University of South Carolina Libraries
lewis \i. wrist, proprietor, j 5U $nbf)pbfnt Jfamil]) fttfospapfr: Jror % |lroinofi(tit of f|t. $|oIiticnI, Serial, ^grintlfiiral anb Conmttrrial Interests of fjit Soutj). |terms--$2.50 a year, in advance. VOL. 29. YOEKVILLE, S. C., THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1883. NO. 49. Jfate J^faws. ~THE GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE. The State of South Carolina, f Executive Chamber, ; Columbia, S. C., November 27,1883. J Gentlemen of the General Assembly: In the performance of. my official duty, I have the honor to transmit the following Message: the public debt. At the date of the last report the debt ol the State was $6,571,825. During the last fiscal year a few bonds were issued under special Acts, and the sinking fund commission purchased and cancelled $41,207.67 ol deficiency bonds, thus reducing the amount of the debt to $6,531,290.63. There has been also a slight reduction of this amount by rtp fiwanri pat* rratrn lilC gllUXUUl CAtUUU^C Ul Uiwu 1U1 utv?n consols, and the elimination of the individuality in the former class of bonds. The estimated invalidity of the Green consols still outstanding is about 72 per cent. The comptroller general reports that very little 1 progress has been made itr funding the old T bonds under the Act of 1873 and its amendments. This is to be attributed to one of 9 of two causes: either large amounts of these bonds have been destroyed, or the invalidity in those unfunded is much greater than has been estimated. In either case the debt cannot exceed the amount now reported, and it will probably fall much below that amount. The whole debt bears interest at six per cent. As the interest becomes due, it is paid promptly In New York, Charleston and Columbia. The scrip of the Agricultural Colleges, amounting to $191,800, is a permanent investment. The deficiency bonds and stocks, amounting to $461,4o6.29, mature in 1888; the consols, amounting to $o,878,034, in 1893. The State securities sell above par, the premium being limited only by the short period which the debt has to run before maturity. There is no floating debt, the revenues of the Sifofo nro eniHMpnt. tn meet, the annronria tion?, and all valid claims are met promptly upon presentation. With a continuance of the present management of the finauces of the State, the debt, when it matures, can be refunded at a lower rate of interest. REVENUES AND EXPENSES. The comptroller general estimates that it will require $348,235 to meet the ordinary expenses of the Government during the present fiscal year. To this amount must be added $391,878 for interest on the public debt, making $740,113. The proceeds of the phosphate royalty and the probable surplus in the treasury, estimated at $197,251, > will reduce the amount to $542,862, which can be raised by a levy of four mills. For the last three years the Legislature has authorized temporary loans to meet the interest on the State debt as it fell due. This course has been rendered necessary by the fact that the interest becomes due before the collection of taxes is completed. The banks of deposit have permitted over-drafts, charging interest only from the dates of the drafts. This liberal action has enabled the State treasurer, at small expense, to meet the interest on the debt as it has fallen due. A financial panic would render it difficult, and might render it impossible to obtain from the banks the amount necessary to meet, promptly, the interest on the debt. Such aresult would be disastrous to the credit of the State, and all chance of its occurrence should be avoided if possible. This matter has been called to your attention heretofore, but its importance makes it proper that I snould recur to it. If the tax levy is increased sufficiently to raise the amount required to pay the interest on the debt, and the first serai-annual payment of taxes is made compulsory, the State treasury will be relieved from further dependence on the KanL-a and +Vip rairinc r?f thp intprpst, made U(VUAO| UHU VI1V V* vaav certain beyond all contingencies. Until this is done, it will continue to be necessary to authorize temporary loans to meet the interest on the debt. Another plan which is worthy of consideration would be to levy a small additional tax each year for this special purpose until a sufficient surplus is accumulated to meet the interest for one year. RETURNS OF PROPERTY. The amount of property returned for taxation in 1882 was $145,442,292. The amount returned for 1883 is: Real Estate 8 87,131,401 Personal property 4S,249,939 Railroad property 15,227,964 Total $150,609,304 This is an increase in one year of $5,167,012. Encouraging as this increase is, it is doubtful whether the property returned is not assessed below its value, and it is certain that much of the property in the State liable for taxation, is not returned at all. The comptroller-general estimates that at least 2,000,000 acres of laud in this State liable for taxes, do not appear upon the tax returns. The secretary of State, in his report to the commissioners of the sinking fund, calls attention to the fact that in Richland county liom aro ahniif 10 OOO nortic r?f lonrl nnt ro. turned for taxation. The same Is doubtless true, to a greater or less extent, of all the counties. To lind and locate the land not returned for taxation, it would be necessary fo cause full surveys of the State to be made. The increased revenues from these lands would more than repay the cost of the surveys. TAX LAWS. Experience has shown that in many respects our tax laws are defective. The burden of taxation is made to weigh unequally, because both of want of uniformity in the laws and of effectiveness in their execution. The present system of assessment and taxation is cumbersome and not suited to our people. It should be revised and simplified. As one of the commissioners of the sinking fund, I have had the opportunity to observe the operation of the laws governing what are known as forfeited lands, and that observation lias shown methat those laws offer special inducements to owners of land not to pay taxes. The reports of the secretary of State show each year a large increase in the amount of land held nominally by the commissioner of the sinking fund for nonpayment of taxes. In the large majority of cases, by reason of the difficulties in the way of the enforcement of the law, the owners retain possession of the lands, all the benefits of which they enjoy without pay ing taxes. The report of the comptroller general, with the full and carefully compiled tables, furnishes much valuable information on our present system of taxation. This report, containing as it does the results of large experience and patient research, should receive, as it deserves, your careful consideration. I would suggest for your consideration the propriety of the creation by the General Assembly of a commission to revise our tax laws. It will be difficult, if not impossible, to correct the evils in the present system by amendments to the law, and I doubt whether in the time usually allowed for the session of the General Assembly this subject could receive the full investigation which its importance demands. If the revision ol the tax laws is undertaken, it should be done well and thoroughly. To prepare a proper system will require time, thorough investigation and acquaintance with the practical working of the laws now in force in this State. A commission composed of men who are familiar with this subject could present to thq. next General Assembly a well mat?recr scheme for the assessineirt and taxation of property. The cost of such a commission would be small and insignificant in comparison with the results which I believe would be obtained. The present rate of taxation is low, but it can be still further reduced by the assessment at its true valuation of all taxable property in theState. The amount required to meet theexpenseof the government must be raised, whether the valuation of property be high or low. To the taxpayer it matter? not that the valuation of his property is increased if the rate of taxation is diminished in the same ratio. One, and not the least of the evils arising from the defects in oui tax laws is the incorrect impression produced by our reports when sent abroad as to the value of property in the State, and as to the rate of taxation necessary to meet the exj penses of the State Government. The report of the commissioners of the ! sinking fund contains important sugges. tions with regard to changes in the law j which are necessary to make perfect titles to the purchasers of forfeited lands. ! EDUCATION. The results of the work of the last year in : this important field are most gratifying. In f every part of the State is developing a de ; j gree of interest in education plainly indi i eativeofaprevailingsenseof returning pros.! perity among our people, and of their praer tical recognition of the principles upon ;! which true progress rests. All the schools j and institutions of learning within oui | borders, and especially those included in i the educational system of the State, have felt the influence of this awakened populai . | interest. ; j PUBLIC SCHOOLS. The report of the superintendent of eduI cation shows that there were enrolled in the : public schools during the year 74,157 white ! ~ - ,1 no noo ni mill ito^uoo UUlUiVU pujjiift, uiaaui^ <v ivuu \ft 173,09."). This is an increase of 37,121 over the large enrolment for the preceding year. From a comparison of this enrolment with the data furnished by the census of 1880, it appears that over 73 per cent, of the white children and nearly 55 per cent, of the colored children of the State between the ages of six and sixteen years were in attendance on the public schools. The average length of the school session was four months. The whole number of teachers employed was 3,494, of which 2,1(55 were white and 1,329 were colored, an increase since the last report of 81. The number of schools in operation was 3,269, an increase of 86. The claims against the school fund, amounting in 1877 to ?209,940.66, being all settled, the entire proceeds of the poll tax are now available for the support of the schools. The report embraces interesting statements of the work done in the State Normal Institutes held during the months | of July and August. I know from careful observation the valuable influence which these institutes have exerted upon the educational interests of the State, and I cordially recommend the appropriation for their continued support. I desire to repeat what I have already had occasion to say while occupying another official position, that our public school system must find its full development by means of local taxation for the support of the schools. In but few of the States of this Union is the rate of State taxation for public schools as high as it is in South Carolino in nnnp i? if hicrhpr Tn tllOSP States which have the best systems of public schools the funds are raised chiefly by local taxation. Experience in this State, wherever the plan has been tried, shows that it is well suited to the wants of our people. Each community knows best its own needs, and its citizens will take more interest in schools established and supported by themselves than in those maintained and controlled by any other authority. The necessity for local self-government is as great in the control of the educational as of political affairs. Whenever the power to levy local fovot! fnr ?r?hr?nl? is ennferred hv the General Assembly, it should be guarded by such restrictions as will protect the rights of property and prevent unjust and burdensome taxation. I refer to this matter not to recommend any legislation, but because the welfare of the State depends so much upon the development of the public school system that I deem it my duty to call to the attention of the members of the General Assembly the mode of taxation which experience has shown will best promote the efficiency of the public schools. The great mass of the children of the State must depend upon the public schools for education, and these schools cannot be maintained without funds raised by taxation. The need for good high schools is a pressing one, which becomes each year more apparent. Those communities which desire to establish such schools should be permitted to do so by supplementing the State fund with local levies for schools. The report of the superintendent of education contains important suggestions for promoting the efficiency of the public school system. CLAPLIN COLLEGE. This institution, which is situated at Orangeburg, was founded in 18C9, and is designed for the higher education of colored youthsof both sexes. Since 1N7P thirty graduates have received the diploma of the institution. The president reports that besides the graduates many students who pursued partial courses at the College are engaged in teaching and in various industrial pursuits. The services of the graduates are much sought for in the public schools. The courses of study include a classical and scientific course, such as is usually pursued in colleges in this country, a normal school, a college preparatory department and a grainmar school. Attached to the institution is a farm of 150 acres, which is cultivated chiefly by the labor of the students. Many of the students support themselves by labor on the farm, for which they are paid in cash. A mechanical department has beer added recently for the purpose of giving practical instruction in industrial pursuits. The enrolment of students for the lasl year was 424, of whom 30 were in the collegiate department and 11 in the normal schools. Under the judicious management of the president the institution is steadily enlarging the scope of its work and increasing its efficiency. It well deserves the continued support of the State. THE MILITARY ACADEMY. The report of the board of visitors, which will he submitted to you, will give full information with regard to the work of the first year since the reorganization of this institution. The enrollment on the 1st of October last was 15"?; of this number, sixtyeight, being two from each county, are maintained wholly at the expense of the State. In accordance with terms made before their admission, beneficiary cadets will be required for two years after thei r graduation to teach in the public schools of the county from which they receive their appointments. The beneficiary cadets are chosen by competitive examinations. Great care is taken to select the beneficiaries from deserving youths who have not the means to meet the expenses of their education. The charge for pay cadets is $300 per annum?this beingthe estimated cost to the institution of each cadet. This amount covers all charges for clothing, tuition, subsistence and medical attendance. j ueneficiary caciets must op residents 01 I this State, but pay cadets are received from any State. The academic board now consists of a su! perintendent, three professors and three assistant professors. | liy direction of the President of the United I States, an officer of the army has been de; tailed as professor of military science and tactics at the Academy. " The building has been thoroughly repair! ed and refitted and scientific apparatussuffi | cient for present wants supplied. The two i lowest classes have been formed. The othi er two classes will be formed in regular sue;! cession at the beginning of each academic i j year until the organization is complete. ; While the courses of study are designed to j be as near as practicable like those pursued ; at West Point, the aim of the South Caroli' na Military Academy is now, as it was in i f the past, to prepare young men for the va> j rious callings of life by wholesome discip line, by practical and scientific training, and ; by the cultivation of all their powers, phys ical, mental and moral. From the founda* tion of the Academy in 1843 until it was I closed in 18Go, about 1,800 young men of the ; State were educated in whole or in pari - within its walls. In all the vocations of life 51 they vindicated the wisdom of the states men of South Carolina who founded and I maintained the institution. The large num, her of young men who since its reorganize I j I tion have sought admission into the Acade- j t I! my furnishes the best evidence of its value c > i to'the State in the past and of its usefulness j \ > I as a part of our present education system. 1 J No settlement has yet been effected of the ! 1 ; claim of the State against the Federal Gov-! L > eminent for the use and occupation of the J1 i buildings of the Academy. The Federal j r r j Government held possession of these build- c 51 ings for about seventeen years after the close ! I of the civil war. During that time one of i ^ the wings was destroyed by fire. No com- i I t pensation has ever been made to the State , L for the use of the buildings or for the de- ; t . struction of the wing. A claim for such J c compensation is now pending before tne j r secretary of war. There can be no doubt that j f this claim will be equitably adjusted. The c ( building is now, as it was at all times since $ . its erection, the property of the State. All r that the State asks is that just and reasona- t L ble compensation be made for the use dur- 1 ; ing time of peace of one of its public build1 ings and for the damage inflicted upon it. c If anything could add to the strength of t this claim, it is the fact that the sum which t will he paid by the Federal Government i will be used for educational purposes. In- \ ! creased -accommodations for officers and ca- c : dets at the Academy are now much needed, i and additional apparatus will soon be re- t quired for scientific instruction. t THE SOUTH CAROLINA COLLEGE. C ; The South Carolina College is now thor- 1 , oughly reorganized. Its buildings have been c . repaired, its grounds improved, and its sev- " i eral departments fairly equipped. Itsteach- 1 i ing force consists of a president, seven pro, fessors and three tutors. It offers nine dis- ** i tinct courses of study, five of them degree 1 ' courses of four years each, and four shorter 1 i or special courses of two years each. Some [ . of the latter are intended to fit young men ' for the practical duties of life and provide ? for technical training in the laboratory and field. Arrangements have also been made , for post-graduate instruction. Students are J now found in every one of the courses. In ? , the work of reorganization the aim through- ? out has been to make the education provi- ? , ded for thorough and liberal, and to bring it i within the reach of young men of the narrowest means. The catalogue of last year J shows a total enrolment of 185 students, i The attendance this year is still more grati- v fying. Up to this time 170 have matrioula- J i ted?a gain of twenty as compared with the ! enrolment at the same period last year. The Agricultural Department is being developed as rapidly as the state of the finan- ? ces will allow. Stock and farm machinery ^ have been purchased, a green house has been ' built and stocked with valuable plants, silos ; constructed, an experimental orchard planted, and twenty acres of land set apart for t experimental purposes. About 150 experi- j ; ments with wheat, oats, corn, cotton, ensi- t JUge iiuu new urups weie nutue tins nniouii. i The results will be published in pamphlet Jj form and distributed among the farmers ol t , the State. Agriculture is one of the re quired studies in all the courses except the ^ classical. Of the nine courses of study of- r fered by the College, two?a degree course r . of four years, and a shorter- course of two r . years?are distinctly agricultural. The in- c , stitution gives promise of great future use- r fulness. It has certainly done a noble work j for the State in the past, and yet something r more than its re-establishment upon its for- ] mer basis is required to bring it up to the c ! highest standard of efficiency. It must be c adapted to the requirements of our times f and the present condition of our people. , Such adaptation is also called for by the Act ( i of Congress to which the College owes its s permanent endowment. c The age is one of marvelous intellectual activity, and its chief characteristic is the e spirit of scientific investigation?a spirit t which has given a wonderful development r to the several departments of pure science. { , The enterprise of the day has been quick to r appropriate to its own use the achievements r of science and to apply them to the practical c purposes of life. To these numberless appli- c cations our material prosperity must in large x part be ascribed. They have opened up [ new departments of industry, new fields v for educational labor. A young man of cul- a ture and talent is no longer forced to look A solely to what are known as the learned professions for wealth and fume. The high- e est walks of pure and applied science are r now open to him, and otter full scope for ^ the display of his powers. c Itesults have proven the wisdom of the ( policy which guided the councils of the j College in the past?the earnest purpose to j. ; send forth thorough scholars?men fitted by c 1 severest classical discipline to lead the s conn to +Vio nnlnif nnr1 tho Hot* T.of fhic i still be the policy of the College; but let it t also aspire to do something more?to hold a c foremost place in the march of scientific 0 discovery, and to send forth young men j equally as well fitted by thorough technical training to lead in the development of the j State?its fields, mines and quarries, its rail- > roads and water power, its manufactures r and commerce. j I am not informed as to what appropria- t tion will be asked for to maintain the IMili- c tary Academy or the South Carolina College r during this fiscal year. These institutions, c if properly maintained, will contribute to j the highest interests of the State, and I t. earnestly recommend that such appropria1 tions be made for their support as will in- f crease their efficiency and promote their r " full development. . THE INSTITUTION FOB THE EDUCATION OF ] THE DEAF AND DUMB AND THE BLIND. e The report of the superintendent of this c institution gives fully the history of its op- 1 erations during the last year. The enrol- 1" ment of pupils was 72?an increase of 10 f over the number in attendance at the date f of the last annual report. A department a for the colored has been established. Three 1" colored pupils have been admitted and oth- i 1 ers who have applied for admission will soon be received. (1 1 The schools for white and colored pupils J are conducted in different buildings and are r separate and distinct, but under the same u general management. Pupils are required, s according to their means, to pay for their , board and tuition in whole or in part: but J most of the pupils are unable to contribute ? to their own support and are maintained at t the expense of the State. Special attention is paid to giving the t j pupils practical instructions in such indus- li trial pursuits as they will be able to follow t after leaving the institution. This institu- o tion is performing efficiently that important 1 work for which it was designed?the fitting li of the afflicted youth of both sexes for the u duties of life. v The general management compares favor- r | ably with that of any other institution of (j 1 like character in the country, and reflects t . credit upon the superintendent and his as- c j sistants. c The appropriations asked for are $10,000 li ! for the su]>port of the institution, $500 for (1 ! repairs and $12,000 for the erection of a p ! wing to the main building. The centre p | building and one wing were erected in $ ! 1858, and an appropriation is now asked for I to erect the other wing, which was incl uded I C in the original design of the building. The j t ! returns /if the hi<t r>en?n< slmw flint there i s iiro in this State ">1)7 persons under twenty j 1 years of age who conic within one of the y [ classes for the benefit of which this institu- '1 tion was created. b | The superintendent reports that the dor- |v mitories are overcrowded by the pupils now ; (' present, and that the completion of the ; ti 11 building is necessary. The estimated cost j e of completing the wing includes the expense j of furnishing it and providing it with heat- i ing apparatus. j TIN-: LUNATIC ASYLUM. j t The number of patients in the Asylum at , t i the beginning of the last fiscal year was j i j 550; the number admitted during the year j j was 231), making the whole number under ' i treatment 781). At the close of the year the y : number was 003, of which 352 were wl ;t? o I and 251 colored. Of this number 33 were i pay patients; the balance, 570, being- s ;> c ported by tl?e State, The reports of the mi- k stitution^ for several years past show t. at t the annual increase jn the number of :>a- u ients is from 50 to 00. The statistics of the < ensus of 1880 show that the rate of increase i vill probably continue. The General Assembly at the last session, i >rovided for the erection of an additional i >uilding at a cost not to exceed $50,000, not i nore than $30,000 to be expended on it du- i ing the last fiscal year. The superinten- 1 lent reports that satisfactory progress has I >een made in the erection of the building, ( vhich, under the terms of the contract, must >e finished'not later than October 1, 1884. The report of the superintendent contains < ables showing the comparative cost, per apita, of maintaining the insane in fifty- < ive asylums, in the country. It will be seen rom an examination of these tables that the ost, per capita, in this State, which is about >140 a year, is less than the average cost in ; >ther .Southern States, and much less than he average cost in the other sections of the Union. < It is gratifying to know that while in the 1 :ost of maintenance the Lunatic Asylum of his State ranks among the cheapest, in all 1 hat pertains to the proper care and treatnent of the insane it compares favorably vith the best institutions of this kind in this ountry. The expSnsemf maintaining the institution is heavyHbut the true line of re- 1 renchment lies in pfeventin^ those not en- 1 itled to charity from becoming the benefi:iaries of the State. The superintendent re)orts that the Act to regulate the admission J- 1 ?}_ 1! 1 ?4. ln,4 nn.. ) u ueneucmr.y pimtrin.-s, pim-u >u uic man nraion of tlie Legislature, has not produced lie results desired or expected. The powers ind duties of county officers under the Act hould be more clearly, defined, and penalies should be prescribed for failure 011 the >art of county officers to comply with the * irovisions of the law. There was much de- ] ay in obtaining reports from some of the i ounty officers, and from three of the coun- 1 iesno reports were received during the year, i The plan of requiring each county to bear J he expenses of its indigent insane in the ] State Asylum would, at least, lead to more 1 areful scrutiny of the pecuniary condition if each person claiming the charity of the 1 state, and thus reduce the number of bene- ] iciary patients. If this change be made, I ; vould suggest that each county should be equired to pay into the State treasury the : .mount necessary for the maintenance of its ' nsane paupers in the Asylum, instead of ' imposing upon the officers of the institution he duty of making collection from the counies. 1 The appropriation asked for is $133,000. 1 ITiis amount includes cost of maintenance ! ind of completing the buildings. ' ( PENITENTIARY. The number of convicts in the Peniten- j iary on the 31st of October last was 8%, an < ncrease of 72 over the number reported at ! he corresponding period of last year. Of j his number 55 were white and 841 colored. Hie leases of the convicts hired on one of ? he railroads and on the Seegers farm will i ixpire within a few weeks. The other leases vill expire in one and two years. If the hiing of convicts to contractors outside of the , jrison walls is to be discontinued, it will be lecessary to provide for increasing the ac- : ommodations for the prisoners within the >enitentiary. There are now 250 cells com- ( deted, and in a short time G4 more will be eady for use, making 314 cells available, rhese cells are designed to hold one prisoner ; inch, but when the convicts now employed ' >n one of the railroads and on the Seegers arm are returned to the prison, it will be lecessary to put at least two in each cell. Considerations of health, of safe keeping 1 md of proper discipline forbid the crowding >f convicts in the cells. I recommend that 1 .uthori ty be given tp the directors to use the arnings of the penitentiary for adding to he buildings. Lnless this is done, or the ; equisite amount for the construction of new ! juildings be provided otherwise, it will be ' lecessary to continue the plan of hiring a lortion of the convicts to contractors outside >f the walls. I have given this matter much ittention, and I cannot too strongly urge ipon the members of the General Assembly he importance of making such provision as vill at an early day permit the working of ill the convicts under the immediate super- , dsion of the officers of the penitentiary. , The proper care of large bodies of prisonirs requires vigilance, judgment and expe- j ience. I am convinced that it is to the vant of these qualifications on the part of ontractors, rather than deliberate cruelty ir wilful neglect, that such evils as now exst in the system of leasing convicts in tl^is State are to be ascribed. To whatever auses these evils are due, the results are the * ame. The great object of prison discipine?the reformation of criminals?cannot >e accomplished when convicts are hired to , ontractors, who fail, either from ignorance ir neglect, to perform their duties both in ' n the spirit and the letter of the law. The Penitentiary is not only self-sustainng, but a source of revenue to the State. tVith proper management it can and will be . nade so in the future. But the institution ] s designed to prevent and punish crime, not 1 o swell the public revenue. The increase ( if revenue sinks into insignificance in com- 1 >arison with the abuses which I believe will 1 ontinue to exist while the convicts are tired to work beyond the control of the ofii- ( ers of the penitentiary. 5 The report of the board of directors will ! urnish in detail statements of the manage- 1 nentof the institution during the last fiscal j ear. The earnings during that time were ' ess than the amount reported for the pre- ( eding liscal year. The decrease is due 1 nieny 10 me met mat near me ciose oi me ' ast year the hoard of directors reduced the J lire of iiands on the phosphate works ?50 1 ier capita per annum, the estimated decrease J rom this cause being from ?12,000 to ?15,000 ' , year. The balance of the earnings on land October 31, 18S3, in cash and bankable ( lotes, was $12,496.31. 1 The "Act to provide for the more speedy 1 levelopment of the Columbia Canal," ap- 1 iroved December 22, 1882, required the di- s ectors to put the hands at work on the Ca- s ml under the direction and control of some 1 uitable and discreet manager. ^In accordance with this provision of said 1 Cct the board of directors on the 7th of larch last selected the superintendent of 1 he Penitentiary as such manager. { In the discharge of the additional duties J hus imposed upon him the superintendent t las displayed the zeal, energy and discre- s ion which have marked his administration ( f the affairs of the Penitentiary. 1 The report of the engineer will show the 1 xrge amount of work which ban been done \ ipon the Canal ana tne satisiactory progress < rhich has been made. The original estinate of the engineer was that it would re- * uire the labor of 225 able bodied hands for f iiree years and an expenditure of $80,000 to 1 omplete the work. He reports that the t orrectness of this estimate is confirmed by i lis calculation based upon the work already lone. To continue the work during the resent year, according to the plan already mrsued, will require an appropriation of i 17,050. | The engineer and the manager of the , !anal recommend an additional appropria- . ion of about $10,000 for the purchase of a L team excavator, which will do the work of f 00 hands and will complete the canal one j ear sooner than can be done without it. ' MiS^a rnnnmmonHnfinn whi/'h ic n nnrnvorl ! . y the directors of the Penitentiary, is well ; Worthy of your consideration. The report of the engineer gives full de- j nils of the cost of tho excavator and of the i xpense of working it. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 1 The report of the commissioner of agri- \ ulture embodies those of the chemist of i he department, of the special assistant in I r he phosphate department and of the super-: ntcndent of fisheries. j f The commissioner has collected and paid ; I 11 to the State treasury for the last fiscal t ear $35,092.30 paid by the manufacturers 1 f and dealers in commercial manures. 1 s In April last the board of agriculture pur- r based for $15,000 the bujlding in Columbia ( mown as the Parker Block. The titles to \ he propety were made to the State. The 1 pper floors are devoted to the use of a 1 s ihemical laboratory, which is now being fitted up under the direction of the chemist. Ihe other portions of the building will be used for the displaying of the mineral, agricultural and other "products of the State, the exhibition of improved agricultural machinery, and for the various purposes of the department. The purchase of this building has enabled the board to carry into effect a plan which has long been in view? the appointment of a chemist to the department of agriculture. The chemist was elected in April last and entered at once upon his duties. In addition to the chemical work which he will have to perform, the chemist will be required to do such geological, mineralogical and other scientific work, either in the laboratory or the field, as may be required of him by the department of agriculture. The royalty on phosphate rock mined -1 4-,x iM Ol 1 .--7 i-l . uurnig mi: iu?l your ;umuiuu.-> iu , of this amount $125,703.41 has been paid into the State treasury, leaving a balance due to the State of $5,364. The reports of the commissioner and the special assistant treat fully of the mining operations during the last year. The report of the superintendent of fisheries shows the number of fish distributed during the year in the ponds and rivers in the State. He has succeeded in having fishways constructed over the factory dams in the Savannah River at Augusta and the Salauda River near Columbia, and he reports that these openings will permit the passage of migratory fish to their natural spawning grounds and enable the department to restock these depleted streams. The department brought into the State during the year sixty immigrants in families. In consequence of unusual expenses incurred by the department, the commissioner has not had the funds with which to preas important work as vigorously as he had hoped to do. A complete hand-book, prepared under the direction of the department and showing the resources and advantages of this State, is now ready for distribution. With the valuable information contained in this book, capital and immigration will be attracted more readilyly than heretofore. The department has published and distributed during the year 16,000 copies of monthly reports and circulars treating of agricultural subjects and matters of interest to those seeking information about the State. The commissioner estimates that, owing to the unfavorable seasons of the last year, the yield of cotton as compared with that of 1882, shows a decrease of about 33 per cent., and the yield of corn a decrease of about 3"> per cent. The yields of other crops were proportionately decreased. The commissioner is of opinion that the farming interests of the State are on a sounder financial basis than at the beginning of last year, owing chiefly to the large crops of 1882 and the consequently reduced cost of producing the crops of 1888. THE MILITIA. The adjutant and inspector-general reports that the number of the militia is somewhat smaller than at the date of the last report. The militia is composed of the State Volunteer Troops (white) and the National Guard (colored). The State Volunteer Troops consists of seventy-two companies, with an enrolment of 3,890 men ; the National Guard of nineteen companies, with an enrolment of 95S men?the aggregate being 4,854. The adjutant and inspector-general recommends that there should be one company of infantry at each courthouse and one company of cavalry in each county. The inspections of the last year show a marked improvement hi some of the companies, and especially in the cavalry. The amount to which companies were entitled from the appropriation of last year and the unexpended balance on hand was $1.91} for each man present in uniform at the inspection. The adjutant and inspector-general reports that if more liberal aid is not granted, some of the companies will be forced to disband, as the men are unable to bear the expense incident to the service. 1 n June last a Convention, composed chiefly of officers of different organizations belonging to the Volunteer State Troops, met in this city for the purpose of devising means whereby the militia force may be made more efficient. This Convention, as I am inform 2a, will present to tne uenerai /vssemuiy u memorial setting forth the needs of the militia and praying for certain amendments :o the militia laws. This memorial will 2mbody the views of those who are familiar with the entire subject, and 1 invite for it y-our careful consideration. The present militia force is sufficiently urge for all purposes,.but its more thorough organization and discipline and increased efficiency are greatly to be desired. THE RAILROAD COMMISSION. The railroad commission was organized January 10, 188:3. In order to carry out the provisions of the law under which they were :o act, it was necessary for the commissioners to prepare themselves by full and care"ul examination of the many questions involved in the discharge of their duties. J can bear testimony to the fact that the commissioners have labored faithfully and jealously in the earnest effort to administer :he law fairly, and with due regard to the nterests of the railroads on the one hand mdofthe people on theother. It should not iea matter of surprise, when the difficulties )f the task imposed on the commissioners ire considered, that the results of their efforts have not been entirely satisfactory, [low far the law will fulfil the purposes which it was designed to accomplish, cannot )e known without further time to test it fuly in all its details. For reasons which are given in the report )f the commission, the schedule of freight ind passenger rates did not go into effect intil September loth last. Under this schedile, as stated in the report, freight and passenger rates have been reduced. The report i shows that all complaints which have been j nade to the commission in writing have UUJUSICU, ?5U Jill DUUll ilUJ U.^IJ1I1.-1| l \> practicable, I have endeavored to inform myself of the practical working of the law, that I might pffer, for the consideration of the General Vsscmbly, suggestions as to such niodifica:ions as it might be proper to make at this iession. The short period of time which has I 'lapsed since the adoption of the schedule of! ates, has not been sufficient to enable me to j nake suggestions a!s to material modi fleaion of the law with any confidence in the :orrectness of my conclusions. I invite careful attention to the report of lie commission, which contains much valudile information as to the operation of the aw and of the condition of the railroads in j lie .State. nie world's industrial and cotton i centknnial exposition. In accordance with the provisions of an , \ct of Congress approved February 10,1888, he President of the United States has I ssued a proclamation announcing that the World's Cotton Centennial Exposition will i ie opened in the City of Xew Orleans on lie 1st Monday of December, 1884, and will j ie held continuously until the 31st day of j May, 1885. This exposition will be held under the oint auspices of the United States Govern-1 j. i.i- ~ ? i>i A Ill* 111-, lilt; VAUIUU X IcIIJltU ? xvaauuuiuuu 1)1 Vnierica, and the City of New Orleans. The 1 jriginal design was to celebrate the one hun-; Iredth anniversary of the exportation of !Otton from America; but the scope of the j exposition has been enlarged, and it is now j iroposed to make it a world's industrial ex-! josition, including all arts, manufactures md products of the soil and mine. The Act of Congress referred to' provides j or the appointment by the President of the ! Jnited States, on the recommendation of I he Governors of the various States and i territories of the Union, of one committioner and one alternate commissioner to epresent each State and Territory. The governments of other nations are to be incited in the name of the United States to )e represented and take part in the expoiition. South Carolina will have at this exposi- ? tion an opportunity such as has never before 5 been afforded her of making known her ^ great natural resources. It would enable j ? her to show to the world the products of her soil, her forests and her mines, thus j inviting improved machinery and new! methods, which will quicken and increase ; her industries and her producing power, j The representatives and the products of i most, if not all, of the States of the Union I j and of many foreign countries will be gath- J ered together at this exposition. A proper ; 1 representation of South Carolina would do j much to attract the capital and immigration which are needed for the full development of her resources. The Act creating the department of agriculture gives authority for making exhibitions of the resources of the State at International and State expositions, but the funds at the control of the department are not sufficient for such a representation as is desirable. I would recommend that such a sum as in your judgment may be proper, be placed at the disposal of the department of agriculture for the purpose of this exposition. I suggest that the exhibition be made through the department of agriculture, because that departmentalready has at its command valuable collections showing the resources of the State, and because it seems to me that the purpose can best be accomplished through this department. If, however, it is deemed better to AMtf nn-nnoir T clioll r?n.Anprflto ciupn/j (iii^ wuiui agvuv-j , ^uun w heartily in carrying out any other scheme which may be devised. STATE HOUSE. By the concurrent resolution passed at the S last session of the General Assembly, I was a requested to obtain estimates of the cost of completing the State House in detail, accor- , ding to the original design; how much of " the labor of the penitentiary convicts can be ci judiciously employed on the said building, 1< and to report the same to this session of the ti General Assembly. The resolution further ^ provided that the expenses of the investigation should be paid from the Governor's con- u tingent fund. After corresponding with Mr. J. 11. Niernsee, of Baltimore, Maryland. c? the architect who designed the buildingana v who superintended its construction until the ^ work was stopped in 18(54, I employed him to make the estimates called for by the reso- i! lution. Mr. Niernsee stated that it would * be necessary for him to come to Columbia, to tl inspect the building and take measurements b of it, and of the material on hand, and that C( it would require his time and that of an as- ^ sistant for two months to prepare the estimates. He stated further that it would be important for him to be in Columbia, at some time during the session, to give such tl information as the members of the General I Assembly might desire. He agreed to do & all this work for $600. As the estimates inelude drawings, not in duplicate, they cannot be transmitted to both branches of the 11 General Assembly. My correspondence I with the architect and his estimates and \\ drawings are on file in the executive office, jt awaiting such uisposHiun us you may uruer. p The cost of completing the building, as esti- . mated by the architect, is$738247o. In submitting this report in accordance Sl with the request of the General Assembly, t; I feel it my duty to call attention to the fact ft stated by the architect, that the present roof r( is inadequate to the protection of the build- j2 ing. The completion of the building accor- ^ ding to the original design might well be * left to the future; but I would suggest that o steps should be taken, as soon as practicable. T to prevent the deterioration of the walls and o the foundation, which, according to the re- a port of the architect, must go on steadily . until the walls are carried to the proper * height, and the permanent roof is placed in b position. The report of the architect gives a full information as to the injury which the a: building sustains in consequence of defect- g ive drainage from a temporary roof. ~ TRIALS OF ELECTION OFFICERS. ? I am informed that proceedings have been and will be instituted against some of the election officers of this State, at the term of the Circuit Court of the United States, be- K ginning on the fourth Monday of the pres- t< ent month, and that it is alleged in some, if J; not in all, of the cases, that the election ofh- C( cers are to be tried for violation of Federal laws, because of the discharge of duteis imposed upon them by the State. In such bl cases the action of the State is on trial in the H persons of her officers, and the State should a] assume control of their defence. It is none fr the less the duty of the State to defend her w officers when prosecuted in Federal Courts for alleged violation of her laws, for the pun- j? ishment of which the machinery of her own " Courts is full and ample. I have no infor- ai mation as to the number of officers to be tried t! or of the probable cost of their defence, a but I earnestly recommend that provisions . be made promptly for the payment of what- P' ever expenses may be incurred in the de- ^ fence of all officers who shall be prosecuted hi in the Federal Courts for offences, whether 01 against Federal or State laws, which they w are charged with committing in the per- xj. l'ormance of duties required of tbem by the State or under color of their offices. PARDONS AND COMMUTATIONS. er In obedicpcce to the requirement of law, ^ I submit herewith a statement of the par- hi dons and commutations granted by me du- u] ring the last year, with the reasons therefor. Cs CONCLUSION. The Constitution makes it tlio duty of the ai Governor to give the General Assembly in- p( formation of the condition of the State, g and to recommend for its consideration such "r measures as he may deem necessary or ex- (1( pedient. The larger experience of the fo members of the General Assembly will Sr suggest such measures as have not been w herein presented. The circumstances un- m der which the General Assembly now meets , are favorable for the calm consideration of 0 those measures of legislation which shall P1 best promote the general welfare. The p( people of the State are united and prosper- at ous, and 110 exciting issues are present to give rise to heated controversies or lead to ... A:,,U The Improved financial condition of our ac people is shown by the fact that at the close it of the last fiscal year, notwithstanding the fr: heavy losses to the crops from unfavorable pj seasons, the amount of taxes collected ex- n( ceeded by $12G,939.35 the amount collected .. for the preceding year on the same levy, 111 The progress which has been made within Pc the fast few years in the development of C( manufactures and improved methods of ag- th riculture is as surprising as it is gratifying. su The recent annual Fair of the State Agricultural and Mechanical Society, which in the display of farm products, of improved machinery and of live stock was the finest Ik ever held*in this State, bears witness to the ti< steady and rapid development of our re- sh sources. But, encouraging as are these ma- m terial evidences of thrift and improvement, the reawakened energy of the people of the State and their self-reliant and hopeful spir- ar it are the best evidence of present prosperi- CI ty, and the surest guarantee of future pro- ni gress. . Hugh S. Thompson, au Governor. ^ A Gentle Reminder.?An old man and . a young man were riding in a stage-coach. 'pka ^1/1 *v*n?n f*\c owtta knf onriirmlxr q1ia>4 ua .JL 11U Win mail >YtlO ^ItVYC uu V ,0|/A *&*?** J j Q?IVI V of stature, spare, with a smooth forehead, a je? fresh complexion, and a bright and piercing j-h eye. The young man swore a great deal; k until once when they stopped to change horses, the old man said to him, "I pereeive by the registry books, that you and I ed are going to travel together a long distance gr in this coach. I have a favor to ask of you. tu; I am getting to be an old man, and if I should so far forget myself as to swear, you an will oblige me if S'ou will caution me about esl it." The young man instantly apologized, sh and there was no more swearing heard from 1 him during that journey. The old man ca was?Join\ Wesley. th "Gentlemen," said the Texas man in th; the restaurant, when the waiter dumped a ha plate of hot soup down his back, "gentlemen, da don't laugh." As he had risen to his feet wj and drawn two revolvers, his wishes were St respected. fri litfjrajjftical ffjjjartnwnt. SAMUEL SULLIVAN COX. THE OLDEST MEMBER OF CONGRESS. "Sunset" Cox, as heis popularly called, or amuel Sullivan Cox, as he was baptized, is grandson of James Cox, who was a Conressman before him as well as a Brigadierfeneral of New Jersey militia and a Demoratic politician of note. Samuel's father ?ft the old homestead at Monmouth some ime after James Cox'sdeath and emigrated ) Ohio, settling at Zanesville, where Samel S. was born on the 30th of September, 324. The boy, after passing through the ommon school curriculum of those days, ;as sent to the Ohio University, where, owever, he did not finish his collegiatecaser, but went to Brown University, at 'rovidence, R. I., where he graduated in he class of 1840. He studied law, went ack to Ohio and began to practice in the ourts. He did not, however, take kindly ) the profession, and after a trip in Europe, iie story of which he told in "A Buckeye abroad," he, in 1&53, became the editor of iie Ohio Statesman, published at Columbus, n 18A5, he was appointed Secretary of Leation to Peru, by the Pierce Administraon, and on his return he cultivated pol;ics and was elected from the Columbus (O.) >istrict to the Thirty-fifth Congress, which 'as in session during the momentous period ist preceding the inauguration of Abraham (incoln as President. He stood by the Un" ?? ***? *? l\tr Ka?r-?r# >?nfn Ill, UIIU. VVIW ICWiVlUCU. IIJ irciUjj i^iui uuu nccessively to the Thirty-seventh and Thirp-eighth Congresses. In 1864, he was delated, by the Republican candidate, and he amoved to New York City in the followlg Spring. Here he wrote his "Eight rears in Congress," an interesting volume f personal observations and experiences, 'he interval between his removal from >hio to New York, and in his election from New York district, Mr. Cox passed, either 1 travels abroad or in writing amusing ooks about these travels. In 18G8, he first ppeared as a candidate in New York City, nd was elected by a large majority over tarr, his Republican opponent, which was reatly augmented two years later when [orace Greeley ran against him. In 1872, 'hen he ran for Congressraan-at-Large ?ainst Lyman Tremaine, he was defeated, te was, however, a few months after chosen ) fill the seat made vacant by the death of ames Brooks, and since then lie has been instantly in Congress doing good service, nf Anlir lur liic 11*1 f nnrl vivnpitir in flphato. U"V KJJ * "? '""VV 1 ut also by bis adroitness on committees, [is work on the latter has never been fully ppreciatcd by the public generally. His eedom from partisan bitterness, together ith his remarkable social qualities, have lade him as great a favorite among Repubcans, as his mastery of parliamentary law id constant readiness to enter into the lick of a party engagement has made him necessity to the Democrats. He has occuied a seat in the House for a longer period lan any of its present members. While 5 does not pretend to great activity in iginating measures, he pledges himself to iderstand every bill that comes to a vote in le House. Mr. Cox is small of stature, lithe and en getic, and as the date of his birth indices, is 59 years of age. He does not show is years, although he may well look down pon such new comers in politics as Mr. irlisle, and call them "younger" men. [r. Cox was old enough, brilliant enough id prominent enough to have been ap Mnted secretary or reganon to ?jmnes uchannan when minister to England un?r Pierce, a position which he declined r reasons which reflect credit upon him. lid Mr. Cox the other day: "The place as one of much honor, and I was a young an lately from college, had made a study ' international law, and was fond of the omise which such a career offered ; but a ilitical Presidential campaign was then >out to start. Mr. Buchanan was a candiite. I was a Douglas Democrat, and I did )t feel that It would be right for me to eept a position where, however unjustly, might be suggested by Mr. Buchanan's iends that I was acting as a Douglas spy." rom that time Mr. Cox has been a promimt featuro in American politics, and, alough he has never achieved a higher isition than that of Representative in ingress, his fame as an orator will outlast at of many others who have been more ccessful in caucus manipulations and as ntroller of party machinery. Mr. Cox is ii reputation us a humorist. He is a brilmt wit, and often yields to the tempta>ns of all great wits of sacrificing friendips to a sharp saying, but he is very uch more than a wis. He is one of the most orough students in Congress. -His reports id speeches on graver subjects, like the ayton-Bulwer treaty, the Japanse indemty and many like questions, are standard thorities. It is his misfortune that his putation is almost alone that of a wit. any of his witty sayings have been extenyely published, and from this fact he has quired the reputation of being a mere ster, when, in fact, there is not a more orough student, or better equipped deter, in Congress than Mr. Cox. His book eulogies, wnicn ne nas recently puonsn, covering a long period of years in Coness, is a touching contribution to the morary eloquence. Mr. Cox is a man of handsome fortune, d he has the reputation of being an hont public servant. He is a hater of all ams and jobs, and his hands are clean. Though Mr. Cox espoused the Union use in the war between the States, since e close of hostilities his public acts and terances have been upon the hypothesis at the "war is over," and his sympathies ,ve ever been with the South. In the rkest days of Reconstruction his voice is in behalf of the oppressed Southern ites, and in him they always had a true end,