Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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' ^^^^^ z^^/^^ * ' BY CLINKSCALES & LANGSTON. ANDERSON. S. C.. WEDNESDAY. JULY 3. 1901. VOTJTMR Y*YVTi___i?n ? I TO THE MAKERS OF- HIS. Pronounced Views on the Leading Ques tions Likely to be Discussed During this Session. PROHIBITION OF \ CHILD LABOR IS URGED. Matters of Vital Importance, Which Should ibo .Acted; Upon Without Delay, but Act Prohibiting Child Labor [j Should be Conservative. .-i CONSIDER WHITE BATS ARD GIRLS; oom WORRY ?BOUT THE NEGROES. General Sute Road Tax Recommended-Voluation far Taxation Should be loo P?r Cent., not .60 Per Cent.-Expenditure a by State last Year Exceeded Receipj^&bV State' Shouldn't Borrow. Direct ?ppropri?tlo?s Equal to That Jtfade to Collegia . Should ba^je^e ipr the Common Schools.' ^|^^^^6^U!B Exposition. . f . faja ^jjjfo iVfv . .> Vin 'jg r ? rr -- Gentlemen of tho General Assembly : ? di lion of the finances of the State at You come fresh from the people to }?)e,,.cloae of tne flscal year? Dec* 81' legislate for the welfare of South Car olina. There ar?!matty-grave problems , ^I.^SvL^o^^^S Sb^SS?; , ,. ri ? ' , .,_ . : CASH RECEIPTS FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDINO demanding solution. It ls a time preg- DECEMBEn 81, 1003. nant with opportunities and pOBBlblll- Cash balance Dec. 31, 1001...| 287,748 85 tie?. There ls deniand for the exercise ^^^^^1. \\ V. Y. e?S 3 of wise counsel and prudent Judgment. O en eral taxes, ie02.. 825,709 51 The office of legislator, ls one of great RSari01n!!B^.?^.'?.^^d.?>T.* 7,468 45 responsibility. You have the power to income tax.. ".."..".. V. '.". .7 .".* ?s eo lay the burden or (taxation upon the BSi^tjS^^v?* .'?ft; ^So co people and at the came tune the power Annual insurance 'license' f?es.*.' .'.' !*. 12,150 00 to RnMid th?? mnnov mthorpd frem th*? Graduated insurance license fees.. .. 18,345 28 8Pena lI?e money gatnerea irom tne Privilcg:e fertiu*er tax.. ... 81,740 04 people. You also nave the power to Loans (borrowed on notes of governor make the laws by which they are to be ^^s?g fund..".'/ .'.' .'.' " ?Jg M governed. They have trusted you with State permanent school fund. 2,203 02 this trrpnt nower and exoect VOU to use Btate ?Pecial school fund (dispensary) 142,755 91 <? "0^?-SfflByjF*Sm. ^.ri?T,7T Morrill fund (from ?. 8. government). 25,000 00 it with wisdom .and with prudence, ccnWitssioners sinking fund (ordi looklng only to the best interests of all nary): " the people. Whatever promotes their I Loans returned.983,800 75 happiness and welfare should be your Interest on loans.. .. .. 1,812 20 constant concern. . If all men would ^^S""kmg runcorn- ^ refrain from interfering with the mission. li.ioo 49 rights of others br' of molesting them, ? . . WwMOT .. - government wouia not be necessary. 8i^rJ1fcnf^d reductioa 418 ^ut, unfortunately, we have not reach- ^.ou? returned..185,682 72 ed that high standard.of morals. Gov- interest on loans.. .. .. 11,744 32 ernment, however, should attempt, to Phosphate royalty.:28,715 40 do no more than td p'tbt?ct persons and Appropriatioh (account ? property and enforce, contracts volun- state House). is?000 00 188042 44 tartly made. It le.true, as a rule, that riltspeDnryt 8outh carolina;. .. ..' .. 2A18;62? 75 the least governed, .aye the. best gov- Refunds, sundry accounts.. ...... 2,658 62 erned. '? ' t . --- In sending to .you this, my last an- -Total... .. .. . .j*.??\2J4.4C2 70 nual message, ititi gratifying to note CASH PAYiiENTSi FOR FIBOAL?AR ENDING the good feeling whiohrprevalis among -UHM DECEMBER SI, 1902. the people throughout the State, and L^UtWe''expenses!.' " 4t,255 47 the absence of factional bitterness Educational and charitable instltu which at one time'divided our people. tiona. 297,850 94 During my administration I have eh- Clemson Agricultural Col lew deavored to ignore factional divisions fe?3nB*f,?HLUTAER "^'^ T and to be the governor of all the peo- j H t ^ 00 pie-to insure to each community as preftrml stock.. .. .. 9,266 86 far as possible the right of local self- .- 107,515 16 government. It? making' local appoint- Colored Normal, Industrial, ment8 I have sought in each case the Agricultural and Mcchani advlce and recommendation of the rep- "?^??Kii/? resentatlves of the; county believing .S?d scrip', fi SS 00 that they were better acquainted with Morrill fund. 12,486 93 local affairs and the wishes of their . - 29,617 03 peopl? than I could. possibly be. If Pensions: ????^,?i * by thia course I,have.in any measure ?Tfi?.!ft ??SLun " "^i'Sri S contributed to th? tpjiflcaUon Of sen- Artificial Umba.. l.W 26 ^ ^ ^ tlment among our people and the wip- gute permanent jchool fond. I.X17 05 lng out of factional. Hties. I am m at?- sute special acbuol fund (dispensary). b8,224 78 Med. In this day Of rapid industrial de- Completion 8Ute House (paid sinking velopmeht and progress there is not , fund fcoomisalon).15'000 00 time for factional: bickerings. Our L<^!./noU" o! 8?vemor .?* 11?L000 ~, chief purpose should be the material p^wfc''printing.'.' ;'.'.'.'.'.' .'.' "/.'. 2L054 73 progress and development of our State, Quarantining 8tate...'. .. 7,041 02 along with the moral and intellect val Commissioners sinking fund (includ Uplifting of our people; lng loans).. -.. .......... .. 46,606 64 The State has enjoyed an era of ma- Sinking'fund reduction Brow 412 terlal prosperity which, IS unprece- perJ^i. ti>7 87?OO dented. New;'enterprteea are being pro- HouW'contract! !! 45!on 48 Jected, and tho building of cotton mills -- ;n?.8ii 48 goes constantly on. Business Of every Erecting light plant for SUte House, character has been exceptionally pros- ..ty---: ./ ...^'l?Z S at the same time progress baa been Election erpraces.. .. ...... 21.528 45 made along educational lines. Water for public building?. 2.00000 FINANCES. South Carolina Agricultural and Me The income to the State for the year . ?hankal Bociety.,. 2,600 00 enatng Dec si waa not sufflclent to W^f,'0^ " ??M ? meeb its obllgationa The governor and gj^^ T*>T?&iiT>.63,466 " the State treasurer were forced to bor- Account proy_.$1,986,670 53 row the full amount of the $300,000 au- Transferred to school . thorlzed by the last legislature. This fond.. 82.224 78 . was made necessary by the fact that -2,068,705 20 the l<*st appropriation act cdrried with T".b1 <Hrt^tiiitet?m ts 7K? nr. lt more than the revenue from the levy C??D? ?W;t '.'. '.'. :?SSn for State purposes would realise. It - ls not good, business Judgment for the $4,214.402 76 State to borrow mon?y to meet current ?iiiIii.iL^wl expenses. Knowing .the total assessed TAXATION, property of the Stytte, the levy should The constitution of 1895 says: "All be sufficient to raise enough money, to taxes upon property, real and personal, meet the appropriations. Or If lt ls shall be laid upon the actual value of desired to fix the levy the appropria- the property taxed, as the same may tioh bill should be kept within . the be ascertained by an assessment made amount, auch levy will realise. You for the put%>ose of laying such tax." should so regulate-the two that the And in arother section lt says: "AU State will not be compelled to barrow property subject to taxation shall be money . for current . expenses and be taxed in proportion to Its value." And forced to pay interest charges. . why not at its "actual value?" You The following'.statement furnished will note tho language ot the constl hy the State treasurer shows the con- tutlon. It aays, "ahull be," not "may be. it LB mandatory, and yet we are going along: violating* this provision every year by trying to fix. some per centage of "actual value" and thia per centage ia different In every county. The State board of equalization, at a meeting held the paat aummer, found auch inequality in the assessments that they decided to memorialize the legis lature to. fix sixty per cent, of the ac tual value aa the proper basis of valu ation for the purposes of taxation. Why sixty per cent.? Why not fellow the plain language of the constitution? It was found that in some counties 80 per cent, of the actual value waa the baals, while in others it waa as low aa 50 per cent ot the actual value, and In some coaea even lower. To adopt a percentage of actual value would be a,plain violation of the provisions of the conatltution. It makea 'little dif ference to the taxpayer what the botts of valuation ia ao that all property ia assessed in the same ratio of value, for a certain amount of money has to be raised to meet the expenses of govern ment, and if the valuation ia high the rate ia low, and vice versa. The in equality which now exists, however, makea tho burden bear unevenly, and the bcBt plan ia to require that thc mandate of the constitution be fob lowed. - If one county la assessed al 80 per cent, and another at 60 per cent of actual value, one is paying* too mud or the other is paying too little of itt proportion of the State tax. The tai for county purposes makes little dtf f erence. This is a .question which hoi puzzled legislators since governmen has been organized and taxes laid, ant the man who can devise a plan whlcl will make the burden of taxtlon bea: evenly on all property will receive th well done of the people of the State. Equal and just taxation, levied on al property proportionately and In accord ance with its value, is the produ t o the highest justice, and when done t meet simply the demanda of govern ment, economically administered, i never burdensome. On the other hanc unequal and unjust taxation ls alway burdensome. If all property were re turned' honestly and fully at its JUE valuation the problem would be solve< but so long as human nature ls fra and the impression prevails that it 1 not expected to return property at il value, we may not expect this result. The plan recommended. in my loi message, I believe, will did in gettin au property on the tax hooks and coi tribute largely to on equitable value tion, and I repeat it here. Under the present system the returr are made to the county auditor. Thei is a township board of assessors, whic meets at the court house after the aud tor has taken the returns, and undo: takes to go over all of them in oi i or two . days. Then there ls a count board of equalization, which also mee at the court house and goes over tl returns for the entire county in one < two. days. AU of this is done in som1 what of a perfunctory manner and a complishes little or nothing in Becurir an s equitable assessment of propert There-are counties in the State in whit some of the lend is assessed at on third or one-half Its actual value, whl other land ls assessed at Its real valu In fact, there may be two adjoin!* plantations, the one worth twice it much as the other, and yet under o system each ls assessed for taxation the same price per acre. In many eas it la the ru te to assess live stock at much per head, regardless of the fa that one horse may be worth two three times what another ls, even the same county. And yet this Ls wh township boards of assessors and t county board of equalization unde stand as equalizing property for tax tion. This certainly ls not the pu pose for which these boards are create And yet it ls Impossible for a towns* board to meet and spend only one di going over the returns that have be made, and get them equalized. .It ?also as impracticable for a coun board of equalization to meet o nd one or two days equalize the asset menta upon all the property in t county. Much more could be a ccu J pllshed if the law were amended ao to require that the county auditor Bbc -after notice in the public prints, ta returns in each township, and that shall not take these returns exec while present In the township. In.cs any taxpayer refuses or falls to ms return while the auditor is pr?sent the township, the auditor and the tow ship board shall be required to asst such property, and notify the owi of. the valuation placed upon his prc erty. ' That there shall be appoint a township board of assessors, const lng of three discreet freeholders, ra dents of the township, who shall rn* with the auditor to receive the retui and assess property. That this boc shall be appointed by the county au to? and receive compensation for services. That all returns shall made in public in, the presence of t auditor and the township board, e that the Owner of the property sh be required to answer the muesli' as now provided by law, and make fidavlt os to the correctness of his i ewer. If the township board th ir the return ls too high or too low lt al bo ita duty, in the presence of i owner of the property and the audit to raise or lower the return in or to reach the true market value of property. The chairmen of th township boards shall constitute county board of equalization, and t board shall meet at the court ho: and go over the returns for the coui with the county auditor and hear ce plaints and appeals, their decision be subject to appeal to thc State boa The auditor shall not be permitted go into a primary, but shall be i pointed by the governor, as provt by law, so as to be as free and in pendent as lt ls possible. In this v I believe much will be gained tow having all property assessed equi tal The honest taxpayer would much j fer to return his property at its t value, if by so doing he would b no mo.e than his just portion of burden, and the man who desires evade should be made to bear his i of the burden by having hus prop? returned at its true value. - The following comparative figures 1901 and 1902 are taken from the coi troller general's report: 1901. 1902, Real. ,.5103.268,440 $107,01C Personal. 59,030,424 61.01? Railroads.. . 27.044,243 27,505 . . . Total.. .. ..$189,333.107 $195.631 ? These figures show a total lncr< In the taxable values for the past j of ?6,203,952. The totals for 1902 are not absolu correct, as one or two of the conn have not reported and the comptrc general approximated the amount f the reports of 1901. For further formation In regard to this departo of the State government, your at tion is directed to the excellent ! suggestive report mt the comptroller i general. ROAD IMPROVEMENT. It would bs a waste of words to at tempt to argue before any assemblage of South Carolinians the Importance of good roads and the necessity for road Improvement. Neither would lt be pro fitable to attempt to argue before you the advantages of good roads, for all are agreed upon $iat' subject. The question which concerns us is how best to secure them; to-devine some plan by which we can. at least, begin the build ing of good roads. It ls a business pro position, and should be taken hold of in a business way. With the extension of the rural deliv ery of mall, the necessity ls upon ut for road Improvement, for already tht department at Washington is discuss ing the Impracticability of extending or even of carrying on this service ol mail delivery unless there ls road im provement. It has been stated that th< postmaster general is to be asked t< consider a plan for the betterment o: our public roads, and the request ii based on the fact that only one serlcui obstacle stands In the way of extendlni and developing our free rural deliver: service, and that ls the conditio! of the public highways. Mr. Marth Dodge, director of the bureau of publi roads inquiries of the department o agriculture, in his recent report said "Tho circumstance that over $6,000,00 was appropriated by our last congresi largely to be buried tn muddy roads 1 the delivery of our rural mailt while only the small sum of $20,00 was last year 'devoted to meeting th road problem, Indicates the great nee of education regarding the present nc cessity and demand for vigorous an intelligent road work. "As much of these large approprli tlons for rural mall delivery could t saved if we had gopd roads, it is ol vlous that an amount equal to a coi siderable portion of these sums coul be spent to a good advantage jin edi eating the people in the work of in proving our country roads, and tht forever close a large drain on our nt tlonal cash box." It is not so much a question of edi cation, at least wlth'us, as it ls a que tion of the moans wherewith to bul good roads. And yet in a sense it ls matter of education. Because IC o people could be taught to realize tl value and importance of good roa there would not be so much trouble secure the means. If we could ha some practical Illustrations of the val and the saving to our people of go roads they would not hesitate to put i the money to secure them, for, thou we are not rich, they would then real! that they could not make a better pa lng investment than money put in go and permanent road improvement, the general government could foll? the suggestion of Mr. Dodge and spe some money In demonstrating the vah and the service to the people of go roads, and the advantages to accrue would have little trouble in continu! the work. And as he suggests it woi be a saving to the government Washington In extending the rural m delivery service, and would be as les imate expenditure of government fur as the building of dykes and the dra age and irrigation of lands, for wh: the government is now spending lat sums of money. But after all we must depend ur our own resources for this great ( vance movement. To accomplish suits will take money, and the way raise this money ls by a property t XJiider. the present systoui of r? working, our public roads ore aim Impassable at certain seasons of year. With the one dollar commu tion tax we are going backward, cause the money from this ls ina quate even to work the roads. Beste it ls not. right to make the people v live in the rural districts keep up roads, any more than lt ls 'to make i other class of our citizens keep up i build any other public lnstltutlqn. pub' ic road ls as much the property the county as the court house or Jail. A property tax for roed build would, reach the incorporated towns J cities and the railroads and other c porations, and make them contrlb their share to this public benefact and no one will deny that they are much benefited by good roads as people of the country. . . Tbe labor of our chalngangs in vc counties is labor thrown away a'id money to support them ls mo wasted.. The chalngangs should be quired to do permanent road w< starting from die county court he as the geographical centre and bulli? out in each direction permanent roi If only a few miles are built each j it will be so much contributed to general welfare. The State conv could not be put to better pu service, even If lt necessitated sel ronie of the State farms. We ^an never have any permar road work done until we change present system and make provlsioi raise money by a property tax, make it mandatory that said mc sRall be put on permanent road provement, and also make lt manda' that the chalngangs shall be put on same work. 1 The advantages of good roads ar?d saving to the people and the increi value of land as a result of them so patent that they scarcely neec be stated. But unless you change present system "Ave will continue t< backward. It ls remarkable that people have so long submitted to condition of our public roads witl making greater efforts for their 1 stantlal Improvement. As to this c< try at large "lt ls conservatively 1 mated by government officials thal are needlessly losing or wasting $600,000,000 each year because of our roads, making a mud tax of over $2, 000 for every working day in the and an Individual tax of nearly each year for every person in this ci try*" This does i.wt Include the di vantages and Inconveniences and comforts Incident to bad roads. Wc ioslng or wasting our pro rata of enormous sum In South Carolina shoring our portion of discomfort Inconvenience and disadvantage or count of bad roads, beside the lot property values. "It is evident thi this stupendous question is to be rip met rn the spirit of economy, prof and enterprise so characteristic ot people of thlB country, it will be n< pary for our legislators to give lt r more comprehensive and careful ai tion than heretofore." Good roads country are an evidence of its civi tion. If you will provide for a e property tax so as to get the movei started In a practical way, there be no trouble In the future excei keep the people from going too rhere has been talk enough on subject. The time has come for nc lt ls for the general assembly to the action necessary. EDUCATION. The strength and stability of any community are largely in proportion tv the intelligence of that community. The Intelligence of the community ls always tn proportion to the education of the masaos. The power and strength of a State are not In Its material ad vance and development, however valu able these may be. but In an educates citizenship- an education which train! its citizenship intellectually, physical!) and morally. If our State ls to keej pace with the other States of the unloi our people must be educated-not a fev here and there, but there tnwA be i general education of the masses. Th wealth producing power of a country i in proportion to the education of lt citizens, and as we increase the etti ciency of every citizen by education, s we increase tho, wealth producing powe of the State. "If we should double th wages of every man In the State, w should not thereby increase its weult a dollar, but if we could double th efficiency of every man In the State an then doub'.'? the wages we should quac r-iple the wealth of the State." 8ald M Ruskin: "A piece of land which wi only support ten Idle, ignorant, and in provident persons will support thirty < forty intelligent and Industrious ones The value of a country depends ruthi upon the virtue apd intelligence of tl people who inhabit it than upon tl richness of the soil. All wealth has 1 basis In Intelligence. Wc,- should permit no child to grow \ to meet the high and responsible duti of ..Itizenship without at least the ru imeius of a good education. "In tl south 86 per cent, of the criminals a deficient in education, while 60 per cei are totally Illiterate." Statistics she that 22 per cent, of all the inhabitar In the south over 10 years of age Q illiterates, while In New York lt ls on 8 1-2 per cent. In my last annual message I e deavored to show the Importance a compulsory education law. Thlrt three States and Territories, Includl the District of Columbia, now ha compulsory education lawH. The hie est per cent, of Illiteracy among t native white population over ten ye? in those States having compulse attendance laws is Wyoming with per cent., and the law has been In fo only a few years. In Connecticut l per cent, is 1 and in Massachuse and Nevada only 8. In States ; having compulsory attendance lowest rate of Illiteracy of nat whites over ten years ls Texas w 8.3 per cent. In South Carolina per cent, of Illiteracy of native whl over ten years of age ls 18.1 per ce and In North Carolina it ls 23 cent. In ne face of these facts I not see now any one can oppose c< pulsory attendance at school. It is necessary to worry about the ne lie is getting all the education wi ls provided now and could get no rr under compulsory attendance. W we should be concerned about ls education and the moral uplifting our white boys and girls. Ignora ls a menace and a burden to civil ernty and the good morals of the co try. In addition to this, every and girl In this country hap a r) to the opportunity to do somet? and to be something. Such a law c not interfere with the rights of rents, because no parent has a r! to make a slave out of his offspi or to rob his child of the right make a useful citizen or to have opportunity to live a useful ar happy life. No one In this day question the right of the State ' to force compulsory attendance. We 1 a tax and enforce the collection public education; then why not force attendance so that all the < dren may receive the benefits and 1 the money put to the best post use and for the greatest possible t to the greatest number. "?ndlvii welfare depends on the general fare. Having taken the money of man to educate the children of other, the State must protect man and his children f'-om oppree and dangers of liberate neighbors fellow citizens." The history and perienoe of those countries In w compulsory attendance has been 1 prove Its good results and refute Idea that lt works any hardship, true that In the States which 1 compulsory attendance laws, two are southern, but that is no re why we should longer lag bellini THE COMMON SCHOOLS. There is a marked Increase in interest In public education, and t are many encouraging evidence; improvement. Yet the bare fact the condition of the average KI In some counties are shocking. R once to the statistics in the r< of the State superintendent of ed lion discloses that there are numc schools with less than a three mo term, and still more with teachei badly paid that they cannot ba r-osed in any degree competent. I legislature will discharge its ref slblllty to the cause of education i entirety in the State, there mus State aid to the public .schools, approprlaion to be apportioned sci ing to the money raised in the cou is nothing more than a county an Increase of the constitutional mill tax. Efforts heretofore mat pass such a law have met with response from some delegations: have money enough already." Charlestonlans can point to school terms and their teachers' rles as evidence that they need or no money. The truth is, th legislative appropriation should made along the lines prescribe* the constitution to bring up thf 1 ftcl?nt schools to a minimum si ard. The dispensary mon.y has apportioned under a law axing months of $75.00 salary as the mum standard, but the educat sentiment of the State has passei point where it cnn be longer sat with this minimum. It would be enough for the legislature to cor ute to the efficiency of the 5 schools a mini equal to the an lt appropriates to the State coll A much smaller sum, as estimate the State superintendent In his nual report, would be more than quate to Insure a six months' term a $210.00 teacher to every scho the State that could make itsel! serving of this aid by conformir the proper policy in its location an quality of Its teacher. Other prime needs of the r schools could be more than me the remaining fund from the le tive appropriation suggested. Fir these should be the guarantee r expert supervisor of schools to county. This is a day when no ness Is undertaken without e management. The State ls a ge tion behind the times when lt u takes to conduct a great business lng nearly a million dollars a year no safeguards to Insure comp management. The money wasted li way mu?t be a large per cent, of the total expenditure. It would be in the interest of economy to expend $1,000 a year in each county to insure the proper supervision and direction of all the money that is now being expended in schools. This advanced step to bring the country schools Into system cannot be taken except through State action-the result of the combined i f.nanclul and Intellectual power of the . State. I commend to the general OB I sembly the plan of county boards of ed ! ucatlon and expert superintendent of education set forth In the annual re ucatlon and expert superintendents of . education. k We have long felt the need of bet I ter methods In agriculture in our State. ? Farming ls still the chief basis of our ? prosperity, and any expenditure tT??t . can inuke the farms more productive ? and farm life more attractive to the ? masses of the white people In South i Carolina would be a ' lessing to the ? present and future generations. There I ls an alarming exodus from the coun . try to the town. The lands are lr , some sections being deserted to thc I negroes. The sturdy yeomanry whi . have been the strength and pride ol . South Carolina must bo preserved 01 ? the character of our State may bo rad< . Ically changed for the worse. W< . need to make the fum?n not only mon , productive, but In every way posslbl j more attractive to the women an< children, if we are to check this migra tion to town. Better educational fa . duties in the country are the grea 1 need, and not merely better commo: . schools, but high schools giving train ? lng for the duties of life iii the coun 3 try and developing a taste and lov . for rural surroundings and labors. f commend the plan for home school ? for girlB and farm schools for boy - recommended by the State superlnter f dent of education in his annual rt port. This offers a practical sob.ito . of the problem. Thefle schools woul C bc Inexpensive and could be easll . provided. There is no public expel T dlture that would bring such large r< \ turns for the Binatl outlay. If th I legislature will seriously take up tl ? matter, it may Inaugurate a new epot s in the industrial and social life . Y South Carolina. I urge leglBlath 3 permitting each county to vote up? a Itself tax not exceeding 2 mlllB f B such schools and providing the prop H machinery, for the management, t t gether With a. l?gislative approprl p tion to provide the plant for the fli e county voting the extra tax for t h support. Q The professor of pedagogy In Sou a Carolina college ha? addressed a coi ,t munication to the board expressl r his dissatisfaction . with the prose Q attendance in that department, a . urging that the scholarships be ma t of some financial value so as to e ># able men teachers to pursue the coui tj there as contemplated in the act pi e vlding these scholarships two to t county. It is in line with the urgi e recommendation of the State super f tendent of education In his report tl P the legislature g?ovlde support) . scholarships for so*me women teach . In Winthrop college and men teach y In South Carolina college, I,comme I thlH to the general assembly.' r The conference of trustees of . . State colleges has recommended . appropriaton of $1,(100 annually t provide post-graduate scholarships T the South Carolina college, the be a rielarles to b?- selected by the seve P State colleg a and other colleges t the State o? approved standing fr 1 among their respective graduate . one from each college-making ab a ten picked graduates to pursue hlg f studios In Columbia. This would _ the beginning of a policy to coordln . the work of the several colleges a the State, and must result In bel 3 understanding and more effective j operation. The provision of th j scholarships would be a stimulus . higher learning. I ran hardly th j of a direction in which so small . expenditure would he so fruitful I benefits. . The executive committee t the conference will memorialize j legislature giving the plan more . detail. I commend the policy to ? approval of your honorable body. I The average number of weeks ? the school term In 38 out of 40 count , was 2t for the whites and 14.27 ? colored schools. } SOUTH CAROLINA COLLEGE i This honored institution continue: measure up to the high standard efficiency which lt has maintained < lng the past hundred : ( irs. Its aft \ are wisely administered, and the e * nently successful, useful and hoi 1 able careers of ItH gradu?tes emr j size the wisdom of the State in c 1 tinning its maintenance. The col ' now has 203 students, who are w< 1 lng earnestly and harmoniously " their professors, and there ls Kood : ] son to hope that this year may an eminently successful one to Its 1 tory. An appropriation of at I ' $35,000 will be asked. For further ! detailed Information I refer you to reporr of the board of trustees. 1 WINTHROP NORMAL AND IND ! TRIAL COLLEGE. 1 There is no moro Important Inst tion in the State than Winthrop 1 lege. Its vltnl Importance consist: ' the fact that lt educates and trains ? future mothers and teachers of 1 State. It is now universally recogn ( that if a people are tn be educated i therefore, great and Influential, ' women of that people must be < cated. An educated mother means ? rated children. Women are the n ral teachers of children and Wlntl college ls doing a great service to State by giving a professional tr lng to these natural teachers. The lege has sent out 116 graduates lr short life-earnest, devoted wor most of whom are? teaching In State and by their work and exar are elevating tho tone and standar the common schools. The college reached and benefited a great IT more girls than this, however. 1 ring tho pnFt seven and a half y there have been enrolled In the dep ment of sewing, dressmaking and inery 956 students, through whom work has reached nt le-?st 900 he throughout the State. The new building has made lt Bible to have practically all stud not living In Rock Hill equally Ul college authority, and has ena them to share equally In all col opportunities. It has also serve bring the faculty and students close and pleasant relations Tho fact that 54 per cent, of students at Winthrop last year c not have attended any other col lt Winthrop had not brought educa within their reach ls evidence of much needed work lt is doing for State. I wish to commend the public s shown by the graduates and t thorough recognition of their dut; the State by the organization an them of a society for the Improver of the country schools of the Si The State was a long time In see ing the necessity for such an inntltu I tlon for Its girls and in doing them and I Itself justice, but nov/ that it has I started in this great and long neglect ed educational work lt is meet that it should make "Winthrop the equal of ?any similar institution In the country. CLEMSON COLLEGE. Clemton College opened lust Sep tember with a matriculation Hst of 519 students, which number Is very near tho limit of its accommodation. The character of work done by the students is much in advance of former years, und thc institution is rapidly growing in favor with the people. And Justly so, for lt ls doing a great service to the State in sending out such a large number of young men with practical training to take charge 'of pursuits looking to material benefit to the people in developing the re sources of the State. The various de partments arc being steadily devel oped, and the facilities for work are being rapidly Increased. Clemson re ceives no direct appropriation through you. For detailed information as to its financial condition and In regard to the different departments I refer you to the p.nnual report of the college, which will be submitted to you. SOUTH CAROLINA MILITARY ACADEMY. The report of th", superintendent of this institution will be submitted to you. The school ?B doing a good work for the young men of the State, and is run economically. Tho board of visit ors will ask for an appropriation of $25.000 for maintenance, $1,000 for re pairs to buildings and $260 for addi tions to Uhrary, making a total of j $26.250. It should be remembered that the Academy educates young men from each county absolutely free out of the appropriation asked, and I recommend to you the request of thc boord of visitors as entirely reason I able. THE INSTITUTION FOR THE EDU CATION OF THE DEAF AND DUMB AND BLIND. The annual report of the superin tendent of this Institution gives in de tail all necessary Information in re ference to the work being done by the State for the education of her blind and deaf children, and aleo fully sets forth the amount of appropriation necessary for the maintenance of the ichool for the ensuing ducal year, j The superintendent asks for an ap ] proprlatlon of $24,000 for support, and $500 for general repairs. This request has the full and unqualified endorse ment of the hoard of commissioners. Tho reputation established by the management of this institution fox conservative estimates, and the eco ? nomical expenditures and the Increas ed attendance, are a sufficient ?ruar an ty that a lees sum than asked fot would not suffice for the proper main tenance of the school. COLORED COLLEGE. The Colored Normal. Industrial, Ag' rlcultural and Mechanical college wll aBk for an appropriation of not les: than $10.000, half of which amount li ' needed - to-HTTtsrr-and equip'therbricl industrial building. This building hat I been In course of erection during th past two years, and should be com 1 pleted at as early date as possible The other $5,000 asked is for curren expenses. The institution at presen having more than 600 students, it is i very reasonable amount. This college since its foundation in 1896, has beet run on economical principles. Th total p -jproprlations received by lt dur lng thc whole period of Its exlstenc amount to only $62,500, an average c ; leas than $9.000 for each year, receive Ifrom the State. MEDICAL COLLEGE. The Medical College of the State r South Carolina, located at Charlestot ! continues to place at the disposal c the governor the privilege of appoint lng to scholarships, good for one yea: seven young men or young women, or from each congressional district of til State. The appointments have bee made each year, and the effort ho , been to secure deserving and ambition , young men and young women froi among the applicants. The liberalit of this institution deserves con mendutlon, for by giving these scho a rs h i ps it has aided many young me and young women in their efforts 1 ) fit themselves for their life work. CHILD LABOR. A compulsory education law woul help very much in the solution of tl child labor question. In fact, tl adoption of a child labor law wi necessitate compulsory education. This question must be met ar solved, and the sooner It is done tl less difficult of solution lt will b England, France, Germany and all tl manufacturing Stutes in the north ? our own country, after thorough ii vestlgatlon and long experience, loo! lng both to the mental and moral uj lifting and the material advancemei of the people, have decided to pr hlbit the labor in mills of children tender age. We cannot longer avo thc responsibility. That the State hi a right to interfere, no thoughtf citizen will question. No one can su cessfully controvert the position th this labor of long und constant hou ls Injurious to the child, and, ther fore, affects the citizenship of the t ture. This being true, the State hi a right to come in and say it shall t stopped. We have rapidly grown into a ma ufncturlng State, and are being forci to meet strong competition from oth sections. Viewing the question fro this purely commercial standpoint, meet this competition we must ha skilled and Intelligent labor, and ti cnn only bc secured In the operativ of the future hy the education ai preparation of the children of the pre ont. And the children of the prese cannot be educated and prepared f their duties and for good citizens^ If they aro required to labor constant In the mills during their tender yea: It is a duty which you owe to h monltv. nod to the citizenship of t future, to protect these children I prohibiting their labor In our man factories. Thoso who oppose the measure w nrgue that it ls an Interference wi family government. This is a fallar The child is not a chattel or an act dent, but it has rights In the div! plan which even the parent must r speet. It ls here for a purpose, ai should have the opportunity for t best possible training and education fit lt for the accomplishment of th purpose. Then. too. it ls sometimes question whether the State or the co poratlon shall say what ls to be do^ with the child. for many times tl parent who lives in the mill commun! must be governed by what the m owner saws, and cannot always i<ei his child "to school, even If he dcslr to do so. If the labor of the child needed In th.. mill. It ls a perplexing question, but it a question of such vital importan to the State that it should be sett!?