University of South Carolina Libraries
? I?IWI *! man mi m mi w tmmm to their chiMrcu it w<>uM !an easy j matter to supplement the public school i'tiii> 1 an<l have good common schools in eve; \ country community. Since t!io State has undertaken this matter the pity i:-. thai ?.he is not able t<> do it more thiaviuxhiv and completely. i'ur with this <livi<ie<l iespoiir.il >i I ity llie children in many eases arc tin* suiiercrs. The greatest Messing that eotiM come to this State would hi; a firs!-class common school open for the full school year in every country community within her borders. j.he State Superintendent of I '( In cot ion wiil submit t<? you his annual report, in which he will make many suggestions ami recommendations ami from which you can gather the true condition of the common schools of the State and to that report I beg to direct your attention. ITIGIIKK INSTITITH1NS. Whatever may have been the difference of opwiion as to the wisdom of establishing State colleges the policy of the State in this matter has been fixed and these institutions are here and are all doing a good work for the State ami if judged by the enrolment of students there is a. demand fjr them. To pull tlieni down or to -jive them niggardly assistance would bc;i backward step which 1 feel that no true sou of South Carolina would be willing to take. It is no longer a question whether or not the State should engage in higher education. That has been settled. To make war on these State institutions is to retard the progress and development of the State. There has been a general awakening in the subject of education in South Carolina and not only has the enrolment in the State colleges been good but the denominational colleges have been more prosperous in recent years than ever betore in their history. There should be no conflict between the denominational college and the State college. They are both doing a good work. No true friend _r ...;n ?n UI illiv OUllG ?UU1UI\. VI. any denominational college and there is no sound reason for any denominational college to feel unkindly towards the State colleges. The denominational colleges have done and are doing a good work in this State and should receive our hearty commendation. I would like to take up each State college separately and call to your attention the work doneand thfrueeds of thest institutions, but I can do no more than to refer you to their reports an^fecoiu mendfl0oustand commend them to youi 'consideration. The Soutli . J.^olixia' College; Clemson Agricultural and Mechanical Col lege, the Suutli Caro lina Military Academy, l^pthrop Norma * and Industrial Collegrf^and the Colore* J College at Oraugebunjagill all submit t? you through the heads of these insliiu tions detaifed statementa of their con dition and needs and these deserve you: careful attention. You should be a! economical iu the expenditure of montM as is consistent with the efficient corrauc of these institutions but to withhold mor< than is necessary for their proper main tenance would not be wise economy I feel sure they will not ask for extrava gant or unnecessary appropriations am I, therefore, confidently commend to yoi a "careful study of their needs and de mauds as set forth in the reports that wil be submitted to you. FHObl'ItATIv INDUSTRY. By reference to the import of the Phos pliate Inspector you wtjl see an itemize* statement of?"the work Accomplished du iug the last fiscal year. The royalty pai< the State for rock mined in 1898 amouitftf to $23,522.64. During the hscal yeaj?s closed it amounted to $?39,379.28, increase of 515,856.64 over the preCeainj year. This indicates that the companie doing business in our phosphate beds ar recovering from the disastrous effects c the gro^ storms of the past few years The car<|*nd development of the^hos phate industry of the State is of vital in; portance md demands our careful consul eration. akyour last ^ession no ion vug made to defray the expeSSsj-c ?the Lonnnpeioner and tjie Board. vTtii expense "hai'beeii met by the Attonje , General, under resolution of the Boafrd out of funds collected by him arid i& hi hands. I suggest the advisability .qajg viding a sufficient amount to coverHB expense in your appropriation bill. Fc an itemized statement of the work don by the Inspector I direct vour attentio: to his report. " <|p^ LEG A I, DEPARTMENT. As will be seen by reference to there port of the Attorney-General, that ofF.c lias accomplished a large amount of wor and it is gratifying to note the succ'esaau satisfaction that haye attended the effort of that officer. The publication of soni -.'-of, the opinions of the Attorney-Generz of a general and public nature is a con xnendable innovation. The reports of th circuit solicitors contained in that rtpoi are worthy of your attention. They sho" that the efforts of these officers to punis and prevent crime have not been unavai RAILROADS. The twenty-hrst annual report of tli State Railroad Commission will be lai before you. It is gratifying to note thr the general condition of the railroad bus ness of the State is prosperous. Railroa<j properly conductod are public benefactoi They are in one sense citizens and larg tax payers to the State. It sliould 1j gratifying to every citizen of the State t know that the business of the railroad the past year has been good, for it iud eates that there has been activity in ever line of industry. . During the year, the Commission in rc vising the freight tariffs, has mad var: ous changes which have reduced ruies t the benefit of shippers without any dimin ution in the j^ross revenue of the road* which has been maintained by the in crease of the tonnage. One of the most important changes ii the railroad situation during the year ha been the leasing of the South Carolin and Georgia Railroad bv the Souther Railway System. The result of tlii transaction has been to give the city o Charleston a continuous mileage tariff t< all sections of the State reached by tlies lines. The same is done by the Atlanti Coast Line system. This operation of ; straight mileage system by the Atlanti Coast Line Railroad and the Sontlieri Railway was brought about in a larg< measure by the persistent efforts am rulesof the Commission, who realized tin importance of general benefit to be de rived from a closer commercial relatioi between the seaports of the Stati and the country north and west o Columbia. This results in placing ou principal seaport city 011 a reasouabl< rate basis with the entire State, which together with just inter-State rates on tin part of these roads, will enable Charleston with proper efforts 011 the part of her mer chants, to take her position as the leadim port ou the South Atlantic coast. As I have already stated, there has beei great activity :n railroad building during the past year and I am pleased to ivt in this connection the exact figures wliiol have been furnished me by the llailroat Commission. It will not only afford 0111 people thorough freight and pa.^t-ngei accommodations, but it ndds m tte; ia!l\ to the wealth and the taxable property c the State and will give employment U many people. it v The Atlantic Coast Line has constructed from Denmark to Robbins, a distance of 34 miles. The Southern Railway has constructed an extension from Cayce's to Perry, a distance of 31.2 mile. The Seaboard Air Line has under construction, ami will have completed in a few weeks, a line from Cheraw to the Junction of the I\ C. & P. R. R., a disI lance of 91 miles. I The Sumter and Wateree R. R. constructed a line from Sumter Junction to j the City of Sumter, a distance of 15.8 j miles. The North Western R. R. Company have under construction an extension from Sumter to Camden, a distance of 30 miles, 10 miles of which is in operation, ami the otlierjnileage is under rapid construction. i'i : 1 ? 1 IlL-IU IS UIlllCl L'UIiail IIV.I.IW11 n 11 uv. nui.. a point of the Asheviile is: Spartanburg R. R. to Lockhart Mills, a distance of 15 miles. A line from Conway to the Seashore is under construction, a distance of io miles. This will make a total new mileage of 237 miles in the .State. Your atteution is directed to the report of the Commission, in which you will find much valuable and encouraging information. 1 submit herewith a synopsis of the year's business. KAII.ROAD EARNINGS. learnings of the railroads of the State from all sources for the year ending June 3<-), i?99* S 8,916,383.04 TOTAL EXPENSES. Maintenance of way and structures, equipment, conducting transportation, general expenses 5,831,246.37 Taxes 383,716.37 Income 2,701,430.44 Increase in gross earnings overiS9Sof $ S27,053.00 Gross earning per mile 3i377-43 Operating expenses per mile. 2,357.98 Net income per mile 1899 1,023.36 Net income per mile 1898.... 807.57 Increase per mile 215.77 THE DISPENSARY. There is no question that will engage : your attention at this session that will demand more careful thought and in : which there is more interest manifest1 ed than that of the control of liquor. You will no doubt have several propo aitions presented to you Hby different 1 members of your body for your consid1 eratiou. It is important that you - should take hold of -the question in a 1 positive and direct manoer and meet I tho issue squarely. Under the Consti) tution of the State there are only three - modes allowed for dealing with this - question. "The General Assembly r may license persons or corporations to 5 manufacture and sell and retail alco liolie liquors or beverages within the 1 State:" "or the General Assembly may i prohibit the manufacture and sale and - retail of alcoholic liquors and beverages . within the State;" Oi it "may authorize - ?nd empower State, county and inuni1 eipal officers, all or either, under the 1 authority and in the name of the State, - to buy in any market and retail within 1 the State liquors and beverages in such packages and quantities, under such rules and regulations*-as it deems expedient." Afid in no case shall it be sold in less quantities than one-half "pint or bbtween.sun-down and sun-rise, C ajjd it shall, nftt t>e drunk on the premijj S68. Nt'ith^Rsatf-Jhe'General Assemt w dclegate:Jpmy municipal corpora tion the potfer to issue licenses tc 'J sell the same." Under the last alter^ native the Dispensary Law is in force. s At the present! time and in view ol " * J -3 ~ "vl the era of ttJatenai progress &uu ue'Velopment upon which the State has Centered I do not believe it would be wise or pood business judgment to refer [" this question to a popular election! y Not that there is any uneasiness or nn** willingness to trust the people, but & it m>uld have a tendency to renew r strifes and bitterness and engender bad y feeling and 1 believe would retard the jProgress of the State in its material deVelflpment. Much of the prejudice B jtbat has heretofore existed against the ? SDispensary Law has been broken down ,r and many of its most bitter oppouents et. have come to realize its good features n and are ready and willing and anxious to see it improved and enforced. With certain amendments which seem neces.. sary, and which will commend theme selves to your good judgment, and k which should be made at the present (1 session, and with the proper enforces ment of the law, it is the best sq^ion <>f the liouor Question yet d4Red. n Kven those who oppose tho DiscpSQgy Law adniic that, it ^jffe;.-good feature#. e Whiskey has been po^under ttffc ban rt and whether you prohibit it, license it, iv or take entire charge .oi it, the fcrincili pie is the same. Tt rrtftam^^ me that it 1_ would be good juSfcmenFto take bold of the-present law and amend and improve i*. Prohibition is very nice in theory but in existing circumstances and conditions I do not believe it would d be practicable. Extraordinary ma|l ctiinery would be necessary to enforce i- it and there would be no means with |s which to employ the machinery except s by additional taxation, and even then e whiskey would be freely sold and bar'c rooms under the guise of drug store* o would spring up and flourish in every Is town and hamlet in Soutn Carolina, i- Such has been the experience wherev I'vm-nt'ohihition has been tried. Loiial option would bo evei^^worse than pros' hibition. To havev'p'n)hibition in one i- county, a license system in an aJjoin0 iniT coinvty, and the dispensary in i- another, would create no end of coni, fusion and trouble throughout the i- State. No law has been enacted in this State 11 in recent, years that has been as bitters Iy opposed and as strongly supported as :i the Dispensary Law. And yet, with 11 the exception of a few localities, it has s been as well enforced as could be exf pected, being revolutionary as it was. l> No law can he thoroughly enforced that e has not behind it and to support it a c healthy public sentiment in its favor, a Now that public sentiment is growing c in its favor it seems to me that it 1 would be unwise and bad judgment to i' repeal the Dispensary Law and to make 1 trial of some other system of control ling i* the liquor business. That, there has been bad management i in some departments is not an argul* mcnt against the system. That there f should have been disagreement and r contention amongst those in cocttro! is s unfortunate. I would recommend for your eonsid; oration the abolition of the State and1 , County Hoards of ControL^mfehitt the, - duties of t li'-se officers be flpvo^ediipoii ; other officials. Vou thjMldlelqrt a StiUe,Comtiiissiorffa|of djianicter i aod-%ood husin^^nt^jSStt; And give him sumGient crfm0e^^lteteo com mand the sc'rylcea^pfHe i >liould be given more" sutjEn^jfatl I ?1 i-rtrt-i ion and req(Sre& tifgm ^ r and sufficient bond and beTpbf^t jsp r r-->noval by th? Governor.^ Ay tBB j<!ocnr law stands he has very Jltile' ! discretionary, power in the m&oage> merit of the business and is oot much more than a clerk to carr? out tfee * ? % < i l i ? n i 111 mi ??i?? rules and regulations of the Jioaril of Control. As an advisory board to the State Commissioner I would suggest the Comptroller Goueral, the Statu Treasurer and the State Superintendent of Education, with such powers and duties as iu your wisdom you may think proper to confer upon them. 1 do not deem it wise to put the Governor or tho-< Attorney General on this advisory board. You might add to this board the chairman of the Finance Committee of the Senate and the Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee of the House. It would not he necessary for this board to meet more than four times a year and at each meeting competitive sealed bids could be submitted and these bids opened in the presence of the Com ' ' 1 ?o missioner nna suuu puruuasca muue would be needed to supply the demand. The State Treasurer is the custodian of the funds, t he Comptroller General distributes the school part of the fnnd arising from the dispensary, and the State Superintendent of Education is the head of the educational dapartment which is the beneficiary of the fund. These officers are elected by the people and have to five account to tbem for the manner in which they discharge their duties and are always men of ability and character. In place of the County Boards I would^ suggest that the County Supervisor, tiier County Auditor, and the Mayor County seat town, if a dispensary be lo-; cated there, if not the mayor or intendant of some town in the County in which there i9 a dispensary^onstitute the County Board, and tbfltifejByjerve without extra compensation Ifh'ejrtoo are elected by the people "a^'woal^ have to give account of their "steward*; ship to the people. I would alro 'gug-i gest that the county dispenMTB b$; elected by the people as other ieountjF officers are elected and for a,fcprm or two years. These changes are suggestedJHbt only because in my judgment theyiwMld improve the administration of the?(<i'-but on the ground of economy. Jest-egret that I have not the figures fdr^gbe last fiscal year, mey couia cu(,uepwiucu on account of the assembling Of,-the Legislature coming ao neafr so the close of the fiscal year. The figfrfces, however, will not be materially different from those of the fiscal year" 1898,-bo far a9 the County Boards are1oon9ern?ifc but the cost of the State Board will-wo-? doubtedly be very .much increased, jte this year the total cost of the Coottty; Boards was ?9,724 20.- For th^^Wsg year the cost, of the State Control was $4,390 01, which total of $14,144.21 as the cofi|j? State and County BoardsOf CosUHBH which by their aholitiqn.:>1fcjMB" ',)? turned iuto the pnpp*nI^would also suggest thaCbe so amended as to bring ^Slatlons wFthin the jurisdiction of tfrefjaagistrates, so that all cases might be'promptly and summarily adjudicated. 'Much of the expense of the constabulary arises from having to attend circuit.'courts as witnesses and prosecutors against blind tigers, 8? * softer I came into office I reduced the constabulary force nearly -one-half and endeavored as far as I knew and could secure information to select men of character and discretion to perform the duties of State Constables. As public Rp.nt iment prows in favor of the law an'' magistrates and their constables, a' . other officers realize that it is as mut.. . their duty to enforce this as any other , law, I ara satisfied that the (prce can be , still further reduced and finally entirely abolished. i During the past year I issued a circu. lar letter to all the magistrates and , sheriffs of the State and the mayors and , intendents of the incorporated cities and ! towns, calling their attention to the fact that the Dispensary Law was as . much a law of the State' as any other law and also directing their attention to their duty to enforce it just as they I would the statute against larceny or , any other crime, and asking their aid , and co-operation in the wise and hu, mane execution of all laws. The responses were numerous and." unanimous in expressions of hearty co'operatioa. . Some of them were frank enough to say | that they had been and weiVe opposed to , the Dispensary Law but inanly enougn to acknowledge it as a law of the Htate | aad to pledge their support and co-operation in its proper enforcement. I am satisfied that this circular has resulted in good and that in many of the cities ' and towns the local authorities are doing what they cau to appreheDd violators and that there are fewer violations of the Dispensary Law than of man>' - other laws on the statute books. Mr. W. W. Harris, who is clerk and is In charge of this department under | my direction, in his report to me says: . "There is less complaint of the illicit traffic in liquor coming to this office | from throughout the State ttian e/er before during the five yeats I have 1 been connected with this department and it is very evident that there is less | violation of the Dispensary Law over , the entire State, with the possible execution of the citv of Charleston and two or three of the counties in the north-we*t portion of the 8tate, and it is probable that even in those sections , there has been improvement." I submit herewith a table showing the comparative cost and the work done by the reduced number of constables for the la?t si* months of 1899 and the correspording six months of 1898. It .will be seen that so far as the work done the number of seizures is about the same, while there has been a savins for the six months of 1899 over the same six months of 1893 of $8,233.90 in this one item. sojn/psjo JoquMK 1 ^"2! ? ? ? ?*! \r. i i ? J n rrf? it, ^ y. .Oniiuicis 'SwirSxJ - ~ -u<0 jo 1*0 imox f, f, ?' X <? 5. V# O S3|q?lsno>-) jaqiutiM ?SJ ? ft & ? ; ; ; = ; O : ? r * r s w o,3 j: S u IO 3 ".NJI r?" sajnzps J" i3in?nij c* ^Z'~ cf a8 iiBinq?js R -uoojoisoasfoox V,% M <i V? g -^iquisaoaMqwinM: Z.ZZ.J.t.Z | : g sp y|:j!j: These figures inclyde the cost of buggy hire, railroad fare for the constables, and the salary of the clerk to the Governor. I am glad to be able to state jthai during ray terra of office, with fcut one exception, there has lieen no ^conflict between (he constables and j cilfcens and in this exception one constable was killed and another wounded and obe citizen was killed. This unfortunat^^-rouble cannot any more be charge^^jjtitoDispeeeary Law than could a similar dillirulty in the enforcement of any other law be argued against it. The annual report of the State Board of Control for the liseal year ending December .'tl, lyj'.), will be submitted for your information as soon us it can be made up. As already s?tated, the fiscal year ending so near the assembling of the Legislature, it .was impossible to obtain information showing the business and condition in time for my message. I am informed, however, that the profits will be much larger than iu any previous year Hinee the enactment of the Dispensary Law. This does not necessarily mean that the consumption of whiskey has inereased but rather it argues that less whiskey has been shipped in the State for personal use and the blind tigers have decreased and much of the prejudice against the Dispensary Law no longer exists. I have received from the Comptroller General the following statement of receipts and disbursements on account of the special State Dispensary School Fund fort893-"J9: Received from State Dispensary HBB-^ Sl.'lO.OOO 00 Diabup??to the sever? counties wKfer Act v* 1898X?...?-ii$67,2W 35 | I$m eurt>hiS^w';?rtft'be guided by a #|8|^B^U^E^^gexere i s e good busi,jegt,^K Bj^^^t^batever action gou.qj*j B-^y^B^0Upd to the good TheEsag&QgtiB Assembly made no procontinuance of the offke w^pte" Historian and the corapletro^^phe^^^^^bich that officer muc^^nfinished business connected ^thefrdHt^/deemed it his duty to keep Ms office'-t^en and to prosecute his la I^d.reaponsiomty, ana a8 a totheGonfederate History ofthlliear's work appears ate report submitted to me ransmitted to the General leen that the account given Sf of troops in South Caros and Confederate service, ch Col. Thomas presents as 'k of Mr. W. J. Rivers and valuable contribution to the' history of the part taken by the Strite in the War Between the States' and that taken by the troops furnished by the State to the Southern Confederacy. Thi9 paper throws a flood of light upon the rolls aad lays the foundation of the sketch designed to accompany the publication thereof, when this publication sball.be ordered.by the General A68emby. Col. Thomas further reports, as the result of his services for the past year, the collection of much additional historic data bearing upon the services of the Confederate soldiery from Soutn ' Carolina in the War for Southern Independence. The rolls having been practically completed, Col. Thomas recommends their publication, properly edited and accompanied by such a sketch as that outlined in the one submitted, supplemented by a concise statement of the part taken by each of the organizations from South Carolina which participated in our he1 roic struggle. | The cost of this publication would be very small compared with its historic ; value. It is important that we should preserve this history and that it should be put in permanent shape while souie of those are still living who helped to make it and are more competent to record it accurately than any of their de1 scendants will be. I submit for your consideration the wisdom of continuing the oflice of State Historian and of 1 making provision for the publication of this history. Estimates have been re1 ceivcd from a reputable publisher which " indicate that it will not take a very | great outlay to have this history pub lislied. It is proDaoie mat a sumcieni 1 number of copies could be Bold to private individuals to reimburse the State for the outlay. Before taking definite J action you might appoint a Committee from both Houses to look into this matter and report at the present session. ; Col. Thomas will gladly furnish the ' Committee with such information as he may have. ' Col. Thomas has submitted to me his resignation as State Historian, to which he was appointed in October, ! 1897, by Governor Ellerbe. He has ' given efficient and faithful service during his term of office and has labored hard to gather-and put in - shape the part that South Carolina took in that great strujjjile. He should be compensated for his services during the past year, and I commend it to your favorable consideration. CIIIC'K AMAU QA BATTLEFIELD. The General Government has purchased the Chickamauga battlefield and converted it into a national park. It is kept in excellent condition and stands as a permanent tribute to the magnificent valor of the American soldier. It is the only battlefield so consecrated. The General Government has asked the various States having troops engaged in that battle to mark the positions oi their troops by the erection of suitable monuments. Man} of the States have so honored their sons and $471,500 have already been expended for this purpose by sixteen States. Georgia leads the j Southern States with an expenditure of J $25,000. The General Assembly of South Carolina in 1S9S sent a commission to locate the vposition of lier troops and in 1894 appointed a commission to select suitable fujpfems. Jn view 01 tne promi^p&rt South Carolina took in tlii and in this battle it seems hut /it proper that she should join with her sister States in this tribute to the memory ofciier herotc^ead and provide the necesMtoMfleaiac to complete the work alread^Mlwieificd. The South Carolina Mfftion tT. present I a memorial'to you askipg aflfcpppropriation for this purpose[of $10,000. I commend it to your favorable consideration STATE HOARD OF HEALTH. The annual report of the State Board of Health will be submitted to you. It is important that you should give careful attention to this report and the suggestions and recommendations contained in it. You will also find a full exhibit of expenditures of the Hoard The fund appropriated at the last session was exhausted before the close of the year largely on account of the exis-; tence of small pox in various sections of the State and in the efforts of the Bo^rd to combat the disease. Other infectious and contagious diseases have prevailed to a more or less extent in some *< \ k * .r~ parts of the State but have been of a very inild character. Only small pox has assumed anything like an epidemic form anil the mortality has been very light. It has appeared in twenty-three counties during the year and is still prevalent in some sections. It is important. that stringent measures should be adopted in order to stamp it out before it assumes a more virulent type. The Secretary of the Stttf.e Board, I)r. James Kvans, in his report to in-' says: "It was impossible for the State Board of Health lo pi event the rapid spread of the diseasbto those widely separated sections of the State for several reasons, the chief of which was the inadequate funds at the disposal of the Board; not being clothed with euflicient power to enforce their authority in isolating, guarding and preventing intercourse with the sick: in enforcing the great safeguard against the spread of the contagion, compulsory vaccination, and the great necessity of extending the health organization to the township which would secure prompt notification of the presence of any contagious or jn-?. fectious disease to the health authority's, who could thus take prompt action in stamping out any disease before it could possibly infect other persons and become epidemic." This matter deserves your careful attention. To extend the organization from the State Board to the County Board and from the County Board to the Township Board would put in operation machinery that should be able to control and stamp out any contagious or infectious disease before it could have opportunity to spread, and could guard with a jealous eye the health of the State. You have now on your calendar a bill providing for township boards of health. On account of the prevalence of small pox recently I made arrangements to borrow $3,000 to be put at the disposal of the State Board of Health in order to stamn out and control the small pox epidemic. Up to this time that fund has not been drawn upon but I have no doubt the State Board has incurred some obligations which will have to be met in handling the disease. The health of the ppoplo of the State is a very important matter and should be carefully guarded by the enactment of wise sanitary measures. In the rerort of the State Board you will find several important suggestions ard recommendations which should receive your careful consideration. MEDICAL COLLEGE. 'The Medical College of the State of South Carolina located at Charleston is not a State instltutson but through the kindness of its faculty has for several years been furnishing free tuition to seven deserving young mpn, one from each congressional district in the State. These young men have been named by the Governor. I thought proper to call ihis matter to your official attention and to commend this institution for the good work it has been doing for the State. OYSTER BEDS. In our coast counties the oyster. business could hp made an important industry if proper and wise legislation were enacted to protect the oyster beds. I am Informed that tons of oysters are shipped from Beaufort County every week during the winter to canning factories in other States for which the State receives practically no revenue, and these beds are almost inexhaustible. And what is true of Beaufort is true of Georgetown and our other coast counties. It is a much more impnrtant matter than some of our people who are not familiar with it imagine. If properly protected, can-, neries could not be built and profitably operated where the beds are and remunerative employment given our own people. If they were not and the oysters were exported the State should receive some revenue from them and not voluntarily contribute to enrich other States from property which is ours. I a9k for this matter your careful consideration and such legislation as in yuur wisdom you in iy conclude proper for the protection of the State. At the session of 185*7 ~>mi.'gislation was had along this liiu- 'ml it needs to be amended and perfected and made more effec tive. CLA[MS FOR CAPTURED AND ABANDONED PROPERTY. It has been brought to ray notice that there remains in the Treasury of the United States the sum of $10,512,007.96, balance remaining from the sale of captured and abaudoned property of the Southern States, under the Acts of Congress approved March 12, 186.'], and July 2, 1SC54, this being chiolly cotton seized in and around Beaufort during the occupancy of the parishes of St. Elelena and St. Luke's while the war was in progress, and elsewhere throughout the Southern States in such parts of the territory as were under Federal control during the war, and after the war by special agents of the Treasury appointed for that purpose. This fund has been the subject of considerable contention. Claimants have endeavored to establish their right to it, but owinc to the difficulty of bringing suit against the United States, a sovereign, and the peculiar provision of the law under which it wa9 taken requiring iron-clad oaths and proof of loyalty, individual suit could be brought only in a very few instances. Meanwhile the fund has laid in the Treasury, and individual efforts have continued to be made by persons deeming themselves interested therein, before Congress, to secure the privilege of bringing suit in the Court of Claims. During th'ftycars that have passed the subject has been considered frequently by the Sypreme Court of the United States, and it has been determined by that tribunal in a direct decision, (Klein v9. U 8 13 W. A. L L. 138 II) that it was not the intention of Congress by the- enactment of those statutes, that the title to property seized under them should be divested from the loyal owxrerS (2) that 'lie proceeds of the property should go into the Treasury without change of ownership: ( '{) that the same intention prevailed in regard to property of ownMrs, who though hostile at the time the property was taken, might subsequently become loyal; (4) that the Government constituted itself trustee for those who by that Act were declared entitled to the proceeds of captured and abandoned property. In the 55tli Congress a general mi I was lnimuuceii opening tin: mwr of tbe Court of Claims to suits oy all of these claimants, and favorable reports from the Comj mittoes on Claims of both Houses were submitted, recommending the passage of the bill (Senat-" Bill 5020 | -Vith Congress, 3rd Session, lie port Sen, ate Committee on Claims No. Iti.'M) and j these public documents carried on their face th;' evident justice of such legislation. The bill failed, to pass enly for the reason, as I Ajaa-in formed. that it tailed to rcccivg^Mtecftipn in the ma-s I of business hr-fcn^l^mSfess. anil so this ! measure, so b^qei^iat flo a largo number of our ciU'4eTi'8j the ptooerls ?>f whose property^! ft" thnt fund, failed at that ftoDgress. With a view of aidi ing the passage of the bill when re-in troduced, as it has been or will be, I have seen proper to address a request to every member of our congressional delegation, requesting them to give diligent attention to this important measure, and I have also addressed communications to the Governors of the several Southern States, whose citizens are in common interested in the. fuud, and requested them to take sirui- ' lar action, and replies have been re-, etiived from several of the Governors, ' showing that they have acted upon j this suggestion, and the Legislature of (Jportrin. him uRs-ifil ii resolution re questing its congressional delegation actively to co-operate, and it is hoped that at the present Congress by united ell'ort, this legislation, long delayed, will be enacted. It is difficult to see why in this era of jrood feeling, when all the acerbities of the war have gone to their merited oblivion, that the Congress of the United States 6hould withhold from its citizens the simple right to proceed before its own courts, and demonstrate their interests in the fund, for which the highest courts has admitted that they occupy a fiduciary position. _ In this connection it is proper to state that much of the evidence upon which these claims exist is rapidly passing away, and some means should be afforded to our citizens to perpetuate this testimony as far as possible, and to enable them to do so a commissioner should be"appointed with power to administer oaths who should take depositiops of witnesses who are cognizant of facts relative to these claims, put them in permanent shape, and register them in a suitable manner, so that this testimony, now so valuable, may be available whenever the Congress of the United States shall see proper to permit these matters to be litigated. Such a commissioner should be appointed without expeoseto the State, but bis compensation should be entirely a matter of agreement between him and the parties who may desire to avail themselves of bis services in the perpetuation of the evidence relatiog to their several claims, and a sum of money, not exceeding 8100 might wisely be appropriated to defray the expense of printing needed blanks and purchasing suitable books of record. ROADS. There is no subject of greater importance and that will affect more people than that of good roads. No sub ject will coaje before you to which you could give careful consideration with more profit. The tendency has been for the country population to move to 1 the cities and towns in order to secure the advantages of church and school. If this continues the country districts will become depopulated and the population will be congested in the cities ' and towns. The condLtion of the public roads in certain seasons of the year makes it almost necessary that the country people should be denied scho<5l, church and social privileges. Unless 1 something is done to arrest this flow of 1 populatiou to the cities and towns the condition of the country districts will become alarming and it is already re- i ceiving the attention of the ohought- < ful. The country is the preserver of | true mannooci aud tne joeter iauier ui manly independence. Nothing: will 1 conduce more to its development and desirability as a place of residence than the building of good roads. The saving af time, the saving in the wear and tear of stock and vehicles, and the addition to the loads that could be hauled with more ease, would compensate for much outlay in road improvement, not to speak of the convenience and comfort to the people who travel on the roads in marketing their products and attending church and school. Our conditions are such that it would t-carcely be wise to levy an additional tax for i this purpose. But by wise and proper use of the means at our disposal' much more might be accomplished than is now done. In many of the counties much of the work on public roads is but a shiftless pretence. Under our system of county chain gangs if the force were kept at w&rk on permanent improvements and the building of permanent roads instead of cleaning out ditches and throwing a little dirt in the middle, which has to be done over after each rain, much more might be accomplished. Sonrftof the counties have realizod the imavHance of this permanent work and ai a result good . and permanent roads are being built. I submit for your consideration the im- , portance of requiring all county chain i gangs to be kept on permanent work ' and not be permitted to fritter away ' their time ou work that will have to be < done over two or three times a year. j I am glad to report to you that the ; authorities of Clemson College have realizefr.?the fact that road improve- 1 ment js one of the greatest economical ' problems of the day and that they are , devoting money and time to the study of the problem for the benefit of the farmers of the State. Experiments | are being made under the direction of an expert, who will also give the col- 1 lege classes a series of lectures on road making. Experiments have also been ! made at Clemson on the use of broad tires and the results have been published in bulletin form. If in your wisdom you can devise some plan by 1 which you can give to the people of this State better roads you will confer a lasting blessing upon them. WAR CLAIMS. During the raising of troops by the State in ]598 for the war with Spain consideraoie lnaeoieaoess was mtuncu i which has not yet been entirely adjusted : Claims have been put in against the j general government for these several , amounts but many of them still remain unpaid. I will submit to you a special message covering, as fur as I am able, J a full statement of tbis matterand I fie- i sire now simply to direct your attention 1 to this special message. Those citizens ! who furnished supplies on the order of j the Governor of the State should have i their money and should not be required to wait any lonsrer for payment. They i sold their goods to the State and look ; to the State for payment and not to the ; general government. Youshould make i some provision for the prompt and sat- ; isfactory adjustment of these claims j remaining unpaid. This would not in- ( terfere or retard the collection of these claims from the general government and private parties would not be sub- j jected to tho inconvenience of being , kept out of money justly due them and which they cxpected to receive in cash. j STATE MILITIA. i It is gratifying to note that marked j improvement has been made in the f,*"fCtotn militia t.hn I ataiua vi mc uiiuiu* uwuv4 ?*?v present administration of the Adjutant J General's department. The number of companies in actual service has been j considerably reduced but there has been , an increase in cflicicncy. You are aware that for several years past the support of this Department by the State has been very meagre and really insiillieient to meet the demands re- ' quired in maintaining a creditable and , an efficient militia organization. < Grave social and political conditions, ' liable at any moment to threaten the 1 peace and welfare of tbeJItate, would. seem to indicate the nej?ity of prep- JH aratian at all times. (would, there^Mi ford, recommend that jWi be as libem^^H the current year in the support of important branch of the State service flH as the finances of the State founde2?tt wise economy will allow. A full and exhaustive report.of matter relating to this departing^ been prepared by the Adjutant @aDerkpJ| for your consideration. I coroalSnck&J^H to your careful attention. TAX ON" STATE BANKS. - " ^j^H The n peal of the ten per cent.-tax State Banks will tru far toward eal^OfljgS the money question. This is a entirely within the province of tional Con press at WashingtOfl'^eySL resolution from the several StaUQg^^^Q islatures requesting Congress to uijis iaa vyuuiu uavc its a resolution from you would gfrffqg&M courapement to our Senators aniltlBM resentatives in Congress, mukin? a fight for tbe repealW fofRuH tax and would be evidence.that had behind them tbe sup port in dorsement of tbe people whotxr BANK AND INSURANCE E^ASHN^E^^M Id 1896 an Act was passed creadnfl the office of Bar k Examiner. Bofc.WjHJH Board appointed by tbat Act dlmflHHK* elect tbe Examiner, as I am lbtogw?jgjj for the reason tbat no appropriating! was provided for tbe expenses': of tfaMraW office and tbe law is, therefore,, a deajflM letter. ,'rf^Bj There are now more tban on6.;h?gK^S dred insurance companies doiM^S8SBH| ne99 in this State. Life inkSBM^lflKB well as fire insurance has" root with our people and man has those who ar$mffi|R$W^|BS upon him provided agaihnifiwWW'^MI with an insurance poiicy^HiiffliJ2^?H Ufa Tf io "'? 10 ui YCI y %retkv 1111 to a great many of our pe0nj|Hv^|B the companies that solicit ipflwa jM in this State should be f" Htt n<i||rcTj| and reliable companies, so that sured may feel secure that. wh6b tiBDB pays the premium on his policy, yhSttfl death comes, those for whose beiMBHjM^ he has paid it may get the And so with State Banks. deal of the business of the country ir^B done through banks and many ot QUKflfl people have their savings in t>""f ~*fn g M stitutions. They invite the truetv.a Bl confidence of the people and under the supervision of submit for your serious the wisdom of providiug uminer for State Banks and the insurance compan^H^HBHEH business in this State. companies and lp&nks should have such examinations madeHH H own protection as well as tbe^^^H^H tion of their customers. The and expenses of this office cou& be3 provided for by the institutions in proportion to the business theiwgwfl as is done in the case of the Ratfrokcro Commissioners. ^ Vfl While we feiliuitate ourselvesoortce^^m number of corporations that have be&bj^B chartered within the State durin(rWe;^B| past year and should do. ootbtriff -to.^9 hinder their success It Should not be /^B Forgotten that they are creatures if the 39 State. Obtaining tbeir existence from .9| the State, you have the right tx> fS A/wttlnf/% f V> /> i n /*??/?* ?? {/*??? a i cguiuuc wucn upci abiuus . auu tup t w operations of those doing business in this State though receiving IheiiLooc^jH porate existence from oto^r SUteCHM The tendency of these corporations'fevOM towards centralization an d'fcotnbina-^s tion. This tendency leads ultimat&fljBM to oppression and an effort tadr?ta?&?9JH weaker institutions out of compe^^^/JH ind unless guarded by wise tegisitfafoi^j^H will eventually take away from "the fO?t^H dividual his dearest rights. While onSaM the other hand if wisely conducted properly guarded they will doTriuch tflfclM develop and bring into life tbe.SfttttriiK'. resources of the State. It is & subject *^1 that 6hould command your moflt ear- 1 nest and thoughtful attention. thought proper simply to call, it to I your attention, so that while you legia- I lated to foster and encourage corporate fl enterprises you might also guard and 1 protect the riehts and privileges of the individual citizen. /. IB BIENNIAL SESSIONS. ^9 The advisability of biennial sessions of Uk Legislature has been frequently called toj?M?-> tention o( the General Assembly by my prt$Je?^M| cessors. That we have too much legistatjoj^fjM^^H all admit. Fewer changes in oudwaWKraBSBB would be oetter. i nere wouiu noc ge ub certainty in regard to many laws, thinpif'^B exists. Many States have adopted biennial ''M sessions of tlieir Legislatures. The State Con-.. -W -tittition provides for annual sessions of the?* Legislature and the Declaration of Right* de- ' ~~I :lares, "The General Assembly ought frequently I to assemble for the redress of grievances ad?for making new laws, as the common good may re. *.l quire.'' I submit the matter to you for your 'I :areful consideration, inasmuch as there haa ' ";'J been some discussion of this subject and soma _ I Jem and in certain sections for biennial sessions. _ *1 As you will see, in order to change, would re- I quire an amendment to our Constitution.. 1 LOCAL LEGISLATION. Much time at each session of the Legislature Is . ,-^B consumed with the passage of laws that have 1 only a local application The attention of the ,'ja Legislature has been called to the expense J of such legislation at different times by mypre-;,l>^^ decessors and yet every session of the Legula- '-;3 ture finds itself confronted with a. 5atch.-'.^| of local and .-peeial legislation. The CoofltitO- "..""ii lion prohibits the passage of local or sped&l - ' !?jfl laws concerning ccrtain subjects and demaaiS-?v|Sj the enactment of genera! laws to cover the same. : 'fa You should avoid as far as possible the pasfmgeJjagB jf local win! special legislation, for ijt uot^tily" . involves expense, but it creates contusion in un-. y ^ [ierstanding and knowing just what the law is.- " \ Where general laws have not been provided in "< accordance with the requirements ot the Constitution they should receive your attention and , then the introduction of local and special legis- - ? latiun should not l>c permitted. J? :i PAYMENT OK TAXES. , *jgl In view of the demand from certain section*. J that the time for payment of taxes be extended,, ";v3 liter consultation with the Comptroller General,] ? Iiy virtue of authority given us by law, we ex-! I ended the time for the payment of taxes with-; . Dut penalty to the first of February, 1500. r.OOl) ORDER. There has been no mob violence durihgthe* '. '- -i ?ast year and neneral good order has prevailed ^ throughout the State. The county of Darlington Is! to be congratulated on giving a legal tntl ardi L-xecution for a crime that usually results iniiimtnary justice. This spirit is to b? encouraged! and commended and will result in greater re- 1 >pect for the proper and lejptl channels of ad- ' / ministering the laws. Liberty is too often construed as license and we need to instil into our people a regard and r*? ?pect for constituted authority aud that tlie bes%, ttul most highly prized liberty is that which i* iurroumled bv restraint. One of the greatest '% :vils of the "day and of modern times is the ' j endeticy to disregard and disrespect constituted luthority ami to rebel at the restraint that? ^ necessary to put upon personal freedom in order / to secure and enjoy the best and the purest and , A :he sweetest liberty, coNCi.rsiON. -5? I have thus endeavored to obey tile mandate of the Constitution laid upon the Governor to "give to the General Assembly information of the coj$- - -g lition of the State, and recommend for its eote-? deration siicn measures as ne snaii accm uero* ?ary or expedient.'- I have not presumed to lecture yon on economy, for I feel sure that you V* realize as fully as I do* the needs of our people 'A and will bens economical in the expenditure of public money as is consistent with efficient setv : ~~' i'ice. The burdens of taxation always fall ? '1 heavily hut where there is a wise and necessary- ' ' Expenditure of the public fund for the general ifood 110 reasonable tax-payer will complain.. V'ou should deal with the affairs of state in* businesslike manner and as a prudwit business. man would manage his private affaire. If you find that in any department the expenditures pan be cut down without hurt .Jjs efficient service }j it is your duty to cut them down. Useless an4.-* V-l Extravagant appropriations should under uociry . uni-taiices even l>e considered. Prudent afltd. Jj rareful economy should unide you in all matters. ^ ] touching the State's finances. ? I invoke upon ail your deliberations guidance of an all-wi-o and overruling Provi- ^-3 letice ami trust that whatever you do may be-- S ione with an eye single to the good'Of alltht? jeople of the State. Ja?: .- gfct M. 11. McSWl->;NKY, Governor, , ^ #. .'- *> ' *'*'vLic?;' " - ' ' - f ,:i - '-fl