The Abbeville press and banner. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, December 02, 1885, Image 1
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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.