Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Kg ?>>. ' &/. *ang. The total cost of the constabulary for the year was $45,011.2a. I would recommend that the mini? mnm fine in case of conviction for violation of the dispensary law be made $50 instead of $100 and that the mlnirram service remain at three months. There are cases when it would be bet ter for the county and State to have 950 than three months' service and when it would be paid if the Judge had the discretion to impose it. In dealing with this question your purpose should be to improve and perfect the system. . - ; -STATE MILITIA. I deem It scarcely necessary to call your attention to the ever increasing necessity of the State having at its command a well organized and well equipped volunteer soldiery?ever ready "to aid by its moral effect the preservation of peace and good order in our Commonwealth." Its maintenance] arecros imperative. Thefcre I dsem it; likewise unnecessary to suggest that] the dignity of tbe State, the pride oil fcev people, the safety of life, the pro teetion of property, and the wisdom of! eound statesmanship, all demand that j the militia of the S ate be carei foe and: liberally supported. It is generally recognized that under' the present direction of tbe States military department the volunteer service' "feas been vastly improved and an m- j airpn tn its nrosress and dis:lp-j 0. line that deserves and receives my heartiest commendation. 1 may say that In every instance during my occupancy ' -at the executive chair whenever an' emergency has occurred that necess!-: tated a call on the militia to ass st in preserving the peace "and protecting the property of our people, officers and, enlisted men alike have obeyed orders with the greatest alacrity, courage and, rj!- coolness. In May last at the unveiling of the monument at Chickamauga erected by! Couth Carolina in commemoration ol . her heroes who there fought and fell. I considered it a matter of pride and patriotism to have the volunteer troops to do honor to the occasion, and I therefore directed the Adjutant Gea-j ?ral to form a provisional regiment; from among those In the service. Nine companies composed the fccmation and Col. Wllie Jones was appointed the colonel In command. The cost of trans portatlcn wa3 $1,876.23, which the mrttary board decided to pay out of theannual appropriation made to advance Che efficiency of the State militia. Tne Adjutant General in his report asks that the said amount be addvfl to the next appropriation, and I recommend that this be done. In all such public State or national demonstrations the various States of the Union cheerfully boar all the expenses of their volunteer' troops. j Anything which you may do to if;.-crease the efficiency of our State militia will be welcomed by the people of the State, and every true citizen will; , hail with satisfaction the day wheai South Carolina shall be able to follow; the laudable example of some of her Ulster States in amply providing for, And maintaining that important arm' of the State government. j CONFEDERATE RECORDS. " 1 { The Adjutant and Inspector General in whose department the Confederate Rolls are placed for preservation, in-, forms me that almost daily he is called, upon by old soldiers or their kinsmen for permission to examine the rolls in search of the names of relatives and for. correction and for various other purs poses. Such daily examination and handling naturally results In the wear of the colls and the fading of the names. These rolls are ver^ incomplete . it is true, but an appropriation should be made for printing them in book: Term so as to preserve in permanent shape that part of the record for which tb8 State has already made considerable expenditure. As a testimonial of grati-; xude for the patriotism of those v/ho served their State so well in this con*, iiict, South Carolina should no longer defer this important matter, but should at once take some action to preset this link in our history, and make provision for the preservation of this re-' cOcd. I The organizations of Veterans, Sons of Veterans, and Daughters of the Confederacy are agitating the question and making preparation to undertake the1 work, in a systematic way, of com-; dieting and perfecting these records.! find in their efforts they should have yowr encouragement. But to preserve and put In permanent shape what we have, will in no way interfere with this vork, but will be of assistance in car-j rying it forward. PENSIONS. j At the las: session of the Legislature, -the Act to provide for Pensions for cer-' tain soldiers and sailers, approved reD-, ruary 19,1900, was amended so as to appropriate $150,000.00 auually to pcy the pensions provided by this Act. I . The appropriation bill, however, car*! rlsd only $lOOjOOO.OO for this purpose.' That raised doubt in the mind of the State Treasurer as to whether $100,000.- j -CO or $150,000.00 had been appropriated! Ty pensions, and he refused to honor r Ahc Comptroller General's warrant for $150,000.00. Under this condition of! affairs mandamus proceedings werp in.-,' iitituted to settle the question. It was argued before the Supreme Court ande decided by the Court that the amount; ' appropriated was only $100,000.00. The distribution of the fund was therefore j cased on the appropriation of $100,-' COO.OO. , j -. If I* was your intention to pay the .pensioners in 1901 $150,000.00 an appropriation of $50,000.00 for this purpose j . will be necessary at this session. Therei were on the roils last year 6,503 pfcu-j -Kioners. In Part 2 or toe compuumu , General's report you will find an item-' izea statement o'f the distribution, of, ibis fund, together with a list of pensioners on the roll. In this report the Comptroller' General calls special attention to the fact that in distributing this money, a sol ; ?Iicr 60 years of ate who was not. wounded cr injured in service, fares, the same as the wounded soldier, and' ^tho widow whose husband was killed. In battle or died while in service, and V who was not remarried, shares equally; with the sixty-year eld widow, who lest her husband within the last two W if* also submits a suggest'en as to f . : ?.^ilicatloa and the amount to be; ' X'. 'l. As the Comptroller General is,' uaiiiiar wi'h this subject, his sugg-as-, on should have your careful attention.; CXVEiLING OP THE CHICKAMAU-j GA MONITMENT. j The monument which, through your: ijSESxasity. h^s hesn arreted at Chick-] acaauga to commemorate the heroism' displayed by the Confederate soldier j from South Carolina on that battlefield; was unveiled with appropriate exer-j cises on the 27th of hst May. The monument is one of the most beautiful | and appropriate on the field. It is made* of South Carolina granite, and on the! "10 i.? a hronze life-size Confede-j rate infantryman, and on the other! <a Confederate artilleryman. The top; ' of the monument is a graceful bronze Palmetto tree, the emblem of the Palmetto State. On one side is the inscription: "To her faithful sons at Chickamauga South Carolina erects .this monument to commemorate the valor they proved and the lives they gave on this battlefield." On the other aro the names of the regiments which represented South Carolina lnj this "battle, and to the members of; whir.h this monument was erected, to-! gerher with the number of killed and; wounded from each. The exercises at the unveiling were' most appropriate and were largely at- j tended by veterans and citizens from j South Carolina. For a detailed description of the monument and account! of the exercises I refer you to the pub-! Fished report of the Commissioners. j All true sons o South Carolina re-1 joiee that she has at last done heri duty to her "sons who fought and fell on this historic field. ? - REDISTRICTING. At ycur last session you had before . ^ X,? VUlTc. tnr I yOU IOr consideration swo-ai w* , redistricting the State. None was passed and the whole subject will come up tor consideration at this session. There' no longer exists any reason for the, shoe-string districts which we have in j this State and it is a duty you owe the: people to redistrict the State into con-' grcssional districts that will be com-! pact and contiguous in territory. This' should be done without regard to the political fortunes or interests of any ! individual and solely with a view of | serving the interests of the people oil the several districts. At the last ses-j sion of the Congress of the United) States an Act was passed in which the; following section occurs: "Section 3. That in each State en-j titled under this apportionment the) number to which such State may be; entitled in the Fifty-eighth and each; subsequent Congress shall be elected; by districts composed of contiguous) and compact territory and containing as nearly as practicable an equal number of inhabitants." You will note that Act of Congress provides that the districts "shall" be; composed of territory "compact and j contiguous." This may not be manda-! tory. but as there is no reason at pres-j ent for the congressional district re-j maininc as thev are it seems to be the; part of wisdom and good judgment atj this session to pass an Act making! them "contiguous" and more "compact." CHILD LABOR. In his last message the attention or the Legislature was directed by the Governor, to this important question, made more so by the (rapid growth of manufacturing interests in the State. Action can be taken without working! injustice upon the mill-owners, or retarding the material growth and de-' velopment of South Carolina. Keep-1 ing-a child confined at close labor in ; the mills from early dawn till after! dark is directly contrary to the laws; of nature, and will affect ouc citizen- j ship in the future. Many mill-owners. J realizing this fact from a business! point of view, have voluntarily pro-j bibited child-labor, and consequently; their villages are models of everything! that goes to make an ideal community.' In some cases parents who work in the mills are required to sign a contract1 to force the'e children between certain; ages to attend the public schools pro-; vided. The owners contribute largely j towards the building up of the schools, navina- Dart of the school-tax. and en-! couraging education among their em-] ployes' children, and the most pleasant j relations exist between mill-owners; art* operatives. It is the part of wis-1 d'om, as well as of humanitarinism, to .prohibit chiid labor in the mills. As1 the South will soon be compelled to j meet strong: competition from all sections of the globe, its manutacturing industries must have skilled and intelligent labcc; and this can be secured only by the mental and physical development of the children of the present age. If the parent does not feel sufficient interest In his own offspring to look after its best interests, and prepare it for the highest citizenship, then the State must assert its authority by caring for the health and happiness of these helpless little ones. No child j under twelve years of age should be permitted to labor in the mills of this! State, unless necessary for the support! of a widowed mother; and such an ac-| tion is strongly recommended. STATE GEOLOGIST. Mr. Earl Sloan, the newly-appointed State Geologist, has immediately entered upon the discharge of his duties, a great portion of his attention being directed to securing a creditable exhibition at the Charleston Exposition, as there wa3 not even a nucleus of a collection in the State. A thorough survey of the marine phosphate beds are now in progress, and a like study of the gold, mineral, clays and kaolin deposits will be undertaken. The gratn5tions use of his own private scientific, instruments and apparatus has been tendered, provided the State furnishes him an assistant and the cost of chemicals and incidentals. COUNTY GOVERNMENT. * The economy with which the county j affairs are managed fixes largely the weight of the burden of taxation upon the people. Apart from the interest) on the State debt and the constitutional tax for the public schools the tax | for the support of the State govern-! meat is very small. It should not be ycur lusinees to adopt special legislation for your individual counties, but the combined wisdom of representatives from each county, and being e /lifPoranf r-nnrtf i^IUUildl WICil ) liU UlUVi VUI, vv- ? tions. should enable you to adopt such measures for the government of the , several counties as will be economical .'fiiclcnt. and just. The cost of the Conns and the admiiristration of thciavs. the maintenance of highways and' bridges, and tno support of the penal and charitable institutions.! aro subjects in which there is rreat room for reform. While it is 'rre that the conditions vary in the different counties, it is also true that there could be more uniformity in our county government law and more economy f [ in its administration. As the law now j stands almost every county in the State has a different law from every other county, or if the law is general, a number of counties are excepted from its provisions. There should he more uniformity. Of course conditions in regard to certain matters may be different in different counties, but there could be more uniformity in regard to many subjects than at present. The Constitution requires it " * ' ' ^ ~ * ~ -n Anytnmg mat you can uu lw simplify and unify as far as possible tho County Government Law will be of benefit to the people and should have your efforts. LOCAL LEGISLATION. Your attention has been called to this subject a number of times, rnd though special legislation on certain subjects is inhibited by the Constitution. yet every session of the General Assembly finds a number of laws ro lating to local or special subjects. Though these special law? have freouently been declared unconstitutional by the Courts it seems aimost impossible to keep them off the statute books. In several of the counties the past year there have been no Courts on account of the uncertainty of the constitutionality of the jury law, and the question is now before the Supreme Court for adjudication. This law anrl the laws in regard to corporations need your special attention. They -have caused more trouble during the past year than any other question with which the administration has had to deal and largely because of the uncertainty as to what the law is. Such legislation should be carefully watched J and avoided, if possible. j EDUCATION. Public opinion depends for its enlightenment very largely upon the free common school system; and the efforts of the State should bo directed to the improvement of the system of common school education, where the majority * c? IVM of tne cnuaren must iuok. iur men education. The ideal system is one prop- ' crly articulated from the common school to the high school, the college, and the university. No child should I be allowed to grow up to meet the high duties and responsibilities of citizenship without at least having acquired the rudiments of a good education. The question of compulsory education has agitated the minds bf the best educators throughout the State for the past few years; and it would seem that the majority of them favor such a system. The objector will urge that every parent has the right to determine how much education his child shall have, and the State has no right to interfere. When a contagious disease invades the State, it takes measures to stamp out the disease, and asks for no permission to establish a quarantine. Ignorance is the worst of d/seas' * a1- - ?1 ? A. * ? ?A_ I es, ana tne biaie dhs me ngm u* inquire that the children shall he brought up so as to make the best possible citizens. As to the cost?the State is now spending more than a million dollars on the education of its chil- i dren, and it desires that every child . should reap its share. But the greatest i objection that is urged to compulsory I education is the fear that the ever- i present negro, if educated, cannot be j controlled. The negro is here to stay; [ and to educate him rightly is but to teach him his position and bo of beueflt to him and to us. To leave him without an education is but to make him a tool in the hands of the designing and a curse to society. It is a suicidal argument to let the white children grow up in ignorance for fear that the negro ; children may receive the same advantage. A oompulsory law at the beginning would probably have to encounter difficulties in its enforcement; but the time is ripe for such a measure. All the principal countries in Europe and throughout the whole civilized world, and two-third of the States and Territories of our own country, have adopted some system of compulsory education, and in many other of the States it is being agitated and urged. The Governor here strongly recom ?* *? ii.. mends an additional tax iur me i port of the country schools, thus furnishing them competent teachers for longer terms,?giving the children elementary and preparatory training at home, and tending to check the abnormal Influx of population from the country to the town. He also advocates the County Superintendents being paid salary sufficient to allow them to devote more time to the proper supervising of the School. County Beards should also be elected | by the people ofr a long enough term to insure less change in the employment of teachers. The most careful attention should also be given to a plan for securing better school-houses, tiecause the best results in training children cannot be obtained in shabby and uncomiortaoie scaooi-uuuscs. STATE SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES. The present session of Winthrop College promises to be the most successful In its history. There are 297 pupils enrolled in the Normal Department; every county In the State is represented, and the health of the student body is reported as good. The new dormitory building and the sewerage system provided for by the General Assembly, have been completed in time for the opening of the session last October. The college has an excellent exhibit at the Charleston Exposition; and this being the only institution supported by the State for the higher education of its women, it is the pride cf South Carolina, South Carolina College has entered r.pon the second hundred years of its life with an unexcelled past history and bright prospects for its future. It enrolled 227 students the past session, its affairs are discreetly managed, it is doing excellent work, and deserves the liberal support of the State. The fifty-third annual report of the S. C. Institution for the Education of the Deaf and Blind shows an average attendance for the year of 163 pupils, representing 34 counties. The per capita cost of each pupil, for the year, is $130.23. The building for the colored department has been completed and is now occupied. The new "school building" for which the last Legislature donated is now in process of erection and will be ready for occupancy by the beginning - [ of the ne:;t term. The Superintendent J asks for an appropriation of 23,000 l'cr I support, owing to the increase in !:ie j number of pupils and an increase in the cost of living expenses; also an appropriation of $5,S59, for steam heating, plumbing, furnishing the. new building, repairs, insuring furniture, etc. It should be a matter of congratulation that, the people of the State have such a high-grade Institution as Clemson College, at which our young men will be taught those branches which will fit them for the practical duties of life. At the last session of the Legislature the annual appropriation for the S. C. Military Academy was increased tn $9=; 00ft with a view of reducing the charges of cadets from $300 io $230; a further appropriation of $26,250 is asked. The health of tne students i = good and the affairs of the institution are well managed. The Colored Collc/e is doing a good work for the negro rare in the State, and an appropriation of $13,328 will te J asked. In addition to 5700 for making ' an exhibit at the Charleston ExposiI tlon. LOUISIANA PURCHASE EXPOSII TION. } Next s*car will be the one hundredth j , anniversary of the purchase by the; United States of the Louisiana Terri-i tory. This great *2rritory was pur-! I Chased from France in 1S63, and at j present comprises nearly all of the j States of Louisiana, Arkansas, Mls! sourl, Iowa, Minnesota, North and j South Dakota, Nebraska, a great part | i of Kansas, the Indian Territory, Colo-j I rado, and Wyoming and all of | Indiana, Montana, Oregon and I Washington. To celebrate the cen-! tennial anniversary' or this event, the ; Louisiana Purchase Exposition will be held in St. Louis, Mo., during 1903. STATE BOARD OF HEALTH. During the year smallpox appeared | in several sections of the State, which I was brought to the attention of 'he I Board, and means were taken to sup! pres3 the disease by general vaccina! tion; it would be well to take some | action making vaccination at certain stated periods compulsory throughout the State. The inspection of food and j drugs is a very important matter, as j on the use and consumption of pur* j food and drugs depends the lifh and : health of our citizens, and some action ; on this point should be taken. The I ; Board also recommends the office of | ; State Bacteriologist to be created, es- ; j pecially in view of such diseases as j | dyptheria, tuberculosis, etc. ; SOUTH CAROLINA INTER-STATE AND WEST INDIAN EXPOSITION. At your last session you wisely ? ? tf-.n nnn r-ir I IUfctUtt ctil ci y jJ1 w jJ i iati KS1A yjM. Vvvtvw A ^ . . the erection of a State building at ihe ! South Carolina Inter-State and West j Indian Exposition. Under the provisI ions of that Act I appointed as State Commissioners Hon. Louis Appelt, of Manning; Capt. Thos. Wilson, of Cades; Col. John B. Cleveland, of Col. John B. Cleveland, of Spartanburg, and Capt. F. W. Wagener, president of the Exposition Company. The Board of Commissioners subsequently elected Mr. A. W. Love, of Chester, as superintendent of the State exhibit and building, and Mr. August Kohn as secretary and auditor of the board. The Commission made contracts for the erection of the Palace of Agriculture, and it is gratifying to state that the State building is perhaps the handsomest on the Exposition grounds. The collection of the exhibits, which are entirely creditable, was largely under the personal supervision of Superintendent Love, who worked in conjunction with the authorities of the ExpositiQn company. The Exposition is a decided success and reflects credit upon the State and upon the South. The great purpose for which it was undertaken, the bringing of our own people into closer touch enlarging our trade relations with the Latin States, and displaying to the whole world the resources and advantages of this State and of the South, under the excellent management which has the Exposition in charge. tomo* onri will ho accomplished, and South Carolina should feel a just pride in this success. It is proposed, when the Exposition is over, to make a permanent park out of the beautiful grounds. This would be a commendable close for the great enterprise, and it would be a handsome act on your part to turn over the State building to the Exposition Company or its successors at the close of the Exposition, and such a course has my hearty approval. TRUSTS. Recently the business and political worlds have been startled by great combinations of capital seeking to drive smaller competing industries to the wall and to acquire complete contVia nn-ir)ilf>ts 31(1 sjmnlv of ear tain articles of trade which are neces- I saries and which the people mast have at almost any price. In a gTeat many instances these combinations have been successful in their efforts to control the national market and the power they wield is immense. There is no doubt that it has taken business ability of a high order thus to gain control of a commodity and that without this ability it could not have been done. It is also true that.the trusts. If rightly conducted, could he of benefit instead of an evil to the consumer. But as soon as a monopoly is acquired the tendency is to oppress, and with the great power which these combinations wield the oppression nay become unbearable. This tendency has become so marked, and the evils resulting therefrom so patent, thai it has led to much national and State legislation on the subject, but in most instances to no avail. Combinations are still forming and those already in existence are be. om~ nr\Tvor?iii Thp tpndenev to wards centralization of wealth is hecoming more marked every day. The trust is seeking to control every line of industry and capitalistic monopolies are becoming too powerful. It is only recently, however, that the trust has invade;! the borders of this State, but at present it is active in seeking to gain control of the supply of these commodities in which it deals. In 1897 the General Assembly of South Carolina passed an Act "to t " " "" " f prohibit trusts and combinations and to provide penalties." and at your last session a Joint Resolution was passed directing that the Attorney General r.? the State be "required to forthwith institute an investigation to determine by what authority the Virginia-Carolina Chemical Company .s doing business in this State," and "whether said company or any person or corporation who may be engaged in any busings within this State has violated or is violating the provision of the laws of this State prohibiting trusts and combinations," and directing him to institute such proceedings as might be necessary to punish violators of said laws against trusts and combinations. Proceeding under these instructions given him by you, the Attorney General instituted a thorough investigation to determine whether * this company is entitled to do business in this State under these laws of the State "prohibiting trusts and combinations.'' A full and elaborate report, showing the work he has done and his plans, w il j be submitted to you. In the beginning j he calls attention to the difficulties he had to encounter. The anti-trust iws have only recently been enacted in this r?r\nntrr o r? rl tn fVitc SfAfrv V J , UUU A ii vutw ^^-vv , and are not fully developed. On the other hand they are as vet "embryonic and chaotic." in some parts being too sweeping and in others not covering the entire ground. These combinations tire organized secretly, and it is a most difficult matter to obtain definite information in regard to the'formation and the purposes for which they are organized, and definite infor- ' mation must be had in order to begin an action in the Courts. If an unlaw- I ful combination exist "the proof of '.he j facts tending to establish its existence | is locked up in the records of the participating corporations." As you will see from the Attorney General's report, difficulties of this kind are the ones that confronted him in his every move. Especial attention is called to the defects in the laws of this State regulating corporations. It has been the tendency in this State to give corporations almost unlimited powers, such as the "unlimited power to deal in j real estate," "the power to acquire and j transfer shares of stock in other corporations," "the power to place under mortgage or deed of trust its franchisees. as well as all or any of its property." When a foreign corporation complies with certaiD "provisions and requirements," which "previsions and requirements" amount to little or nothing it " 'shall enjoy the rights' of'domestic corporations." In short, the tendency in this State has been Ic give corporations the same power to carry on business which is accorded 10 the private individual. This principle is wrong. Corporations are creatures of the State, created by the State "not as the concession of a right, but as a j favor bestowed," and as such creatures j tho StfltP has a rieht to inquire into ! their affairs and methc-ds of transacting business, and when it is satisfied their methods are such as are not conducive to the welfare of a majority of the people, then that State which created them has the right to put them out of existence. The Attorney General suggests several amendments to our existing antitrust laws and the enactment of several new laws. He has made a thorough investigation of this question of controlling the trusts and his excellent report shows much study and care in , its preparation. It is worthy your most ; careful and thoughtful consideration j and my purpose is simply to direct , your attention to that report. RAILROAD COMMISSION. The annual report of the Board of Railroad Commissioners for the year just closed is one of the most complete that has been issued from this department. Thirty-nine (3S) miles of new mileage have been built and opened for traffic during the year. The Commission has had many important and 1 ' 1 1 ? " ? * V* +/> Art** 1 OilllCUic pruui^uib wicii %.vj uva?, affecting both the railroads and the people. The solution of these problems, as well as the condition of the railroads in the State, is fully stated in the report of the Board, and your attention is directed to this report for information concerning this department of the State government. STATE HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE. The constant accumulation of the insane in asylums has been one of the most startling features in the hi3tcrv of the great charities of the century just closed, these great asylums being at once the pride of the human1- i tarian and a stumbling block to the legislative economist. In origin our State Hospital dates among the very first, and it is now entering upon the eightieth year of its existence. Although unfortunately located within a city, when it should have been long since removed to the country, it has fulfilled its important mission in our Commonwealth and given shelter to over 10,000 inmates, During the past year the admission of , 459 patients has been the largest in the history of the institution. The growth of the Hospital during ' the last quarter of a century, and especially during the last decade has been a matter of deepest concern to all j entrusted with its adm;n:stration, to ( the Executive and Legislative branch- 1 es none the less than to the managing officers. The problem has been to provide with due economy for all unfort-'- ( nates within our borders who require ' the restraining care of an asylum, while excluding such persons who for various reasons may not properly be considered subjects for such charity. To draw this line justly to the affmt- ' ed and to the taxpayers is a problem ' not easy of solution. ( A brief statistical review may serve ' to present the numerical and finan- ;( cial sides of the Question. T'>'nl Daily T>tal P'*r ' Y??ar.PBM>nts. Average. Ci'Un. J 1R75.. 428 312 ? K; I*V c/i.. 1K.S0.. 541 3'7 M "'7 214 04 i IS?5.. 314 593 1?? 977 14K 31 ] 1890. .1014 754 10".744 73 0.7 , 1*05. 1157 *27 3:3 332 110 7'! ' 1!?:0..14S1 1043 127.181 302 71 r: 1901.. 1493 1008 135.3(1 10.3 < 0 I The per capita is based upon the a"tual yearly expense for sunport cni i ments. From these instructive figures does not include permanent improve ?mm? ?' I mm ?m?? menta. From these instructive figures it appears that while the population of the institution has more than trebled in the total number as well as ia the daily average, under care the total annual expenses have by rigid economy been kept at about the same figures, while the cost per patient has been reduced over one hundred dollars. The specific appropriation for support proper has been about ylC0.G00.G0 for nearly twenty years. In his report for 1900 Supt. Babeock expressed the opinion that it was "doubtful in view of the present prices of food stuffs and supplies whether the maintenance or support of patients can again be met for $100,000.00. For the next year it is probable that the sum total for this item will be above $105,000.00." The result has been as 1,1 5 ' * 1 - !? !_? r * V* r%. preuiciea, ana me nec< ssiues ui mc hospital have required an average monthly expenditure of over $9,000.00. and the opinion is now advanced by the Superintendent that for the next few years the monthly expenses for support alone will average *10,000.00 in view of the figures above shown and the expenses for maintaining the insane elsewhere the question suggests itself whether a too rigid economy has not heretofore been exercised in the management of the finances of the Hospital. As to the prospect of reducing the number of admissions the Board of Regents make clear in their report that their conception of the proper manaaoment of their charge lies in the di rc-ction of the broadest philanthropy an.'l charity with the greatest good to the greatest number. The Regents therefore hesitate to restrict the right of admission of any bona fide citizen of our State who may require asylum care, and they are especially guarded against recommending the refusal of sheHer to dependent old people, who would rightly fall to the custody of poor-houses if these county retreats made adequate provision for the aged and helpless. That the institution is imposed upon in the forced reception of non-residents I have during the pa<?t year had personal experience and knowledge from corresponding with officials of * 1 -* ni wjoro !^r.V two neigr.oormg ooius, w.aw hibitel by law from placing arsons formerly residents of this Stat.) in tbeir charitable institutions. This question of "settlement," as it is technically called, has been referred to the General Assembly for some years, but no action has been taken. It would now appear that it is a question of growing importance and that self-preservation now demands that we restrict the right of admission of non-residents to the Hospital as has been done by our neighbors. The Regents and Superintendents call attention to the need for the expansion and development of the Hospital of a small area of land?three and a quarter acres?adjoining the present grounds of the negro building and recommend its purchese at about $4,000.00 one thousand dollars being paid annually until the whole Is paid. As the ultimate Deneflt to the Hospital of this land will be great in comparison with the annual appropriation asked for, I join in the recommendation. THE STATE PENITENTIARY. The annual report of this Institution will be submitted to you. The year just closed has been a hard one on most farmers, and the State farms ha^e not been an exception. Especially have the State farms suffered, as a larg6 portion of the land lies on the river an.l is subject to overflow. Tbe year has been very unsatisfactory agriculturally. The oat crop in the swamp lands was entirely lost. Three stands of corn were drowned by the overflow of the bottom lands and. therefore, but little corn was made. The crop on the upland was fairly good. The new prison building has been completed and adds much to the comfort and health of the prisoners. The institution, however, has done remarkably well and makes a good showing, even through great loss was sustained on account of the high waters, and evidences careful and prudent management on the part of the Superintendent and the Board of Directors CONVICT STATEMENT. Prisoners in confinement December 31, 1900 735 From Courts since that time..235 Recaptured 8?243 1,038 178 Discharged Pardoned 26 Escaped 16 Killed while trying to escape.. 1 Died 27 Acidentally killed 2?230 In prison December 31, 1901 .... 788 FINANCES. Balance cash on hand Dec. 31, 1900 $ 3,933 13 rotal receipts for 1901 70,823 48?374,756 61 Current expenses -? m r* for 1901 4/,iio ?o Expended for permanent improvements .1901 15,243 13 Cash in bank December 31. 1901 11,787 02?574,756 61 In addition to this there is already sarned for the year 1901, in sight and available, SO,150 and 100 bales of cotton somewhat damaged unsold. CONCLUSION. In whatever legislation you enact r'ou should keep in mind the happiness md prosperity of the people of the State. The public treasury should be carefully guarded at all'times, but esoecially at this time should you be lareful and economical in appropriates: the people's money. Whatever you - t tndertake that ioo! s to u-.e u^iulius ind betterment of the people and the >r ogress and development of the State .vill have my co-op^raticn. The legisative and executive departments hould unite their test efforts to bring redit to the Commonwealth and to naintain a government which vriil ceep before the people the highest deals of civic virt'. e. M. B. McSWEENEY, Governor, , 2B m