Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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% . not upon fine spun theories,' but the ] paramount Issue should be the best 1 * interests of the commonwealth and its : citizenship. This being true, child 1 labor should be prohibited by a wise i and conservative law, which will pro- < tect the interests of the child and not < work hardship upon the parent, nor ] do injustice or injury tq our manufac- < turing interests. A few statistics on this question may 1 be of interest. By the census report i 1 on cotton manufacture in 1880, the ! J total number of operatives in our cotton factories in the States of the 3 south was put down at 16,741. Of 3 this number 4,098, or 24.5 per cent., 1 were children under 16 years of age. ] In 1900 the total number of operatives < employed in the cotton factories of the < south was 97,559. Of this number 24,459 were children under 16 years. Twenty-five per cent.! " In 20 years we had an increase of operatives in the factories of the south of nearly 600 per cent., and a proportionate increase in the number of children employed. The | matter has been practically left in the haDds of the mill owners for 20 years, and no progress has been made in the | care and protection of the children. In 1S80 in the States outside of the south there were 155,803 operatives em- J ployed in the cotton factories. Of j these 24,243 were children under 16 i years of age?about fifteen and one- [ half per cent. In 1900 the mills in the j same section employed 205,302 operatives. Of this number 15,799 were children under 16 years. This is about seven and one-half per cent. only. Thus it will be seen that the south has increased the per cent, of child labor, while the States outside of the south have reduced it about one-half, and this is the statement of cold facts and figures, and not the enthusiasm of the sentimentalist. The question must be met There is only one way to solve it, and that | is on the side of right and justice and humanity. The sooner it is done the better, for it can now be managed and a wise and iunt bill he nassed Tf the I matter is postponed from year to year ? we may regret it. \ t PARDONING BOARD. \ The constitution of the State provides !: that the governor "shall have power to : grant reprieves, commutations, and ? pardons * * in such manner, on 1 such terms, and under such restric- f tions as be shall think proper." He i i is required to report all pardons and J commutations to the general assembly. ? It is also- provided that every petition r may first be referred to a "board of ? pardons, to be provided by the general ; assembly, which board shall hear all * such petitions under such rules and regulations as the general assembly ? may provide. The governor may adopt the recommendations of said board, F but in case he does not he shall sub- | ? mit his reasons to the general assem- j a bly." The board of pardons has never! . been provided by the legislature and 11 very little good could be accomplished r by such board, for the responsibility r is at last on the governor, and he must v j meet and bear it. There will always r be those to criticise the executive for n the use of the pardoning power, a whether it be exercised in many or few cases. A board of pardons would not relieve the executive of the respon- a sibility for his action, nor could such a c board 'Hvide the responsibility, for re- ?. sponsibility is indivisible. The duties of such a board would be only advi- ? sory,. and the members would know " little about the cases. The executive 9 now, if he desires information about ,r any case, secures it from the solicitor 1 or the judge who tried the case and l: who is familiar with the facts, and then l' be must act. The executive who looks p i at the matter from the right view- a f point must realize that he has in his ? power and on his conscience the life 11 or the liberty of the petitioner, however humble or poor he may be, and at tJ the same time the duty which he owes s to the peace and good order of the State a not to turn loose upon a community ^ the hardened criminal -who deserves & the punishment which has been im- ^ posed. The executive must feel that n his action is right with the facts be- 8' fore him, and if he does he will have 0 no upbraidings of conscience even if C( his course is criticized by those who P have not investigated the case and *who have not upon their shoulders the % responsibility for the action which they ^ criticize. I would rather err on the G: side of mercy, even if by so doing one f who deserves punishment is given lib- " erty. The courts and jurors some- o: times make mistakes, and punishment a is not always simply for the sake of punishment Hence this power is f. given to the discretion of the execu- " tive, that he may correct such errors 9 and extend clemency, and mercy to 11 those who, by receiving it, become bet- s] ter citizens and better men and women sl when they are released from confine- y.' . ment 11 NEW MANSION. t? No one who has had opportunity to look into the matter or who has t thought on' the subject at all, will la question the fact that the State of a] South Carolina should have a new and tc modern home for its chief magistrate. w The present mansion was built originally for two homes, to be occupied fc by the professors of the old arsenal, which stood on one corner of the pres- sj ent grounds. In addition to its incon- sl veniences and its inadaptability for the P* home of the governor, it is old and C( very much out of repair. The grounds, occupying an entire square, are very . desirable for such a residence, and gj no place better fitted or more beauti- " ful in appointments could be found in the city of Columbia. If the general assembly feels that the time is op- z portune for making an appropriation for this purpose, to sell this \ property fj* or to-change the location would be a 6 mistake. [J* If, however, it is desired to do so, | the present mansion property could y be sold for a sufficient sum to build a new and modern mansion, and a lot could be purchased from some of the S1 South Carolina college property, which w at present is idle, with no immediate 01 prospect of the State being able to 111 use it for any other purpose. Good *? business men in the city of Columbia estimate that ?40.000 mierht be realized *? out of the present mansion property f? and a new mansion might easily be erected at a cost of $20,000, leaving $20,- w 000 for the purchase of a lot, and for furnishing the mansion and beautify- P( ing the grounds. The college now al owns, besides that now used by the sc college, in all ten acres. In 1833 the ^ legislature passed an act which declared that it was important to the $2 health of the officers and students of the South Carolina college that certain ?* squares and lots of woodland in the tr town of Columbia that lie between the a* college and the swamp of Rocky is Branch should remain uncleared, and 01 that the control of the same should be tr given to the trustees of the college for ^ that purpose. Therefore, certain lots ai belonging to the State and designated &c on the map of the city of Columbia as ^ Nos. 53, 54, 43 and 44 were vested in te the board of trustees of the college for j *b the above mentioned purpose. Most j ^ of the woodland has been cleared and j *n the land is practically of no use to the in college or to the State. A good and j Se desirable site for a governor's mansion or could be secured on this land as above indicated. By this plan a new man- t*1 sion could be erected without an ap- er propriation for the purpose. Another m argument in favor of this plan is that i ca the sale of the present mansion prop- j of erty would add to the taxable values be of the State and the city of Columbia j ?1< and be a source of income to both. sh In addition to the ten acres mentioned above, the State owns about on thirteen acres in connection with the en college, including an entire square fronting on South Main street, in the Cc t present not utilized with any profit to , the State. - The only argument that < could possibly be advanced for the , holding of this land, which is now idle, , is the possibility of the establishment if a University of South Carolina* including all the State institutions of ( higher learning, in which event most < Df it might be utilized to advantage; i but even in that event enough of this ( land could be set apart for a home for the governor without detrimept to the j proposed university. < South Carolina should have a new f home for hei chief executive in keeping with the growth and progress of ' the State, and I suggest that you appoint a committee of the senate and . pf the house to look into the matter , md report a plan by which you may c arrange for the erection of the man- t Jion. J SPECIAL COUKTS. x The legislature of 1900 passed an act c providing" for special courts and ihe K nanner of obtaining them. The pay ? >f the special judge was fixed, but no . und was provided out of which to pay J aim. The attention of the legislature k )f 1901 was called to this matter. : The c per diem of these special judges had peen paid out of the contingent iund of f he eovernor. and up to the past year 1 :his has been done without exnausuug :his fund. The past year, however, he demand for special courts has beezz . 10 heavy that the contingent fund was ? exhausted, and claims for rewards and >ther matters to the amount of-$1,761.25 lave not been paid. These will be 1 ilaced before the committee on cteims 1 ind I ask that you make provision for ? ;heir payment, as it will not be right ? ;o charge them to the next contingent ? 'und. In this list there are claims for * special judges amounting to $1,247.14, r md I have paid already for this pur- c >ose $1,305.09. If the law providing ? or special courts is to remain in force t fund should be provided for tie paynent of the judges. It seems to me, lowever, that there are cases in. which t rpecial courts are asked where there s no necessity for them, for I hive ob- t lerved that in some instances after f he special court had been held the reg- "V ilar term was called off. If, however, P here is a demand for these extra n ,ourts, and the demand is increasing, a t would be better to increase the num- p >er of circuits and do away with the s all for extra courts. If lawyers and I itigants were always ready to go to e rial and there were less delay in the 1 lispatch. of the business before our I ourts, the congestion which It is. now h aimed exists would be removed and $ he present machinery could transact t he business' in less time vtban is-now a occupied, even with , the aid of extra p ourts It should be remembered, ii lowever, that the State is increasing in s; lopulation and in business, and in pro- n lortion to this increase there will be s .dditional litigation. In 1870 the popu- 1 ation of the State was 705,000. Now it e 3 twice that number. In 1870 the a tumber of circuits were eight, the same s tumber that we have now, and :then a ?e had only thirty-one counties, while f tow we have forty-one. The argu- ij nent seems to be strongly in favor of is n increase of the number of circuits, y INSURANCE LICENSES. tl I trust you have examined the insurnce report issued from the office of the J omptroller general and have read the g ecommendations made by that officer, it 'here were 127 insurance companies, in- h luding one mortgage company, doing v usiness in this State in 1901. These t< ompanies collected in premiums from ri he people for the year 1901, $2,800,789.47. v 'bey paid back in losses for the "same & ime $1,337,648.81. It will be seen from 0: bese figures that the tax upon the t< eople for insurance is three times the g mount of the State taxes, and yet no ti ne complains of this burden. The ir cense fees paid by- - these insurance r< ompanies amounted to $26,713.68 for tl be year 1901. In addition to this the ross premiums paid in each county ti re the basis for assessments upon p rhich taxes are paid. They also pay gtax of one-half of one per cent, co tl be State treasurer on the gross busi- g ess done. The comptroller general uggests that in lieu of this tax of f< Re-half of one per cent, and State, ^ ounty and school tax, that the com- n anies be required to pay direct to the 0 tate treasurer two per cent on the ross premiums collected- in gouth ^ arolina. The suggestion is a good c ne, and I commend it to your favor- v ble consideration. It will simplify f( ae work of the insurance department f the State and be at the same time y great convenience to the companies, i The suggestion of the comptroller J eneral that each agent or representave of an insurance company be re- iz uired to secure a license before solicit- t( lg business in this State and that a c mall sum be charged for this license ? aould also receive favorable action at our hands. It would prove a protec- J: on alike to the reputable agent and f. ) the people. The comptroller general also calls atmtion to the fact that the insurance iws of this State do not require insurnee companies organized in this State t< ) furnish the insurance department h ith any evidence of their standing or t< iliability, nor is any provision made n )r their examination, or any require- 1* tent that they shall make annual 1* :atements or returns. This defect p lould be remedied so as to protect our h K>pie against unreliable insurance r< jmpanies. * ^ PENSIONS. y That it is right and proper that the tate should do all it can to care for le deserving and needy Confederate >ldier, no one -will question. It should ; the patriotic concern of all tme citi;ns of the State to see to it that no _ tan who upheld the cause of South arolina in the troublous times from ~ 1 to '$5 shall be sent to the county ^ )me, but that all who need the sip of the State have it sufficient- Ei to make their declining years B< ee from worry and care and full of c .1 the blessings it is possible for the T .te to extend. The southern cause : as not upheld by hirelings or slaves - those who fought from mercenary lOtives. The southern soldier went . battle for a cause he believed to i right and just, and because of his ve for his home and his fireside. But 11 >r these patriotic sustaining motives ? never could have put up the fight _ hich he did against such odds of num- "\ ;rs and resources. It is not the pur- s >se of our pensions laws to penson 1 who were deserving Confederate f ildiers, but only those who are needy- ; re started with an appropriation of p ,000, and last year it had reached ' 00,000. That there are many on the JJ ?lls who do not need the assistance ^ ' the State is a matter which is at- v acting the notice of manv o ?w V/VUJLCUV* ;e soldiers themselves, and this fact Q a violation of the intention for which ^ ir pension laws were enacted. The t( ouble lies with the county boards, c too often happens that these boards gue that the State apprBta|*0n is 'J )ing to be expended, an^^Bmore t .ey can get for their count^^B bet- T r, and thus they put d^^B rolls t ose who, though they c^^Bjthin a e strict letter of the lavB^B.r j-jg o tention should not be thei^^Bcord- 1* g to the report of the^^Broller c ineral there are now T.TiX^^Bmers l the pension rolls of the ^^B S L recommend that insteac^^B^ving c e county board constitutec^^Bpres- j tl it that you so amend th^^Bas to 'I ake the executive offic^^B the r mps of United Confeder^^Br.r;,n? each county constitute ^^Bmnty t ?ard, or direct that these ^^B shall h set them, before whom c all be made, and who sh^^^H upon h L applicants. These caj^^He the P ly official means of kno-^B^Bo are .titled to the help of th^Bgpe' The State should see t^^^Bit no s infederate soldier is pern^^^L suf- d sities of life, but it is not the intention 3f the law to give bounty to those who lo not need assistance, however deserving they mav be. INDIAN 'TRUST FUND. The promise of an early settlement >f the State bonds held by the United states government for the Indian trust ;und should be gratifying to the people >f the State. Through the efforts of Senator Tillhan, and our representatives in confess, an act of congress approved May 17, 1902, was passed authorizing the readjustment and payment of all claims the State of South Carolina for, and | >n account of, advances and expenditures made by this State in the war of 812 to 1815 with Great Britain and for satisfying the bonds of this State, held 1 >y the Indian trust fund. This act auhorized the war department to adjust vith the State authorities these out'tanding claims, and I have been reluested by the war department to fvurlish proof of said " .ims, with all facts hereto, and with certified copies of the State records, which show the said inlebtedness to us. I have requested the secretary of: tate to prepare this statement, which nvolves much labor and research of i >apers and documents that are in a j neasure inaccessible, and all badly ar-1 anged and indexed. This statement is ! >eing prepared with all expedition pos- i ible. The conclusion of this important mat- ! er illustrates the necessity of having j he records of the State put in better i ondition for the future. It is expected hat after settling in full the bonds held j >y_the Indian trust fund, aggregating! 125,000 face value, from fifty to one lundred thousand dollars will be se-! tu*ed in cash from the United States government. LOUISIANA PURCHASE EXPO- | SITION. At the last session of the legislature he_ appropriation bill carried with it $25,000 and any unexpended balance of he appropriation" of the act to provide or the "South Carolina Interstate and Vest Indian exposition," for the pur03e of preserving the exhibits of a perlanent character at said exposition, nd such county exhibits as may be laced under the care of the commision, so as to form an exhibit at the Louisiana Purchase exposition. The xposition will not be held until 1904. 'he commission for the South Carolina nterstate and West Indian exposition ave an unexpended balance of about 1,000. A detailed statement of their ransactions, showing the exact balnce, will be submitted to you. The resent commission have also handed i their resignations. It will be necesary for you to provide for the appointlent of a new commission if it is deired to have an exhibit at St. Louis, 'his promises to be one of the largest xpositions ever held in any country, nd many of the States will be repreented by extensive exhibits. To make full exhibit from South Carolina will ike more money than the amount now i the hands of the commission, and it s for you to determine whether or not ou will make any appropriation, for his purpose. STATE GEOLOGIST. From the report of the State geoloist, which will be submitted to you. ; will be seen that the greater part of is time has been devoted to an inestigation of the feasibility of underiking the utilization of our large maine beds of phosphate rock and conerting them into commercial fertil:ers. He makes an exhaustive report n this subject, and I direct your atmtion to the same. The State geoloist spent several months in an invesgation and survey of the clay deposits 1 this State. He gives the following sasons for devoting so much time to lis investigation: "First. The very exceptional impormce of the clays as an actual and rospective resource, susceptible of reater extension and development lan any other mineral industry in outh\Carolina. "Second. The very numerous demands ir information from various States, hich could not be satisfied, as nothing lore than a fragmentary examination f this subject had ever been instituted. "Third. The desire of the scientific 'orld for definite data relating to the lay zone of South Carolina, with a iew to differentiating the involved jrmations." From an examination of his report, ou will see that this is a matter of reat importance to this State; the clay eposits are very valuable, and all that } needed to have the industry of util;ing these deposits developed in order > add greatly to the wealth of the tate. Much of the clay that is now eing manufactured is shipped out of le State as raw material, and then rought back and sold as the manuictured article. PHOSPHATE INTERESTS. As to the condition of the phosphate iterests of the State, I direct -your at- | sntion to the report of the phosphate ispector. It may be of value, howover, o give you a table showing the busi- ! ess for the 11 months ending Nov. 30, j )02, and the total business for the year )01. The inspector thinks that the oyalty for December, 1902, will approxnate $2,000, which will make the total oyalty received from this industry for tie year 1902 a little less than for the ear 1901. i i n i I O . i i . ! ? c I * 1 Z> ?> ! ~. ?j ; "? a? 6C as i 25 .Name. J| i.?.! j 1| S ? : ? ^ jjfI !* ?* 1 S tono Co. . .)' 6,658| 6.65S' 8,656! J $1,664 50 josaw Co. .: 3,S10 20,3S3i 16,602i 3,300! 5,095 75 x>saw Co., 1 ! additional. .1 j I ; ! 187 65 mpire Co. J 1,120, 1.120 f 2S0 00 eaufort Co. .132.974126,204; S.472; 19.7921 0,564 95 entral Co. . |35,539143,001? ;43,001j 9,750 25 otals? J | | J j 1902?11 mos. |7S,9Slj&7,42C|32,S52[60,093;$23,543 10 1901-12 mos.;S4,941 97,527 50,800 37,?27 , 26,299 19 i i f I I RAILROAD COMMISSION. The twenty-fourth annual report of j le railroad commissioners will be i ound upon the desks of the members | f the general assembly. It contains a j ery complete synopsis of the railroad j ituation in the State. 'i o rvnA. 4-v.^ ! The mileage is more man o.uw, mc j ross earnings nearly $12,000,000, and he income, less operating expenses and axes, near $4,000,000. During the year, ,061,038 tons of freight have been loved and 744,071 passengers carried, 'he car famine situation has been a ery serious obstacle to the movement f "all railroad business, both freight nd passenger, during the past year, 'his condition has not been applicable i a South Carolina alone, but the entire | ountry has suffered along this line. j There have been several matters of | inusual public interest that have had ! he investigation of the commission, i 'hey have all received careful atten- i ion. The cotton mills of the State sked for a reduction in the local rates n factory products to the port of C'har- j ?ston. An average reduction of 20 per j ent. was made in these rates. The alleged discrimination of the louthern Railway company against the | ity of Charleston was given a very j hcrough hearing and investigation, j ."he indications are that much good will ( esult to the business interests of Char- 1 ?ston from the ventilation of this enirc matter. A full report of the findtigs of the commission in these two ases found in the report. For detailed iformation, you are referred to the reiort THE STATE MILITIA. It is gratifying to be able to give pedal commendation to the military lepartment, and to note the interest' department in his efforts to build up I and energize the militia system of the State. In the face of meagre appropriations and many discouragements, the militia is in good candition, and in any emergency in which the civil law of the commonwealth is jeopardized, or the peace endangered, we have a military force ready and competent to cope with any necessity. In every case in which I it has been necessary for the governor I to call for troops the response has been ; prompt and effective. I most respect: fully urge upon your attention the j great necessity of fostering and sup| r rting this important branch of our j government. It should have your paI triotic interest and liberal care, beI cause upon the strength of the militia of the State rests at last the safety of 1 our structure of civil government. For further information as to the condition of this department, you are directed to the full and exhaustive report of the adjutant and inspector general. STATE BOARD OF HEALTH. The report of the State board of health will be submitted to you. It contains information and suggestions which should receive your careful and favorable consideration. In reviewing the smallpox situation, it is stated that this disease, which was introduced into the country from < Honduras, has prevailed in every State in the union. In this State it has tieen prevaifm 10 u ui icoo caiuu during the winter season, and latterly is showing a greater virulence in the number of deaths which have occurred. For lack of funds the board of health has not been ab)e to enforce vaccination and isolation as they should be enforced, and as these two are the ! only effective means of stamping out j the disease, very little progress has been made in effectively eradicating the disease from the State. The board urges upon your favorable consideration the impo- tance of providing for a State bacteriologist. The value to physicians and to the public of such an officer is most evident. Many lives would be saved as a result of laboratory examination. Your attention is especially directed to this < part of the report of the board. By the appointment of such an officer water, milk and food supplies suspect- J ed of producing disease, could be < tested, and boards of health and phy- 1 sicians could have information as to 1 the source and the cause of infection, 1 and preventive remedies could be ap- '< plied and life and health protected. '< You will be asked to make perma- '> nent by act of the legislature the 1 schools of instruction for health offi- 3 cers and conference of State and local boards of health, and to require that ! all local boards have one or more 1 representatives attend the meetings to be held, and that the ex penses be paid s by the local boards. This is important, for the purpose of obtaining informa- 1 ton of decided value in the handling ? of diseases and practical knowledge ( as to other matters pertaining to health. 1 It is also stated that it is difficult to get reports from local boards of 1 health, and the legislature will be requested to amend the law so as to give the State board more power to secure 1 compliance with the law. * The health of the State has been fairlv crwi hut thprp is nnthiner nf 1 so great importance as the health of ' the people and the prevention of epi- ! demies and the spread of contagious 3 and infectious diseases. ( STATE HOSPITAL FOR THE IN- ! SANE. The .board of regents present in their report a somewhat extended ac- ! count of the development of the State hospital for the insane, and set forth certain conclusions as to the policy of its management, past, present and ; future. Since its foundation over 80 years ago the doors of the institution j once opened have never been closed, even in war, and seldom have patients been refused admission. The demands ( made upon the institution have for \ years frequently been greater than its capacity or means afforded. For the first half of its existence any surplus income from pay patients, who ' came from neighboring States as well ; as from our own, was applied to the 1 maintenance of pauper lunatics, who ' were required to be supported from the county treasuries. Since the bet- * ter system of "State care" was adopt- { ed 30 years ago the annual appropri- ( ations by the general assembly have 1 often been barely enough for necessi- ] ties, and although additional wards J and dormitories have from time to : time been built, the demands for the ; admission of new patients have commonly been in excess of its legitimate hospital capacity. Begun in a small way as an experiment before the care of the insane had been adopted by other States, except Virginia, the asylum has grown ( far beyond the expectations of its . founders and early managers. Through 1 the foresight of the regents the original property has been gradually enlarged by the purchase of adjoining tracts of land till the institution now 1 owns about three hundred and sixty acres. Of this about fifty acres are occupied by the various buildings assigned to hospital, administrative, residential and mechanical purposes and for exercise grounds for the patients, the remainder being used for farming and gardening and thus largely renimlnfr n n o tm't o uuviiig tilt tapua tApcnoto. Nearly fifty years ago the general assembly after long deliberation definitely located the asylum in Columbia ; rather than in the country as was ; seriously advocated by a well informed minority of the regents and resi dent officers. The question of maintaining the negro patients in a sepa- ] rate institution was kept under consideration by the regents and legislative committees for a long while, to be finally decided about a dozen years 1 ago in the negative for geographical as well as for economical reasons. : The State, therefore, has centrally located and practically within Columbia, for the charitable maintenance of its defective classes, a large plant now approximating in value a half million dollars. The growth and expansion of insane asylums in all civilized countries has been such that no one, be he specialist or layman, seems able to prophesy as to their future requirements or limits. During the past year 506 new patients have been admitted to our hopsital, while the daily average has been 1,134 and the total number under treatment 1,611. A condition of overcrowding has for some time existed, which has seriously impaired the usefulness of the institution. After looking into the crowded condition of the inmates of the hospital the State board of heaith v-v-? V* / ! * V? 4 V* /* ' ? >?A **? 4 4 V* r? 4 ' A ? *-* ? I i cv,uiiiiiiciiu 111 tiicii ic^ui c Liiat auuie I steps be immediately taken looking 1 towards its relief. In accounting for this apparently excessive increase of insanity in our midst, both the regents and superintendent dwell upon the fact that our hospital is called upon to admit patients not ordinarily received in other ' asylums. It appears that today, as in 182S, when the first laws governing the original lunatic asylum were enacted "idiots, lunatics and epilectics" are admitted to the hospital, as well as inebriates and the criminal insane provided for at a later period; and besides these many eases of old age and innumerable nervous diseases, which are most worthy objects of charity, but neither medically nor legally insane, and should not therefore be received at all. For a number of years the attention of the general assembly has been directed to these perversions of the legitimate uses of the hospital, but no I remedy has been prescribed. It is ob| vious that the association in one insti \ of the unfortunate is reciprocally harmful and that a separation would be highly beneficial to each. Judging from the history and experience of the past there seer s to be small likelihood that the future, with a constantly increasing population in our State, will bring any result other than a greater number of insane patients to be provided for. It is therefore incumbent upon all of us who are interested in the welfare of the hospital to consider carefully its present management and prepare so far as possible for its legitimate growth, while resticting so far as may be any perversion of its functions. The Georgia asylum now maintains an average of over 2,700 insane patients in one institution, centrally located at Milledgeville. In time it is probable that our State will also be called upon to assume a burden equally large or greater. After long study of the subject the regents are firmly committed to the policy that one centrally located hospital for the insane of both races is best lor our state aiso, Dut tney recommend the future separation of the other defective classes from the insane proper. With the increasing wealth of our State it would appear that some means of relief might at length be effected either by colonizing the epileptics or establishing a hospital for inebriates or founding a school for the feeble-minded, as has already been done in other commonwealths. While such undertakings commend themselves to our humane interests, they doubtless require time, probably years, for their completion. As an immediate means of relief I cannot too strongly recommend the enactment of laws requiring the improvement of our present system of county poor-houses, including the developments within them of hospital wards in which feeble and bedridden pesons might be properly cared for, instead of being sent to the already over-burdened State hospital. Such steps would, I am sure, afford one means of relief to the hospital for both the present and the future. The recent completion of a portion of the Taylor building will give additional accommodation for white men. But it appears that a similar building Is urgently needed for the excitable class of white women. Such a structure would serve not only to better the condition of the white female inmates by at length allowing the transfer of all patients of this class from the old asylum, where two of the six wards are unfortunately occupied by white svomen, the rest being assigned to female negroes, but also give relief to the colored women, many of whom are now housed in the basement of that structure and in inflammable wooden pavilions for want of better iccommodations. The more generous appropriation by the last general assembly has alone enabled the regents and resident officers of the institution to maintain it without deficit during the past year of high prices. Finally, I cannot but recommend the continuance of the generous policy extended by your predecessors for the maintenance of the State hospital by four granting such appropriations as ire asked for by the board of regents. The institution should in truth be made a hospital, but this cannot be lone without adequate financial assistance. At times I fear the lack of means has seriously handicapped the officers in their efforts to develop and maintain the institution up to the high standard to which they havft. aspired, and to make the hospital, as it might to be, one of the best of its kind in the -country. THE DISPENSARY. For the first time since the dispensary law was enacted, it was. not an issue in the political campaign for the governorship the past year, as all of the candidates for governor were pledged to its support and to the strict enforcement of the law. The greatest opposition to the system of State control of the sale of liquors is in the larger cities of the State. As a result there- is illicit sale of liquor in these cities, and there will continue to be until public sentiment in these communities grows more strongly in favor of the dispensary system and jurors regard more sacredly their oath and convict persons who are proven guilty cf the violation of the law. Special constables can accomplish but little where such conditions exist. Fortunately, however, these communities are the exception and in the State generally the law is enforced and the guilty are convicted and punished. The system is a good one for the control of the sale of liquor and that it is violated in some localities is no valid argument against the law. The business the past year has increased, which may be taken as an evilence that the people are becoming more and more in sympathy with the aw, rather than that the consumption of whiskey is increasing. The amount to the credit of the * ? * V- OAH, 1AAO scnooi iuna on i^ovmucr oum, x?v~, was $652,829.22, according- to the quarterly report of the legislative investigating committee, but not available, as it was in stock. The stock on hand November 30th, according to this report, was: In county dispensaries $406,195.05 [n State dispensary .. .. ... .. 324,328.12 $730,523.17 Under the act of the last legislature requiring the directors to pay to the State treasurer quarterly the profits to the credit of the school fund, three payments have been made aggregating $92,755.91. The same act requires that the profits to the credit of the school fund carried as stock shall be reduced by semi-annual payments to $400,000 by the first of January, 1904. Under this requirement $100,000 have been paid to the State treasurer the past year. This makes a total paid to the credit of the school fund during 1902 of $192,755.91. The following figures show the total net profits for the year ending November 30th, 1902, from the sale of liquor and beer: From whiskey to towns and counties $382,688.36 From beer to towns and counties 60,515.40 $443,198.76 Net profits to the State.. .. 123,699.07 Total net profit $566,897.83 From the figures quoted above there was on hand to the credit of the school fund November 30th, 1902, $652,829.22, and the total amount carried in merchandise was $730,518.17. It appears that with the easy facilities of transportation and the frequent purchases which are made that this amount carried in merchandise could be materially reduced without detriment to the business, and yet the directors claim, as you will see from their re port, that it is impossible to run so large a business on any less stock than is now carried. It should be remembered that there are about 125 local dispensaries in the State, and when this stock is divided among them it does not give each a very large amount. It also appears from the statement of the legislative investigating committee that on November oOth. 1902, the dispensary owed for supplies, whiskey, ete., $252,527.36. THE STATE PENITENTIARY. The past year has been a most sue- j cessful one in the history of this institution, as the annual report, which will be submitted to you. will show. Agriculturally, in particular, the year has been very satisfactory, and a sufficiency of everything lias been j made upon the farms to supply the [ farms, reformatory and penitentiary i proper for the ensuing year, and to | V hay, which present prices, will yield about $12,000. Over $4,000 has been expended in permanent improvements. The present condition of the institution evidences careful and prudent management of its affairs by the superintendent and the board of direc! tors. CONVICT STATEMENT. ; Prisoners in confinement December 31, 1901 788 From courts sines that time..183 Recaptured 10 193 981 Discharged.. .. 194 Pardoned 30 Escaped 11 Deaths 45 230 In prison December 31, 1902 701 Twenty-two out of the 45 deaths were of those who died outside of the penitentiary grounds, at chaingang nomno r? v? trnrn oor>t tr? norn'tontio from county ehaingangs or jails in a hopeless condition. FINANCES. Balance cash on hand Dec. 31. 1S01 $11,787.02 Total receipts for, 1902 72,282.19?$84,069.21 Current expenses for 1901 $62,657.07 Expended for permanent improvements, 1901 4,300.00 Balance on hand Dec. 31, 1902 17,112.14?SS4.069.21 In addition to the cash on hand stated above, there is already earned and in sight and available $6,300. The surplus farm products on hand, of the value of $12,000, are also not included in the financial statement. These two items, if added, it will be seen, would increase the cash balance by over $1S,000. HISTORICAL RECORDS. No State in the union has made more history, or more glorious history, than South Carolina. Nor has there been a State which has paid less attention 1 to the preservation of that history. The record books and historical papers have been preserved, but until recently they were scarcely available on account of the condition in which they were kept. The work of indexing and of properly arranging them, however, is now being done, and much historical data of great value is being brought to light. Some years ago, the State went to considerable expense to secure a copy of the colonial records in the public record office in England. These records, which are now in the capitol, should be put in printed shape, so as to be easily accessible to those who may desire to consult them. In addition to these, we have many other valuable records which should be made more easily available. The cost would be insignificant, and it is altogether' probable that the number of copies which could be sold to universities and to public libraries would be more than sufficient to cover the expense of pub lication. J3ut tnat apart, me state should provide for the publication of these records, and should employ some 1 competent historical student properly to arrange the copy and to index the printed books. It is not necessary that the work should be entirely completed in one year, but it should begin at once. 1 The records are priceless, for they ] tell of a great people's glorious past. Students of history are constantly < studying them, at all times, with great 1 inconvenience, and many times at the 11 cost of the universities from which J they are sent. It is a duty which the . State owes to her citizens of the pres- i < ent, and to those who made that history of which these records tell, that these papers should be in such shape ; that they will be easily accessible, and < that they will be preserved in their i entirety. ; DEPARTMENT OF IMMIGRATION. ; It is a noticeable fact, and one at j this time worthy of serious consideration, that the State has no immigration agency, or bureau of immigration. Information in regard to our farming lands is constantly being sought by that class of thrifty farmers in Canada, the cold northwest and New England, who are looking southward for , future homes. We have at present no department from which such information may be obtained, and our great agricultural advantages < count for almost nothing in attracting immigrants. The great majority of the ( other States of the union have long since recognized the need of such an ! agency or department and have made : provision accordingly. I earnestly recommend that you take some action in regard to this matter. If it is not desired that a separate department be created its duties for the present may be devolved upon the secretary of state 1 and the State geologist. SINKING FUND, j On December 31st, 1902, the assets of the cumulative sinking fund for re- ^ duction of S. C. Brown 4 1-2 pr cent. 1 bonds and stocks amounted to $459,- ' I 684.83, so invested as to yield from 4 to | 5 per cent, annual interest. ' The assets of the ordinary sinking fund at the close of the year 1902 were $57,607.37, similarly invested. The insurance sinking fund created ; by the act of 19th February. 1900, "to provide for State insurance of public ; buildings," which did not become oper- j ative until January 1st, 1901, on Decern- . ber 31st, 1902, amounted to $6,532.67, ; after paying a loss of $844.30. . CONCLUSION. ( I have endeavored to obey the man- . date of the constitution to review the j' 1 departments of government and to I; 1 make such suggestions as have seemed I to me proper. In taking leave of you, | you will permit to say that my earnest prayer shall always be for the welfare of all the people of South Carolina. I trust that your deliberations may reflect credit upon your judgment and that whatever you do may redound to the good of the State we all love so well. I am sure you will have the hearty cooperation and sympathy of my successor in all things that tend to promote civil liberty, high ideals of citizenship and the continued happiness and prosperity of the people. You should lay aside all personal interests and let your best efforts be directed to maintaining a government that will bring peace to the people: that will instill a love of country; that will devolp the highest type of true manhood, and that will "conform to the highest ideals of civic virtue." M. B. McSweeney, , Governor. ? beaboara Air Line Kauway i\ew city Offices. The Seaboard Air Line Railway begs to announce the opening of its uptown Freight and Passenger Offices at the Palmetto Bank Building, 1323 Main street We will be pleased to quote ! rates, sell tickets and furnish sched-! ules, etc., to all points in Florida, the east and west. J. J. PULLER, Traveling Passenger agent. C. W. SMALL, City Passenger and Ticket Agent. Bell 'Phone 574. A large Capeline in fancy Tuscan of a natural deep yellow tone, is rolled back in front and folded over behind the oars. The underside of the straw is plain, whereas the outer shows a small pattern, principally composed of tiny, bead-like spots worked in the straw. Over the rolled and folded down portions, which are therefore plain, is draped a deep croam-colored lace searf knotted at the back. On the low crown on the outer side of the brim are arranged in a seemingly unstudied fashion, rose sprays with tender green \ I Bone Pains, Itching, Scabby Skin Diseases. Cancers, Blood Troubles, Pimples, Sores Permanently cured by taking Botanic Blood Balm. It destroys the active Poison in die blood. If vou hare aches and pains in bones. bt>ck and joints. Itching Scabby Skin. Blood feels hot. Swollen Glands, Risings and Bumps on the Skin, Mucus Patches In Mouth, Sore Throat. Pimple*, Copper-Colored Spots, all run-down. Ulcers on any part of the hody. Hair or Eyebrows falling out. take Botanic Blood Balm, guaranteed to cure even the worst and most deep-seated cases where doctors, patent medicines and hot springs faiL Heales all sores, stops all aches and pains, reduces all swellings, makes blood pure and rich, completely changing the entire body into a clean, healthy condition. B.B.B. has cured thousands after reaching the last stages of Blood Poison. Old Bheumatism, Catarrh, Eczema, Itching Humors, Scrofula are caused by an awful Poisoned condition of the Blood. B.B.B. stops Hawking and Spitting, Itching and Scratching; cures Rheumatism, Catarrh: heals all Scabs, Scales. Eruptions, Watery Blisters, foul festering Sores; by giving a pure, healthy blood supply to atfected parts. Blood Balm Cures Cancers of nil Kinds, Suppurating Swellings. Eating Sores, Tumors, ugly '"leers. It kills the Cancer Poison and heals the 'ores or worst cancer perfectly. It' you have a persistent Pimple, Wart. Swellings. Shooting, Stinging Pains, take Blooa Balm and they will disappear before they develop into Cancer. Ol'K <;l \ KA\TrF 1Buy a large bottle for $1, of any (Iriiggist, take a? directed. Botanic Blood Hitlin { B. 11.11.) nhvays euren when the right quantity U taken. If not cured your money will promptly be refunded, without areuirent. ? Botanic Blood Balm (B.B.B.) is Pleasant and safe to lake. Thoroughly tested for 30 years. Composed of Pure Botanic Ingredients. Strengthens weak kidneys and weak stoniachs.cures dyspepsia. Complete directions go with each bottle. Sample of B.B.B. and Pamphlet Sent Free by writing Blood Balm Co., Atlanta, fla. Describe your trouble, and special free medical advice, to suit your case, also sent in sealed letter. BMINe CURED BY White Ribbon Remedy No taste. No odor. Can be given in ?lass of water, tea, or coffee without patient's Knowledge. White Ribbon Remedy will cure or Jestroy the diseased appetite for alcoholic stimulants, whether the patient is a confirmed inebriate, a "tippler," social drinker or drunkard. Impossible for anyone to have an appetite for alcoholic liquors after us' g White Ribbon Remedy. Druggists or by mail $1. Trial package free hv writing Mrs. A. M. Townsend (for years secretary of a Woman's Christian Temperance Union), 218 Tremont street, Boston, Mass. For sale by Murray Drug Company, Columbia, 3. C. A Bottle of Smart's Giifand Buchu FREE! Cures Diseases of the Kidneys, Bladder and Prostate Gland. Stuart's Gin and Buchu will clear up all deposits in the urine. It will relieve all pain in the Bladder, Kidneys, Small of the Back. It will cure Diabetes. It will remove every trace of Albu men. It will stop Frequency of \Trination. It will positively cure Drops-*. It will both prevent and cure Brlght's Disease. It will stop Losses and relieve Obstructions. It will cure Cystitis and Enlarged Prostate Gland. It creates a tremendous Appetite ind perfect digestion. It tones up, heals and strengthens^ ALL mucous membranes, and hence ~ v cures all forms of catarrh, whether of the bladder, prostate gland, nose, throat, stomach or bronchial tubes. It is pleasant to take. Stuart's Gin and Buchu $1 per bottle. All druggists, or by express, prepaid. To prove it cures a sample bottle sent free and prepaid to any one writing Stuart Drug Co., Atlanta, Ga. Don't hesitate to write as we have set aside 15,000 bottles for free distribution, so that every one may know by personal trial what Stuart's Gin and Buchu will do. There are no conditions, so write it once. AGENTSWANTED Men of good repute, with or without experience, can secure very liberal contracts to write business for the Pcnn Mutual Life Insurance Company. Incorporated 1847. Assets fifty-two million dollars. If you are \n position to consider an agency for 1903, write for terms before making engagements elsewhere. Address J. S. LAND, General Agent, COLUMBIA, S. C. ? . .J Tr.i Frank P. Milburn, Architect, Columbia, S. C<