University of South Carolina Libraries
__ . ,-|: BY HUGH WILSON. ABBEVILLE, S. C., WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1885. VOLUME XXX. NO. 22. |g| TBS AFFAIRS OF STATE. AlJ OFFICIAL REVIEW OF THE GENERAL CONDITION OF OUR PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. ? Oar Renonreos?Oiir Expenditures? A Half .Million Tor Xfjjro E<luca> titfn-?$30.000 for Dlsableti Soldiers ' s?Onr Public Schools ami our Pen-' Itpnliary?The CannI?Cull for an Increase of our Taxes. Message of Governor Hugh S. Thompson, to the General Assembly of South Carolina, at its Regular Session, Beginning No vember 24, ibso. The State of South Caholixa, ) Executive Chamber, > Columbia, November 24,18S5.J Gentlcvizn of the General Assembly: In the performance of the duty imposed upon the Governor by the Constitution of the State I have the honor to transmit the following message: Fnblic Debt. The report of the comp! roller-general gives In full the character and condition of the public debu The agvreaate is practically the Same as reported last year. ?6,522,188.54, no bonds having been purchased by the sinking fund commission on account of the high premium which they commanded. Only S2o,ijO0 of old bonds were funded during the yetir, although the amount outstanding is estimated t?t over S40.\(XM): und of ?>63,372 of Green conMils, only $29,081,38($6,279 3S of which amount was iuvulid) have beeu exchanged for Brown 1 consols. The debt is classified as follows: Funded debt (all valid) ?0,123,907 79; unfunded debt (partly Invalid) estimated at 839S.2S0. The funded debt consists of Brown consols. $5" ' " * 401 4/1. 2 0,230; vniju ureen cuii.mhh, uvj4-. clencies, W-"??),450.-'?>: and agricultural land scrip, ?M,800. Bcrcancs of the State. the total revenes of the State and counties for the fiscal year commencing November 1, 1885, was about ?2,0sj*,000, ot which about $I,fi36,010 was raised by taxation, and $155,0'J0 lrom phosphate royalty. The collection ol the taxes whs unusually full and satisfactory, nearly 9S per cent, of tlie assessed State tax having been collected, and nearly 96 per cent, having been paid into the treasury. The net receipt for each mil! levied was $]4">,OlO, being an increase of Si,(W0 over the preceding year, and $?),0 Q over the year 1S7S-79. The taxes for the fiscal year 1861-85 are now being collected, and the result cannot, therefore, be reported The levy amounts to?l,K31,491, divided as follows: For State, $S41.526; for counties, $077,148; and for schools, $il2,S29, not including polls. By the use of certain undrawn balances which remain In the treasury temporarily the necessity of borrowing money to pay the * ? " onfl/.lnnilnn nfl interest on tne imuntwui, .........v., the collection of tax<-s, has been avoided; but It la recommenced that the authority to etFect such a loan. If necessary, be again given to the Governor and the State treasurer. The recommendations of the comi-troller-gener.il that the counties he authorized to borrow the necessary funds to meet both county and ff'thool expenses, and that some provision be made to recover the lost tux year, are also earnestly called to your attention. Expenses of 1S83-S8. It Is estimated that It will require$403,000 to meet the ordinary expenses of the Government for the fiscal year 1885-80, and S?91,(XiO to pay the interest on the public debt. These amounts will be Increased by such additional appropriations as may be required by I?gislatlon, and will be decreased by the phosphate | Mlyalty and any surplus that may remain in the treasury. As these amounts are contingei t, and consequently unknown, the necessary levy can only be determined when the General Assembly prepares the aunuul supply bill. Phosphate Royally. All of the phosphate royalty for the year ending September 30,188.), amounting to $l7ti,? 241,11, has been collected. This Is the largest amount ever paid inio the treasury from this souico tor one year. As this yield was probably exceptional, It would be best In making estimates for the present fiscal year to place the reveuue from the phosphate royally at $*50,000. Disabled Soldiers. The comptroller-general calls attention to the Acts and the amendments thereto providing compensation for the soldiers of t.hisSLaie who have been permanently disabled in any limb in consequence of wounds received in the civil wur. Uniler the Acts rererreu 10 me sum of $18,000 has already been expended, and claims amounting to nenrly SS,0t>0 are on file n\v?iiling lurlher appropriation. By the terms of the Acts no one is allowtd compensation except for permanent injury to a limb. Many applications for aid have been received from soldiers who have suffered injuries seriously affecting their health, but for whose relief no provision is made by law*. The comptrollerfteueral recommends that ?>0,0.'0 be appropriated annually for pensions to disabled soldiers and sailors, each beneficiary to receive $30, unless the number exceeds one thousand, in which case the amotiut shall be divided equally among them. I have no information as to the number of soldiersand sailors who would be entitled to receivc this jiid, and I am unable, therefore, to say whether the sum proposed would be sufficient to aftord any substantial relief; but the matter well deserves consideration by the General Assembly. The State can never luliy discharge her obligations ?-r> the ljravo men who. in obedience to her call, have suffered permanent Injury iti health or in limb; but she should contribute, if possible, to the alleviation of the wants of such of them as are without the means of support, .and are incapacitated for manual labor by reason of disabilities incurred in thpdischarjre of duty. While those who can claim this recognition of services to the State diminish in number each > ear, the infirmities of the survivors, and their need for help, constantly increase. Tax Laws. r would earnestly renew the recommendations made in my first annual message for such a simplification of our present cumbersome system of assessment a nu taxation as shall relieve the unequal burdens caused by lack of uniformity in the tax laws, and ol effectiveness in their execution. The bill reported by the commission appointed to revise j and simplify the tax laws, which has not yet J 4>een acted on by the General Assembly, pro- j poses a scheme of assessment and taxation which, it adopted, will, in my opinion, correct many ol the evils of the present system. In connection with this subject, I would call special attention to the report of the secretary of State to the sinking fund commission, and.to the suggestions therein made as to amendments to the law by which lands forfeited for non-payment of taxes can be made to yield their proper revenues 10 me nwuv. * The report shows that there are now 2,407,2->4 acres of land in the State ..ot reported for tax ation, and 912.X70 acres on the forfeited list, making in all 3,320.124 acres irom which the fitate receives no revenue. Public Sctioolq. The report of the superintendent of education shows a most gratifying progress in the work of the public schools, and in theheatthy growth of popular sentiment on the subject of education. Year by year the friction that attended the operations of the free public school system in the earlier period of its establishment has been reduced, and in all particulars controllable by the school officers it has almost disappeared. The number of pupils enrolled in the public schools during the year just closed was 17s,02>, of which 78,4o8 were white and W.oGo were colored* the average attendance was 122,093, of which 55,GG4 were white, and GG.429 were colored. The number of teachers employed was 3,773. being an Increase of eighty-niae over the number employed during the preceding year; and the number of schools was 3,562, being an increase of eighty over the number in opcra--? Tim lrmnrtli of thr? null uui iiijl; uju ,h.ui ill Kin, - .-v. ? school term was three and a half months, a decrease of half a month. The total amount of funds available for school purposes during the year 18S3-84, the latest period lor which reEorts are attainable, was $51">.570.3S, of which Ul/>y:?^7 was collected during the year, 9?1.U1 consisted of unexpended balances brought forward from previous years. The total amount expended was$12$,tl!>.41. It was shown in the annual report for 1SS4 that the limit of ratio of enrolment to the school population of the State had been nearly reached, and that the increase in this respect would, in the absence of unfavorable condition--, only keep pace with the natural increase of population. This indicates that the schools have been brought within the reach of the people, and are generally used by them. The Average attendance of pupils for the school term shows an increase of 7,:M9, and has now reached nearly fcy per centum of the enrolment. That this percentage should be so high among a people mainly rural is highly encouraging, because it demonstrates that the work of the schools has become more effective and better appreciated. There are, however, two great barriers, which, until removed, must always limit advancement in further improve% ment. One of these barriers is the unsatisfactory way in which the teachers' salaries and other school expenses are paid, inconsequence * of the failure to collect at the proper time the { taxes for the fiscal year 1876-77. The evils re-1 ( suiting from this failure have seriously em-|l barrassed the administration of every depart-j c ment of the state Government, but they fall|( with unmitigated severity upon the operations j i of the public schools. In the eight, preceding ij reports of the superihtendent of education this matter b:is been urged upon the attention of s the General Assembly, and in the present re- ( Fort is again pressed with great earnestness, t heartily endorse the appeal of the superin- i nnriont for nromnt remedial measures, and I ] would recommend for your consideration the < propriety of levying, for t he fiscal year 1S85-S6, 1 four mills and a double poll-tax for the support of the public schools; one-half the pro- s coeds of which shall be applied to the expenses i or tlie school year iSvVS'i. and the other half to ' the school year 1SS6-87. This will at once placc < the airairs of the schools upon a strictly cash t paying basis, which can be hereaitor maintain- i ed by the levy now prescribed by law. The other barrier to progress arises from the i constitutional prescription as to tlie mode of i election and the term of oillce of the supcrin- 1 tendentof education and the county school i commissioners. This subject is discussed at c some length in the report, and it is not ncces- ( sary for me to do more than say that I concur ( in the statements and views tiierein civen. t The evil is so radical and so prolific of harm- S fill results as tojustil'y resort to constitutional c amendment. < The specific recommendations of the super- t intandent. will, I trust, receive your careful t consideration. t The Institution for the Edncation of I the Denf and Dnmb and Blind. 1 i The thirty-seventh annual report of this in- t stitution, with the letter of transmittal of the board of commissioners, will be submitted to s yotii The management of this institution, 1 both as to its finances and as to the character 1 of the work accomplished, is a ground of ton- e gratulutton to the state. The gentlemen com- c posing the board of commissioners, a major!- s ty of whom live in the immediate neighuor-j t hood uf the institution, have labored faithful- c ly, and without pecuniary recompense, for the c welfare of the afllleted children committed to r their care. 1 mi. nnwlmnnf flI) 11 tr thr I C 1I1Q ri'|JUl lKlli?vn Uli rin</iiiiv<? ......... year of eighty-five pupils-a considerable in- h crease over that of the previous year. The su- f perintendent reports that tlie appropriations r made for the erecting and furnishing the west I wing, which completes the building according F to the original plan, have been sufiicicnt, and ? no further sum is asked for that purpose. A t critical examination of the financial report of i the institution will, I feel sure, satisfy you that c the appropriations confided to its board of c commissioners are wisely and economically f expended. The statistics show that in the forty institutions of this kind in the Uniled Stntes the average annual cost for ea::h pupil isSKJo. The cost of maintenance of each pupil in this institution is about $155 a year. The only unusual appropriat ions asked for r by the superintendent, and recommended by ' the bourd of commissioners, aren't) for drain- 1 age and S!,2<)0 for a pipe organ. The report J shows plainly the necessity for these appropri- * ations. I recommend that these amounts, c with the sums asked for, for support, repairs 1 and insurance, be appropriated, c Clnfiin CoIIcprC. This Institution, which was founded in ISM, is designed for the higher education of the colored youth of both sexes. The report, of the president shows that its present condition is highly satlsfaciory, and that it is fulfilling well the purpose for which it whs ' established. The total enrolment for the last year was 4<if>. The attendance for the present session is greater, and the students are more advanced in aire and in scholarship than in any previous year. There are five distinct courses of study, eleven teachers, and four superintendents of industrial departments. In addition to the ordinary school duties, students are required to work at least one hour a day, either on the farm, in the shops and about the buildings, or in the boarding, laundry and sewing departments. Thus, while taughthabitsof industry, th?y are enabled to pay a portion of their necessary expenses. Careful attention is given to the health, habits, maimers and morals of the students. The Military Acnrtuny. The report of the board of visitors, to be submitted to you, will ?ive in detail, as required by law, the record of the operatic ns of this institution during the year. The Academy now has four classes, the full number provided for in the course or instruc- * tion, and during the homing year It will Bend forth its first class of graduates since its reorganization in October, 1SS2. Three States besides our own are now represented on the roll of cadets, and it may reasonably be expected that considerable accessions to the number of students will in future be received by the admission of young men from SUitcs in which there are no institutions offering the peculiar advantages afforded by the South Carolina Military Academy. The faculty of the Academy is complete, all of the professors having been selected with special reference to their fitnos for the duties which they are required to diseharge. A thorough acquaintance with its record, gained as a student, and afterwards as one of its profes sors, justifies me in asserting that the teaching force of the Academy was never stronger or better prepared and equipped for its work than it now is. To the military discipline, which forms a valuable agency in the moral and physical development, of youth, is added a course of study specially designed to give students the benefits of technical training. It is not the aim of the institution to enter the wider fields occupied by the colleges in the ?tot?. Vint tin. ntiioct kent, steadily in view is to maintain that high standard in the branches taiight which shall tit its graduates lo incct the constantly increasing demands of the times for men trained and equipped for scientific investigation and prepared for the practical purposes of life. The requirement that beneficiary cadets shall teacn in the public schools of the State for two years after graduation will furnish a regular supply of teachers whose influence in elevating the standard of instruction and discipline in those schools will be of Incalculable advantage. The corps of cadets visited Columbia on the occasion of the recent Fair of the Agricultural and Mechanical Society. The thousands of interested spectators who witnessed with admiration the parade of the cadets saw in their soldierly bearing and in the perfection of their drill the best evfdenccof the thorough discipline 01 uie ACiiui'iny. Great a< is t!ic service which this Academy has done for Houth Carolina in the past, it gives promise of even greater usefulness in the future. During a severe storm which visited Charleston in August last serious damage was done to the roof and other portions of the buildings of the Academy. The chairman of the board of visitors informed me that there were no funds at his command available for maleins the repairs required. I therefore directed such repairs to be made as were absolutely necessary to preserve the buildings from further injury. The cost of these repairs, S31'J. 22. was paid from the civil contingent fund, and voucners for all payments were tiled with the com p: roller-general. The South Carolina College. During the last year the board of trustees of ! the University, in accordance with law, ap I pointed a board of visitors to examine into and report upon the condition of the South Carolina College. The board of visitors made i an elaborate report, which lias boon published i by order of the board of trustees. Copies of this report will doubtless be furnished the members of the General Assembly, and I invite for it carelul attention. This report, emanating from a body of nine distinguished citizens of the State, six of them not connected with the College in any capacity whatever, is a document of exceptional interest. It sets forth the organization and work of the institution in great detail and with admirable clearness. That a great revolution Is In progress in the educational world no intelligent observant man will deny. The old order of things is rapidly passim: away, and new and opposing systems are striving to replace it. Change is too often but another name lor i chaos, and the visitors, in their report, therei fore, dwell with especial commendation on I the fact that the authorities of the College | have been conservative enough to retain the I best features of the old system, and yet progressive enough to ailopt improvements sug' gested by the best experience of the day. The ! organization and development of any college | is, or should be,conditioned by its environj inent, and a State institution of higher learn! Imot ia nroenmnlitv for tlu> hl-iwfit t j of the people of the State. Hence, the trustees I of the University have acted wisely inendeavj oring to bring its advantages within the reach of all classes of onr citizens. A high ideal lias, | however, been kept well in view, towards S which its improvement and development have I been constantly directed. From the begin-j ! ning the standards for graduation have been : rigidly maintained, the requirements for ad-j mission steadily advanced, and the courses of | study rapidly extended. T n t he character and ; i range of its instruction, and in its methods! and discipline, the visitors declare that the! i College may now challenge favorable compar-; ! ison with any of the leading educational in- j stitutions of the South. The intelligent and j hearty commendation of such r presenlative ! men, the enthusiastic loyalty and devotion oft ! its alumni and students, and its large and increasing patronage, all go to show that the| J College, ns now reorganized, i*in an exceed- j j ingly prosperous condition. The number of | i matriculates reported to date (200) is larger' j than the total enrolment during the entire pe? 1 riod of any preceding sussion since its reoj>: The Influence of the (Toupee is aireauy ieu i n the State. Everywhere schools are spring- . ng up, and the demand for teachers Is steudi- i y increasing. More than 50 per cent, of its . ecent graduates are now engaged in the work < >f teaching. Such facts as tiiese prove the In- ] Teasing strength and popularity of the South j Carolina College, at.d justify this language of i he board of visitors: "It seems to us that the i state lia< never had greater reason to be proud >f its College, and that to disarm all honest i ipposltlon, and to change foes into friends, all i .hat is requisite is to acquaint the people of ; lie State with what the institution really is, i md with the magnificent work it. is doing." In commending to your support and foster- i ngrare the institutions which form the Uni i rersity of South Carolina, permit me to re- i nind you that the educational movement of < he day is as wide-spread as it is irresistible. I The leadingStittes of the Northwest and our < ister Common wealths of the South are rapid- : y building up tllcir institutions of higher < earning. North Carolina has recently < itrengthened her university by largely in- j :reased appropriations and by the addition of nnm nlmli'l: iinfl Vlvirtlllfl. tills Within JVjNUlili UVTT V/Umii:, T <*n? ? , he last throe yuu.-s \en o\cr jiOU.u.o to L;. ;hief seat of learning. Mississippi has giant;d her A giicultural College more than S20").i)00. md Alabama and Georgia have appropriated urge sums for the establishment and support >f technical schools in connection with their state colleges. These appropriations are sums afely invested, promising large and speedy eturns to their people. Such wise and liberal egislation?the policy of the most progressive states of the day?was the rule in our own state from the early days of the century down o lMil. Never has it heen more needed than low, when success in every pursuit or calling :nn only he achieved by intelligent and welllirected, or, in other words, by educated eft>rt. Penitentiary. Full information on the .subjects to which hey respectively relate will be found in the: eport or the board of directors of the 1'enientiary. In which are inciiuled the reports of he superintendent and of the subordinate dlicers of the prison, and of tlie manager of he Canal. The whole number of convicts in ionflnenient during the year was The lumber 011 the .'.Ust day of October was {VJ.% a lecrea?e of li as compared with the corresponding period of last yf-ar. Of this number i.G were colored males. :I9 colored females, 75 vhite males and 5 white females. The cash j eceipts for the fiscal year were $65,552.13. To 1 1~?is amount, as showing the earnings of the ! n ison, must be added $I0,'U7.(U due by conractors, making S7ti,li9.S0 as the total income or the year. The disbursements to October 31 vere S67,t?51.55. To this sum should be added f>,(X):) due in bank, which will be paid from he amounts t > be collected from the eoutracors, making the disbursements for the year 72,(J51.55. Nearly all of the difference between he receipts and the disbursements, ${,818.25, is low due for indebtedness incurred in the pur:hase of blankets and clothing for the prisoners and of material necessary for the compleion of the north wing of the prison. In the , lishursements :ire included the umoutits ex-!, >ended on the Cnnal and In the enlargement ( >Mhe main building of the Penitentiary, as i j veil as in o her permanent improvements ( villi in the prison yard. There are now but two contracts for labor . vithout the walls of the Penitentiary. One;, >f these contracts, upon which 7(i convicts arc j , miploycd, will expire December 31, and he oilier, upon which 100 convicts are em- , )loyed, will expire June 30.18-SIJ. There a re { wo contracts for labor within the walls?one i j smploying 70 ami the other SO convicts. Un-j? ess other contracts can he made, the whole ! ( lumber of convicts from who<e labor revenue j vili be derived after January 1. ISSti, will be ( !")0. With no other contracts in force, it will. , n the opinion of the suDcrintendent, require ( '100,0C0 to maintain the prison for the present!, Jscal year. Tiie work on the north wing ofj he main building has been pressed vigorous- ( y, and it will be completed in about three | j nonths. There will then be 500 cells for the j iccommodationof prisoners. This will gieaty increase the facilities for the conilncmenf. , )f prisoners, but the supply will be unequal ( 0 the demands of the present, and probably ( nucti below those of the future. The surgeon ( >f the Penitentiary has repeatedly urged up- , >n the attention of the board of directors the | m porta nee of confining but one prisoner in , 1 cell. While it is often necessary to assign j wo, and sometimes three, prisoners to one \ ell, the board of directors recognize the fact , hat this crowding ot convicts in violation of ( veil-established sanitary laws is mostpreju- , licial to the health of the prison. The death j j ate during the last year has been greater , lian during any previous year of the inctim-1 j jency of the present superintendent?a result j vhieh is due in large measure to the crowded \, jondition of the Penitentiary, and to the want j! >f sutiicient hospital accommoda:ions. The , eport of the State Hoard of Health sets forth ! j 'oreibly and clearly the evils produ(tea ojr ( Jiese causes, tnd makes important surges- ( .ions for the improvement of tlie sanitary rohdKion of the institution. As soon as possible the construction of another wins of the orison should be begun. During the last year ;he quarry has been extended, and is now ] ivailable for furnishing stone to be used in '' erecting additional buildings. From thirty to 1 fty hands have been employed on the farm. 1 aid hands have been furnished as required 'or work on the State House. The financial embarrassments of the prison ^ lave been unusually great during the last fis- ! mi year. This has been due, in part, to losses ] sustained by theexplosion ofaboilerin March 11st. ' The cost of repairs rendered necessary ( jy this explosion was about 83,000, and the loss- 1 ncurred in wages of the hands hired to con tractors within the walls, while awaiting the 1 epalrs, was about the same amount, making ;he total loss from this source about ?(i,fKio. riie diminished income of ttic Penitentiary ms been due chiefly to the fact that the board 1 >f directors have not been able to make eon- j tracts as heretofore for the hire of convicts. Hie amendment to the lawgoverningthe hirinn of convicts, passed at t he last session of 1 the General Assembly, which was intended;1 to correct, as far as possible, the abuses of the ' lease system, has had the effect designed, but It has greatly reduced the income of the pris- 1 in. In some instances the board of directors have been compelled to refuse to lease con- ' victs because of the report of the surgeon tha? 1 the work was not safe and healthy; and in at liers, persons desiring to employ hands have 1 declined to comply with the provisions of the (Yet. The experience o!' the last year gives no , reason to hone that under existing laws it will I be possible to hire out such a number of convicts ?swill make the institution solf-susiaining. I believe that the revenues of the prison 1 would be considerably increased if the laws governing the hiring of convicts were further amended so as to permit the board of direc tors : to take contracts for the performance of specific work, the work to be done entirely under the control and direction ot the olllccrs of the Penitentiary. If this authority were granted many contracts, large and small, could be secured on terms which would prove remunerative, and with results more satisfactory as to the ears and supervision of the convicts than cat) be attained when they arc hired to contractors. Jf this recommendation should meet the approval of the General Assembly I would further recommend that the sum ofi 825,000 be appropriated to be used as may be necessary for the support of the Institution, theamount soused to he returned to t he Slate treasury from the net earnings of the Penitentiary. Such appropriation would provide for any contingency by which tiie cash receipts may at any time fall below thedemands of the prison. During the last year, in consequence of the failure of some of the cont ract ore to pay promptly the umotinU due for the hire of eo.ivlets, it became necessary for the board of directors to negotiate a loan of tr>,f!(K). This amount will be repaid when all the collections for the last fiscal year are made, but with the loss of the interest charged on the note. With a continuance of the care and economy heretofore practiced in the management of the prison, any portion of the SK/JOO which may be used will be returned to the State treasury before the close of the fiscal yesir, but the appropriation of the sum as recommended will prevent the possibility of :< recurrence of such embarrassment as may render it necessary to etlect loans for ibe temporary maintenance of the prison. i would further suggest for the consideration of the (Jenerul Assembly the expediency of purchasing land to be cultivated by the convicts for agricultural purposes. The experiment of working a few of the convicts on a small farm now belonging to the State has been so successful as to induce the belief that the employment of a considerable number of them in agricultural pursuits would increase the revenue of the Penitentiary, and would thus do much towards tlie solution of the difficult problem of making the institution selfsupporting, while providing properly for the care of the prisoners. The use of a large number of convicts in this way would have the additional advantnge of relieving the overcrowding of the prison, nnd of furnishing that steady, healthful nnd useful employment so Necessary for the attainment of the greatob|cct of prison discipline?the reformation of criminals. I have {riven careful attention to Lhis matter, nnd I believe thatthcauthorizing i)f the board to take contracts for work, and the purchase of land to be tilled bv convicts, will certainly increase the revenues of the prison, and may possibly lead to the complete iibandonment of the lease system, which has produced so mnny evils. These evils, which ire Inseparable from the lease system, cannot be wholly prevented when convicts are hired to contractors, whose object must always be to secure the largest profits possible, without regard to the motives which Influence a humane nnil en lightened Government in punishing those who nave violated its laws. The establishment of a reformatory institution for juvenile criminals is a matter which should engage the attention of the General Assembly. The financial condition of the "stiite may not warrant the establishment of such an institution at lhis time, but, as a part if a general scheme for the punishment and prevention of cilirie, it should be established is soon as practicable. From the opening of the Penitentiary in 1S6S, to October 31,1^85, the number of convicts under fifteen years of age was '223. There is no record to show how many of similar age have served sentences in the county jails. liy proper punishment the youthful prisoner's first lesson In crime may tje made to serve as a warning against further violations of law. but a jail or a penitentiary, in which promiscuous association with habitual criminals must be allowed, is for trie poung but a training school In vice. It is unquestionably true that many violations of law !>y juvenile criminals ure not reported because persons having knowledgeof the crimes \re unwilling to prosecute the youthful offend;rs; who. If convicted rrm*t be punished by injarcerulion lu the Penitentiary or in a county all. The nnal. The work on thcCan.nl hns been greatly regarded by the embarrassed condition of the finances of the Penitentiary, The board of di; ectora were "authorized and directed to expend during the year 1.S8-!, for the employment >f skilled labor and engineers,and for the purihase of machinery and materials, and for jther proper disbursements, S15,000 of the in;otne of the Penitentiary over and above the imount necessary for the support and maintenance of said institution." Earlv in the year it became evident that the ncoine of the Penitentiary, over and above ;hc amount necessary for its maintenance, ft-ould be much below the amount which the aw authorized the board of directors toextiin Pon.il <inr1 tho nnnvunrtnf.inn fnr ,bat purpose was gradually diminished. At a neeting held on the 2d of April the board of 11 rectors noii/lcd the engineer and the mani?cr of the Canal that, for want of funds, it night be necessary to dispense with their services after the 1st of the following month. On theSth of May the board notified the encineer that his services would be dispensed with after the lath of that month, and informed the nan;iger that his salary would be reilucod from SlOft to 575 a month, and that, instead of I 'our foremen then allowed, he would be permitted to employ two at $10 a month each. The finances of the Penitentiary would not jormit a larger expenditure for the Canal, but the board of directors determined to prosecute the work as vigorously as possible, not only 'or the purpose of protecting that portion of it ilready completed, hut also because thev would thus be enabled to give employment to i large number of hands, who would othervise have been kept closely confined in idlcic^s?a result which would have been injurious to the health of the prisoners and prejudi:ial to the discipline of the institution, it was lot practicable for the board of directors to nakeany expenditures for the purchase of the .oolsand materials required for the work. The jity council of Columbia olTrrcd to make advances for the purpose, and the board of directors accepted theoirer, it being understood that 10 obligation was incurred for the repayment >f any portion of the Mini so advanced. l.Hirng the hist fiscal year the amount expended >n the Canal by the board of directors was S!,102.58; the amount advanced by the city council of Columbia, from May 28 to October 31, was $1,399.30, making the total expenditures on the Canal since the last report SlO.&H.fcS. The present manager of the Canal entered inon.the discharge of his duties on the 1st of March last. The means at his command were 11 ad equate for the purchase of the requisite ools and materials, and for the emoloymcnt )t' as many skilled foremen as were needed 'or the proper direction of the hands employid, but, under the circumstances, the pi-ogres*node has been satisfactory. The daily average >f hands of all classes employed on the Canal luring the year was about &f?. The manager states in his report that, in his opinion, more than half of the work necessary for the completion of the Canal is already llniehed. If the work he even temporarily abandoned low, that portion already completed at heavy :-ost would be liable to serious injury from freshets in the river, and the hands engaged on the C'anal would be without employment. In flew of these facts, as well as of the advan:ages to be derived from the (.'anal when completed, I recommend that the Acts now in force authorizing the employment of lab-?r on ;hc Canal be continued, and that such sum be lppropriated as may be necessary to ensure the steady progress of the work during the >'ei\r. There being no engineer now in charge if the Canal I am unable to give estimates of he amount of money necessary to continue the work. The services of an engineer arc needed to prepare plans and drawing* and to inspect the work as It is finished. These duties, in my opinion, will not hereafter demand all of the time of an engineer, and the services required :yin therefore he obtained at a lower rate of compensation than that heretofore allowed. The Lunatic Asylum. At the beginning of the last fiscal year there were GJ8 patients in the institution ami fifteen absent on trial. During the year 216 wore admitted, making the whole number under treatment 8-vJ. At the close of the year there were 605 patients present and fil'ieen absent on trial. It will be observed that the number of patients was twenty-three less at the end than at the beginning of the year. This decrease has probably never before occurred in the history uf the institution. For the last seven years there has been an annual increase of about forty patients. This reduction is attributable to two causes: 1st, The number of admissions was seventy-seven less (ban last year?the result, in great measure, of the Act passed at the last session of the General Assembly requiring more rigid examinations for commitment; and, 2d, Seventy of the imbecile class, who were believed to be harmless, were remanded to the care of their families, or of the commls"l"""".' nnimtioK Ttio fonnrt, of t.lio superintendent culls- attention to the difficulty Df thus disposing of the imbecile patients, who invariably accumulate in the Asylum because of the inadequate provision for their custody in the county poor houses. The large centre building of the Asylum was completed during the year, and it Is now occupied. It is not probable that the State will ever again be palled on to erect so expensive a building for the use of the insane. The condition of the finances of the Asylum is highly satisfactory. The increase In the number of pay patients, the low prices of some of the leading supplies, und the exorcise of rigid economy, have resulted in the saving of a considerable amount from the las!.appropriation. The whole appropriation asked for is Sol),000 less than the amount appropriated last year. The result of the work of the year has been most gratifying. There have been no epidemicdiseases; no ea-e of suicide or of homicide has occurrrd: the death rate has been rerUiced nearly one-half; there has been someincrease in the percentage of recoveries; a number of permanent improvements have been made, and the institution, in all its departments, lias been kept in thorough repair. The liberal appropriations by the General Assembly have enabled the board of regents and the officers of the institution to keep abreast of all the advances made in the care and treatment of the insane, and 11*^ nfotont fati/1 i t l/\n of thr? 1.11 nil Mr* AKVltllYl. in Its appointments and in its general manajement, entitles it to rank with the foremost institutions of its kind in this country. The Department of Agriculture. The annual report of the department of ngriculture for 18?-5 includes I he reports of llie commissioner, tiie chemist, the special assistant In the phosphate department and the superintendent of fisheries. These reports furnish detailed statements of the operations for the year, showing the varied and important duties with which the department is charged. The regular work of the department has been fully equal to that of previous years, and much of the time of the commissioner and his assistants has been tfiven to.the State's exhibit, at the World's Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition. This exhibit was made by direction of the Legislature, and represented the natural resources and manufactured products of the State. The commissioner makes a full report, showing the extent and character of the exhibition, and the results likely to follow from it. fie thinks tlu're is a strong probability of the establishment of direct trade relations with Japan, in the exchange of phosphate rock for ammoniatlmr substances, soexIcnsively used by South Carolina manufacturers of fertilizers; that the sales of fertilizers maiuifactuml here will be largely increased; that the agricultural advantages of the State, as shown by the products displayed, will attract the better class of farmers and laborers; that the mineral resources, as shown by the specimens exhibited, will receive the attention of investors ahd practical miners; tlint the splendid water power and forestry of South Carolina, so thoroughly advertised at the Exposition. and now better known than ever before. will lntcrestcapltallsts, and that the trade of our cotton manufactures will be extended. The Japanese commissioner and expert* in wine growing and other Industries nave already visited the State, and the favorable impressions formed Justify the expectation of gond results from their Investigations. The statistics compiled by the department show the steady arricnRural progress of the State. Jn the stnple crops there isa gradual increase In production, and each year shows greater increase In the use of labor-saving machinery, and in the number aud value of improved oreeds of live stock. The board of agriculture has encouraged exnorimpnts In t.nhacco culture, and will take such steps as are necessary to establish regular experiment stations as soon as the funds of the department will permit. The department has a well-equipped chemical laboratory, and Is prepared to undertake analyses of fertilizers, minerals, ?fcc., for farmers and others. The building contains the offices, the laboratory and a large hall for agricultural conventions. The specimens exhibited at the Cotton Exposition were lent to the Agricultural Society of .South Carolina for the Charleston Exposition; they will be returned to the department building in Columbl??,and will form the nucleus for a permanent museum. State Agricultural and 2Kcchanical Society. The recent annual fair of this society was one of the most, successful ever held. The exhibits exceeded largely those of any previous year, and the number of persons in attendance was equalled but. once before in the history of fhn cnniolv Tlio pvlithltlnn wiw nnxt.tollln.rlv gratifying as showing the marked improvement resulting from greater attention to the breeding of live stock. The annual fairs of the society giVe a strong impetus to the development of our mechanical ana agricultural industries, and they are especially useful as the means of bringing together pleasant social Intercourse citizens from all parts of the fttate. * I recommend that the appropriation of 82,500 heretofore made In aid of the society be continued. State Bonrd'of Health. I invite your attention to the report of the State Board of Health, which contains much valuable Information relating to the sanitary condition of the State, and makes useful suggestions for Its improvement. VIllHn Jl <1C ^TikllKtUt The report of the adjutant and inspector general shows that the .State militia-is in very fair condition. The State Volunteer Troops, with only one or two exceptions, are well drilled, and lake great interest in their duties. The increased appropriation for the present year of four dollars per capita has added greatly to the efficiency of the militia in enabling them to purchase the regulation uniform or other necessary equipments. A decided improvement has taken place in the cavalry. The troops are nearly all well mounted and present a creditable appearance. Since 18<)9, when the Governor or the State exhausted the annual quota received from the United States Government for 33 years in advance by drawing 10,00;) standsof arms and accoutrements. no arms have been received by South Carolina from the annual appropriations made by Comrrcss. After repeated efforts, our Senators and Representatives in Congress succeeded in February last in having an Act passed which relieved the State of this obligation to the General Government. Under the terms of this Act the chief of ordnancc has credited the State with the sum of th^ amount of the annual quota for lS-8o-Sfi is *J,17o.3l, making a total stun of $30,787.76 due the State. Against this credit, arms, ordnance stores, 4c., to the amount of $21,2*3.50 have been drawn, leaving a balance of ?1,511.2(1 still due the State. With a portion of this amount it is proposed, if satisfactory arrangements can l?e made with the ordnance department in Washington, to obtain tents and equipments for infantry encampments. Railroad Commission. The report of the commission states that theie lias been a decrease in the number of complaints filed, and that, through the prompt and harmonious action of the officials connected with the various roads, a much more convenient form of classification has been adopted. Tlie commissioners say that, in consequence of the financial depression prevailing throughout. the country, but few railroads have realized profits during the last fiscal year.and that to many roads the result has been most unfavorable; but lha:, notwithstanding this fact, eight of the roads in the Stale snow an increase over the business of the previous year, and ten show a small percentage of decrease. The number of miles of new road constructed was greater than during any one yearof the past ten years. The report furnishes full statements of the action of the commissioners for the year and con tains much valuable statistical miormution. Slate House. The Act passed at the lost session of the General Assembly, "to provide for the completion of the main building of the State House," appropriated ?7o,000 to defray the expenses of con tinning the construction for the yenr 1 ?85, anil appointed the Governor, the Secretary of State and the comptroller general a commission to make I he necessary contracts, including the employment of an architect. I lie commission organized on the 2d of January last. Mr. J. It. Niernsce, the distinguished architect, who designed the building, and who superintended its construction until the work was suspended in 18(M, was appointed architect. He entered upon the discharge of his duties and began the preparation of the plans and estimates for the completion of the building. When the estimates for the granite work were ready, bids to be submitted by the 10th of June were called for by advertisement,. In consequence of l he death of Mr. Niernsee, which occurred early in June, t he bids were not opened until alter the selection of Ills successor, Mr. J. C. Ncilson.of Baltimore,Md. The lowest bid, that ot the West-hum Granite Company, of Richmond, Va., for $">7,005, was accepted. After the contract was made, all of the stone balusters required for present use were found iu the basement of the building, thereby reducing the outlay for granite work by Sfi,500. Some additional cost will arise from the fact that the amount of cut stone on hand, which formed pnrtof the consideration of the contract, is less than that estimated, and also because it will be necessary to have work done on the old stone to make It correspond with the new. Thearchltect reports that the present roof is in bad condition, and that the gutters and spouts will require about SooO for renewal, unless the new roof is put on in J.k8G. Th? underground drains for carrying o(T the rain water have been put. in perfect order, and nearly an oi tuc worn neceMiurj >u> u<uiint' ing the sewerage of the building with the river has boon completed. The report of the architect will give detailed information uf the work proposed for the coming year. Two plans are suggested for increasing the accommodations now atlorded in the building. The architect states that ttie work for the next year, and, consequently, the appropriation to be made, will depend upon tlie selection of one of these plans by the General Assembly, and that a sum varying from 5X0,000 to $120,000 can be expended with advantage according to the plan selected. Much of the work, including the making of brick, can be done by convict labor. Crimlnnl Court*. The necessity for some changes in our Criminal Courts Is apparent. The trial Justice system, which was inteuded to relieve the Circuit. Court of General Sessions by providing Inferior Courts in which petty oli'ences could be tried readily and at small cost, has failed lo fulfill the purpose which it was designed to | accomplish. It isproper, therelore.thnt I rec ommcnd, ("or the consideration 01 tneuenerai Assembly,such amendments to the lawns seem most likely to give relief to the Courts of Sessions, while providing for the prompt trial of persons chanced with crime, and the speedy punishment of those who may be convicted. But two modes suggest themselves to me by which this may bo accomplished. These are the establishmentof County Courts, or un increase In the number of Circuit .Judges. Careful consideration of this subject induces me to believe that the hitter mode is best suited to our wants. It has recently been decided on Circuit, after grave consideration, that trial justices have no Jurisdiction in cases of petty larceny. Jf this decision issus-i j taincd by the Supreme Court the Jurisdiction j | of trial justices will be greatly restricted, and j j the work of the Courts of Sessions correspondI lngly increased. In that event the present! j number of Circuit Judges will be insufficient i to discharge the duties required. Doubts i have been expressed whether, under the Con- j ! stitutlon of this state, the General Assembly , lean create County Courts having such Juris-j | diction as would ho adequate to relieve the! Courts of General Sessions of the trial of of-j : fences of this class. Apart from tnese Mounts i there are arnve objections to such Courts. I Among these objections are: Their cost, even ! i :is compared with such ?m increase in the! number of Circuit Judges as will bo suriiclent' ! for tlie purposes in view; the fact that, tlie number of appeals from the County Courts'wiil be so la:?re as to crowd unduly the dock-: els of the Courts of Sessions, and the increas-, ed demands of jury duty upon that class of ! citizens whose services as Jurors are essential to the impartial administration of justice, j : The Circuit Court undoubtedly has jurisdic- j tion of all crimes. It has the power to com-; maud and enforce respect. The learning,! i ability and character of its Judges furnish a , guarantee against abuse of power which no. inferior Court can give, and the increase in 1 the number of Its Judpes necessary to Insure s' the prompt administration of Justice will cost b less th^n any efficient system of County e Courts. v I commend this RUbJoct to the attention of ti the General Assembly In the confident assur- s ance that It will receive the careful consldera- p tlon which its Importance demands, and that i: proper remedies will be provided for those c evils which are now Justly the cause of com- h plaint. If the General Assembly should deem d it best to retain the present trial Justice sys- fi tem, I would recommend that the law be so b amended as to provide for the payment of c stated salaries to all trial justices, and that t< they be not allowed costs in criminal cases, n Some of the trial justices now receive salaries tl but In all instances in which they are not so s ? It >. I I nno IhftJr ftlOQ Ha_ II Conization. There Is every prospect th.it the i nrolinent will reach 280 before the close of the < Irst term. The students arc drawn from ev- < ?ry section of the State, and from ail classes of i nir people. The leading religious denomina- J ions are all fully represented, and the mate- < lal is excellent. I The increase in the number of post-gradu- < ite students in tlie College is still more signlfl- i ant and encouraging. .Sixteen graduates of his and oilier colleges are pursuing post-grad- | late courses leading up to the higher degrees, i [n these courses university inethodsareadopt* | >d, and the work done is thorough and ad- i tranced. ' I Thus, even With greatly diminished re- i sources, is already realized in a hopel'ul de- i rree the aspiration of the great THornwell, i a body of resident scholars/' the advantages i >f which "to the College and to the State and ] o the whole country could not bo ovcr-estinated." | \ Eenci upon the number of cases which they a ear; and sometimes, practically, upon thede- n clsions which they render. The temptation thus held out to Incite litigation and todeclde f< wrongfully has contributed In large measure d to the evils of the system, In which, as too of- g ten happens, the officer Is wanting In the a character, ability, learning and professional y pride and training which should mark those tl who sit as Judges in questions involving the e rights and liberties of their lellow-cltlzens. p The trial justice should be a conservator of v the peace. To make hlin such the law must a remove all incentives to promote strife and tl litigation. The number of trial Justices now o allowed by law la 407. The number In some J< of tho counties Is larger than the require- g men ts of the service demand, and it 6hould be a reduced. I would further suggest, as worthy T of consideration, that trial Justices be ap- P pointed by the Governor on the nomination e of the solicitors and of tho Circuit Judges, p subject to confirmation by the Senate, ana n that they be removed by the Governor lor o cause. The personal itcqualntilnde which d these officers have with the citizens In their t'i respective circuits, and their official inter- tl course with the trial justices, would enable * them to make better Merlons for these 1m- o portaut offices than it is possible for the Gov- ? ernor to do. Until this year it has been the *i practice tonppoint trial justices for two years, P and, upon the occurrence of a vacancy, to fill r the office for tho balance of the unexpired e, term. In this wav the terms of all trial Jus- t tires ended with the term of the Governor by n whom they were appointed. The attorney- y general has recently given the opinion that, G under existing laws, trial justices, if confirm- s ed hy tlie Senate, hold office for the full term of two years, unless sooner removed accord- r' ing to Jaw. All appointments since this opin- d ion was given have been made in accordance v with this construction of the law. " a Census. p In my Message at the-beginning of the last ^ session the attention of the General Assem- ij blji was called to the. fact that Article II, Sec- . tion 4, of the Constitution provides that the 3 enumeration of the inhabitants of the State u for the purpose of the apportionment of the c Representatives be made In the year 1875 and t in the course of every tenth year thereafter, j and it was recommended that such appropria- y tlon be made as might be necessary for such ? enumeration. The General Assembly made no appropriation for the taking of this enu- ? nieratlon. Article II, Section 5, of the Consti- j tution provides that '"if the enumeration here- c in directed shall not be made in the course of c the year appointed for the purpose, it shall be the duty of the Governor to have it effected as ^ soon thereafter as shall be practicable." j 1 desired, if pnRSHiie, lo discharge me duty j imposed upon the Governor by the sections ol f the Constitution referred to in such manner t as to enable the State to obtain the benefit of <j the fund which, according to an Act of Con- r press, the General Government would eon- y tribute towards defraying the expenses of tak- j, lnj; a census, upon compliance by the State j with the provisions of the Act of Congress, ( but beintr in doubt as to my powers and du- ? ties,I requested theattorney-genural toadvlse r me whether I could order the making of the j enumeration, there being no appropriation , fur that purpose. The auorney-general advised me "that such enumeration cannot under existing laws be s made in advance of an appropriation bj* the t General Assembly to defray the expenses." r The Constitution imposes upon the Governor {j The duty of having this enumeration made, (, and I recommend that such sum be appropri- c ated as may be necessary tor this purpose. r Pardons and Commutations. c In obedience to the requirement of law, I ^ submit herewith a statement of the pardons ? and commutations granted by me during the j last year, and the reasons therefor. 1 In conclusion. I invoke your attention to ? the responsible duties for which you are now 1 assembled, with the sincere wish and the con- } fident hope that your labors may be wisely J, directed to the advancement of the beBt inter- ~ ests of the people. , HUGH S. THOMPSON. J e a r , PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING, j | RELIGIOUS SERVICES IN OUR CHURCHES, s (i The Katcrlnl Prosperity of the 3fa- J tion?The Blessings of Civil and s Religious Liberty?The Innninera- jj ble Blessings for Which we Should i Individually and Collectively Give Thanhs. Sermon by tlie Rev. W. R. Richardson, Pastor of the Methodist Church, Delivered at Eleven O'clock on Thanksgiving Morning. Thanksgiving Day wns not very generally observed by our citizens. The public onices, * except the post office, were opened as usu.il, J though but little busiuess was done In conse- ( quenccof the absence of our friends from the t country. The Treafiurer and tnc Auditor had ^ but little to do, and the other officials had less. | The stores presented a dreary appearance all I day. At eleven o'clock those of our citizens who felt disposed to attend divine worship, as- r semblcd at either the Methodist or theEpls- { copal churchca. The otlier churches were not ^ opened. Mr. Ilanckci conducted religious services in the Episcopal church, and Mr. Rich- 1 ardson delivered the sermon in the Methodist J church, which is copied below. hPsdhn ciii, 2. BIcrs the Lord, 0 my eonl, and for- f get not all hid bunelits. s One of the most striking features of the J Psalms of David, Is the songs of praise and v thanksgiving. His harp was always tuned to the praises of God. Even in his deepest dis- ' tresses and saddest misfortunes, he would lift 5 up his voice in thanksgiving, and out of the d depths, a grateful song would rise above the " roar of the waves, and ascend like sweet it>- J nnlicn (r> hiiul'pn Urt lll?lllia f-irwl fop Jill nui- S tcrial and spiritual blessings, for food and mlincut, health and strength, for atisweis to 1 prayer and sustaining grace. At limes, liis 'J gratitude to God rises to Mich a height, that he ? calls upon the whole universe to unite with 1 him in praising ihe Lord. "Praise ye him, all >' his angels: praise ye him, all Ills hosts. s Praise ye itiin. gun and moon ; praise him, all f1 ye stars of light. Praise him, >e heavens of 'i henvens, and ye waters tliat he above the ' heavens." "Would that wo could catch an in- ,J spiraiion from David's sonys, which would evoke from our hearts, devout and honest. a praise ami thanksgiving to God for his bless- v Ings anil mercies. Thereeould be no moreapproprlate service tlian the one In which we 1 engage this morning. It Is a day of national I1 thanksgiving for national blessings. Thou- s sands, at this hour, are assembled for the v purpose of acknowledging God's benefits to 1 us as a nation, and ottering their tribute ol 11 praise for his goodness. As a part of the na- t; tlon, we too would 11ft up our hearts and t voices in swelling the great volume of praise & that is ascending to God. In discussing the li sui-Ject of Hational blessings which, under the providence of God. we as a nation enjoy, f< let us rise above the trammels of sectional p prejudice: let us forget party affiliations; let ti us lose sight of differences of latitude and ? longitude, and remember that, though fifty a millions, wc lire UUC |>ci?ji|?\ n inn liiwu^uin are confined to ourselves, to our own community, to our own county,and to our own Stale, there will bo more selfishness than thanksgiv- p ln<; in our service. Let us tsike broad and lib- n ernl views, and return tlinnks to God for Ills S| blessings tu us as a nation, North South, East ti and West. What tl?on are the national bless- ei ings which (-ill for our gratitude? f( I. I would mention material prosperity. This isa grandeounlry which we possess. Tlie linfts have fallen to us in ple:is:int p'accs. yea d we have a goodly heritage, 'flits is the richo.-t n and most beautiful country on the face of the e earth, our resources are vast, inexhaustible, s Every year hidden mines are discovered and P new Industries are developed, which add to the wealth of the nation. The whole country is makluc giant strides in material prosper!* f, ty. A comparison of our condition today, ], with what it was ten years ago. will show that s there has been a large increase in wealth. ,i There are some old croakers who are always complaining of the hard times,?that the country is groins from bad to worse,?that the b people are yetting poorer every day, but sta- b tistics, as well us our own observation will c bow that .we are advancing. This year has een one of marked prosperity. Business of very kind hns pronpered. And especially rould I mention the success of oaragrlculural interests. The fanner is the bone and Inew of the country. Upon him depends the rosperlty and wealth of the nation. If he '* && ills, every other business suffers; if nesuceeds, every other Industry prospers. Gud as graciously smiled upou the husbandman isl? urlng this year. They have reaped bountiul harvests, and throughout the length and readthot the land there Is an abundance of: ' verything necessury to sustain life and add > r> Its comfort". A people thus blessed with laterial prosperity should return thanks to he God of the harvest, who sends the sun-hine and the shower. Without his blessings pon the labors or our nanas, we toil in vain* ---IStS nd agriculture and merchandise and commerce and every enterprise Is a failure. II. Another national blessing which calls ?r our gratitude, is civil liberty. We live uner the best govern mcnt i n the world. It Is a -// r'M overnment "of the people and by the people nd for the people" We are not uncfer the ..j oke of despotism, but we, the frfce citizens of > his free Commonwealth, hold the rein of gov- ' rn ment i n our own hands; Those whom we ut In office are not our masters but our ser ants, occupying positions ol public trust,nd held amenable to the laws of their couu- ..3 ry for the faithful discharge of duty. In no ther nation does the individual citizen en-: >y as much liberty as under our systfem of overnment. America has beeh called the sylum lor the oppressed of every nation. 'here is no discrimination between rich and oor, white all colored, but all classes have qmil rights. While other governments de- .> rive their citizens of many of their' orlgii?l" rights and privilege*, hererin this land. f liberty, thfro Js freedom of thought, freeom of speech, freedom of consfcience and:; .-is reedom of action. And then there is peacd' broughout all our borders. We are at peacd rlth all other nations and at peace among urselves. No tocsin of war is sounded, no alhei lug clouds of bloody strife are seen, but rom the Atlantic to Pacific, from the Queen's p ossesslons on the North to Mexico, notes of eaee and <rood will are hoard. The civil lib. *"'2S8 rly which we enjoy, the peace which relgng Ii rough out our country, the unity and hnrnony which everywhere prevails, are biensngs which should call for our gratitude to ?od whose hand is leading us and who pre- , ides over the destiny of the nation. III. Another blessing for which we should.* '-..A-i eturn thanks to God is religious liberty. We* o not appreciate as wo should, the fact that re live In a land of Bibles and religious toler-, tion. While millions of our fellowmenare. welling in heathen darkness, without gospei privileges, ignorant of Christ, ignorant ol the, lorlous plan of Redemption, knowlhg nothng of the glad tidings of salvation, we are iving under a Christian government, where he light of the blessed gospel of Curistjs Wnlng in its noonday splendor. Sceptics. .nd infidels deuy that this Is ft Christian ountrv. and tell us thnt Christianity is on 55 he dccllne, and Is destined soon to passaway.. Jut what are the facts? Just one hundred SP ears ago there were only four members ot th? hurch in every four hundred of the entire lopulutlon of the United States, but now. here is one member of the church In every our of our population. According to the last ^3 ensus. the Increase In the population of thlat ountry from 1870 to 1880 was twenty-five per ent., and during the same decode the mem* ieri.liIp of the church Increased fopty-elffht. , ' >er cent. There are In this country eighty housand churches, with a seating capacity of orty millions. Those churches are estimated o be worth four hundred and flrty millions of lollars. Ninety millions of dollars are aniual!y expended forchurcties. There areovef eventy thousand minister?. Are such figures * in indication that Christianity Is dying out? sTevor wns the church stronger, and never wa? Christianity more vital and aggressive than it the present day. Nor would I forget to nentlon, among the blessings which we enoy in this Christian country, our educational ' ^ i acliltles for they are the products of Chrlsianitv. " We have two hundred and thlrty-slx thouand school teachers, and two hundred and wenty-flve thousand public schools, suplorted at a cost of ninety-seven thousand lollars. Who can estimate the blessings if the public schools to our county? itand by the public schools, foster and sup>ort them, establish them in every cornnunity, and elve every child an opportunity if securing, at least an elementary education. [Mien think of the vast number of schools and olleges that are professedly Chilstlan, la heir organization, their influence and teachng And upon these Christian institutions if learning depends the safety and hope of he republic. Christian education, not sim? >ly the training of the Intelloct^but with t the culture ot the heart?Is the watchword >f the hour. It Is the rock on which rests the * trcngth and stability of the nation. And are ve not blessed, in that we possess so many ? Christian institutions of learning? Is It not i cause for thanksgiving that so many Chrioian men and women are devoting their lives 0 the intellectual, moral and rellyious trainng of the youth of our country? In view of he great national blessings which we as a jeople enjoy, it Is Appropriate that we take up be song of David: "Bless the Lord, O my oul, and forget not alibis benefits." But let us give this subject a more practical tpplicatlon. What have we as individual.", vhat have you and I to thank God for? There ire some who are always looking on the dark Jde of life's picture, who see uothiug j?ood ind nothing beautilul in life, who are always iomplalnlng of their hard lot. who think ony of their misfortunes and disappointments ind forget the many blessings tney enjoy. lowcver hard the lot, however crushing the nlsfortune, however severe the trials, howevir gloomy the prospects, there is not a living lutnan being who has not something, yea, nany blessings for which he should return hanks to God. I. We should thank God for the preserver ion of our life. How many of our fellow-men lave passed from time to eternity?Bome prewired, some unprepare?ddurlng the pxst ear! Is it not something to thank God for. hat wc are alive and enjoy the light ami- . . v unsliine of this beautiful Thanksgiving Day ! Ind by what right are we alive and here this norning? Have we done anything to lay 3od under obligation to let us live? Call up he past and let the thoughts and actions of 1 misspent life answer the question. It is not jecause we deserved to live, but because God K!i nnrt nf nir>rr?v not. wllHnc t.hut ?nv should >crbh, but that all should come unto him ind live. Had he entered Into strict Justice vlth us and deait with us alter our sins and ewarded us according to our iniquities, how nany of us would have been here to-day? s'otone. We would have been cut down as lumberers of the ground. II. We should thank God for his providenlal interposition in our behalf. We have all, nany times, been saved from dangers seen md unseen along our paths. It may be that ome of you business men can remember a ime when you were within one step of failire?all your possessions were about to be wept away?and you saw no way by which ou (joiuu csrupu inc* impcuuiu^ ruiui uuu I'hen you had lost till hope, God opened up : way out of your perplexities. Some of you nay remember a time when you were 111, our physician and friends expected you to lie and you could almost feel the cold dewIropsot death on your brow, but suddenly, ou knew not how, the disease yielded to ome healing remedy, and you are alive tolay. Some of you may remember when your iltle one was lying, us you thought, at death's !oor. You retired to your closet, your heart II bleeding, your eyes blinded with tears, to ell God about your trouble, and in answer to onr earnest pleadings lie spared the suijhine of your home. And how many of us lave been-delivered by an lnvl?ib'e ba"d rom great floods of trouble, which, il' we had eeii left to ourselves, would have wrecked ur lives and sunk our fortunes! III. We should thank (iod for the trials nd afflictions, the troubles and sorrows rhieh he sends upon us. 1 know this is hard ? do. It Is very easy for a mnn to return luniks to God when he is in health and prosperity, when all his affairs are radiant with miles, but when, like Job, he sits clothed ritli sackcloth and and ashes, when misforuneshave blasted Ms prospects aud death ins taken his loved ones, it la not so easy then i) sin^ of thanksgiving. Hut if. we had lie right sort of faith we would give thanks >r all things. David, after he hud pnssed lirough the liery furnance, exclaimed, ' It Is ood tor me that I have b*cn afflicted." Oh ?r a simple, trusting, child-like faith that will liable us, even while "passing under the rod," o look up to our Heavenly Father a:id sing ut the old song. "Mess the Lord, O my suui, nd forget not all his benefits." Fresh arrivals of ladies cloaks, White Irothers have received two additional ?lilplents of ladies cloaks in the last week. Their toek In this line in now complete and alructive. Ladles might find it to their Inter* st to look sit the assortments of cloaks to bo jund at White Brothers. 11-11 At,l kinds of Job work quickly and neatly one at tins office. We have Just received iv ?.!W supply of hill heads, note heads and othr paper, and can furnish tliem In p ids If deIred. Our prlccs will compare with any othr market. Thr Press mid Banner has some stock on and just uow, andean print nice bill heads etter heads, ifcc., at the lowest prices. All peronsare invited to examine our samples and rices. Tiie Press ami Banner prints letter heads iill heads, hand bills, etc., as well as they Gin ie printed elsewhere, and as cheap as the heapest.