Keowee courier. (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, January 09, 1901, Supplement, Image 7
.". 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