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attendance required for at least 12 wccks "f tlio s< Imo! term. Tin stn tus ?M the public schools ls . . nut ihr Kanu as it was at the tl?u* H y< ur last rv. ?cit. The uverage pchools term lor the past year fur the whit?.' schools, according tu the State superintendent's reiiort, wa:* 21 weeks, exactly the sumo a? the urie for the year revious; f?ir tho negro schuols th?* term was 14 weeks, one week less than for the previous ycui it may be re marked that tl;'- st:it<- superintendent reports (hat in a few of ?he coun ties there ar?' HO many inaccuracies In the report submitted to him as to thc averuR?' number ?>f weeks as well as Hie other averages and totals, that the reports in his report ea niH.it bc abso lutely r? !ii ?I upon. I desire to repeat lure what I said last year: The Importun?e of levy ing un additional tax for tilt; support ??f the emintr.v schools cannot be t?n> strongly urged upon our people. This will enable Hiern t?i employ competent teachers for longer terms: it will ?.'li able them to give their children ele mentary and preparatory training ul home: and it will lend to check th? abnormal dow nf population from the country to the town; it will be bene llclal from every point of view. While lt is possible f?ir the gradell schools to become too mechanical and Inelastic, the Irregularity In attendance at th?' country schools renders it Impossible to have graded instruction or system atic work. The character of the super vision of the stdiools in the country ls very poor in consequence ?>f thu ln adequat?' salaries paid the County j Superintendants, who must give a large portion of their time to other j work than that of supervising the schools. Some provision should he mail?! to j secure more perninnent boards ?if trus tees and county boards <;f education. The tenure of ollie*- In the boards ofl trustees is two years. Most of these] boards not being sun- of their continu ance In office ar?? unable to employ u teacher f?>r more than on?; year-a very unfortunate system ?>f affairs, as lhere I can be no continuous school work from year to year without some per- , rna nonce of tenure. County boa rd H should be elected by the people in HUCII | II way as not to change entirely at on?* ; time; an?! the hoards ?if trust<*os shuuld be elected on a somewhat similar plan. The State superintendent calls atten- j lion to a plan for securing better'school i houses. This should bu given most careful consid?ration, because the best results in training children cannot be ] obtained in shabby and uncomfortable school houses. The total expenditure for the year for whites was.$726,825 44 Por negroes.211.2S7 56 Totnl.$038.113 00 | The total expenditures for last year for whites was. .$693.807 60 j For negroes. 203,033 45 ! Total.$836,841 05 ! WI NTH KOP COLLEGE. Thc present session promises to be I the most successful lu the history of Winthrop college. There are 297 pu pils enrolled In th?? normal department -an Increase of 120 In two yean* and of 60 over the session previous. Every county in th?* State Is represented In the enrollment, which ls much greuter ! than ever before In the history of the j rchoul. The health nf the student body Is reported as g?>od. The much-needed new dormitory building was completed tn time for the opening of the session last October and the new sewerage system provided for by the general assembly has been suc cessfully installed within the appropri- ! itt lon made for lt.t The college has un excellent exhibit at the Charleston exposition. The board of trustees hov?? carefully consider I the needs of tho college for another year and an Iteml/.ed state ment of tho amounts which will be necessary will be submitted to you. Winthrop College ls thc only Institu tion supported by the State for the higher education of Its women, and lt ls, Ut lt should be. thc pride of South Carolina, lt should receive your sup- I port und encouragement and the sup port und encouragement of every citi zen of the State. SOUTH CAROLINA COLLEGE. This institution has just entered upon the second hundred years of Its life with a record behind it of which any institution might well be proud and with bright prospects for the future. The number of students increases yearly, going from 162 four years ago to 227 during tho past session. Its affairs are discreetly managed. Econ omy and care are exercised in mak ing Its means go as far as possible In providing for thu health nnd comfort and instruction of its students. A clear statement and detailed estimate of all Items of expenditure is present ed to you by the authorities, so that you cun see both what ls needed and how much it will cost. The college ls doing excellent work and deserve? the liberal; support of the Stale, and should bu sustained and strengthened in its earnest efforts to exalt the ideals and standards of ed < ucatlon and culture. ? INSTITUTION POU VTHE EDUCA ?TION OF THE DEAF- AND BLIND The fifty-third annual report of the outh Carolina Institution for the Iducatlon of thc Dear "and the Blind shows an average attendance for the year of 163 pupils, .representing* 34 dountles. The expenditures have been kept within the appropriation made for the support of this, Institution. Thc Cost of maintenance N\for the school year beginning July 1,'.1900, and end ing June 30. '1001, w*,a $21.227.92. This makes a per capita cost of $130.23 for ?-.ach pupil. The building for tho department for colored pupils has been completed ari is now occupied by that department. The new "school building" for which the last legislature appropriated 120,000 ls now in process of erection nnd will be ready for occupancy by the begin ning of the next school term. The superintendent asks for nn ap propriation of $23.000 for support. The Increase In number of pupils In'attend ance and the greater cost of living ex penses creates the necessity for the increase in appropriation for support over that of last year. Appropriations amounting to $5,859 are deemed neces sary 'for steam heating, plumbing, electric wiring and furnishing thc new school building, and for necessary re pairs and refurnishing the main build ing and for Insurance of furniture, etc. The affairs of the Institution have been conducted In a practical, business like manner, and th?; amount asked for maintenance ls a conservative* estim ate and shouhl be granted. CLEMSON COLLEGE. Itemized statements of the expendi tures of this institution will be sub mitted to you. A large amount of the expenditure ls for general purposes, such as farmers' Institutes, State en tomological work, and the State fertil izer Inspection. As compnrcd with other colleges of the same size and character thc cost of maintaining this Institution ls below the average. A new dormitory has been built In order to make room for the Increasing num ber of applicants clamoring for ad mission to this institution. It should be n matter of congratulation to the people of thc State that they have an institution of such high grade, doing th? work that Oienmon does ot which *? our young men Can bc taught In those branches which will enable them to take a leading pnrt in the practical affairs of lift? and tho material ad vancement of their State and country. This institution deserves. nsvlt will re ceive, the hearty support and encour agement of the representatives of thc people. , SOUTH CAROLINA MILITARY I ACADEMY. I At your last session you incroused thu annual appropriation of this institution ' to $25,000. with n view of reducing th?* (charges to tlu? cutlcti) from ?:'u<? to ?2r.?? per H munn. Thin reduction wa? made j by the board of visitors ut their meet Inn last June, and the board hopea thia action will tend materially to Increase i the humber In attendance. Th?' health ?of the students hus been good, and the affairs of th? institution have been well : managed. An appropriation of $26,2!>i' ' is asked for. The recent annual reunion of the stu dents was very largely attended by graduates from all over th?' ronni ry. und the spirit .shown hy them wa? most 'gratifying and augur? well for the fu ture prosperity of this ucademy. COLORED COLLEGE. Prom ?h<* report of the president ul' this institution it ia learned that the totul disbursements* for th? year end ing Jun?' 30th, 1901. were $32,350. An tip I propriation from the legislature of ?$1:1.328 will he asked. This institution lu ; doing a good work for th?* colored i people of the State, ami should have your encouragement in addition to ? the above, an appropriation of $700 foi 1 making, preparing and installing an ?exhibit ut thc Charleston exposition will he miked. A SOLDIERS' If OM IS. Within the pant few year? tin- neces ?sities ?if many of th?* ?>l?l Confederate soldiers whose names an* enr?dled in . the ranks ?>f those who volunteered from this Stat?' have hewn forcibly i brought to the attention ??f our people. ! Ir. some cases those who have ho meat? I of support a nd no one on whom lo dc* I pend in their declining years ar? en* I during want and hardship and priva I Hon. Some ?if them ev?.*n now ar? li ; th?* county poor houses. These are the men who In tim tim? 'of their youth and strength, in a ns wei to the call of their Stat** in th?* darkest ! h?jur of her history, sacrificed their al und went forth to serve her and to ?le fend her rights on th?* Held of battle The record of the part tiley played ii . that conflict is familiar to you and t< i the whole world, and n?*?'?ls not t?j ls repeated here. Suffice it to say the? (IPI their duty and their whole duty and more than most in?*n would havi I considered their whole ?luty. in thc ?le fense <jf their Stat?*. Nearly a half cen tury has pass?'?! sin?'?* then, und most ?i i them have answered their last/roll eal lund gone to Join their comrades on tin other shore. Hut few of them are l?f I among us, and lt should be the prlvl lege and the pride of S?mth Carolinu li see that not one of thes?* who serve? her so well In the hour of her need 1 lin want in this the evening of his lift I It will he only a few short years a best when there will be no necessity f?? you to consider this question, for ther , will he no one to occupy a Conf?d?ral i Soldiers" Home. If you ever expect t i ?lo anything for the old soltllers aloni ! this line, now is the time. It ls actio j that ls needed, and not talk. In this connection I beg to submit a extract from the report of the hoar \ of regents from the hospital for the in sane : j "In view ot* the consideration by th general'assembly of the au VIKI bi lit y ? I providing a home for Confederate vel j erans. the board of regents desire t ' present to y?mr excellency the practica Iblllty of using the tract of land em ] bracing about fifty acres upon the Wal ! lace purchase, known as the Bel le vu , Place. . . * Upon this tract coul ? now he begun a seri??? of permanei '.buildings adapted to all the uses of ttl vetern ns. and In time they could revel to the regents for the purposes of th hospital. Hy this method tho veterai would lie given" such buildings as tht I deserve, since In view of the future ut i of these buildings the State could we j afford to expend a larger sum up?: their construction than could' he doi for merely temporary buildings." This plan strikes me us entirely prai tlcahlc. and I commend lt as a luipi solution of the question. At the pre; , ent rate of Increase among the occi ?punts of the hospital for the Insane tl i buildings Will be needed by the hotiplt by the time there ls m> longer need fi lt as a Confederate Home, and tl Stnte will only be building for the fi ture hy adopting this plan and utlllzli thlB property for the purpose Indicate Of course lt should be understood tht the management of the home should no wdy be connected with the manag mont of the hospitut, but a separa und distinct Institution. THE DISPENSARY. This question has been so much di cussed, both on the stump and in tl halls of legislation, and so bitter fought by its enemies and so strong defended by Its friends that eve phase of it is familiar to you and to t people. It ls now more strongly e trenched in this State than ever befoi ? and lt may be considered ns the fix policy of thc State for dealing with t liquor problem. Its benefits and adva tages are patent to every fair-mind and unprejudiced critic. That there a violation of the law lu certain sc tions is no argument against thc s> tem. Even in Charleston and Cohn bia, the sections of the Slate win there have been more violations of t law than in any other, thc munich authorities have com? to realize t fact that the dispensary system is t fixed policy of the State for dealt with the liquor problem, and ha adopted ordinances providing for I punishment of violators. If the may? and councils of all cities and tow would exert themselves vigorously enforcing the law and bringing to ji tice those who violate lt thc re would no necessity for maintaining a lai I constabulary force. As public ser ment grows more and more in favor the law this will be done. That pt lie sentiment ls growing in favor the system must be admitted by evi cu re ful observer. The management cf thc d'spensi for the pust year has been buslne like and satisfactory. The State boi of directors and the State commlftslo have worked l?*i harmony, and eve thing hns moved smoothly, these fleers having been faithful to the tr imposed. The report of the direct? which will be submitted to you. she gross sales of $2.328,681.21, with a profit to the State of $120.962.25 on count of school fund. Thc net pro to the counties and towns amounted $424.2S5.87. making a total net profit the year of $545,243.12. The report stn that the school fund at pres amounts to $611,354.38, but that lt available very slowly for payment the schools, inasmuch ns lt 5s used working caph .i. In the management of the consta i lory 1 have tried to select men of ju ment and discretion, who would i j form their duty and at the same t ? cause no friction In thc enforcemen 'the law. There ts, and has been, ; will continue to be. violation of the 1 as there is of nil law, and an armj constables could not enforce lt al lutely in all sections of the State, would be better for the law if it v possible to do away with the consta lary feature entirely, and this coule done if the municipal author! and other officers throughout State would lend their aid the enfon.'cment of this law they do of other laws. This ls case in many sections of the State, it ls getting more and more so throu out ihe entire State, and ns public ? tlment grows in favor of the system constabulary may be removed entu During the year closing Novembe there had been 272 convictions for la Hon Of :he dispensary law; $23,486 posed ns fines, of which amount $? was paid, and 137 of thc convicts t the alternative on thc chalngang. total cost of the constabulary for year was $45,011.25. I would recommend that the n f . mum linc In c?im' of conviction for vlo . lutlon of thc dispensary law hu made ? }[>0 instead of $100, and thai the mini i mum service remain a? three months. ' There ur?? cases when it would he helter . for ibe fount y and Stale to have $.10 than tiu?'<- months' service and when it would In* paid if the judge had the discretion to Impose it. Ju dealing '.. Ith this question your only purpose should be to Improve and ?perfect the system. STATIS BOARD OP HEALTH. The report of the Stute boa i'd of ! health, showing their work for the year and making several reeonimeudu I lions, will la- submitted lo you. During 'he past year smallpox apr pea red in several sections of the State. Such cases an were reported to na- were 'immediately brought to the attention of the bou rd and in .-very instance ef forts were made to suppress tile disease by the enforcement of genera I vaccin ation. According to the weekly health i reports of the United ^States Marine hospital service there were in the Unl ' ted State? in October, 1901. twice us many eases as at the same lime in 1000. This should be a warning to all local boards of health to act promptly at tue llrst appearance of a case and enforce vaccination. The most eco nomical aral effective measure in I stamping out tia* disease ls to vaccin ate and, owing lo the widespread prevalence of the disease throughout the country recently, il would be wis?? to take .some action makin? vacclna , tion at certain stated periods compul sory throughout the State. The board calls attention to the fact that in IS'JK an act was passed "to pro vide for the inspection of food, drugs, spirituous and fermented liquors, and 1 to provide for the punishment for adul 1 leratlotiN thereof." and making il thc : duly of the Slate hoard of health to carry out Its provision. No appropria tion was ever made, however, to enable the board to carry out the provisions ol i the act. and lt has therefore been prac j Mcally or no effect. The Inspection ol ; foods and drugs is a very Important mutter, us on tile use und consumption of pur?; food und druK? depends? Hit i life and health of our citizens, und 1 some action should be taken which will i enable this law to be enforced. Then is no# doubt that at present there it much* adulteration of focal and druK* I aral u law of this kind should be mud? effective. The board also recommends that tin oilicc of State bacteriologist be created givlnK as M reason, "the Kreut need o competent expert service to detect th< j early manifestations of dlaeaac tu shown by laboratory test," especially of suspected tuberculosis or consump tion in Its early stages, diptherla am typhoid fever. The bourd thinks th< spread of these diseases could then it many instances be che'eked at Hie ver: source ural by early dis* overy ant treutment of the cases r:?>iore to heultl |a large number of those with the dis ouse. Severn I other recommendation ari made which are embodied in the repor i to be submitted to you. STATIC MILITIA. I deem it scarcely necessary to cal ytour attention to the ever increuaint i necessity of the State having ut it command a well organized und wei equipped volunteer soldiery-ever read "to aid by its moral effect the preser vation of pence und good order in ou commonwealth." Its maintenant: seems imperative. Therefore I deer it likewise unnecessary to suggest tha j the dignit? of the Stute, the pride c her people, the safety of life, the pm j tectlon of property, und wlBdom c sound statesmanship, all demand tha the militia of the State be cared f<j und liberuily supported. It is generally recognized that undc the present direction of the State military department the volunteer sei ! vice hus been vastly improved und a Imoetus glvtn to Us progress and dh cipllne that deserves and receives m heartiest commendation. I may aa that in every instance during my o< cupancy of the executive chair wher ever un emergency has occurred thi necessitated a call on the militia to ai slat in preserving the peace and prt tectlng the property of our people, ott cers and enlisted men alike hm obeyed orders with the greatest ulai rlty, courage and coolness. ? In May laat at the unveiling of tl monument at Chlcamauga urected t South Carolina in commemoration i her heroes who there fought and fe ; 1 consider lt a matter of pride ar patriotism to have the volunteer imo) to do honor to the occasion, and therefore directed the adjutant gener I to form a provisional regiment fro among those in the service. Nine cor I panics composed the formation and Ct i Wilie Jones was appointed the color In command. Tho cost qf transport tion was $1.87fi.25. which' the milita board derided to pay out of the tinnu appropriation made to advance t eftleiency of the State militia. The a jutant general in his report asks th the said amount be added tr? the re appropriation, and 1 recommend ih this be tlone. In all such public Stn or national demonstrations the vario Stateu of the Union cheerfully bear i the expenses of their volunteer trooi j Anything which you may do to I crease the efficiency of our State milli will be welcomed by the people of t I State, and every true citizen will h ! with satisfaction the day vhen Sou [Carolina, shall be abie to follow t { laudable example of some of her slsi i State? in amply providing for a [ maintaining that important arm of t i Stale government. I CONFEDERATE RECORDS, i The adjutant und Inspector gener in whose department the Confedert ro'.ls are pin cod. for preservation, ! forma me that almost dally he ls call upon by old soldiers or their kinsn: for permission to examine the rolls search of the names of relatives a for correction and for various ot! I purposes. Such dally examination u handling naturally results In the w< of the rolla nhd the fading of 1 names. These rolls are very Inco plete. it la true, but an appropri?t: should be made for printing them book form so aa to preserve In p manent shape that part of the ree< for which the State has Hready mi considerable expenditure. As a ter montai of gratitude for the patriot! of those who served their State HO V in thia conflict. South Curollna sho no longer defer thia Important matt but should at once take some act to preserve thia link In our hlatory, t make provision for the perservat of this record. T.?e organizations of Veterans. S< of Veterana und Duughtera of the C I federacy are agitating the quest and making prepnratlon to undert tile work, In a systematic way, of c< pict lng and perfecting these recoi and In their efforts they should h your encouragement. But to prose and put In permanent shape what have, will In no way Interfere with work, but will be of assistance in t rylng it forward. PENSIONS. At the laat session of the legislaf the act to provide for pensions for t tain soldiers and sailors, appro February 19, 1900, waa ameded so ai appropriate $150.000.00 annually to tho pensions provided by this ?. 2t. appropriation bill, however, car only $100.000.00 for thia purpose. H raised doubt in the mind of the S treasurer as to whether SIOO.OOO.OC $150,000.00 nad been appropriated pensiona, nnrt he refuse'.! to hoaar I comptroller general's warrant for $ I 000.00. Under this condition of nf! 1 mandamus proceedings ?vere lnstiti to settle the queatlon. lt waa ana before the supremo court and dec by thc court that the amount ap pria ted wau only $100.000.00. The trlbutlon of the fund was there based on the appropriation of ? 000.00. If lt wnH your Intention lo pay th?; pensioners in 11*01 $150.00.00 an appro priation o/ 150.000.00 for tills purpose will be necesunry at thin session. There were on the rolls last year 6,503 pensioners. In part 2 of the comp (roller general's report you will find an ! Itemized statement of the distribution ? of this fond, together with a list of ? pensioners on the roll In this report the comptroller calls *pecial attention to the fact that in ; distributing his money, a soldier 00 years of age who was not wounded or Injured In acj*vlce,i fares the same us the wounded soldier, and the widow whose husband was killed in hatti" or died willie in serviei?, and who was not remarried, shares equally with the 00 year old widow, who lost uer husband j within Hie last two years. He also submits a suggestion as to ' classification and the amount to be paid. As the comptroller general is familiar with this subject his sugges tion should have your careful atten tion. UNVEILING OP Tilt: CH1CAMAU?A MONUMENT. The monument which, through your generosity, has been erected at Chica mauga to commemorate the heroism displayed by the Confederate soldier from South Carolina on that battlefield, was unveiled with appropriate exer cises on the 27th of last May. The monument ls one of the most beautiful and appropriate on the Held. lt is made of South Carolina granite, and on the one side is a bronze life-size Con federate Infantryman, and on the other a Confederate artilleryman. The top of the monument is a graceful bronze palmetto tree, the emblem of the Pal metto State. < . i one side is the In scription: "To ner faithful sons at Chica rna uga South Carolina erects this monument to commemorate the valor they proved and the lives they gave on this battlefield." On the other are the names of the regiments which rep resented Soutli Carolina In this battle, and to the members of which this monument was erected, together with the number of killed and wonndedd from each. The exercises at the unveiling were most appropriate and were largely at tended by veterans and citizens from Routh Carolina. For a detailed de scription of the monument and account i of the exercises I refer you to the pub i llshed report of the cortTmlssioners. All true sons of South Carolina re joice that she has al last done her duty to her sons who fought and fell on this hlBtorlc field. REDISTRICTING. At your lust session you had before you for consideration several bills for redistricting the State. None was passed and the whole subject will come up for consid?ration at this session. There no longer exists any reason for the shoe-string districts which we have in this State and it Is a duty you owe the people to redistrict the State into congressional districts that will be compact and contiguous in territory. This should be done without regard to the political fortunes or interest of any individual and solely with a view of ser ving the interests of the people of the several districts. At the Inst ses sion of the congress of the United Stales an act was passed In which the following section occurs: "Section 3. That in each State en titled under this apportionment the number to which such State may, be entitled In the Fifty-eighth and each subsequent congress shall be elected by districts composed of contiguous and compact territory and containing ns nearly as practicable an equal num ber of inhabitants." You will notfr that this "act of con gress provides that the districts "shall" be composed of territory "compact and contiguous." This may not be manda tory, but as there ls ".o reason at pres ent for the congressional districts re ! malhlng as they are it seems to he the part of wisdom and good Judgment at this session to pass an act making them "contiguous" and more "com pact." * FOREST FRESERA'ATION. . ? It ls only recently that the subject lof forest preservation has attracted any attention in this country and even j now only a few States have made any systematic efforts to prevent the wanton destruction of the. forests, and to enact such laws as will tond ta keep the supply of merchantable lumber. In our own State our people have beer almost reckless in the destruction ol valuable timber without even realizing lt. And lt is not likely that we will bi able as yet to arouse them to the im portance of the subject. lfThe State ol New York is foremost in the work ol forest preservation, and while thl? work ls yet in its infancy even in tha' State, it is accomplishing much tha' will be of inestimable benefit' to the fu ture. The department of agriculture has n forestry division and Its officer) are ready nt any time to assist in th? way of instructing land owners as t< the best methods to pursue either foi the preservation of standing timber oi of planting land that ls entirely opel with the young trees cr. with seed One of the most Important things li connection with the work Is to instruc the people as to the real value of thel timber lands, and in this way preven them from Ignorantly disposing o these at prices that are far below thek value. As we have no department of agrl culture except In connection with Clem son college the work of beginntg am laying plans for the preservation of ou forests might be left to this Institution but even a few thousand dollars spen on this work would pay big returns li the future. LOUISIANA PURCHASE ~ EXPOSI TION. Next year will be the one hundredtl anniversary of the purchase by th United States of thc Louisiana terri tory. This great territory was pur chased from France In 1803. and a present comprises nearly all of th States of Louisiana, Arkansas. Mis aourl. Iowa, Minnesota, North an South Dakota, Nebraska, a great par of Kansas, the Indian territory, Cole rado and Wyoming, and all of Indium Montana, Oregon and Washington. T celebrate the centennial annlversar of this event, the Louisiana Purchas exposition will be held In St. Louis Mo., during 1903. The management c this exposition desires the assistanc and cooperation of the various State of ?*oe Union In this enterprise, r iv million dollars have been, appropriate for this purpose by the general goverr ment and $10.000.000 by the city of S Louis, and already several States hs\ made appromiations for buildings an exhibits. The purpose for which tl exposition has been undertaken ls patriotic one and no doubt the exp?, sltlon will be a great success and muc good accomplished. COUNTY GOVERNMENT. The economy with which the count affairs are managed fixes largely tl weight of thc burden of taxation upc the people. Apart tom the interest c the State debt and the constitution tax for the public schools the tax f< the support of the State government very small. It should not oe your bus ness to adopt special legislation f< your Individual counties, but the con bined wisdom of representatives fro each county, and. being familiar wit the different conditions, should enah you to adopt such measures for tl government of the several counties i will be economical, efficient, and Jm The cost of the courts and the admli lstratlon of the laws, the maintenan I of highway? nnd bridges and the sui port of thc penal and charitable li stitutions, are subjects in which the ls great room for reform. While lt true that the conditions vary In tl different counties, ft is also true th there could be more uniformity ir. o< county gove; ument law? . and mo economy in its administration. As tl law now stands almost every county thc State has a different law fro i every other county, or If the ' law is 1 general, a number of counties ure ex cepted from Its provisions. There should bc more uniformity. Of course conditions in regard to certain matters may be different in different counties, but there could be more uniformity in regard to many subjects than at pres ent. Thc constitution requires lt. Anything that you can do to simplify and unify as far us possible thc county government law will be of benefit to the people, nnd should have your efforts. LOCAL LEGISLATION. Your attention has been called tu this subject u number of times, and though special legislation on certain subjects is inhibited by the constitution, yet every session of the general assembly linds a number of laws relating to local or special subjects. Though these special laws have frequently been declared un constitutional by the courts, it seems almost impossible to keep them off the statute books. In several of the counties the past year there have been no courts on account of the uncertainty of the constitutionality of the Jury law, and the question ls now before the su premo court for adjudication. This law and the laws in regard to corporations need your speeiul attention. They have caused more trouble during the past year than any other question with which the administration ha:; had to deal, and largely because of the un certainly as to what the law is. Such legislation should be carefully watched and avoided, if possible. STATE GEOLOGIST. In accordance with an act passed ut the last session, on ?he 30th of April Mr. Earle Sloan of this State was ap pointed State geologist He immediate ly entered upon the c Ischarge of the tluties of the office. In view of the South Carolina Inter-State and West Indian exposition and the advantages to the people of the State from an ex hibit of the structural minerals and fotest products, a great portion of the attention of the State ideologist has been directed to securing a creditable collection for exhibition. There was not even a nucleus of -a collection In the State. This baa given the State Geologist very little time for thorough examination of the mineral properties, but has afforded a valuable preliminary basis for more complete and systematic work. A thorough survey of the marine phosphate beds of the State ls now in progress, with a view to determining the extent and approximate value of the State's resources In phosphate rock. Upon the completion of this examina tion it is the purpose of the State Geologist to undertake a systematic study of the claya and kaolins of thia State In order to determine their manu factured value. The State Geologist has responded to many demands by citizens for an ex pert opinion in regard to the mineral features of South Carolina, and much general information has been furnished. Of course a great deal could not be accomplished in a few months, but suf ficient has been done to remonstrate the wisdom of the legislature in pro viding a State geologist and a depart ment of geology. The State geologisl tenders the State the gratuitous use ol the scientific Instruments and ap paratus in his private laboratory pro vided the State shall furnish him witt an assistant to perform chemlca! analyses and assist in clerical work foi the State geological survey. This equip ment does not comprise special ap paratus and furnaces for making prac tical working tests of china clays, flr< clays, tile clays, brick clays, and fox the fire assays of gold ores, etc. Th? sum of $1,200 would afford a satisfac tory equipment, and the sum of$60< would cover a year's costs of chemicals and incidentals. These should be fur nished and the State geologist shoulc be given an assistant and- required t< have his laboratory and office in Co lumbla. The assistant could remain li the office at Columbia and be dble t< answer inquiries from citizens wh< might desire to consult this departmen in case the geologist were absent on i survey or making investigations, would also recommend that you pro vide suitable funds for the publlcatioi of the results of the work of th? geological survey in special bulletins t< be issued from tlrre to time in order t< afford readily aval able information oi such subjects in re. ponse to the man: inquiries received. I would also sugge t and recommem the consolidation of the offices Of Stat geologist and phosphate Inspector, bot! as a matter of economy and of in creased efficiency. The phosphate minc : come properly under the department o geology, nnd the department of geolog could very probably and appropriate! look after the phospnate interests o the State. By this arrangement yo could very easily furnish an assister to the State Geologist without an in crense of appropriations. The depart ment of geology is a very Importar one and should receive your encourage ment. . SOUTH CAROLINA INTER-STAT. AND WEST INDIAN EXPO SITION. At your last session you wisely mad an appropriation of $50,000 for the ere< tlon of a State building at the Sout Carolina Inter-State -and West India exposition. Under the provirions < that act I appointed as State commit stoners, Hon. Louis Appelt of Munnin? Capt. Thos, Wilson of C .des, Col. Joh B. Cleveland of Spartsuburg and Cap P. W. WSgener. prennent of the es position company. The board of con missioners subsequently elected Mr. J W. Love of Chester as superintendet of the State exhibit and building, an Mr. August Kohn as secretary on auditor of the board. The commisslo made contracts for the erection of tl Palace of Agriculture, and lt ls gratlfj mg to state that the State building ! perhaps the handsomest on the expt sition grounds. The collection of ti exhibits, which are entirely credit ubi was largely under the-personal supei vision of Superintendent Love, win worked in conjunction with the ai thoritles of the exposition company. The exposition is a decided succ?s and reflects credit upon the State ar upon the south. The great purpose f< which it was undertaken, the brlnglr of our own people into closer touch, ei larging our trade relations with tl Latin States, and displaying to tl whoie world the resources and advai tages of this State and of thc sout ! under the excellent management whit has the exposition *n charge, must ai j will be accomplish*: J, and South Can lina should feel a just pride in th ? success. ! It ls proposed, when the exposlth is over, to make a permanent park ot of the beautiful grounds. This wou be a commendable close for the gre enterprise, and lt would be a handson act on your part to turn over the Sta building to thc exposition company its successors at the close of the exp sition, and such a course has my hear approval. TRUSTS. Recently the business and politic worlds have been startled by gre combinations of capltr.t seeking to dr! smaller competing industries to t wall and to acquire complete control the products and supply of certain ar des of trade which are necessaries ai which the people must have at aime any price. In a great many Instanc these combinations have been succet ful in their efforts to control the n tionnl market and the power th wield is Immense. There IS no dou that it has taken business ability of high order thus to gain control of commodity and that without this ab lty it could net have been dorie. ? It also true that the trusts, if. right conducted, could be bf benefit inste of an evil to the consumer. But; soon as a monopoly ls acquired t tendency ls to oppress, and with t great power whlcb these comblnatlc wield the oppression may become un bearable. This tendency has become so marked, and thc evils resulting* there from MO patent, that it has led to much national and State legislation on the subject, but In most Instances tu no. avail. Combinations arc st'!! forming and those already In existence are be coming, more powerful. The tendency towards centralization of ? wealth is be coming mon- marked* every day. The trust ls seeking to control every line of Industry fend capitalistic monopolies are becoming too powerful. It ls only recently, however, that the trust has invaded the. borders of this State, hut ai present lt is active In Keeking to ?ah? control of the supply of those commodities in which lt deals. In 1897 the general assembly of South Carolina passed an act '"o prohibit trusts and combinations and to pro vide penalties,-' and at your laut ses sion a Joint resolution was passed di recting that the attorney general of the State be "required to forthwith Insti tute an Investigation to determine by what authority the Virginia-Carolina Chemical company is doing business In this State," and "whether paid com pany or any person or corporation who may be engaged in any business with in this State has violated or ls vio lating the provisions of the laws of this Suite prohibiting trusts and com binations." and directing him to In stitute such proceedings as might be necessary to punish violators of said laws against trusts and combinations. Proceeding under these Instructions given h!m by you, the attorney genera! instituted a thorough investigation to determiner whether this company ls en titled to do business in this State under these laws of thc State "prohibiting trustK and combinations." A full and elaborate report, showing the work he ; has done and his plans, will be submit ted to,you. In the beginning he calls attention to the difficulties he had to encounter. The anti-trust laws have ! only recently been enacted in this country, and especially In this State, j and are not fully, developed. On the I other hand they afe ns yet "embryonic '< and chaotic." In some parts being too sweeping and in others not covering 1 the entire ground. These combinations j are. organized secretly, and it is a most i difficult matter to obtain definite infor mation in regard to their formation and the purposes for which they are ? organised, and definite information must be had In order to begin an ac I tloh in the Courts. If an ? unlawful combination exist "the proof of the facts tending to establish its existence ia locked up in the retords of thepar I ticipatlng corporations." As you will j see from the attorney general's report, j difficulties of this kind are the ones that confronted him In his every, move. Especial attention Is called to the de fects tn laws of this State regulating corporations. It has been the tendency in this State to give corporations al most unlimited powers, such as the "unlimited power to deal in real estate," "the power to acquire and I transfer shares of stock in other cor porations," "the power to place under I mortgage or deed of trust Its fran chises, as .well as all or any of Its property.!' When a foreign corporation complies with certain "provisions and I requirements," which "provisions and ' requirements" amount to little pr noth ing, it "shall enjoy the rlghtB of do mestic corporations." In "short, the tendency in this State has been to i give corporaMohs the same power to ! carry on business which Is accorded ! to the private individual. This prin ciple ls wrong. Corporations are crea tures of the State, created by the State "not as concession of a right, but as a favor bestowed," and as such crea tures the State has a right to inquire into the affairs and methods of trans acting business, and when lt is satls I fled their methods are such as are not I conducive tb the welfare"of a majority ?of the people, th?n that" State which j created them has the right to put them out of existence. The attorney general suggests several amendments to our existing unti-trust laws and the enactment of several new laws. He has made a thorough in vestigation, of this question oil controll ing the trusts and'his excellent reporl shows . much . study and ' care In lt? preparation. It is worthy your mosl careful and thoughtful consideration and my purpose is simply to direct youi attention ito that report. RAILROAD COMMISSION. jt The annual report of. the board ol railroad commissioners for. the yeal just closed ls one of the most com plete that has been issued from tlib department. Thirty-nine (39) miles ol new mileage have been built ant opened for traffic during the year. Th? commission has had many importan' and-, difficult problems with which tc deal, affecting both thc railroads ant the people. The solution of these prob lema, as well as thc condition of th? railroads in the''State, is fully sta tee in the. report of the board, and yow attention' is directed to this report foi Information concerning . this depart ment of the State government. STATE HOSPITAL. FOR THE IN 8ANE. The constant accumulation of the in sane in asylums has been one ot tin most startling features in the histor: of the . great charities of,: the v\centur; just dosed, these great asylums ' beim at once the pride of the humanitaria! and a stumbling block to j the legisla Uve economist. In origin our State hospital, date: among the very first, and it is nov entering upon the 80th year of ita ex latence. Although unfortunately lo cated within "a city, - when It shouh have been long since removed to th country, it has'fulfilled its importan mission in our commonwealth am given shetter to over 10,000 Inmates During the past year the admission o 459 patients has been the largest in th history of the institution. The growth of the hospital during th last quarter of a century, and especial ly during the last decade has been matter of deepest concern to all en trusted with its administration, to th executive and legislative branches non the less than to the managing officer: The problem has been to provide wit due economy for all unfortunate within our borders who" require th restraining care of an asylum, whil excluding such persons - who for vari ou s reasons may not properly be con side red subjects for such ?charity. T draw this line justly to the 'afil?ete and to the taxpayer is a problem ' ho easy of solution. A brief statistical review may serv to present the numerical and financie sides of thc question: Tot ni Daily Total Per Pat .-ats Aver. Exp. Cap. 1875..... 423 312 $ 83,182 00 $210 4 1880..... 641 : 397 84,007 00 214 ( 1885.... 914 593 136.977 00 146 ? 1890.....1014 754 100,744 00 . 131 ( 1895.1157 827 113,332 00 116 \ 1900 ...1461 1043 127,181 00 102 1301..:-1493 1068 135.316 00 103 ( /The pct* capita' is based upon the ac tual yearly expense for support an does not Include permanent improve meats. Prom these instructive figure lt appears that, while the populatio of the institution has more than treble in the total humber a's-well ns in th daily agerage, under care the tot! annual expenses have by rigid econom been kept nt about the same figure while the cost per patient has been r< duced over one hundred dollars. Tli spec!dc. appropriation for support pvt per has boen about ?IOO.CCO.CC fer near] 20. years. In his report for 1900 Supt. Babcoc expressed the opinion that It wt "doubtful In view of the present pric< of food stuffs.avid supplies whether tl ^maintenance or support of patients cn ".gain be met for $100.000.00. For IV next year it is probable that tho sm total for this item will be above $105 000.00." The result -has been * as prt dieted and the necessities of the hos pital have required an average monthly cxr>en Jitui e of over '99,000.90. anil thc opinion is row advanced hy the super intendent that for the next .lew. years the monthly expenses tor . support alone 'Will average 110,000.00. . " In view of the <flarures above shown and the expenses for maintaining the Insane elsewhere the question suggests itself whether a too rigid.economy has not heretofore been exercised in the management of the finances of the hos pital. As to the prospect or. reducing thc number of admissions' the'brio rd of re sents .make clear' in- their ; report that their conception Of the probet" manage* ,meut of their charge lies in-the direc tion of the broadest philanthropy and charity with the greatest good . to the greatest number. The regents there fore hesitate t? restrict tlje right of ad mission of any bona fide citizen of our State who may require the asylum care, and they arc especially guarded against recommending the refusal of sheller to dependent old people, who would rightly fall to the cuc?ody of the poor houses, If these county re treats made adequate provision for the aged and helpless. That the institution is imposed upon in the forced reception of non-residents I have during the past year had per? * 8onal experience and knowledge from corresponding with officials of two neighboring States, who were prohibit ed by law from placing persons former ly residents of this State in their char itable institutions. This question of "settlement," as it is technically called, has been referred to the general assem bly for some years, but no action has been taken. It would now appear that it lu a question of growing importance and that self preservation now de- . manda that we restrict the right 'of admission of non residents to the hos? pltal as has beepr-done.; hy^ouB^neigh bors. The regents and superintendent call attention to the need for the expansion and development, of the .hospital Mt a small area of land-three-and a*.quarter acre, -adjoining the present grounds of the negro .building and recommend its ] purchase at about-,$.4,000.00, one/-thou sand dollars being <puld' annually until j the whole is paid. As the ultimate ben I efit to the hospital of this land will be great in comparison, with the, -annual ! appropriation ask?dj?ori. I iJplp ?irJ the j recommendation. ~ Iv- - ? As'to the other Immediate needs of the hospital, inc hid lng' a new. building ! for_whtt? women, ttl be? to refer y?yi to I the~ f ult reports of'.the'r?gents ana su- . i perin tendent. ?ii THE STATE PENITENTIARY. The annual report r'of this-Institution will be submitted 'tb? 'yow: -Thiryear just closed has been a hard one on most farmers, and the State farms have not been ari exception. 'Especially have the State farms I suffered, 'as a large portion of the, land ilea on the river and ls subject ta'overflow?- > The year has been very unjattsltactpr^ ag riculturally. The \pat?, eropV.^nV the swamp lands was entirely Jost. Three stands of corn were drow'ned \by the ' overflow ,of the .bottom, .lands . and, . therefore, b?t llftle t6rrf HvaB^rhade. The crop on the upland was . f ?l'rly good. The new prison building has been completed and adds much to the com fort and health of the prisoners. - The institution, however, has done remarkably well and makes a- good showing, even though great loss was sustained on account of the high waters, and evidences careful and pru dent management an the port of the superintendent and the'board of di rectors. CONVICT STATEMENT. Prisoners tn confinement Dec. . 31, 1900... ..Y.. !?95 Prom -courts since that time..23". ?ec?pturted... 8-- 243 ?.Q38 Discharged.178 r Pardoned.....-26 . Escaped....... .. 16. ,s ? .Killed while trying to escape.. 1- . ''Died. .. .. ...-*--;'.-S7 Accidentally killed.. '.. v ..' .-'2- 250 In prison Dec.'31, 196l..'\. .. ~' . 788 FINANCES. Balance cash on hand Dee. 31-, 1900.$ 3.933 13 Total receipts for 1901.... .... V.. '70,823j48r-f74,756- 61 Current expenses for . v>- % e.r. 1901. .. 47,726 46 Expended for per- - :..'.'. manen t improve ments, 1901.15,243 13 Cash in. bank Dec. 31, 1901. .. .. 11.787 02-$74,756 61 tn addition to this there is already earned for the year 1901, In sight and available, $6,150 and 100 bales bf 'cotton somewhat damaged and unsold. CONCLUSION, ; In whatever legislation you enact you should keep in mind the happiness, and prosperity of the people of the' State. The public treasury should- be " care fully guarded at all times, but especial ly at this time should you be careful and economical in appropriating the people's money. Whatever you under take that looks to the uplifting and betterment of the people and the. pro gress and development of the-State wili have my cooperation. The legislative end' executive departments should unite their best efforts to bring credit-, to the' commonwealth and'..to maintain a government which will keep before the people the highest ideals of civic.vir*tue. M. B. Mcsweeney. ; Governor. Letter Heads, Bill Heads, Circular Letters, poscers, Legal Briefs, . it ? Pamphlets, College Catalogues, College Magazines. We Make Blank Books. Aity Size. THE STATE i _. . I Columbia. South Carolina.