Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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TUB GOVItRN? State A-ilYtirs: in C ?< >o look I I COLE.MII?.A, S. C., J nu.'.I.-Governor McSweeney's message to thc legisla tun.1 was read in both houses to-day and its different recommendations and suggestions wen- appropriately re ferred. Following is a synopsis of it: Thc message opens with eulogistic references to the death ol' Governor Kllcrbc and congratulations on tho prosperity ?d' thc State and peoph After remarking that in cottmi man ufacturing South Carolina i? ads all the Southern States, ano in the number of spindles ?laud.s second I univ to Mass:irhu?cti- the message say;: If the progri - i' the past 51 sir augurs anything for thc future we shall soon lead all others in this im portant industry, and instead of fur nishing any of our staple crop for ex port to other places for manufacture we will bc large importers of cotton from "thor States to supply t he local demand. Parin:.' thc past year eleven new trills have been organized and arc in processof construction, represent ing a total capital ?d' ??!{,275,000. Six teen old mills have been enlarged, representing an increase of their cap ital stock of $2,1-il ,000. This ont ! only means a large addition to the wealth of the Stale and au increase of thc taxable property, hut ti means wealth put ?. i. 4? active .service,and em ployment for many of our people. "la railroad building, as 1 have al ready stated, there has been very de cided activity; 2117 miles have been completed ami is in actual process of construction. This represents an outlay of at least $25,000 a mile, or nearly SO,000,000, and when completed and returned for taxation, even at a valuation of ?10,000 a mile, will add $2,370,000 to the taxable property of thc State. "In cotton seed oil mills, the lum ber business and other branches of in dustry, thero has been very marked activity. A study of these figures and a realization of the material progress upon which the State has entered, should bc cause of sincere congratula tion to every true Carolinian, and should move you as representatives of the people to do all that you can to foster aud cucourago this progress, and these institutions nnd indus tries, which mean so much for our State." I take pleasure, also, in congratu lating you on the condition of thc finances of thc State. The State treasurer has been able to meet ail of the obligations of the State promptly, j and also the interest on the public debt, without the necessity of having to borrow any money or overdraw his account, and still has a balance in the treasury. PLAS OP LEVYING TAXES. Thc Governor says the present method of valuing property in the State for taxation is unfair and un satisfactory. Ho adds: 4'I am persuaded that if some plan could bc devised by which the consti tution could be obeyed and all proper ty assessed at its actual value thc burden would bear more easily and equitably upon all tax payers. As the law now stands the county auditor is required to go into each township and take returns of property, and then thc township boards meet and go over these returns and then they are gone over by thc County boards of equaliza tion. I submit for your consideration the advisability of requiring that the constitution bc carried out and all property assessed at its actual value, and that thc County auditor take re turns only in the townships and that thc township boards be required to at tend while these returns aro being made, and if any question arises as to thc valuation of the property, it could bc settled by the auditor, the board of assessors and the owner of the prop erty. These township boards should be men of ability and character, and should bc in position to determine tho actual value of the property. I be lieve that some such plan, if proper ly carried out, would materially in crease thc taxable property of the State and go far towards equalizing thc burden of tazation. There is need fur b?uiriiiiug lu ut) dune aiuug iain linc. PENAL AND CHARITABLE. The management of the asylum for the insane is commended and atten tion is called lo the reports. These show steady increase in the population, which is now an average of 1,000, an inorcasc of thirty-six over last year. Of thc patients 599 are white and 407 colored. There were admitted during ^ast year 415; discharged 397. The board of regents suggest for consideration the better development of thc isystem of County poor houses )R'S MESSAGE. il Ooiiflition ; 111 ' 1 ( >ut opel'vii. and thc consideration of thc matter of "settlement," by which it would bc better established who may claim beneficiary support in th . State hos pital. "Our law should bc thc more specific," says tho!?overnor, "in deal in : with inebriates an<? the criminal insane." The hoard estim?tes that it will need for thi-- year appropriations as fol lows: Maint* nane? .??WMhOlll) lb ! : ou Wallace propel ty and interest . ... i l'i rmauent i III prov? ment - Ml,OOO Megen ls. I Ju!) ii ir?..v?t) The annual report ol' thc SoutlcCar ulina institution for the Education nf the heal'ami the Blind shows an en rollment ol' I^i! pupils, representing thirty s-ven counties. Thc average cost in twenty-four schools, in which this school was included, was $'?'?'? per pupil, as against ??1.'?U for tliis school. Hut the school has grown be yond the accommodations which it has tootler. Th? institution asks for ?Cifi, IMM, of which $'JQ,0IH) is for support, &?0,Uf)0 for new sci.1 building, *10, Ollt) for building for colored pupils ?iud .-.'>.'ino for general repairs. The penitentiary has probably made corn enough to last until next crop, lt ha- sold over 1,0111) bushels ol' oats and on the Statu farms made (IOU hales ol' cotton. The governor recom mends special provision for consump tive patients. He says: "There have been only fifteen es capes under the present management, and twelve ol' these were from stock ades of private parties who have con victs lensed. L understand that the board of directors have been making contracts for the lease of convicts when there was not a sufficient num ber to fill existing contracts. I do not consider this good business judg ment. Neither do 1 think it wisc to make contracts for a long term of years, for conditions might, arise which would not leave a sufficient number to work thc State's property. 1 ask a careful consideration of these contracts." There are SUI convicts in prison December Mist, 18U9, against 784 in on the same date in 189S. Two hun dred and seventy-two were received from courts during the year. The receipts for thc year were SUS, ;>22,C7, inch'ling balance from 1893 of $4,80-1,44, and thc expenses were $58, ?VM't. The Governor commends thc management of tho present Superin tendent. THE MATTE? OF EDUCATION. Thc message talks in general terms of the anvantages of aud ueed for gen eral education and says: "To secure efficiency in our common schools three things are of paramount importance: "First, you must have the means with which to operate them. Second, you must have educated and consecra ted teachers. Third, you want intelli gent and efficient County superintend ants of education." Of the "higher institutions" tho governor say?: 1 'Whatever may have been the difference of opinion as to the wisdom of establishing State col leges, the polioy of the State in this matter has been fixed, and these in stitutions are here and arc all doing good work for the State, and if judged by thc enrollment of students, there is a demand for them. To pull them down or to give them niggardly assist ance would be a backward step which I feel that no true son ?of South Caro lina would be willing to take. It is no longer a question whether or not thc State should engage in higher education. That has been settled. To make war on these State institu tions is to retard the progress and de velopment of tho State. There has been a general awakening in the sub ianl r\f nil ii r>Q fi nr. in Smifli Carnlind J~~- ---- - ."-> and not only has the enrollment in the State colleges been good, but the de nominational oolleges have been more prosperous in recent years than ever before iu their history. There should bo no conflict between the denomina tional colleges and the State ooUojreR. They are both doing good work. No true friend of any State college will wage warfare on any denominational college, and there is no sound reason for any denominational college to feel unkindly toward the State colleges. The denominational colleges have done and are doing a good work in ?.his State, and should reeeivo our hearty commendation." BETTER ROADS NEEDED. On the general subject of roads the governor speaks energetically. Ho says thc bad roads arc among thc chief causes for the steady drift of the peo j>l<: from thc country to thc town? ami j cities, as in present conditions country people ar?* denied easy access to the churches and schools. "Thc country.'' he say* "is til?; preserver ?if trm- manhood ami tho fos ter father of manly independence. Nothing will conduce more t" thc de velopment and desirability as a place of residence than the building <?f good roads.' ' "Our conditions arc such that it wouhl scarcely bc wisc to levy an ad ditional tax for this purpose. But by wis-.- ami looper use ?d' the means at our disposal much more might be ac complished than is now done. In many ol' the counties much of the work on public roads is but a shiftless pre tence Under our system of county chain gangs, if the force were kept at work ?rn permanent improvements and the building of permanent roads in stead ?o? cleaning out ditches and throwing a little dirt in the middle, which lia- to bc done over after each rain, niue i more might be accomplish ed. Some of the counties have real ized th?- importance of this permanent work and as a result good and perma nent roads arc being built. I submit for your c msideration the importance of requiring all county chain gangs to le- ?ept. on permanent work and not be permitted to fritter away their lime on work that will have to be done over two or three times a year." TDK IMSI'KNSAItV (JL'KHTIOX. " There is tm question that will en gage your attention at this session that will demand more careful thought and in which there is more interest manifested than that of the control of liquor. lt is important that you should take ludd ?if the question in a positive and direct manner ind meet th?; issue squarely. Under the consti tution of th?.- State there are only three modes allowed for dealing with this question. 'The general assembly may license persons or corporations to man ufacture and sell and retail alcoholic li?|Uors or beverages within th?; State ;' 'or the general assembly may prohibit thc manufacture and sale and retail of alcoholic liquors and beverages within tho State ;' or it 'may authorize and empower State, county and uiuuicipal officers, all or either, under the au thority and in the name of the State, to buy in any market and retail within thc State liquors and beverages in such packages and quantities, under such i ules and regulations as it deems ex pedient.' And in no case shall it be sold in less quantities than one-half pint or between sun-dowu and sun-rise, and it shall not bc drunk on the prom ises. Neither can the general assem bly 'delegate to any municipal corpo ration thc power to issue licenses ti sell the same.' Under thc last altern ativc thc dispensary law is in force. At the present time and in view of thc era of material progress and develop mont upon which thc State has enter cl, 1 do not believe it would bc wise 01 good business judgment to refer this question to a popular election, No! that there is any uneasiness or unwill ingncsa to trust thc people, but it would have a tendency to renew strifes and bitterness and engender bad feel ing, and I bclicvo would retard thc progress of thc State in its materia development. Much of the prejudice that has heretofore existed against thc dispensary law has been broken dowr and many of the most bitter opponent! have come to realizo its good feature! and are ready and willing and anxiout to see it improved and enforced. Wit! certain amendments which seem ne cessary, and which will commend themselves to your good judgment should bo made at thc present session and with the proper enforcement oi thc law, it is the best solution of thc liquor question yet devised. Ever those who oppose the dispensary lav admit that it has good features Whiskey has been put under tho ban and whether you prohibit it, license it, or take entire charge of it, th? prinoiple is tho same. It seems to mi that it would be good judgment to tak< hold of the present law and amend anc improve it. Prohibition is very nici in theory, but in existing circumstan ces and conditions I do not bcliovc that it would be practicable. Ex traordinary machinery would bo noces sary to enforce it, aud there would bi no means with which to employ th? machinery except by additional taxa tion, and cvon thou whiskey would bi sold and bar rooms under the guise o drug stores would spring up and flour ian in every town and hamlet in Bout! Carolina. Suoh has been tho experi once wherever prohibition has beet tried. Loeal option would be eve: worse than prohibition. To have pro hibition in one County, a license sys tem in an adjoining County, and th umjiouoaiji lu a7i?vu?i, t??u?u Ctu?iv? u end of confusion and trouble through out the State. "No law has been enacted in th i State in recent years that has been a bitterly opposed and as strongly sui; ported as the dispensary law. Am yet, with the exception of a few local ities, it has been as well enforced o could be expected, being revolution?r as it was. No law can bo thorough), enforoed that has not behind it and t support it a healthy public scntimet in its favor. Now that public senti mont is growing in its favor, it seen to mo that it would benawiso and ba ; judgment to repeal the dispensary ! law and to make trial <?f some other 1 system of controlling the liquor huai- : I ness. j "That there has been had managc j merit in some departments, is not au argument against the system. That there should have been disagreement and contention amongst those in con trol, i* unfortunate. "I would recommend for your con sideration the abolition of the State and County boards of control and that the duties of these officers be devolved upon other officials. You should se lect a State Commissioner of biarh character and good business judgment and give him sufficient compensation to command the services of such a man. Ile should be given more authority and discretion, and required to give a good and sufficient bond and be sub ject to removal by the governor. As thc present law stands, he has very little discretionary power in the man agement of tho business, and is not much more than a clerk to carry out the rules and regulations of the board (d'control. Asan advisory board to the Stat?; Commissioner I would sug gest thc C unptrollcr < ! encrai,thc State Treasurer and the State Superinten dent of Education, with such powers and duties as in your wisdom you may think proper to confer upon them. 1 do not deem it wise to put the Govern or or the Attorney General on this ad visory board. You might add to thi> board tho chairman of the finance com mittceof the Senate and the chairman of tho way.', and means committee ol the House. It would not be necessary for this board to meet moro than font times a year, and at each meeting com petitivc sealed bids could be submittci and these bids opened in the prcscnc< of thc commissioner and such pureba ses made as would be needed to sup ply thc demand. Tito State Treasure is the custodian of the funds, th Comptroller General distributes th school part of the fund arising fron the dispensary, and thc State Super lutendent of Education is thc head o thc educational department, which i the beneficiary of thc fund. These of fiecrs are elected by the people, ant have to give account to them for th manner in which they discharge thei duties, and are always men of abilit and character. "In place of the County boards would suggest that the County Supei visor, the County Auditor and th Mayor of fithe County seat town, if dispensary bc located there, if not th Mayor or Intendentof some town in tb country in which thcre'isa dispensar constitute thc County board, and th: they serve without extra compensi tion. They, too, are elected by th people, and would have to give accoui of their stewardship io the people, would also suggest that the Counl dispensers be elected by the people : other County officers are elected, ai for a term of two years. These changes are suggested not on because in my judgment they wou improve the administration of the la but on the ground of economy. I r gret that I have not the figures for tl last fiscal year. They could not obtained on account of thc assembli: of the Legislature coming so near the close of the fiscal year. The fi ures, however, will not be matorial different from those for the fiscal ye 1898, so far as the county boards a concerned, but the cost of the Ste board will undoubtedly be very mu increased. In this year the total cc of the county boards was $9,724 S For the same year the cost of the Ste board of control was $4,380.02, whi makes a total of $14,104.22 as thc cc of the State and oounty boards control, and whioh by their aboliti would bo turned into the profits of t dispensary. I would also suggest that the law so amended as to bring violatic within the jurisdiction of magistrat so that all cases might be promp and summarily adjudicated. Much the expenso of the constabulary ari; from having to attend Circuit Cou as witnesses and prosecutors agaii blind tigers. Soon after I came into office I duced tho constabulary force nea one-half, and endeavored as far a knew and could secure information select men of charaotcr and discret to perform the duties of State cont bles. As publio sentiment grows favor of the law and magistrates i their constables and other ottieurs alize that it is as muoh their duty enforoe this as any other law, I satisfied that the foroe can be s further reduoed and finally abolish During the past year I issued a cular letter to all the magistrates i Bucnuo wi tua uMiva null m ti ms> and intendants of the incorpore cities and towns calling their attont to the faot that the dispensary lav* as muoh a law of the State as any i er law, and also direoting their att tion to their duty to enforce it jus they would the statute against larc or any other crime, and asking tl aid and oo-operation in the wise humane exeoution of all laws. 1 i responses were numerous and un mous in expressions of hearty co-< ration. Some of them were fi enough to say that they had been were opposed to the dispensary 1 but manly enough to acknowledge it | as a law of thc State and to pledge their support and co-operation in its proper enforcement. I am satisfied that this circular has resulted in good, and t li ut, in many of thc cities and towns the local authorities are doing what they can to apprehend violators, and that there are fewer violations of the dispensary law than of many other law.-? now on the statute books. .Mr. W. VY. Harris, who is clerk and is in charge of this department under my direction, in his report to nie says : "There is less complaint of the illicit traffic in liquor cjniing to this office fruin throughout the State thau over before during the five years I have been connected with this department, and it is very evident that there is less violation of the dispensary law over thc entire State, with the possi ble exception of tho city of Charles ton and two or three of the Counties in the northwest portion (d' the State, and it is probable that even in those suctions there has been improvement." 1 submit herewith a table showing the c miparative cost and thc work ilene by thc reduced number ol' constables fm- thc last six months ol' 1899and thc corresponding six months of 1898. It will bc seen that sn far as the work done, the number of seizures is about thc same, while there has been a sav ing for the six months of 1899 over thc same six months of 1898 of *S,2oS.90 in this one item. I am glad to be able to state that during my term of office with but one exception there has been no conflict between thc constables and citizens. The following is the statement of re ceipts and disbursements on account of tho pecial dispensary school fund: Heceivcd from State dispen sary, 1898-99 ?130,000 Disbursed to thc several counties under act 1898 - ?67,204 3ii Disbursed defi ciency several counties under act 1S99. 19,338 02 Disbursed surplus several coun ties under act 1899 .13.457 03 $130,000 CONFEDERATE HECOUDS. The recommendation of Col John 1*. Thomas that the State have pub lished the rolls of her Confederate troops with a sketch of the career and service of thc various commands is en dorsed. CIIICKAMAUOA BATTLE FIELD. An appropriation of $10,000 to mark the positions of South Carolina troops on the Chickamauga battle field is re commended. As TO BIENNIAL SESSIONS "The tdvisability of biennial ses I sinus of the legislature has been fre quently called to the attention of the general assembly by my predecessors. That we have too much legislation we all admit. Fewer changes in our laws ! as a rule would be better. There would not be that uncertainty in re nard to many laws that now exists. Many States have adopted biennial sessions of their legislatures. The State constitution provides for an nual session?? of the legislature and thc Declaration of Rights declares 'The general assembly ought frequent ly to assemble for the redress of griev ances and for making new laws, as tho common good may require.' I submit thc matter to you for your careful consideration, inasmuch as thero has been more discussion of this subject and some demand in certain sections for biennial sessions. As you will seo, in order to change, would require an amendment to our constitution." The legislature is warned against ! wasting time on local legislation. ! "There ha* been no mob violeuoe during the past year and general good order bas prevailed throughout the State. The county of Darlington is to be congratulated on giving a legal trial and execution for a crime that usually results in summary justice. This spirit is to be encouraged and com mended, and will result in greater re spect for the proper and leiral channels of administering the laws." The message closes with a general exhortation to "prudent and careful economy." "Blood tells." But we rarely recog nize the fact except in times of stress and strain. A horse which looks iike a "scrub" may beat another horse which seems the ideal of a racer, just by that one quality of good blood. Similarly men, who seem in the pink of condition drop down under the racing strain of business. Why? Blood tells. Men reckoned perfectly healthy start out for business, they make a run for the train, and collapse. "Heart Fail ure" they call it. Blood failure would be often the better name. Take care of the blood and the body will take care of itself. It is the blood which huitr?n the body. Thc bleed in deed is the body. A sound body must be based on sound blood. It is one of the peculiar properties of Dr. Pierce's Golden Medical Discovery that it eliminates from the blood the ef fete and poisonous matter which is antag onistic to health. It also gives to the blood those elements which are necessary to its strength and vitality. Thur: by the use of " Golden Medical T>bu?nv?nr ?? purity of blood and power of body li Ave been attained by thousands of ricki" and scrofulous men and women. Ko other medicine purifies the blood and builds the body as does the " Dis covery. ' * Accept no substitute. "It gives me mach pleasure to testify to the merits of Dr. Pierce's Golden Medical Discov ery," writes Kiss Annie Weils, of Feratxssoa's wharf, Isle of Wight Co., Va. "I can say hon estly and candidly that it ls the grandest medi cine ever compounded for parimos; the blood. X suffered terribly with rheumatism, and pimples on the skin and swelling in my knees and feet sp tliat I could not walk. I spent about twenty dollars paying doctors' bills but received no be nefit. A year Ot two ngp I was reading one of ?our Memorandum Books and I decided to try ?r. Pierce's Golden Medical Discovery and ' Fa vorite Prescription,"' and am entirely cured." Dr. Pierce's Pleasant Pellets are grad uated to the requirements of woman's .delicate system. They regulate the stomach, liver, and bowels. Tho Kimi You Have Always Bought, and which lui? been in uso for over 30 years, has borne tho signature of - and. has been made under his per 7^7*2^" sonni supervision since its infancy. Allow no ono to deceive you in this. All Counterfeits, Imitations and Substitutes are but Ex periments that trillo with and endanger the health of Infants and Children-Experience against Experiment? What is CASTORIA Castoria is a substitute for Castor Oil, Paregoric, Drops and So. thing Syrups. It is Harmless and Pleasant. It contains neither Opium, Morphine nor other Narcotic substance. Its ago is its guarantee. It destroys Worms and allays Feverishness. It cures Diarrhoea and Wind Colic. It relieves Teething Troubles, cures Constipation and Flatulency. It assimilates the Food, regulates tho Stomach and Dowds, giving healthy and natural sleep. Tho Children's Panacea-The Mother's Friend. GEN?3?ME CASTORIA ALWAYS Bears the Signature of The KM You Haye Always Bought In Use For Over 30 Years. THC CCNTAUn COMPAflY. TT MU nn AV OTnCET. NCW YORK CITY. CAR OF OLD HICKORY AND TENNESSEE WAGONS, JUST ARRIVED. COLUMBIA BUGGIES Are going right along, and if you don't buy at once you will have to pay 15 to 25 per cent advance. A FULL LINE OF Carriages, a go ns, Buggies ar cl Harness On hand at all times tc be Bold at the Lowest Cash Prices. Ii" you have a good young ftftUL? l^at You w*eh to 8e^ at a reasonable cash price bring it around and let me look at it. I would prefer to pay you the cash than to take it West. USS- I am also iu the market for DRY CATTLE and Feeders. ?gu Coma to see me when in the city and let's see if we can't trade some. JOS. J. FRET WELL. JOHN A. HAYES Sells HYNDS' Home-mad* SHOES-Home-made Leather Honest Work, Honest Leather, Honest Prices. THE Inmost Shoe Factory and Tannory Routh. The BEST SHOES made in the World. Tbe only combined Shoe Factory and Tannery in the United States. A Solid, First-clae*, A No. 1, Best Gainesville Shoes. If you want cheap, shoddy, paper shoes don't bny these-onrs will not suit you, but if you want tba bent Shoes at popular prices buy oars, they will please you. Tho prices range from fifty cents to Five Dollars a pair; any price yon want. They are the cheapest because thev are tb? best; made of oar own pure Oak-bark Tanned Leather, "Soft, Elastio and Strong." Nothing equals it for wear, and that ie what you want Try one pair and yon will bay them again. Buy our best qnality. $4.00 and $5.00 Shoes for $3.00 and $3 50. Is a Little Thins when it Begins ! THE longer you put it off the harder it is to cure. The longer it lasts the more serious it becomes. Let it run on and there's no telling what the end will be. The worst case of Consumption was a little Cold once. TAD HirTTWT* JL JT*.XV UAAX^ A Will stop any Cough when it first begins. It will atrnn moat Cnn o rt a Afb*? thnv fret had. " *-f--a- ~<* o -- But the best way ia to take it at the first sign of a Cold. It ought to be right at your elbow all the time. Tar Mint Is the BEST REMEDY for COU 3HQ, COLDS, HOARSENESS, and all diseases of the Throat and Lungs. Don't buy any other kind. . 50c. HILL-ORR DRUG CO