT"- ~ i r. filC | ~~Z I w ci y> c* I ic! . " ' vOujnqms %$??? ~ ~ - - v-noD;?v?oomox *>5 ??*?;? S. * ? "' ci .' ... - ; -I "Ci saiqKjsnoo zzqumx -rcnnnnn -I 2:'V ~ " | i |j : : : |~j 5* I . r ii 3 r1 i I 3 i - Sf < :-i i :-i |' "* 'icdinzi^s jojaqtunx j s>?:'2 j" j -5 I, - . "Of" j S j' S .', .- v;XjEjnqB}s j "?> $ ? ? | ? I' '" -uoojojsoo imox ?; ? ?. Z.% ? 1 %\ ' . JJ I lj*j - 2 ^ "! c ^ - I .WI I \T. XT. W. \T. \TtsZ .1 I j ? ; I I !\ I ^o = = )i . > *.- I =^3 i> Z ; a v. .. >; .../ - if^!|-si:. I ??< ic ^ ?-? I These figures' include the cost of augfgy hire, railroad fare for the constables, and the salary of the clerk to he Governor.-1 ? I am glad to be able to state ;hai during my term, of .office, with Mif-nnp >?v?w>Trtinn. therft*'has bfiftn n<V conflict" between the constables and citizens and in this exception one cooStable wa? killed and another wounded' md one citizen was killed. This unrofr.unate;-trouble cannot any more be ian*?ed 'tx> 'the Dispensary Law than, v .C' ? ? iii mm ii ii 11 rr ? i ? n t im ? wmttmatm could'a similar difficulty in the enforce ldciju ui auy uiuci ia>> uu ai^ucu i against it. The annual report of the State Board of Control for the li=cal year endjng December 31,-1890, will-be submitted! for your information us soon as it can ' be made. up. As-already stated, the! fiscal year ending, so near the assembling of the Legislature, it was impossible to obtain inforprntion showing the business and. condition in time for my message. I am informed, however, that the profits will be much larger than in any previous year since the enactmeot of the Dispensary Law.. This does not n O v?i 1 tt f V?ot f Vi o An AIJ- uiic^u iu^ uutiouiu^uivu of whiskey has increased but rather it argues that less "whiskey' has been shipped in the State for personal iise and the blind tigers have decreased and much of the prejudice against the Dispensary Law no longer exists... ; I have received from the Comptroller General the following statement of* Receipts and disbursements on account of the special State" Dispensary School , Fund for lS9S-'99: Received from State Dispensary i898r'99,-..? ,5130,000 00 Disbursed to the several coun- *ties under Act . 1898 : $67,204 35 Disbursed D.efi- * . . ciency several' counties under Act 1899.J 19,338 02 Disbursed sur-l^ J, ? plus several' 1 w . . counties under . Act 1899 .4%457 63-S130,0Q0 00 I am sure that yoif'will bie guided by a wisft discretion an&exercise'goed busi'riess. judgment In -dealing with this? su ft-' ject, and I trust that whatever action you may take will redound to the good of-th-e State. ' ' CONFEDERATE RECORDS. * The last General Assembly made ho provision, fbr the: continuance of ?he . offioe'pfState Historian and the c<>mpletion-'of the work which - that -officer had in hand. CoL John P. Thomas, who'had been appointed to take up the work laid down by Judge J, B.Kershaw and Gen. H L. Farlfey, aBd in-'vieV? Of much unfinished business connected * <3 AAWM.nJ 4* /I n4 f A lr Art r\ mereW1U.U, ueeujcu uis iiuvj. .his'office open and;to. prosecute his labors on his own responsibility, and as a contribution to the'Confederate History of the State. The resultpf tbis year's work appears in the elaborate ivepdrt submitted to me and by me transmitted to the General Assembly. .... ?. . It will be seen that the account given of the raising of troops in South Carolina for State and Confederate service, 1861?"65, which Col. Thomas presents as the joint work of Mr. VV. J. Rivers and himself, is a valuable contribution to the history of- the part taken by the'-State in the War Between the States and that taken, by the troops furnished by the State to the Southern Confederacy. ' This paper throws a flood of light, upon .the rolls and lays the foundation of the sketch designed to accompany the publication thereof, when this publication shall be ordered by the General Assemby. Col. Thomas further, .reports, as the V? ! *? f fr\n% tVa rvocf rao it IC3UII VI ilia OGl V IUCO lUl pUfO U j Vxfcfci ? the collection 0/ much additional historic data beating upon the services of the. Confederate - soldiery- from?South.Carolina in the. War. for Southere,Independence. "[ / . ..The rolls having befen'practically coin pleted, Col. Thomas-''recommends-their publication, properlj edited and accomt\rt ?iav! Kt? o'el-of/ik oc tKot AntHn??^ ..pciuicu, 3UV/U Cb O CfcJ ui_i<^,v V/kA v>*UN~v? in the one submitt-jd, supplemented by a concise'statement "of the bart' taken by each of the organizations ?rom South Caroi%&;which.participated' in: our heroic struggle./ ' " ' . "The^cosfof this publica'tioii wbulcTbe very'small-compared with its historic value/"It'fs-important that we should preserve this'history "and that ifshould be nut in cerm'anent sbaoe while some of .those are still living .who helped- to make it and are more competent to record it'accurately than any of their de-;scendants will be. J submit for your consideration the wisdom of coitfianing the office-, of.' State Historian .?and of making provision for the publication of this history. Estimates have been received from a reputable publisher which indicate that it will not take a very .-great-outlay'to-.have this history pub-' Wished." It is-probable that a sufficient .number.of copies .could be sold to pri-. vate individuals to reimburse the' State for the outlay. Before taking definite action you might appoint^ Committee from both Houses to look'Into this .matter and report at the present session. Col. Thomas will ?gladly. iurni3h-the Committee with such information'as he may-have, "i " V Col. Thomas has submitted to me his .resignation as State -Historian,.to whieh he was appointed:in Ojctober, ion- v.. ?tr^ iu{jij uy uuvcruui juiici uc. uic ua-o given efficient and faithful service during his terra of office and. ha$ 'labored .hard to gather and pu-t-in shape the part that South Carolina took Tri that great strujrsl-e.. .He should-be compensated for his- services-"during 'the past year, and, i.com'aiend it? to "your favor-, able cotlsideratron. ' * ' . .rkt^k*a\farrria rattt.f.fie r;ri. k The Gener&l/Government has purchased the(^wkamau?a battlefield and converted it> ittto a national park: ..It iskept in excellent condition-aDd -Stands as a permanent tribute to the magnificent valor of the Americau soldier. It is the only; battlefield so consecrated. Th'e'General Government has asked the various "States having'.troops engaged in mat nattie to mars .we. positions o' their troops by the erection of suitable monuments. Man} of the States have so honored their sons.and $-171,500 have already been expended for this purpose by sixteen States. Georgia ieads the Southern States with an expenditure of 825.000. The General Assembly of South Carolina in 1S93 sent a commission to locate the position of her troops and in 1894 appointed a commission to select suitable monuments. In view of the prominent part South Carolina took in thi.* war and in this battle.it seems but fit and proper that she should join with her sister States in this tribute to the memory of her heroic dead and provide the necessary means to complete the work already commenced. The South Carolina Division U. C. V. will present, a memorial to you asking an appropria-' tion for this purpose'of $10,000. I commend it to your favorable consideration STATE BOARD OF HEALTH. The annual report of the State Board tta#.uu ...in u~ 4.^,,^., . .r. Ui. OCdlbii Will UC aUULUiliLCU uw. VUU. J.1 is important that you should give care ful attention to this report and the sug- : gestions and:recommendations con- 1 tained in it. You will also find a. full exhibit of expenditures of the Board The fund-appropriated at the last session was exhausted before the-close o' 1 the year largely on account of'the existence of small pox in various sections o< the State'and in the efforts of the Boarc to combat the .disease.. Other infectious and contagious diseases have pre- < vailed to a more or'less extent in some i parts of the State but have been of a ; very miid character. Only small pox 1 has assumed anything' like an epidemic t form and the mortality has been very i light. It has appeared in twenty-three < counties during the year and is still 1 prevalent in some sections. Itisitn- ( portant that stringent measures should t he adopted in order to stamp it out be- i fore it assumes a more virulent type, f The Secretary of t he State Board, Dr. 1 James Evans, in his report to me says: i "It was impossible .for the.State Board ? of Health to prevent the rapid spread t of the disease to those widely separated ( sections of the State-for several reasons, c tbe cruet ot wmen was tne inadequate t funds at tht> disposal of the Board: not t being clothed with sufficient power to e enforce their authority in isolating, \ guarding a*nd presenting intercourse \ with the sick: in enforcing the great * safeguard against the spread of the i contagion,.compulsory vaccination, and c the great necessity of extending the 1 health organization to the township t which would secure prompt notification c of the presence of any contagious or^n- f fectious disease to the health authori- i ties, who could thus take prompt ac- { otuu in wu u auv uijica?c ui;iv;ic it could possibly infect other persons t and become epidemic.;' This matter t deservesyourcareful attention. To ex- z tend the organization from the State i Board to the County Board and from t the County Board to the Township ? Board would put in operation machin- s ery that should be able to control and i stamp out any contagious or infectious t disease before it atold have opportuni- i tv tn cnrpad. anrT onnld omard with a i J -w T * ~ jealous eye the health of the State. You have now on your calendar a.hill providing for township boards pf health. On account of the prevalence of small pox recently I made, arrangements to borrow' $3,000 to be put at the disposal of the State Board of Health in order to stamp out and control the small pox epidemic. Up to this.time that fund has not been drawn upon' but I have rio doubt the State Board" has 'incurred some obligations'which tf'i'll have to be met in handling the' disaase. The health of the people of the State is a ver.y important matter 'and should be carefully guarded by ^the enactment of wise sanitary measures. In .the rerort ] nf "the Stoto Rrm rrl von will find several I important- suggestions acd recommendations which should receive your careful consideration. MEDICAL COLLEGE. The Medical College of the State of < South Carolina located at Charleston i is not a State institutson but through j the kindness of its faculty has for sev- i eral years been furnishing free tuition i to seven deserving young men, one from ! each congressional district in the State. 1 These young men have been named by ] a. U n ~ T ?L ?.? WMAWAM Jin, 1 1 ? i-ut: vjuveruur. ii/uuuuui|ji'u^cr iuv.au t this matter to your official attention i and to commend this institution for the i good work it has been doing for the < State. .. < OYSTER BEDS. * In our coast counties the oyster busi- ' ness could be made an important indus- J try if proper and wise legislation were enacted to protect the oyster beds. I j am informed that tons of oysters are shipped from Beaufort County every week durin? the winter to canning fac- ' tories in other States for which the * (State receives practically no reve'nue, and these beds are almost inexhaustible. And- what 'is true of Beaufort is true of Georgetown and our other coast counties. It is a'much more important matter than some of our people-who are hot familiar with it imagine. * If properly protected, canneries could not be built and profitably operated where the beds are and remunerative employment given our own people. If they were not and the oysters were exported the State should receive some revenue from them and not voluntarily contribute to. enrich other .States from property which Is ohrs. I ask for this matter your careful consid eration and such - legislation as in your-} j wisdom you tiny conclude pcoper for ( t'he protection of the State; "At the ' .session of 1897 *1*010 legislation was had along'this lin.? i>;jt it, -iceds to be amend- . ed and perfecte ; ana made- more effective. i \ CLAIMS FOR CAPTURED AND ABANDON...... ED PROPERTY. j It has been brought to my notice that ! there remains in the Treasury of the ] United States the sum of $10,512,007.96, i balance remaining, from the"sale of . captured ana aoanaonea property ui uue Southern States, under the Acts of Con- i gcess 'approved Varch. 12, 1863, .and : July 2, 1864, this-.Jbeing chiefly cotton ' seized in and around 'Beaufort during i the occupancy of the parishes of St. Helena and-St. Luke's .while the war i iwas in progress, and elsewhere through- i out the"Southern-States in such parts of ? he-territory aa-were under Federal con- ] trol during the war, and after the war . < by special agents of the Treasury ap- < pointed,-.for .that purpose. This fund 1 has been the -subject of considerable s contention. Claimants have-endeavor- i ed to establish their right to it, but 1 owing to the difficulty of bringing suit i airainstr'tbe ITnit'ed States, a sovereign. ! and the peculiar provision of the law 1 .under which .it was taken requiring- 1 iron-clad oaths and proof of loyalty, in- i dividual suit could be brought only in 1 a very few instances. Meanwhile the t fund has laid in the Treasury, and in- 5 dividual efforts have continued to be made by persons deeming themselves interested therein, before' Congress, to c secure the privilege of bringing suit in "c the Court of Claims. During the years that have passed the subject has been / considered frequently by the Supreme c Court of the United States, and it has * been determined by that tribunal in a ~ lirect decision, (Klein vs. U IS 13 W. r A. L L. 133 II) that it was not the in- a mention of Congress by the enactment g jf those statutes, that the title to property seized under them should be di- ^ vested from the loyal owner: (2) that {' ihe proceeds of the property should go t into the Treasury without change of t ownership: (3) that the same intention s prevailed in regard to property o.f own- t *rs, who though hostile at the time the ^ property was taken, might subsequent- g Iv become loyal: (4) that the Govern- j raent constituted itself trustee for those r U?? A rtf AA! A H'A/1 W uu UJ UUdL ucuaicu tuuii/itu ? f,o the proceeds of captured and aban- c uonea property. H Ta the 5.5th Congress a_ general I; Bill was introduced opening the. door j ^ of the Court of Claims " to 'suits} v liy all of these claimants, and favorable reports from the Committees on Claims of both " Houses <.vere submitted; .recommending the i uassaire of the bill (Senate Bill 5020' s 35th Congress, 3rd Session. Report ^en- !! Ate Committee on Claims' No.-1634') and C t-hese pub'-ic documents^carried on their j c face'lhe-evident justice of such Ieirisla- j c '.ion. The bill-fa!led to pass only for : a r-he reason, a* I am informed.'that it! a 'ailed t > receive aiteot'.on in the ma^s s )f business b?for\Contrress. and so this S nen^uro. so.bfp??ticial to a lar^e nurn- 11 'ier of our citizens, the proceeds', of <1 rhose property is in th;?t fund, failed a it that Congress. With a view of aid:: .ng the passage of the bill when re-m- .! j a __ 1 1? U* T I .X'UUUUCU, U.5 II. uas WCU m rvm. ue. x I lave seen proper to address a requesi I ;o every member of our congressional ' ielegation. requesting1 them to give ; iiligent attention to this important j measure, and I have also addressed i jommunications to the Governors of j he several Southern States, whose citzens are in common interested in the I iind. and requested them to take simi- j ar action, and replies have been re- \ ;eived from several of the Governors. I ihowing that they have acted upou ! his suggestion, and the Legislature of jeorg'ia has passed a resolution requesting its congressioral delegation ictively to co-operate, and it is hoped ;hat at the present Congress by united itfort, this legislation, long delayed. .viil be enacted. It is difficult to see why in this era of good feeling, when ill the acerbities of the war have gone ,o their merited oblivioD, that the Congress of the United States should withhold from its citizens the simple right io proceed before its own courts, and iemonstrate their interests in the und, for which the highest courts has idmitted that they occupy a hduciary x>sition. In this connection it is proper to state .hat much of the evidence upon which nloimo ovict..k vnnirilv nassincr iwav, and some means should be af'orded to our citizens to perpetuate ;his testimony as far as possible, and to inable them to do so a commissioner ibould be appointed with power to administer oaths who should take depositor^ of witnesses who are cognizant of acts relative to these claims, put them .n permanent shape, and register them n a suitable manner, so that this testimony, now so valuable, may be available whenever the Congress of the United" States shall see proper to permit these natters to be litigated. Such a commissioner should be appointed without ex aenseto the State, but his compensation should be entirely a matter of agreenent between him and tbe parties who nay desire to avail themselves of his services in the perpetuation of the eviience relating to their several claims, ind a sum of money, not exceeding $100 night wisely be appropriated to defray ;he expens- of printing needed blanks md purchasing suitable books of record. ROADS. There is no subject of greater imoortance aad that v? 11L affect more people than tbat of good roads. No sub ject will coaie before you to which you jould give careful consideration with more profit. The tendency has been for the country population to move to ihe cities and towns in order to secure ;he advantages of church acid school, [f this continues the country districts will become depopulated and the population will be congested in the cities ind towns. The condition of the public I roads in certain seasons of the year J Bakes it almost necessary that the country people should be denied school, church and social privileges. Unless something is done to arrest this flow of population to the cities acid towns the condition of the country districts will oecome alarming and it is already receiving the attention of the bboughtful The country is the preserver of ;rue manhood atid the foster father of nanly independence. Nothing will conduce more to its development and lesirability as a place of residence than r 11 h o COT7 jUC UUJiUiU^ u; ^vuu iv/auo. xuv. ^utns af time, the saving in the wear and ;ear of stock and vehicles, and the adiition to the loads that could be hauled with more ease, would compensate for' nuch outlay in road improvement, not ;o speak of the convenience and comfort to the people who travel on the1, -oads in marketing their products and mending church and school. Our conJitions are such that it would scarcely De wise to levy an additional tax for ;his purpose. But by wise and proper ase of the means at our disposal much ? v-r, w r K t> Krv n r\l l c Vt oH t V? Q n i Q iiUi O uv/W??(yii?www. -W 20w done. In many of the counties jjuch of the work on public roads is Dut a shiftless preteoce. Under our system of county chain gangs if the force were kept at work on permanentimprovements and the building of j permaueLLU ruaua mstcau ux v;icauiug :>ut ditches and throwing a little dirt in the middle, which has to be done Dver after each rain, much more might be accomplished. Some of thecounties have realizod the importance of this permanent work and as a result good and permanent roads are being built, r submit for your consideration the importance of requiring all county chain V\a lr Ar? nanmonont. cPAnV IU UC vu luuuuuv <T vkM and not be permitted to.fritter away their time on work that will have to be ione over two or three times a year. I am glad to report to you that the authorities of Clemson College have realized the fact tuat road improvement is one of the greatest economical problems of the day and t-hat they are Jevotiog money ana nme to tne stuay Df the problem* for the benefit of the farmers of the State. Experiments ire being1 made under the direction of in expert, who will also give the colege classes a series of lectures on road Baking. . Experiments have also been nade at Clemson- on the use of broad iires and the results have been pubished in bulletin form. If in your visdom you can devise some plan by .vhirh von can ?ive to the people of .his State better roads you will confer ?lasting blessing upon them. WAR CLAIMS. During the raising of troops by the State ia 1598 for the war with Spain :onsiderable indebtedness was incurred < vhich has not yet been entirely adjusted j Jlaims have been nut in against the j general government for these several < Lmounts but many of them still remain inpaid. I will submit to you a special nessage covering, as far as I am able, j i full statement of this matterand I de- i ire now simply to direct your attention < c this special message. Those citizens * pI'iO furnished supplies on the order of ? he Governor of the State should have i heir money and should not be required , o wait any longer for payment. They ? old their goods to the State and look s o the State for payment and not to the j reneral government. You should make t ome provision for the prompt and sat- < sfactory adjustment ot tuese cimms emainin? unpaid. This would not in- t erfere or retard the collection of these laims from the general government .nd private parties would not be sub- [ ectca to the inconvenience of bein? < :ept out. of money justly due tbem and s rhich they expected to receive in cash. * STATE MILITIA. : It is gratifying to note that marked j mprovement has been made id the \ tatus of the State militia under the J iresent administration of the Adjutant \ General's department. The Dumber of i ompanies in actual" service has been 1 J VI .1 JU? * onsiuerauiy reuuuru uuo mcic uas uccu j a increase in efficiency. You are c ware .that for several years past the 5 upport of this Department by the I >tate bas been very meagre and really c sufficient to meet the demands re- 1 uired in maintaining a creditable and ? n efficientmilitiaorganization. 2 Grave social and political conditions. d iaole at any moment to threaten the F .-'I " .-V~ peace and welfare of the State, would seem to indicate the necessity of preparatian at all times. 1- would, therefore. recommend that you be.as liberal iiju curreuu vcar iu uuc u ui tuxa important branch of the State service as the finances of the State founded on wise economy will allow. A full and exhaustive report of all matter relating to this department, has been prepared by the Adjutant General for your consideration. I commend it to your careful attention. TAX ON STATE BANKS. The repeal of the ten per eent. tax on State Banks will go far toward solving the money question. This is a matter entirely within the province of the National Congress at Washington, but a resolution from the several State Legislatures requesting Congress to repeal this tax would have its influence. Such a resolution from you would give encouragement to our"Senators and Representatives in Congress who are making a fight for the repeal of this tax and would be evidence that they, had behind them the support and en aorsemens 01 toe people wnom mey represent. bank and insurance examiner. Ia 1896 an Act was passed creating the ofSce of Ba^k Examiner. But tbe Board appointed by that Act did not elect tbe Examiner, as L am informed, for tbe reason tbat .no appropriationwas provided for tbe expenses of tbe office and the. law is, therefore, a'dead letter. * There are now more than one hundred insurance companies doing business in this State. Life insurance as well as fire insurance has taken deep root with our people and nearly every man has those who are dependent upon him provided against his death with an insurance poirdv upon his life. It is of very great importance to a great many of our people that the companies that solicit business in this State should be substantial' and reliable companies, so that the in- '* ' sured may feel secure that when he pays the premium on his policy, when death comes, those for whose benefit he has paid it may get the insurance. " " : And so with State Banks.- A great * '"V deal of the business of the country is done through banks and many of our peujjic u&vc oucir savings m mese iustitutions. "They invite the trust and confidence of the people and should- be under the supervision of the State. I . submit for your serious consideration .the wisdom-of providing: a State Ex-:-' aminer for State Banks and bankers ' . v and the insurance companies doing , . business in this State. AH reputable companies and banks should be glad to have such examinations made for their own protection as wejil as the protec-. tion of their customers. The salary and expenses of this office could be provided for by the institutions named in proportion to the business they do, as is done in the case of the Railroad . . LLi IwOlvilCI O. ' TRU&TS. While we feilicitate ourselves on the number of corporations that have been . chartered within the State during the past year and should do nothing: to hinder their success- it should not be forgotten that they are creatures of the State. Obtaining their existence from the State, you have the right to regulate .their operations and the - . operations of those doing business in. - ,r' this State-though receiving their cor- , . , porate existence . from other States"- \ ' - " The tendency of thesfe corporations is ' >' .. ' f r\ rn XanfTtolinAfiAiii' ouwcuuo ^cubiaii^auiuu auu vuuiumatioa. This tendency leads ultimately.. . to oppression and an effort to drive-the' weaker institutions out of competition and unless guarded by wise legislation will eventually take away from The individual his dearest rights. While on the other hand if wisely conducted and properly guarded they will do much'to develop and bring into life the natural " > resources of the State. It is a subject < .v; that should command your most earnest and thoughtful attention.- I thought proper simply to call it to your attention, so that while you legis lated to foster and encourage corporate enterprises you might also, guard and protect the rights and privileges of the individual citizen! BIENNIAL SESSIONS. " The advisability of biennial sessions of. tie- ^ Legislature has been frequently called to the attention of the General Assembly by my predft;. * cessors. That we have too much .legislation weall admit. Fewer changes'in laws as a rule: , " , would be better. There wouldi^X; be that un- vr_- < certainty in regard to many'laws,'that now -.' - ; exists. Many States have adopted' biennial , , - ' sessions of their Legislatures. The State Con-. - ? :-j:. stitution orovides for annual sessions 'of the -; ' Legislature and the Declaration of Rights de> clares, "The.General Assembly ought frequently J- . - , to assemble for the redress.of grievances and for making new laws, as the common .good, may re~ ? ' quire." I submit the ftia'tter' to you fOrvour careful consideration, inasmuch as* there ..has. a-? ' been some discussion of this subject and some . ' " >."> demand in certain sections for bienpial sessions. , ; As you will see, in order to change, would re-. quire an amendment toour Constitution. LOCAL LEGISLATION. ! ' Much time at each session of the Legislature is consumed with the passage of laws that have only a local application The attention of .the Legislature has been called to the expense of such legislation at different'times by my predecessors and yet every session of the Legislature finds itself confronted with a batch . of local and special legislation. The Constitution prohibits the passage of local or special illWb tUIiLCIUXJV; ouujtv.uj auu utu.auuo the enactment of general laws to cover the same. , / You should avoid as far as possible the passage of local *nd special legislation, for it not only . involves expense, but it' creates confusion in un- v derstanding and knowipg just what the law is. Where general laws have not. been provided in accordance with the requirements ot the Constitution they should receive your attention and . then the introduction of local and special legis-' * : lation should not be permitted. PAYMENT OF TAXES. ' * In view of the demand from certain sections that the time for payment of taxes be extended, after consultation with .the Comptroller General, . . by virtue of authority given us'by law, we ex- , tended the time for the payment of taxes withDut penalty to the first of February, 1900. , GOOt) ORDER. There has been 110 mob violence during the past year and general good order has prevailed mrougnout me state. 1 ne county 01 uarnngton is io be congratulated on giving a legal trial and ;xecution for a crime that usually results in summary justice. This spirit is to be encouraged and commended and will result in greater respect for. the proper and legal channels of administering the laws. Liberty is too often construed as license and we seed to* instil into our people a regard and respect for constituted authority and that the best ind most highly prized liberty is that which is surrounded by restraint. One of the greatest :vils of the Say and of modern times is the .endency to disregard and disrespect constituted tuthority and to rebel at the restraint that in lecessary to put upon personal-freedom in order :o secure and enjoy the best and the purest and , CONCLUSION. I have thus endeavored to obey the mandate of' he Constitution laid upon the Governor to "give o the General Assembly information of the coniition of the State, and recommend.for its con;ideration such measures as he shall deem necessary or expedient." I have not presumed to. ecture you on economy, for I feel sure that you, ealize as fully as I do' the needs of our people md will be as economical in the expenditure of >ublic money as is consistent with efficient ser:ice. The burdens of taxation always fait leavily but where there is a wise and nocessary rxpenditure of the public fund for the general * rood no reasonable tax-payer will complain. t'ou should deal with the affairs of state in a msincsslike manner an.d as a prudent business nan would manage his private affairs. If you ind that in any department the expenditures . an be cut down without hurt to efficient service t is your duty to cut-them down. Useless and xtravaeant anDrooriatioiis should under no cir umstances even be considered. Prudent and areful economy should guide you in all matters ouching the State's finances. I invoke upon all yptir deliberations the ruidance of an all-wise and overruling Provi- ' leuce and trust that whatever you do may be loue with an eye single to the good of all the ieople of the State. M. E. McSWF.ENF.Y, Governor. :