The Anderson intelligencer. (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, December 03, 1885, Image 1

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BY E. B. MURRAY & CO. ANDERSON, S. C THURSDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 3, 1885._VOLUME XXL?NO. 21. It is needless to remind you that - CHRISTMAS IS COMING, But we want everybody who intends purchasing To comprehend the fact that we are now ALL READY to show you the finest assort? ment ever exhibited, for our NEW STOCK of ELEGANT AND DESIRABLE, SUITABLE TO EVERYBODY, Is now complete, and comprises an Elegant line of TOILET GOODS, PERFUMERY, FANCY GOODS, ISTOVEXiTIBS, <3cC. CHRISTMAS GOODS, for the many, suitable for Old and Young. t-3 -.a-nvv ??lK&^?9^e;" D? not lay out a dollar in Presents until you, fray e seen our splendid . Stock?beyond all ques Best Assortment PRESENTS. tion the most Complete and ? : f of xeally DESIRABLE BELIEVING that we are about to experience a Holiday Season of unusual ac ?vit^,,@c5|ig)^|pfi?ng that a general and widespread observance of Christ tie mas and the Hoifdajs will bring with it a great detnaud for gifts of every descrip? tion, we feel that we have a~ "HOLIDAY MESSAGE" of importance for every body. Our message t?HOLIDAY SHOPPERS and GIFT MAKERS ia general can be condenMQ^Ic/aBfly^his^ ?i 1 -ik JSt; _i C O !Vi WE HAVE WHAT?YOU WANT ! For^ihought;careful,study, taste, bar'd work and liberal buying are the factors we called to our aid long-before you had entertained, ^passing thought of the wants of far away Christmas. Early in the season we watched with vigilant eyes for the choicest new goods, the. latest designs and the most pleasing Novelties for Christmas time". ' Where the' best could be secured, where new attractions were being" offered, there we made it a point to buy; and with the wants of our trade constantly in view, selected with care from choice new goods the best bargains and nicest line of j Christmas and Holiday Gifts that money could buy. And now we are ready to to serve you, well meet your wants, gratify your wishes and satisfy your taste with Gifts for old and young alike. " Concerning- variety and completeness of assortment we would only say a few words. ? We-know-it-w-oftentimes difficult to find the one thing which seems just suited for a particularsndividual. People differ. There are wants and tastes in numerable, and it reqnires,ad exceedingly .well selected stock to meet the require? mentsof all who desire handsome and appropriate Gifts for the Holidays. We think we can 'suit $pu-j arid promise you will find our Good? the newest and best, our a8sprtd?nl^]^e^anfl%ompl!ete, and prices- unquestionably low, or as close as honest goods can be sold. ;J We^?ffer:.fiQjfibait?j'? but ma&k our goods at one scale of low prices, giving full value for the money, and guaranteeing every article as represented. Everybody is invited to come and see what we have. It will afford us pleasure to show or price our goods to all, aud no one need feel the slightest obligation to purchase unless so disposed. .We carry a particularly fine assortment of the best known PERFUMES, ' COLOGNES'and TOILET WATERS, which cannot be surpassed for fragrance, delicacy and lasting qualities. WILHITE'S IDEAL COLOGNE is the best - home-made perfume in the city. . Try it. Yours, WILHITE & WILHITE. Anderson, S. C, Nbv. 19,1885. PRICE? AT ? E. B. BENS S STORE. STRUCK BOTTOM! Those who Fail to see my Stock are the Losers! _ -o CtUITS considered cheap two weeks ago at $17.50 must go now at $14.00. Those at ? $12150 can now be had for $10.00. Although everything was marked low at first, I have made a general cut?in fact, have slaughtered prices: ?$%10.00 Overcoats at $7.50. $8.50 Overcoats at $6.00. _...... - 45mOvercoats.at43.50. $3.00 Pants at $2.25. A good line of $3.00 Shoes. -Curtis & Co.'s Celebrated $8.00 hand-made Shoes for , gentlemen. A good Calf Congress Gaiter, home-made, at $2.50. A full assortment of -' home-mado Shoes for Men, Women and Children. Miles' Fine Shoes for Gentle? men, Ladies ^Misses and Infants now in stock. RUBBER jGOQDS, CIRCULARS and NEWPORT8 for Ladies and Misses. GOSSAMER and' heavy RUBBER COATS for Men and Boys. Nice line of OVER? SHOES;-all sizes. RUBBER TM)Ll? and such tricks. LAP ROBES and HORSE BLANKETS. Another lot of STETSON'S HATS just received, and more coming. All people who eat will b? interested in my prices for GROCERIES. Will save you,money on:many things not here mentioned. Read my Locals each, week and keep posted. . Big drive in CHEESE. Try me on HARDWARE. Twill knock the black out on CANNED GOODS and CRACKERS. Will do you good on TEAS and COFFEES. See my Golden Rio?might be sold for Java. Old-fashioned Seed-Tick Coffee. . J^eaaTjuainesa. Must sell my Goods," profit or no profit. Cin't afford to be idle, for 'tis said that "idleness is the Devil's workshop," and I would rather keep busy, if it - is but swapping dollars, than to enter a copartnership with "Old Nick." ' ? ;' : ..v*,.r-g^^rs^ That is, I can when I wear the JOHNSTON SPECTACLES, S'jld by E. B. BENSON, Anderson, S. C. FALL AND WINTER ANNOUNCEMENT. J. P ENCOURAGED by our success in the past, we come to the front again with the best offers wc have ever before been able to make. THE LARGEST STCOK, And Prices as Low as is consistent for honest Goods. JEANS?We can sell you Jeans from 10c a yard to 40c a yard. Come and see our VIRGINIA CASSIMERES. WOOLEN GOODS are cheap. All-wool Red Flannel for only 10c a yard. Ladies' Dress Goods, Shawls and Cloaks. Jersey Jackets are very fashionable, and cost a great deal less than ever before. We can sell a nice fitting Jersey for 65c. We have them in Blacks, Navy Blues and Cardinals. Ladies' and Misses' Underwear, Youths' and Mens' Clothing. We have bought a large Stock-of READY-MADE CLOTHING from first hands, and can offer bargains in full Suit*, or in oxtn>. Coats and Pants. An Immense Stock of Boots and Shoes. Mens'all-solid leather Boors for $1.50 a pa r. Woracns' all-solid leather Shoes for 75c a pair. GROCERIES. Wc have had our Cellar enlarged; and arc prepared to exhibit a larger and more complete Stock of Groceries than heretofore. We have a large COFFEE TRADE, and intend to hold it by keeping the BEST GRADES. We will sell you the best Rio Coffee 8 lbs. for one dollar. SUGARS have within the last few month., advanced, but wc will sell a pure Brown Sugar 14 lbs. for $1.00. Very respectfully, Sept 10,1885 J. P. SULLIVAN & CO. TUE GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE, A Rcvlow of the Condition of South Caro? lin?. The State of South Carolina, ] Executive Chamber, V Columbia, November 24, 1S85. J Gentlemen of the General Aisembly: In tbe performance of the duty imposed upon the Governor by the Constitution of the State, I have t?e honor to transmit the following message: public debt. The report of the Comptroller-General gives in full the character and condition of the public debt. The aggregate is practically the same as reported last year, $6,522,188.54, uo bonds having been purchased by the sinking fund commis? sion on account of the high premium which they commanded. Only $25,300 of old bonds were funded during the year, although the amount outstanding is estimated at over $400,000; and of $963,372 of Green consols, only $29,081.38 ($6,279.38 of which amount was invalid) have been exchanged for Brown consols. The debt is classified as follows: Funded debt (all valid) $6,123,907.79; unfunded debt (partly invalid) estimated at $398, 280. The funded debt consists of Brown consols, $5,240,230 ; valid Green consols, 8241,421.40 j deficiencies, $450,456.20; and agricultural laud scrip, $191,800. revenues of the state. The total revenues of the State and counties for the fiscal year commencing November 1,1888, was about $2,089,000, of which about $1,936,000 was raised by taxation, and $153,000 from phosphate royalty. The collection of the taxes was unusually full and satisfactory, nearly 98 per cent, of the assessed State tax having been collected, and nearly 96 per cent, having been paid into the treasury. The net receipt for each mill levied was $145, 000, being ao increase of $4,000 over the preceding year, and $25,000 over the ? year 1878-79. The taxes for the fiscal year 1884-85 are now being collected, and tbe result cannot, therefore, be re? ported. The levy amounts to$1,831,494, divided a? follows: For State, $841,526 ; for counties, $677,148, and for schools, $312,820, not including polls. By the uae of certain undrawn balances which remain the treasury temporarily the necessity of borrowing mouey to pay .the interest on the public debt, in antic? ipation of the collection of taxes, has been avoided; but it is recommended that tbe authority to effect such a loan, if necessary, be again given to the Governor and the State Treasurer. The recom? mendations of the Comptroller-General that the counties be authorized to borro w the necessary funds to meet both county and school expenses, and that some pro? vision be made to recover the lost tax year, are also earnestly called to your at? tention. expenses of 1885-86. It is estimated that it will require $403,000 to meet the ordinary expenses of the Government for the fiscal year 1885-86, and $391,000 to pay the interest on the public debt. These amounts will be increased by such additional appro? priations as may be required by legisla? tion, and will be decreased by the phos? phate royalty and'any surplus that may remain in the treasury. As these amounts are contingent, and consequent? ly unknown, the necessary levy can only be determined when the General Assem? bly prepares the annual supply bill. phosphate royalty. All of the phosphate royalty for the year ending September 80,1885, amount? ing to $176,244.41, has been collected. This is the largest amount ever paid into the treasury from this source for one year. As this yield was probably excep? tional, it would be best in making esti? mates for the present fiscal year to place the revenue from the phosphate royalty at $150,000. disabled soldiers. The Comptroller General calls atten? tion to the Acts and the amendments thereto providing compensation for the soldiers of this State who have been per? manently disabled in any limb in conse? quence of wounds received in the civil war. Under the Acts referred to the sum of $46,000 has already been expend? ed, and claims amounting to nearly $8,000 are on file awaiting further appro? priation. By the terms of the Acts no one is allowed compensation except for permanent injury to a Jimb. Many ap? plications for aid have been received from soldiers who have suffered injuries seriously afiecting their health, but for whose relief no provision is made by law. The Comptroller-General recommends that $30,000 be appropriated annually for pensions to disabled soldiers and sailors, each beneficiary to receive $30* unless the number exceeds ono thousand, in which case the amount shall be di? vided equally among them. I have no information as to tbe number of soldiers and sailors who would be entitled to re? ceive this aid, and I am uuable, therefore, to say whether the sum proposed would be sufficient to afford any substantial re? lief ; but the matter well deserves con? sideration by the General Assembly. The State can never fully discharge her obligations to the brave men who, in obedience to her call, have suffered per? manent injury in health or in limb ; but she should contribute, if possible, to the alleviation of the wants of such of them as aro without the means of support, and are incapacitated for manual labor by reason ot disabilities incurred in the dis? charge of duty. While those who can claim this recognition of services to the "State diminish in number each year, the infirmities of the survivors, and their need for help, constantly increase. tax laws. I would earnestly renew 'he recom? mendations made in my first annual mes? sage for such a simplification of our present cumbersome system of assessment and taxation as shall relievo the unequal burdens caused by lack of uniformity in the tax laws, and of effectiveness in their executiou. The bill reported by the commission appointed to revise and sim? plify the tax laws, which has not yet been acted on by tbe General Assembly, proposes a scheme of assessment and tax? ation which, if adopted, will, in my opinion, correct many of the evils of the present system. In couuection with this Hubject, I would call special attention to the report of the Secretary of Stale to the sinkiug fund commission, and to the suggestions therein inado as to the amendments to the law by which lands forfeited for non? payment of taxes can bo mado to yield their proper revenues to the State. The report bIiows that there are now 2,407,254 acre3 of land in the State not reported for taxation, and 912,870 acres on the forfeited list, making iu all 3,320,124 acres from which the State receives no revenue. public schools. The report of the Superintendent of Education 3hows a most gratifying pro? gress in the work of the public schools, and in the healthy growth of popular eentiment on the subject of education. Year by year the friction that attended tbe operations of the free public school system in the earlier period of its estab? lishment has beeu reduced, and in all particulars controllable by the school officers it has almost disappeared. The number of pupils enrolled in the public schools duriug the year just closed was 178,023, of which 78,403 *ere white and 99,505 were colored ; the average at? tendance was 122,093, of which 55,GG4 were white, and 66,429 were colored. The number of teachers employed was 8,773, being an increase of eighty-nine over the number employed during the preceding year; and tho number of schools was 3,562, being an increase of eighty over the number iu operation du? ring the year 1883-8-1. The length of the school term was three and a half months, a decrease of half a month. The total amount of fuuds available for school purposes during the year 1883-84, the latest period for which reports are attainable, was $515,580.38, of which $441,599.87 was collected during the year, and $73,981.01. consisted of unex? pended balances brought forward from previous years. The total amount ex? pended was $428,419.41. It was shown in the annual report for 1884 that the limit of ratio of enrolment to the school population of the State had been nearly reached, and that the in? crease in this respect would, in the ab senco of unfavorable conditions, only keep pace with the natural increase of population. This indicates that the schools have been brought within the reach of the people, and are generally used by them. The average attendance of pupils for the school term shows an increase of 7,949, and has now reached nearly 69 per centum of the enrolment. That thhi percentage should bo so high among a people mainly rural is highly encouraging, because it demonstrates that the work of the schools has become more effective and better appreciated. There are, howover, two great barriers, which, until removed, must always limit ad? vancement in further improvement. One of these barriers is the unsatisfactory way in which the teachers' salaries and other school expenses are paid, in conse? quence of the failure to collect at the proper time the taxes for the fiscal year 1876-77. The evils resulting from this failure have seriously embarrassed the administration of every department of the State Government, but they fall with unmitigated severity upon the operations of the public schools. In the eight pre? ceding reports of the Superintendent of Education this matter has been urged upon the attention of the General As? sembly, and in the present report is again pressed with great earnestness. I heart? ily endorse the appeal of the Superin? tendent for prompt remedial measures, and I would recommend for your consid? eration the propriety of levying, for the fiscal year 1885-86, four mills and a dou? ble poll-tax for the support of the public schools; one-half the proceeds of which shall be applied to the expenses of the school year 1885-S6, and tho other half to the school year 1886-87. Tht3 will at once place the affairs of the schools upon a 3trictly cash paying basis, which can be hereafter maintained by the levy now prescribed by law. The other barrier to progress arises from the constitutional prescription as to the modo of election and the term of office of the Superintendent of Education and the County School Commissioners. This subject is discussed at some length in the report, and it is not necessary for me to do more than say that I concur in the statements and views therein given. The evil is bo radical and so prolific of harmful results as to justify resort to con? stitutional amendment. The specific recommendations of the Superintendent will, I trust, receive your careful consideration. THE INSTITUTION FOR THE EDUCATION OF THE DEAF AND DUMB AND BLIND. The thirty-seventh annual report of this institution, with tho letter of trans mittal of the board of commissioners, will be submitted to you. The manage? ment of this institution, both as to its finances and as to the character of the work accomplished, is a grouud of con? gratulation to the State. The gentlemen composing the board of commissioners, a majority of whom live in the immedi? ate neighborhood of the institution, have labored faithfully, and without pecuniary recompense, for the welfare of the afflict? ed children committed to their care. The report shows an enrolment during the year of eighty-five pupils?a consid? erable increase over that of the previous year. The Superintendent reports that the appropriations made for erecting and furnishing the west wing, which com? pletes the building according to the original plan, have been sufficient, and no further sum is asked for that purpose. A critical examination of the financial report of the institution will, I feel sure, satisfy you that the appropriations con? fided to its board of commissioners are wisely and economically expended. The statistics show that in the forty institu? tions of this kind iu the United States the average annual cost for each pupil is $325. The cost of maintenance of each pupil in this institution is about $155 a year. The only unusual appropriations asked for by the Superintendent, and recom? mended by the board of commissioners, are $200 for drainage and $1,200 for a pipe organ. The report shows plainly the necessity for these appropriations. I recommend that these amounts, with tho sums asked for, for support, repairs and insurance, be appropriated. CLAFLIN COLLEGE. This institution, which was founded in 1869, is designed for the higher education of the colored youth of both sexes. The report of the president shows that its present condition is highly satisfactory, and that it is fulfilling well the purpose for which it was established. The total enrolment for the last year was 405. The attendance for the present session is groater, and the students are more ad? vanced in age and in sckolar?hip than in any previous year. There are five distinct courses of study, eleven teachers, and four superintendents of industrial departments. In addition to the ordinary school duties, students are required to work at least one hour a day, either ou the farm, in the shops a:id about the buildiugs, or in the boarding, Ir.undry and sewing departments. Thus, while taught babil.s of industry, they arc enabled to pay a portion of their neces? sary expenses. Careful attention is given to tho health, habits, manners and morals of the students. THE MILITARY ACADEMY. The report of the board of visitors, to be submitted to you, will give in detail, as required by law, the record of the operations of this institution during the year. The Academy now has four classes, the full number provided for iu the course of instruction, and during tho coming year it will Bend forth its first class of gradu? ates since its reorganization in October, 1S82. Three States besides our own arc now represented on the roll of cadets, and it may reasonably bo expected that consid? erable accessions to tho number of stu? dents will in future be received by the admission of young men from States in which there are no institutions offering the peculiar advantages afforded by the South Carolina Military Academy. The faculty of the Academy is com? plete, all of tho professors having been selected with special refcreuce to their fitness for the duties which they are re? quired to discharge. A thorough ac? quaintance with its record, gained as a student, and afterwards as one of its profewors, justifies me in asserting that the teaching force of the Academy was never stronger or bettor prepared and equipped for its work thau it now is. To the military discipline, which forms a valuable agency in the moral r.nd physi? cal development of youth, is added a course of study specially designed to give students tho benefits of technical train? ing. It i;i not the aim of tho institution to enter the widor fields occupied by the college;1 in the State; but the object kept steai / in view is to maintain th;tt high standard in the branches taught which ahall fit its graduates to meet the constantly increasing demands of tho times for men trained and equipped for scientific investigation and prepared for the practical purposes of life. The requirement that beneficiary ca? dets shall teach in the public schools of the State for two years after graduation will furnish a regular supply of teachers whese influence in elevating the standard of instruction and discipline in those schools will be of incalculable advantage. The corps of cadets visited Columbia on the occasion of the recent Fair of the Agricultural and Mechanical Society. The thousands of interested spectators who witnessed with admiration the pa? rade of the cadets saw in their soldierly bearing and in the perfection of their drill the best evidence of tho thorough discipline of the Academy. Great as is the service which this Academy has done for South Carolina in the past, it gives promise of oven greater usefulness in the future. During a severe storm which visited Charleston in August last serious damage was done to tho roof and other portions ! of the buildings of the Academy. The chairman of the board of visitors inform? ed me that there were no funds at his command available for making the repairs required. I therefore directed such repairs to be made as were absolute? ly necessary to preserve the buildings from further injury. The cost of these repairs, $549.22, was paid from tho civil contingent fund, and vouchers for all payments were filed with the Comptroller General. THE SOUTH CAROLINA COLLEGE. During the last year the board of trus? tees of tho Univorsity, in accordance with law, appointed a board of visitors to examine into and report upon the condi? tion of the South Carolina College. The board of visitors made an elaborate report, which has been published by order of*the board of trustees. Conies of this report will doubtless be furnished the members of the General Assembly, and I invite for it careful attention. This report, emanating from a body of nine distinguished citizens of the State, six of them not connected with the College, in any capacity whatever, in a document of exceptional interest. It sets forth the organization and work of the institution iu great detail and with admirable clearness. That a great 'revo? lution is in progress iu the educational world no intelligent, observant man will deny. The old order of things is rapidly passing away, and new and opposing systems are striving to replace it. Change is too often but another name for chaos, and the visitors, in their report, therefore, dwell with especial commendation on the fact that the authorities of the College have been conservative enough to retain the best features of the old system, and yet progressive enough to adopt improve? ments suggested by the best experience of the day The organization and devel? opment of any college is or should be, conditioned by its environment, and a State institution of higher learning is presumably established for the benefit of the people of the State. Hence; the trustees of the University have acted wisely in endeavoring to bring its advan? tages within the reach of all classes o:f our citizens. A high ideal has, however, been kept well in view, towards which its improvement and development have been constantly directed. From thebeginniug the standards for graduation have been rigidly maintained, the requirements for admission steadily advanced, and the courses of study rapidly extended. In tho character and range of its instruction, and in its methods and discipline, the visitors declare that the College may now challenge favorable comparison with any of the leadiug educational institu? tions of the South. The intelligent and hearty commendation of such represen? tative men, the enthusiastic loyalty and devotion of its alumni aud students, and its large and increasing patronage, all go to show that the College, as now reorgan? ized, is in an exceedingly prosperous condition. The number of matriculates reported to date (206) is larger than the total enrolment during the entire period of any preceding session since its reor organization. There is every prospect that the enrolment will reach 230 before the close of the first term. The students are drawn from every section of the Slate, and from all classes of our people. The leading religious denominations are all fully represented, and the material is excellent. The increase in the number of post? graduate students in the College is still more significant and encouraging. Six? teen graduates of this aud other colleges are pursuing post-graduate courses lead? ing up to the higher degrees. In these courses university methods are adopted, and the work done is thorough and advanced. Thus, even with greatly diminished resources, is already realized in a hopeful degree the aspiration of tho great Thorn well, "a body of resident scholars," tho advantages of which "to the College and to the State aud to tho whole country could not be over-estimated." The influence of the College is already felt in tho State. Everywhere schools are spriugiug up, and the demand for teachers is steadily increasing. More than 50 per cent, of its receat graduates are now engaged in the work of teaching. Such facts as these prove the increasing strength and popularity of the South Carolina College, and justify this lan? guage of the board of visitors: ,;It seems to us that the State has never had greater reason to be proud of its College, and that to disarm all honest opposition, aud to change foes into friends, all that is requisite is to acquaint the people of i the State with what the institution really is, aud with tho magnificent work it is doing." In commending to your support and fostering caro the institutions which form tho Univorsity of South Carolina, permit me to romind you that the educational movement of the day is as wide spread as it is irresistible. The leadiug Slates of the Northwest and our sieter Commonwealths of the South are rapidly building up their in? stitutions of higher learning. North Carolina has recently strengthened her university by largely increased appropri? ations and by the addition of several new chairs, and Virginia has within the last three years given over $100.000 to ber chief seats of learning. Mississippi has granted her Agricultural College more thau $200,000, aud Alabama and Georgia have appropriated large sums for the establishment and support of techni? cal schools iu connection with their State colleges. These appropriations are sums safely invested, promising large and speedy returns to their people. Such wise aud liberal legislation?tho policy of the most progrossivo Staton of the day was tho rule in our own Stute from the early days of the century down to 1861. Never has it been more needed than now, when success in every pursuit or calling can only be achieved by intelligent aud weil direcfed, or, in other words, by edu? cated effort. PENITENTIARY. Full information on tho subjects to which they respectfully relate will be found iu the report of the board of di? rectors of the Penitentiary, iu which are included tho reports of the superintendent and of the subordinate officers of the prison, am! of the manager of the Canal. Tho whole number of convicts iu confmo ment during the. year was 1,453. The number on the 31st day of October was 945, a decrease of 11 as compared with the corresponding period of last year. Of this number 826 were colored males, colored females, 75 white males aud 5 white females. The cash receipts for the fiscal year were $05,032,16. To this amount, as showing the earniugs of the prison, must bo added $10,917.04 due by contractors, making $76,449.80 as the total income for the year. The disburse? ments to October 31 were ?67,631.55. To this sum should be added $5,000 due in bank, which will be paid from the amounts to he collected from the con? tractors, making the disbursements for the year $72,631.55. Nearly all of the difference between the receipts and the disbursements, $3,81S.25, is now cue for indebtedness incurred in the purchase of blankets and clothing for the prisoners and of material necessary for the comple? tion of the north wing of the prison, lu the disbursements are included the amounts expended on the Canal und iu the enlargement, of the main building of the Penitentiary, as well as in other permanent improvements within the prison yard. There are now but two contracts for labor without the walls of the Peniten? tiary. One of these contracts, upon which 76 convicts are employed, will expire December 31,1885, and the other, upon which 100 convicts are employed, will expire June 30, 1SS6. Them are two contracts for labor within the walls ?one employing 70 and the other 80 convicts. Unless other contracts can be made, the whole number of convicts from whose labor revenue will be derived after Jauuary 1,1886, will be 250. With no other contracts in force, it will, ia the opinion of the superintendent, require ?100,000 to maintain the prison fo: the present fiscal year. The work on the been pressed vigorously, and it will be completed in about three months. There will then be 500 cells for the accommo? dation of prisoners. This will greatly increase the facilities for the confine? ment of prisoners, but the supply will be unequal to the demands of the present, aud probably much below those of the future. The surgeon of the Penitentiary has repeatedly urged upon the attontion of tho board of directors the importance of confining but one prisoner in a cell. While it is often necessary to assign two, and sometimes three prisoners to one cell, tho board of directors recognize the fact that this crowding of convicts in violation of well-establi-hedsanituy laws is most prejudicial to the health of the prison. The death rate during the last year has been greater than during any previous year of the incumbeucy of the present superintendent?a result which ia due in large measure to the crowded condition of the Penitentiary, and to lue want of sufficient hospital accommo? dations. The report of the State Bocrd of Health sets forth forcibly and clearly the evils produced by these causes, and makes importaut suggestions for the im? provement of the sanitary condition of the institution. As 30on as possible the construction of another wing of the prison should be begun. During the last year the quarry has been extended, and is now available for furnishing stone to be used in erecting additional build? ings. From thirty to fifty hands have been employed on the farm, and hands have been furnished as required for work on the State-House. The financial embarrassments of the prison have been unusually great during the last fiscal year. Thishas been due, in part, to losses sustained by the explo? sion of a boiler in March last. The cost of repairs rendored necessary by this explosion was about $3,000, aud the los3 incurred in wages of the hands hired i.o contractors within the walls, while await ing the repairs, was about the same amount, making the total loss from thils source about ?6,000. The diminished income of tho Penitentiary has been due chiefly to the fact that the board of di? rector.} have not been able to make cou tracts a3 heretofore for the hire of coli \icts. The amendment to the law gov? erning the hiring of convicts, passed at the last session of the General Assembly, which was inteuded to correct, as far as possible, the abuses of the lease system, Las had the effect designed, but it ha; greatly reduced tho income of the prison. In some instances the board of director) have been compelled to refuse to lease convicts because of the report of the surgeon that the work was not safe and healthy; and in others, persons desiring to employ hands have declined to comply with the provisions of the Act. The experience of the last year gives no reason to hope that under existing lawn it will be possible to hire out such a number of convicts as will make tho instituliou self-sustaining. I believe thai, the revenues of the prison wtuld be considerably increased if the laws gov? erning the hiring ol convicts were further amended so as to permit the board of directors to take contracts for the per? formance of specific work, the work to bo done entirely .under the control aud direction of the officers of the Peniten? tiary. If this authority were granted many contracts, large and small, could be secured on terras which would prove remunerative, and with results more sat? isfactory as to the care and supervision of the couvicts than can bu attained when they are hired to contractors. If this recommendation should meet the approval of the Geuoral Assembly I would further recommeud that the sum of $25,000 bo appropriated to be used ! As may be necessary for the support of the institution, the amount so used to be returned to the Stal6 treasury from the net earnings of the Penitentiary. Such appropriation would provide for any contingency by which the cash receipts may at any time fall below the demands of the prison. During the last your, in consequence of tho failure oi 3ome of the contractors to pay promptly the amounts duo for the hire of convict.*, it ' became necessary for the board of direc- | tors to negotiate a loan of $5,000. This ! umouul will be repaid when all the col-; lectioos for the last fiscal year are made, but with tho loss of die interest charged on the note. With a cou:initauco of the care and economy heretofore practiced , in tue management of the prison, any portion of the $25,000 which may be used will be returned to the State treasu? ry beforo the closo of tho fiscal year, but tbo appropriation of the sum as recom? mended will prevent the possibility of a recurrence of such ombarrassmeut as may render it necessary to effect loans for the temporary maintenance of the prison. I would further suggest for the consid? eration of the General Assembly the expediency of purchasing land to be cultivated by the convicts for agrieuitural purposos. The experiment of working a few of tho convicts on a small farm now j belonging to the State has beeu =0 sue- j ce.^ful ks to induce the belief that tho employment of a considerable number of thorn in agricultural pursuits would increase the revenue cf tno Penitentiary, and would thu* do much towards the j solution of the ditlicult problem of mak- j ing tho institut ion self supporting, while ' providing properly for the care of the ! prisoner;-. The usn of a largo number of convicts in ti:;.; way would have the ! additional advantage of relieving the over-crowding of the prison, and of fur- 1 nishing that steady, healthful and useful employment f,o necessary for the attain- j montof the great object of prison discip- j line?the reformation of criminals. 11 have given careful attention to this I matter, and I believe that the authorizing ; of 'be board to take contracts for work, | ami the purchase of land to he tilled by ! convicts, will certainly increase tbo reve- i mies of the prir.on, and may possibly j lead to the complete abandonment of Iho ! lease "system, which has produced so many j cvilri. These evils, which are inseparable from the loafie system, cannot bo wholly ! prevented when convicts are hired to contractors, whose object must always be to secure the largest profits possible, without regard to the motives which influence a humane and enlightened Government in punishing those who have violated its laws. Tho establishment of a reformatory institution for juvenile criminals is a matter which should engage the atten? tion of the General Assembly. The financial condition of the State may not warraut the establishment of such an institution at this time, but, a? a part of a general scheme for the punishment and prevention of crime, it should be estab? lished as soon as practicable. From the opening of the Penitentiary in 18GS, to October 31, 1885, the number of convicts under fifteen years of age was 223. There is no record to show how many of similar age have served sentences in the County jails. By proper punishment the youthful prisoner's flrst lesson in crime j I may be made to serve as a warning against further violations of law, but a jail or a penitentiary, in which promis? cuous association with habitual criminals must be allowed, is for the young but a training school in vice. It is unques? tionably true that many violations of law by juvenile criminals are not reported because persons having knowledge of the crimes are unwilling to prosecute the youthful offenders, who, if convicted must be punished by incarceration in the Penitentiary or in a County jail. THE CANAL. The work on the Canal has been great? ly retarded by the embarrassed condition of the finances of the Penitentiary. The board of directors were "authorized and directed to expend during the year 1885, for the employment of skilled labor and engineers, and for the purchase of ma? chinery and materials, and for other proper disbursements, $15,000 of the in? come of the Penitentiary over and above the amount necessary for the support and maintenance of said institution." Early in the year it became evident that the income of the Penitentiary, over and above the amount necessary for its maintenance, would be much below the amount which the law authorized the board of directors to expend on the Canal, and the appropriation for that purpose wa3 gradually diminished. At a meeting held on the 2d of April the board of directors notified the engineer and the manager of the Canal that, for "want of funds.it might be necessary to dispenso with their services after the 1st of the following month. On the 8th of May the board notified the engineer that his services would be dispensed with after the 15th of that month, and in? formed the manager that his salary would be reduced from $100 to $75 a month, and that, instead of four foremen then allowed, he would be permitted to em? ploy two at $40 a mouth, each. The finances of the Penitentiary would not p.:rmit : larger expenditure for the Canal, but the board of directors deter? mined to prosecute the work as vigorous? ly as possible, not only for the purpose of protecting that portion of it already completed, but also because they would thus be enabled to give employment to a large number of bands, who would other? wise have been kept closely confined in idleness?a result wbieb would have been injurious to the health of the prisoners and prejudicial to the discipline of the institution. It was not practicable for the board of directors to make any ex? penditures for the purcha?o of the tools and materials required for the work. The city council or Columbia offered to make advances for the purpose, and the board of directors accepted the offer, it being understood that no obligation was incurred for the repayment of any por? tion of the sum so advanced. During the last fiscal ye?.r the amount expended ou the Canal by the board of directors was $8,402.58; the amount advanced by the citv council of Columbia, from May 23 to October 31, was $1,899.30, making the total expenditures on the Canal since the last report nO,301.8S. The present manager of the Canal en? tered upon the discbarge of his duties on the 1st of March last. The means at his command were inadequate for the pur? chase of the requisite tools and materials, and for the employment of as many skilled foremen as were needed for the proper direction of the hands employed, out, under the circumstances, tbo pro? gress made has been satisfactory. The daily average of hands of all classes em? ployed on the Canal during the year was about 245. The manager states in his report that, in his opinion, more than half of the work necessary for the completion of the Canal is already finished. If the work be ovou temporarily aban? doned now, that portiou already com? pleted at heavy cost would be liable to serious injury from freshets in the river, and the hands engaged on the Canal would'be without employment. In view of these facts, as well as of the advan? tages to be derived from the Canal when completed, I recommend that the Acts uow in force authorizing the employ? ment of labor ou the Canal be continued, and that such sum be appropriated as may be necessary to ensure the steady progress of the work during the year. There being no oogineer now in charge of the Canal I am unable to give esti? mates of the amount of money neceasary to continue the work. The services of an engineer are need? ed to prepare plans and drawings aud to inspect the work as it is finished. These duties, in my opioion, will not hereafter demand all of the time of an engineer, and the services required can therefore be obtained at a lower rate of compensa? tion than that heretoforo allowed. THE LUNATIC ASYLUM. At tho beginning of the last fiscal year there were 628 patients in tho in? stitution and fifteen absent on trial., During '.he year 216 were admitted j making the whole numbei- under tieat meut SC*. At the close of the year there were 605 patients present and fifteen absent on trial. It will be observed that the nuin brr of patients was twenty-three less at the end than at the beginning of the year. This decrease has probably never before occurred in the history of tho in? stitution. For the last seven years there has been an annual increase of about forty patients. This reduction is attrib? utable to two causes: 1st, The number of adraissious was seventy-seven less than last year?tho result, iu great meas? ure, of the Act passed at the last session of tho General Assembly requiring more rigid examinations for commitmeut; .uid, 2d, Seventy of the imbecile class, ivho were believed to bo harmless, were remands! to the care of their families, or of the commissioners of their counties. The report of tha superintendent calls attention to the difficulty of thus dis? posing of the iinbcoilo pati;mls, who in? variably accumulate in the Asylum be: cans* of the inadequate provision for their custody in ;l>o county poorhouscs. The. largo centre building of the Asylum was completed during tho year, ami it is row occupied, it is not probable that the Slate will ever again be called on to erect hj expensive a building for the use rf ihe insane. The condition of the 1'.nances of the Asylum is highly satis? factory. The increase in the number of pay patients, the low prices of some of the leading supplies, and the exercise of rigid economy, havo resulted iu tho saving of a considerable amount from the la*t appropriation. The whole ap? propriation asked for is $39,000 less than the amount appropriated last year. Tho result of the work of the year has been ! most gratifying. There have been no j epidemic diseases; no case of suicide or i of homicide has occurred; the death rale has been reduced nearly one-half; I there has been some increase iu the per ; cent age of recoveries; a number of per ? manetil improvements have been made, and the iiistilution, in all its departments, has been kept in thorough repair. The liberal appropriationa by#the General Assembly have enabled the board of re gents and tho officers of the institution to keep ahreast of all the advances made in the care and treatment of the insnne, and the present condition el the Lunatic Asylum, in its appointments and in its general management, entitles it to rank with the foremost institutions of its kind in this country. THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. The annual report of the department of agriculture for 1SS5 includes the re ports of the commissioner, the chemist, the special assistant in the phosphate department and the superintendent of fisheries. These reports furnish detailed statements of the operations for the year, showing the varied and important du lies with which the department is charged. The regular work of the department has been fully equal to that of previous years, and much of the time of the com? missioner and his assistants has bjen given to the State's exhibit at the World's Industrial and Cotton Centennial Expo? sition. This exhibit was made by direc? tion of the Legislature, and represented the natural resources and manufactured products of the State. The commission? er makes a full report, showing the ex ? tent and character of the exhibition, f.nd the rest!iif; likely to follow from it. He thinks there is a strong probability of the establishment of direct trade rela? tions with Japan, in the exchange of \ phosphate rock for ammoniating sub; stances, so extensively used by South Carolina manufacturers of fertilizers; that the sales of fertilizers manufactured bere will be largely increased ; that the agricultural advantages of the State, as ?shown by tbe products displayed, will attract the better class of farmers and laborers; that the mineral resources, as shown by the specimens exhibited, will receive the attention of investors and practical miners; that the splendid .vater power and forestry of South Caro? lina, so thoroughly advertised at the Exposition, and now better known tban over before, will interest capitalists and .hat the trade of our cotton manufactures will be extended. The Japanese com? missioner and experts in wine growing and other industries have already visited the Slate, and the favorable impressions ,'brined justify the expectation of good results from their investigations. The statistics compiled by the depart? ment show the steady agricultural pro? gress of the State. In the staple crops there is a gradual increase in production, and each year shows greater increase in tbe use of labor-saving raachiuery, and in the number and value of improved breeds of live stock,. The board of agriculture baa encour jigeti experiments in tobacco culture, and 'fill take such steps as are necessary to oetablish regular, experiment stations as soon as the funds of the department will permit. The department has a well-equipped chemical laboratory, and is prepared to undertake analyses of fertilizers, min? erals, &c., for farmers and others. The building contains tbe offices, the labora? tory and a large ball for agricultural eonventions. The specimens exhibited I at tbe Cotton Exposition were lent to the I Agricultural Society of South Carolina ! for the Charleston Exposition ; they will j be returned to tbe department building ' in Columbia, and will form tho nucleus f for a permanent museum * TT * * * * * * EAII.P.OAD COMMISSION. The report of the commission states that there has been a decrease in the number of complaints filed, and thai, through the prompt and harmonious f.clion of the officials connected with the various roads, a much more convenient form of classification has. been adopted. The commissioners say that, in con:.e quencc of. the financial depression pre? vailing throughout tbe conntry, but- few railroads have realized profits during the last fiscal year, and that i'j many roads the result has been most unfavorable ; but that, notwithstanding this fact, eight 6f the roads in the State show an in? crease over the business of the previous year, and ten show a small percentage of decrease. Tbc number of miles of new road con? structed was greater than during noy one year of the past ten years. The re? port furnishes full statements of the action of the commissioners for the year aud contains much valuable statistical io formation. STATE HOUSE. The Act passed at the last .session of the General Assembly; "to provide lor the completion of the main building of tho State-House," appropriated $75,000 to defray the expenses of continuing the construction for the year 1885, and ap? pointed the Governor, the Secretary of State and the comptroller general a com? mission to make the necessary contracts, including the employment of an archi? tect. The commission organized on the I'd ! of January last. Mr. J. E. Niernsce, the distinguished architect who designed tbe building, and who superintended its construction until the work was suspend? ed in 1864, was appointed architect. He entered upon the discharge of his duties und began the preparation of tbe plans und estimates for the completion of the building. When the estimates for the grauite work were ready, bids to be sub? mitted by tho 10th of June were called ror by advertisement. In consequence of the death of Mr. Niernsee, which occurred early in June, the bids were not opeued until after the selection of bis successor, Mr. J. C. Neilson. of Bal? timore, Maryland. The lowest bid, that of tho Wcstham Granite Company of Richmond. Va., for -557,005, was accepted. After the contract was made, all of the stone balusters required for present use were found in the basement of the building, thereby reducing the outlay for granite, work by $6,500. Some addition? al cost will ariso fro'm the fact that the amount of cut stone on hand, which formed part of the consideration of the contract, is less than that estimated, and also because it will be necessary to have work done on the old stone to make it correspond with the new. The architect reports that the present roof is in tad condition, and that the gutters and spouts will require about $550 for renewal, un? less the new roof is put on in 1886. The underground drains for carrying off the rain water have been put in perfect order, and nearly all of tho work necessary for connecting the sewerage of the building with the river has been completed. The Report of the architect will give detailed information oi the work proposed for the coming year. Two plain nre s:igge>ied for increasing the accommodations now iiffordid in tho building The architect states that the wo> k for the next year, and, consequently, the appropriation to be made, will depend upon the selection of one of these plans by :he General Assembly, and that a sum varying from $80,000 'to .M20.000 can be "expended with advantage according io the j.'ua selected. Much of the wort, including the making of brick, can be don? by convict labor. CRIMINAL COCRTS. The necessity for some changes in our Criminal Cour's is apparent. The trial justice system, which was intended to relieve the Circuit Court oi* General sions by providing inferior Courts in which petty offences could bo tried read? ily and at small cost, has failed to fulfil the purpose which it was designed to ac? complish. It is proper, therefore, that I recommend, for the consideration of the General Assembly, such amor.dmeuts to the law as seem most likely to give re? lief to the Courts of {Sessions, while pro? viding for the prompt trial of persons charged with crime, and the speedy punishment of those who may be con? victed. But two modes suggest them? selves to me by which this may be ac- i complished. These are the establishment of County Courts, or an increase in the number of Circuit Judges. Carefal con? sideration of this subject induces ;iie Lo btlieve that the latter mode i:= best suited to our wants. It has recently been decided on Circuit, after grave consider? ation, that trial justices have no jurisdic? tion in cases of petty larceny. If this decision is sustained by the Supreme Court the jurisdiction of trial justices will be greatly restricted, and the work of the Courts of Sessions correspond? ingly increased. In that event the present number of Circuit Judges, will be insufficient for the discharge of the duties required. Doubts have been expressed whether, under the Constitu? tion of this State, the General Assembly can create County Courts having such jurisdiction as would be adequate to re? lieve the Courts of General Sessions of the trial of offences of this class. Apart from these doubts there are grave ebjec tions to such Courts. Among thes? ob? jections are : Their cost, even as com pared-with such au increase in the num of Circuit Judges as will be sufficient for tho purposes in view; the fact that the number of appeals from the Cotiuty Courts will be so large as to crowd un? duly the dockets of the Courts of Ses sious, and the increased demands of jury duty upon that class of citizens wuose services as jurors are essential to the impartial administration of justice. The Circuit Court undoubtedly has jurisdic? tion of all crimes. It has the power to command and enforce resppet. The learning, ability and character of. its Judges furnish a guarantee against abuse of power which no inferior Court can give, and the increase in the number of ; its Judges necessary to insure the prompt . administration of justice will cost less than any efficient system of County Courts. I commend this subject to the attention of the General Assembly in the confident assurance that it will receive the careful consideration which its importance de? mands, and that proper remedies will be provided for those evils which are now justly the cause of complaint. If the General Assembly should deem it best to retain the present trial justice system, I would recommend that the law be so amended as to provide for the payment of stated salaries to all trial justices, and that they be not allowed costs in criminal cases. Some of the trial justices now receive salaries, but in all instances in which they are not so compensated for their services their fees depend upon tlio number of cases which they hear, ami sometime?, practically, upon the decis? ions which they render. The temptation thus held out to incite litigation and to decide wrongfully has contributed in large measure to the evils of the system, in which, as too of en happens, the officer is wanting in the character, ability, learning and professional pride and training which should mark those who sit as judges in questions involving the rights and liberties of their fellow-citi? zens. The trial justice should be a con? servator of the peace. To make him such the law must remove all incentives to promote strife and litigation. The number of trial justices now allowed by law is 407. The number iu gome of the counties is larger than the requirements of the service demand, and it should be reduced. I would further suggest, as worthy of consideration, that trial jus? tices be appointed by the Governor on the nomination of the solicitors and of the Circuit Judges, subject to confirma? tion by the Senate, and that tbey be removed by the Governor for cf.use. The personal acquaintance which these officers have with lue citizens in their respective circuits, aud their official intercourse with the trial justices, would enable them to make better selections for these important offices than it is possible for the Governor to do. Until this year it has been the practice lo appoint trial justices for two years, and, upon the - occurrence of a vacancy, to fill the office for the balance of the unexpired term. In this way the terms of all trial justices ended with the term of the Governor by whom they were appointed. The Attor? ney-General has recently given the opin- . ion that, under existing laws, trial justi? ce?, if confirmed by the Senate, hold office for the full term of two years, unless sooner removed according to law. All appointments since this opinion was given have been made in accordance with this construction of the law. * ****** * In conclusion, I invoke your attention to the responsible duties for which you - are now assembled, with the sincere wish, and the confident hope, that your labors may be wisely directed to the advance? ment of the best interests of the people. HUGH S. THOMPSON. The Only Red Ear. Col. Oabome, a grizzly gambler who, in the good old days "befo' de wab," won and lost many a dollar cn the big double/ deckers on the Lower Mississippi, sat enjf" a bale of cotton at the wharf in Vicks burg, Miss., the other day. There were ! large rents in the back of his russet coat, and his trousers were infirm with ago. "Times are not what they were," the old sport moaned, as he tossed a piece of red -> faro check into the river and stroked his chin with a velvety hand. "But I saw some pretty hard days in the 'GO's though, and my present condition sort o' carries me back to a particularly memorable day in 18G3. It was of a Wednesday in . June of that year, if I remember aright, that I boarded a steamer at Memphis. I had just enough money to pay my pass^ age to Natchez. But this fact did ucm worry me auy. There were plenty M\ suckers in those days, aud I was prej? cute in my line of business. The ideJK not being able to rake in a bundre4We two on a trip never entered my head. IVe had gone down the river perhaps five miles when I spotted a youne smooth-looking fellow dealing faro out of hand. There were live Indianians in the game, aud as I watched the beta I concluded that the lay-out was just too soft for anything; but, as I said before, I didn't have a copper, and what made it all the more discouraging. I had pawned all my jewelry in St. Louis several weeks before. > "1 paw that the players wore using kernels of corn for check?, and 1 had also s"on, while waiting for the boat to start at Memphis, that she carried a grx*4 sized cargo of corn in the ear. Now'p here was my opportunity. I moved away from the game, feeling as though there was but a few short steps between myself and opulence Sneaking down on the boiler leck. I found an open hatchway, and. thrusting this big right hand into the- boat's hold, fished up an oar of corn. I jammed the cob into my coat pocket and crept upstairs like a thief shelliogju the corn as I went. It was not move than a minute more before I was looking ever the shoulders of the players. Tho came was getting interesting, and the men were piling up the corn on the cards at :i great rate. Now here was my time. I scooped up a handful of kernels and slapped the seeds un the queon. The dealer looked at the kernels a second, and, without raising his head, said in a tone of voice so frosty that it chilled mo to the bone, 'Stranger, don't remember of issuing any red checks.' I took in tho situation at a glance, and with a st*??* cough slunk away to the bow of the boat, and cursed my luck. Whet: that boat reached Natchez, I sat on the wharf iwo whole days watching them unload that corn, and I will eat this old hat if there was another ear of red corn in the whole cargo. Talk about hard luck, friend, that was a little more agonizing than tho kind I am plying in now." --? ? - ' ? A coat of paint has no buttons on i$.