University of South Carolina Libraries
.". i.v. '' 'i ' ".? . ? ' ? . ?.. since its foundation over 7,000 have been received since 1875, while 3,900 have been' admitted m'the'last decade. The admissions for last year were 448, the largest annual number ever received. It bas long been claimed that thc institution is imposed upon-by the classiof patients sont lo it. In other words, that the benefaction of the State is abused. Iii response to thc question what classes of persons are admitted to tho Hospital, thc Regents state that "Hy the original law of 1828, idiots, lunatics and epileptics and to these have been added inebriates ?and th? criminal insane by legal pro vision, while an clastic interpretation of existing statutes has gradu ally included all thc undesirable ?Ui?nents of our communities : im beciles, incorrigibles, waifs, the blind, and many aged persons dotards, who properly belong to county almshouses." This state ment explains in some degree the rapid growth in the population - bf the Hospital in thc last twenty-five years. So that, properly interpreted, these appalling figures do not necessarily imply such an enormous increase of cases of acute insanity in our midst. The real fact being, according to statistics presented by Dr. Babcock, that recently occurring cases cf lunacy are not increasing in our State out of proportion to thc increase of population. A final analysis of the figures presented shows that about one person per thousand of our population annually becomes, a patient in the In sane Hospital, and that thc cost of thc support of such patients is about $100 per capita per year. In my last message I suggested that measures be taken by the General Assembly looking to the erection of Poor Houses in those Counties which had not provided them, and towards the improve ment of those already existing. The financial management of the Hospital, through thc oversight and efficiency of Mr. J. W. Bunch, thc treasurer, is its best feature, and will bc thc subject of a special report of ? committee appointed by tlie General Assembly. During the past year thc per capita lias remained substantially thc same as. for several years. Upon a business basis thc Regents of the Hospital ask for appro priations for these specific purposes and amounts : Maintenance. . . . ..$100,000 Improvements and Repairs. 10,000 Payment of Wallace, debt. 4,120 Regents Account.. . . . 1,200 $115,320 I also take pleasure in commending thc earnestness and efficiency of Dr. J. W. Babcock, thc Superintendent of this Institution. THE STATE PENITENTIARY. The annual report of thc Board of Directors and Superintendent of the Penitentiary shows a most gratifying condition of affairs at this institution. While no money will bc covered into the State Treasury this year, yet permanent improvements have been made out of the net earnings amounting, in round numbers, to $20,000, and there is still a cash balance on hand for current expenses of about $5,000. In addition to this, thc farms have yielded corn and provisions sufficient to run thc institution until thc next crop is har vested. The number of convicts remains practically the same as one year ago. A modern prison, which was very much needed, is nearing completion, within the walls of the Penitentiary, at a cost of $14,500. In addition to being a safe prison, it is built with a view to the health and comfort of thc prisoners, and will bc paid for out of the net earnings of thc Penitentiary during the past year. At the last session of the Legislature provision was made for thc erection of a Reformatory for youthful criminals. A neat and substantial frame structure for this purpose has been erected on the Lexington farm, in which will bc kept all prisoners under 16 years of age. While it will be thc purpose of thc Superintendent to furnish them instruction in morals and, if possible, make better citizens of them when they arc released, yet they will bc required to labor as other prisoners, but will be kept entirely separate from the older and more hardened criminals. At present there arc only fourteen prisoners under 16 years of age, and these are all negroes. A good many needed and permanent improvements have also been made on the State farms, and everything there is now in good condition. There has been some discussion in regard to thc ad visability of thc State owning and eperating farms. A careful ami thoughtful investigation of the subject, I am sure, will convince you that ic would not be good business judgment to dispose of these farms. It requires only 140 convicts to operate the farms, and in this way corn and provisions and other things necessary for the support of thc convicts arc made at less expense thai, they could bc purchased. It is argued by sonic that these convicts could be worked upon the public roads. I am as heartily in favor of anything that would give us good roads as anyone, but I do not see how thc State could undertake this work except through the Counties. It would be a good plan if those counties in which chaingangs arc 1 maintained would so arrange as to secure enough prisoners from the State to keep up a good chaiugang force all the time. From thc best information available, and from those who have had experience with chaingangs, it is not profitable, even to thc County, to main tain a chaiugang when the number falls below fifteen. In most of the counties the average is below that number. Thc farming out of convicts to individuals should bc discontinued. If this were done it would call in 475 convicts who arc now hired out to individuals and that number put on the roads in thc various counties in the State where chaingangs arc maintained would in a few years greatly improve our public roads and at thc same time not interfere with thc Slate farms. The present system of chaingangs in most of the Counties is a very expensive luxury, biit by the Counties hiring a sufficient number of convicts from thc State, as suggested above, we could very soon have in those Counties a good system of public roads, and nothing could be done that would add more to thc com fort and convenience and saving to thc people who live in the rural districts. A system of good roads would do vcrv mitch to stop the flow of population from thc country to the towns. Thc Counties could not spend thc public money more wisely, or with greater benefit to the public, than by maintaining a good chaiugang in cadi County on permanent road building. Good roads would bring churches, and schools, and towns closer to every country home, in addition to thc saving which would result from the wear and tear upon stock and vehicles; and upon thc people themselves. And this can bc done by wisc legislation without interfering in thc least with the management or maintenance of thc State farms. I submit here with a statement showing the operations of thc State Penitentiary for the past year. CONVICT STATEMENT. Prisoners in confinement Dcccmb.r 31, 1899. 801 From Courts since that date.246 Recaptured.11- 257 1,058 Discharged.187 Pardoned.24 Escaped.22 Killed while trying to escape.'.. 1 Died..29- 2<>3 Jin prison December 31, 1900, 795 FINANCES. Balance cash0:1 nanci 'pee. 31, 1890. , .'. . .$ 9,886.67 Total receipts for 1900. ..65,926.36- $75,813.03 Total disbursements for itjoo.,. . . 71,879.91 Cash on hand Dccembci 31, 1900..$ 3,933.1a To this should be added 328 babs cotton.,.13,120.00 Due for oats and convict hire. 2,962.00' New prison.....$14,649.00 Less amount still due contractor. 5,202.45 $ 9.446.55 Reformatory.. . .. .. 1,000.00 Artesian wells. . .. v. 1,220.00 Barn.>. 2,000.00 Gravel roof Hosiery Mill". . .. <. 450.00 New boiler, etc. . ..... v. 1,100.00 Recovering guards'quarters. ... .. . 110.00 Mowers, binders, mules, cte. 1,142.00 $16,468.55 This amount is included in thc total disbursements above men tioned, and when added to the cash assets above named shows a net earning of the institution for tile past year of $36,483.67, and tl??3 docs not include thc corn and other material on hand and grown on thc farm the p?st year for the maintenance of the institution this year, and neither is it included in the item of total receipts. In fact, the figures here given show thc total receipts to have been $82,008.36. I congratulate you on the excellent management of this institution.' INSTITUTION, FOR THE EDUCATION OF, THE DEAF AND THE BLIND. The Fifty-second Annual Report of the South Carolina Institution for thc Education of the Deaf abd the Blind shows an average at tendance of 157 pupils, which is the largest in thc history of thc School. Thirty-six Counties arc represented. Thc expenditure* have been kept within thc appropriation. The per capita cost re mains about the same. The building for colored, pupils, for which the Legislature niade an appropriation at the last session, is in process of erection, and will be ready for occupancy by the be ginning of tlie next school term. The Superintendent will ask for an appropriation of $20,000 for support and $20,000 (or the erection of a school building and $4,500 for other improvements and repairs which arc needed. The appropriation for support which is asked this year is the same as was made by the last Legislature, and the Superintendent says that the institution cannot be run on a less amount with thc present number of pupils. In his annual report it is stated, "The time has come in the history of the institution when it will be necessary to limit the number of pupils admitted or to arrange for the accommodation of a greater number." The new building which it is proposed to erect for the sum of $20,000 is for recitation rooms, with a chapel, or auditorium. Thc Constitution says: "Institutions for tile care of thc insane, blind, deaf and dumb and thc poor shall always bc fostered and supported by this State." It is for you to determine whether or not provision shall be made for the increased number of these unfortunates who arc seeking ad mission to this institution. For a detailed statement ot the work and needs of the institution you arc respectfully referred to the .rci^rt of thc superintendent. TAXATION. Government has no right to take more from thc people than is absolutely necessary for a wisc and economical administration of the affairs of the State, and it should be so taken.that thc burden.will bear evenly on all property. It is the duty of every citizen t? con tribute. Iiis portion to thc support of thc government in prob rtion to Iiis ability. This is the standard laid down in our Consti. ",011. That taxation docs not bear evenly upon all property is patent to every thoughtful person. If you can in your wisdom devise any plan by which the assessment of property for taxation can be more equitably made and all the property of the State can bc placed on thc tax books you will have contributed much to lighten thc burden on that class of property which in its nature cannot escape taxation. In some of the States tax inquisitors arc provided to discover property that is omitted from thc tax list. There is no doubt that a great deal of property escapes taxation which should be. on the books and made to bear its portion of the burden, and some plan should be devised by which this property can bc reached. Missouri has adopted a law which provides for the taxation of mortgages, and thc man who owns thc property has it assessed at the value of the property, less thc value of thc mortgage, and the owner of thc mortgage is required to pay tax upon thc value of his mortgage. Some such provision in our laws would bc just and equitable, for it is not right for thc owner of the property to pay taxes upon the full value when in reality his ownership is only thc value of the property less thc value of thc mortgage. It would not be right to tax the property at its full value and then tax the mortgage, for that would bc paying taxes upon thc same property twice. This question of taxation is worthy of your attention, for it is one of vital importance to all of our people. RAILROADS. The Twenty-second Annual Report of the Board of Railroad Commissioners contains a very full exhibit of the operations of-the roads within the State for thc past fiscal year. An examination of the report will familiarize, you with thc duties of this very important department of our State govern ment. You will doubtless bc gratified to note that the general prosperity of the year has benefited the railroad interest, and that thc roads as a whole arc in good condition, both mat.-lally and financially. There is a gradual improvement in thc roadways ; thc trestles and bridges have been strengthened, as required by thc increased capac ity of thc rolling stock and thc large increase of the tonnage. There has been considerable improvement in the depot accommodations, sonic new ones constructed, and many cid ones repaired. There har, been constructed and received for public business since thc last re port about 200 miles of new road within thc State. The gross earn ings of tlie roads have about reached thc $10,000,000 mark. The entire operating expenses and taxes amount to about $7,000,000 leaving a balance with which, in a large measure, to liquidate the interest on thc bonded indebtedness. Some few roads have paid a small dividend on their stock. Thc report shows some of thc vexed questions that were brought to the attention of thc Board, and a full statement is made of thc disposition of thc same, demonstrating thc fact that thc Commission has endeavored to adjust all diff?rences between the public and thc roads in a just and reasonable manner. Thc prosperity of the rail roads of a-State is a good index to the general prosperity of the people. PENSIONS. For several years thc Stale has been doing what she could for thc few remaining old Confederate soldiers and thc widows of soldiers f'"?"".ll ??.ilHMI'M I.? who aro in need of its aid. It should tic a matter o? congratulation to eycrV patriotic son that we have been able 'to do y.-ha^ wc have, and a source o? regret that wc are not able to clo more. Th? trouble with our pension laws is the tendency lo abuse them,.and in many eases those who are really deserving ^o without the assistance they need, and to which they a/k entitled; but better that a hundred who arc not entitled to it: should receive aid than that one deserving cid soldier should suffer in his oki age for the want o? such kelp as the State and tlie people he served so well are justly due him. At the 'hist session of thc Legislature a new pension law was en acted, winch has not yet been tested. Thc new law is intended to reduce thc number of pensioners now on the roll, and,to have on the list only those who at e worthy, and to give them ii sum sufficient to. be a real help to them. In order to carry out thc purpose o? this law a new set of blanks have been sent out, and thc roll tor this year will be completely revised. In view o? this fact, it would be well to give thc present pension law a fair trial, and to make snell an appro priation fdr tile old soldiers as the General Assembly may in its wisdom fet.i that the State is able to spend for this purpose. Last year the appropriation was $ioo,ooo, and there were on the pay-roll 7,707 pensioners, of whom 4,575 were soldiers and 3,132 were widows of soldiers. I recommend that there be no reduction in the appropriation for this worthy cause. STATE MILITIA. During my administration several occasions have arisen in which thc civil authorities have called upon me as Commander-in-Chief for flip assistance of the Militia to preserve the peace and ayert riot ami bloodshed in the State. In each and every case the volunteer troops have responded to my orders with alacrity and enthusiasm, and in every instance, by their promptness and coolness, law and order were enforced without loss of life or property. In the recent threatened riot at Georgetown, caused by the killing of an officer in the dis charge of his duty, by a negro, it is attested by Mayor Morgan and the best citizens of that city that but for the timely presence of the volunteer troops the civil authorities would haye been overwhelmed, and tlic city reduced to riot and bloodshed, and probably destruction of property. With thc rapid progress the State is making-the cen treing of populous industrial activities herc and there all over thc State-the ever present problem of another distinct race in our midst may warn us that wc are ever liable to such occurrences as the Georgetown riot, and to meet such conditions, and to protect the lives and property of our citizens, the State has ho other appeal, no other means so adequate or reliable, nothing else so satisfying to thc people as thc presence of a well organized, thoroughly equipped body of soldiers. Therefore, if thc Militia is a necessity when calam ity threatens the peace and good order of society it is the bounden duty of the State to make liberal provision in the line of wise economy to foster and maintain it, for under the genius of our system of government thc Militia, or citizen soldiery, is, and must always remain, the court of last resort in the maintenance and en forcement of law and order. Aside from my personal knowledge and observation, as Commander-in-Chief, it gives me pleasure to note the expressions of satisfaction that constantly reach mc in praise of the progress and improvement of our Militia system under thc abie con trol and direction of that department, and I do not hesitate in ad vising the General Assembly to provide as liberally as our means will allow for thc maintenance and advancement o? thc Militia, feeling, as I do, that every dollar appropriated will bc wisely and economically disbursed in thc interest and steady improvement of the service. I respectfully refer you to the Adjutant General's report, which covers in detail thc entire operations of the Adjutant General's Department for the last fiscal year in a most satisfactory manner. CHICK AM AUGA BATTLEFIELD. At thc last session of thc Legislature $10,000 was appropriated for thc purpose of creeling a monument to the South Carolina soldiers on the Chiekaniauga Battlefield. Thc Governor was authorized to appoint a Commission, consisting of three Confederate soldiers, with the Governor as Chairman, to have charge of the erection of this monument. I appointed as members of that Commission Gen. C. I. Walker, Col. J. Harvey Wilson, Capt. C. K. Henderson. The Com mission visited thc battlefield and selected the location bf the various markers, designating thc positions of thc South Carolina troops. They also selected thc location for the large monument for all South Carolinians who fought and who fell on that historic battlefield. The Commission called for designs and bids. Several plans and bids were submittci, and, after carefully considering all of them, the contract was awarded to the Stewart Stone Company, of Columbia, S. C., as their designs impressed thc commission as the most suit able, and they also offered to do the work at the lowest price. The total cost for markers and pavement around the monument, and for the monument itself, is $9,450. Thc work on the markers has been done, and that on thc monument is nearly completed. The monu ment is 32 feet high, and will be a handsome shaft, made of South Carolina granite, surmounted, by a bronze palmetto tree emblematic of our State, and flanked on two sides by two bronze statues, each of a Confederate infantryman and artilleryman, these figures represent ing f iie only arms of thc service from South Carolina on that battle field. It is proposed to unveil the monument in July, 1901, that being thc time of the reunion of the United Confederate Veterans at Memphis, Tenn. This time has been selected so that many veterans and our people generally may have an opportunity of attending the cere monies while on their way to tue United Confederate Veterans' Re union, and thus be able to secure the advantages of the low rates of larc given on that occasion. 'The Commission feels that it would be very appropriate for the entire Legislature to bc present at the dedication of this memorial which they have caused to bc erected to the gallant sons of the State who on this sacred spot offered their lives with distinguished gal lantry for their beloved country. The spot selected for the monu ment is one held by the intrepid courage of thc brave men of Ker shaw's Brigade as they victoriously swept toward Snodgrass Range, and every marker shows the spot where South Carolina valor was displayed. THE BLACK REPORT. In my last Annual Message to the Legislature I called attention to the importance of securing the report made by Mr. John A. Black lo thc Legislature iii 1858 in regard to thc claim of thc State against the General Government on account of thc Revolutionary War, and sug gested thc importance of provision being made for search for this report, which was supposed to bc in one of thc old rubbish rooms of the State House. Thc Legislature made an appropriation and di rected the Governor and the State Treasurer to employ some one to go through this rubbish room to see if this report could be found. Thc report was unearthed amongst this old rubbish and has been forwarded to Senator Tilluian along with other papers and docu ments bearing on this subj?ct. I will submit to you a Special Mes sage covering this matter. SPECIAL COURTS. At thc last session of thc General Assembly there was an Act passed providing for Special Courts, and stating how they should be obtained, and also fixing thc salary of the special judge. In fixing this salary, however, the General Assembly failed lo provide any lund out of which it should bc paid. During thc past year four i