Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Governor Heyw Work Of' HEISTANDS ,FOR ENFORCEMEf TIEA4RULJESSIGE TO Recommends Property Assess Changes In Dispensary L Education-Commeni Immigration I Reform To the Honorable, the Gentlemen of the Greral Assembly: It is my high privilege to wel come. you to our Capital City and to our legislative halls, where. you are to meet in annual session. Per Ibit -te. in transmitting my Mes sage to you, to emphasize the grate ful thoughts which should be ours because of the prosperiy which has been vouchsafed unto us as a peo pie. Not only are we richer, in. the material. things for which, mankind so ceaselessly .'strives, but to these gifts have been. added. the higher blessings which uplift and help and ich bring peace and content to those upon whom they are bestow ed. We will all: unite in the hope and the belief that good to our state will -continue as the result -of your deliberations,, even as you will be united in the fraternal bonds of true %service -and of patriotic endeavor. STATE FINANCES. I-am gratifiied to -report an im proved condition -of our state fi nances. IIn my last Message I called attention to the 'fact that, since the year 1900, the expendi tures had exceeded the revenue of the -state by annual sums varying from. -$1,04.5.42 to $208,95.23 -During the past fiscal year the rev ernte has exceeded the expenditures by about $125,ooo.oo, as is esti amated by the Comiptroller-General. This improved condition is em phasized by. the fact that the state treasur.er:has had to borrowv less money this year than formerly. If the expenditures remain approxi nately . as they are at present, it will be seen that within a few years the. state will be operated upon a cash basis. This is not only desira 1We, but is unquestionably the only b jasis upon which our business affairs should be conducted. The corporation .license tax, passed. in. 1904, went into effect last -year and has oper'ated most satis a~ctorily with very little additional expense to the state for collddtion. From this tax about $64,000.00 in round numbers has been realized. To this can be added fronr insur - ance license fees, $37,0oo-oo; and from the -sceretary of state $2o,o00 has been received, making a total indirect revenue amounting to $121,000.00. The estimated receipts for the past fiscal year from the 5 1-2 mill levy, aggregate $1 ,164,24o.oo, mak ing a total estimated revenue of S$1,295,24o.o from direct and indi rect taxes. The estimated expenditures for the past fiscal year show figures amounting to $1,171,000.00, leaving a surplus revenue over expenses amounting to $124,240.00. ASSESSMENT OF PROPERTY It is a well-knowvn fact that the tax burden is not equally distributed and it appears that a very large amount of personal property is es caping taxation. Comptroller-Gen eral Jones, who is a capable, thor oughly competent and conscientious officer, believes, after careful study of the complex questions involved, that our present laws, with a few slight amendments, are sufficient to correct these evils. I agree with him in this belief. This being the- year for the re assessment of all property, the Comptrolled-General has made a determined effort to enforce the tax laws. He has had a digest of ard Reviews The Past Yeau DROER ANDTHI IT> OF LAWS. TIE GNERAL ASSEHL ed At Ful Value-Sugge; aw-Favors Compulsary Is Department Of Wants State atory. the tax laws prepared, copies < which have been sent to each a sessing officer throughout the Stat with instructions to these officers z to the proper enforcement of thet laws. Our laws require that all taxab property shall be assessed at i real value. This is a wise provisioi because the tax assessor must haN some fixed standard,.to the end th; all property should be equally a sessed, thus making the burden < taxation rest alike upon- all. A increased assessment does not mea an increase in taxation, but simp tne4ns an,equalizing of the burde A certain amount of money is ne essary to meet the requirements ( the State Government and a higI er assessment would necessari mean a correspotding decrease the rate of taxation. It is sometimes urged against 2 increased assessment that the ra being fixed by the General Asser bly- upon the last assessment, th should there is a decided increa in the assessment - of property, t] amount collected would be meo than .sufficient for the expenses the -government. This objection fully met in the report of-the Coin troller-General. He points out th the General Assembly can det< mine the appropriations for bo State and county and can authc ize a sufficient levy; based up< the assessed valuation of proper as finally decided upon. This les I may add. could be fixed for t' State by the Comtroller-Genei and the State Treasurer, and f the counties by the various Coun Commissioners. In reference to the 3-mill tax fi ed in the Constitution for educ tional purposes, the Comptroll points ,out that if this tax, on t increased assessment, should alo realize a sufficient sum for the su port of the schools, the spec school, the special school levi could be dispensed with and oth revenues now going to the scho< might -be diverted to the coun treasuries, thus reducing the coua ty levy. In my opinion. howevi we cannot get too much money f the support of the schools, certair not under the present conditioi The Comptroller-General a] makes a number of other reco: menations. all of which I co: mend to your consideration. I must repeat to you my r< ommendation of last y'ear in refi -ence to County Auditors a Treasurers. These officers, for < ry good reason, should no long -be subjected to political influen< and to the neglect of their duty: cident to political campaigns I Ireelection. The report of the work done di ing the past year by the Comptr ler-General contains most valua information and well deserves vc most careful consideration. This rep'ort will show that thi are now 8,804 old soldiers or th widows upn the pension rolls the State. to whom $200,000.00 annually paid. It will be seen tl when this appropriation is distr uted it amounts to very little in -dvidual cases. If the prosperity the State continues. I should be gl to see this apropriation for i brave defenders of their home a country increased as much as pi sible. The report of the Sinking Fu Commission will be promptly st mit+ed to you1r bordv. These fur have been well inataged, as will appear from the report. Permit me to mention here, with the sense of loss and the sadness which we must all feel, the death of 1 valued member of this Commis sion, and a faithful servant of our State, the late Hon. Altamont Moses. DISPENSARY. The only cloud which throws a shadow over the State is the unsat isfactory condition of the dispen sary. Great dissatisfaction has been manifested by the people in many quarters. It exists, I be lieve, because of loss of confidence resulting from abuses in connec tion with its operation. No one can deny that the present atmos phere surrounding the dispensary is a grave reflection upon South Car olina, for it is a State institution and any odium which attaches to its operation necessarily attaches to the State. Since your last session a large number of counties have voted out dispensaries, but I must ! say that the vote abolishing them I take to be a rebuke to the mode of operation rather than a repudiation le of the system itself. i In my last Annual Message, I when considering the needs of the dispensary, I said: "I am convinced if this system can be properly reg f ulated, it will be one of the best so lutions of the liquor problem. If not properly managed and control led, its usefulness will be at an end." ri. Despite the events of the past ,- year and the revelations which have attended the investigations of your committee, I.am by no means hope ly less. I still believe that the dispen inisary system has many strong points and admirable features which com mend it, but in saying this I am by 1 no means blinded to its imperfec tions. a It is imperative for the honor of ethe State that existing conditions eishould be ~immediately remedied, r'either by radical changes in the laws goyerning the dispensary or by the is adoption of~ a different system for Sthe regulation of the liquor ques. t tion. The details of this situation - are so well known throughout every th county in the State that I feel no extended discuission- is necessary )f here. It is incumbent upon your ybody to give this matter your most ,careful and serious consideration. ~You are chosen by the people to amake their laws and in such a crisis ras this they will be satisfied only twith direct' and specific action on your part. -During the year that has. passed -since your last session I have given rthis question. my earnest consider -i 'ation, hoping to devise some cer tain remedies for the evils corn -plained of, but have been impressed lwith no better solution than was in s cluded in the recommendations I rmade to you last year. In ordet l that my views may be clearly un Yderstood, I shall again call to your .attention such extracts from my last Message as I deem necessary r for this purpose. I herewith sub miit for 'our consideration the fol -lowing extracts bearing upon this 0subject with one . change, namely the abolition of County Boards os -Control. These are again recom mended to you as embodying the changes which I think' will besi -serve the proper regulation of the i dispensary system: - "The State Commissioner should r; in my judgment, be the officei s hose duty it should be to purchas< Sall supplies for the dispensary. He or should be required to make con tracts, not for any specified amnoun1 - of liquor, but for such supplies as -may be actually required, such re e :quirements to be determined by th< r Commissioner." "Each contract made by th< re Commissioner. should require th4 er firm contracted with to guarantet of the sale of such goods as may be or is dered and shipped to the State dis at pnsary. said guarantee to be en i- tered as a part of the bond. Al n- advertisements for bulk good; of should be placed strictly and abso ad lutely upon a competitive basis, b) he letting it be distinctly understoot nd that the lowest responsible bidde1 )- shall be awarded the contract. Il should further be the duty of th< d Commissioner to make, each year - quarterly reports to the State Boarc d of Di;ectrse showing the amounts contractc( for the previous quartei including the brands and price! and the nanes of parties froi whom goods are purchased, whic report the State Board of Directoi shall have published in at least tw daily newspapers of the State." STATE BOARD OF DIRE( TORS. "The Board should be required t meet each week at their office in tl State dispensary, to remain in se, sion as long as may be necessar for the transaction of their busines The general supervision and mai agement of all county dispensari( should be in their charge, and the should be specifically charged wit the duty of seeing that all restric ions governing the various dispel saries should be enforced. The4 are responsible and arduous dutie for which the members of the Boat should receive a salary of not le than $1,5oo per annum each, ar ,hould be requircd to nle a bond< not less than $i,ooo." "I further recommend that t1 law as to the location of county di pensaries be amended to restri them to such incorporated towi and cities as in the opinion i the Board of Directors, fun ish adequate police protection to tl public against disturbances of ti peace." In this connection I might at that dispensaries are now located places which are withouit adequa police protection-some in plac tc with absolutely no protection. A dispensaries so located, in my opi ion, should be closed. After mature reflection I am co: strained to recommend that t County Boards of Control be ab( ished, and the dispensers appointi by the State Board. of Directors u on the recommendation of the legi lative delegation of the vario counties. It should never be the policy the State to force dispensaries up< counties or communities *desirii prohibition9 nor to maintain the when it is the wvish of the majori of the people to substitute prohil tion in their stead. Legislation should be enacted this session to free the *ystem frc the abuses wvhich have crept in, emphasize its restrictive featuri and to ensure proper complian with the strict letter of .the la This matter will certainly brought to your attention at tI session' of your body. I sincert trust that you will give it yo most careful consideration, and tl you wvill, with a realization of yo responsibilities, make a fearless a' determined effort to effect su changes as will at least relieve o State of the reproach which ci tan features of the dispensary sj tern have cast upon us. I need r assure you that in the discharge this duty T am ready and willi: to aid you in every way that lies my power. ENFORCMENT OF PROHII TION. The enforcement of prohibiti ,in counties which have voted c dispensaries presents a seric problem. The present law;~ as construe it. makes it the duty of t Governor, whenever he is satisfi that there are violations of law such counties, to appoint con ables: these constables to be pi from the special tax levied for tI purpose. During the past year have been confronted with ma difficulties because of local con tions and diverse public sentime but have endeavored to do wha1 .onsidered my duty. Mv experience in the enfori ment of this lawv has convinced that certain changes are necessa for the mutual interests of all c< cerned. While I believe that spec officers ate necessary to prevent v lations, and that such officers shot Ibe paid by the counties, I also thi 'that these officers should be sele ed by local authorities and be un< their direction and control. I. therefore, recommend that tuture this course be adopted, a trust you will so amend the la The law, as it now stands, will g rise to serious complications, a these should be avoided as mutch possible. OUR PUPrLIC SCHOOL SYS TEM. The annual report of our St; Suri;tendnt of Education u promptly sent to me. and the tho , rough manner M vlich this most n1 important subject has been treated h includes some very gratifying state s ments. It cannot be urged too of o ten that we have no more responsi ble duty than is involved in the full and complete development of our educational system. Not only does this mean the proper training for highest citizenship, but it means al so that South Carolina must and shall keep pace with the advance made throughout our country in ed ucational matters. Better schools, more of them and s school improvement generally from the smallest old field schoolhouse to the last detail of our largest insti tutions. these should command our time, our personal attention and our money. I- shall only call your attention s briefly to some of the salient feat d ures of this subject, such as are in cluded in Superindent Martin's re port. e From the small appropriation made for free rural libraries have grown results that are forcible and striking. More than 6oo libraries have been established, and $25,ooo represents the amount expended. This not only means much in the le real value of good to be accom plished, but it shows a willingness Id 'on the part of the people to aid themselves when you give them a good beginning. s -More than i6o new schoolhouses were erected during the last scho lastic year, and your Act for' this purpose did not beoome fully effec tive until near the close of the term. - Even better results can be safely' relied uponT from this. source during the present school year. !d P- The Superintendent's report s- shows a scarcity of high schools in IS our public school system. a fact which this interested worker most naturally regrets. Strong figures are presented in this connection, and I commend to your-most care Sful consideration thefiuean t reasons which are shown to' beat upon this departmen1t of publi school work. aI join heartily in the recommnen atations made by Superintendent Martin for the purpose of remedy ing this defect, anzd beg to call ethem specifically to your attention. cin the establisiiment of free~ rural elibraries, the people have shownz .S what wisdom prompted your -ac utions in making even a small appro Spriation. In voting to tax them t selves for the establishment of atschool districts, this same spirit has rbeen shown and I believe that it will c be again manifested with strong, practical results, should this mat ter receive from you the recogni -tion asksed for. tot It was most gratifying to me tc of note an.increase in the average sal aary. paid to teachers-my only re n gret .is that this was not very muc arger than. the amnount recorded. IThese are not only faithful work ers, with grave responsibilities. but they must needs be trained, culti tvated and intelligent, and it would ube most gratifying to me to set usthem paid such salaries as woukc eto some appreciable extent be com he mensurate with the value of the i services rendered. Superintendeni mMartin's report shows that the Ld year's has had good results. and z u -study of its details will clearly re atveal increased interest in the greal cause of education throughout oui State. and this interest among out people may certainly b)e classed among the greatest resources o: this great wvork. e OUR HIGHER EDUCATION e AL INSTITUTIONS. .ry It is unquestionably true tha' m the most vital interests of our Stat< jal are included in the education of he1 io- future citizens and workers. Witi ild each successive year comes agair nk and again the great necessity and ct- the greater privilege of doing ow [er share of a work whose influence: will bear upon the highest interests in of our commonwvealth through al n~ the years to come. w- The highest and most liberal ed ve ucation possible should be providet nd for those of ~each generation. thus asgiving an ever-increasing numbei of intelligent, capable and trame~c - ren and women for the servic< of their state and their country. te It does not need to be impressec ..S po you atetion that the ver) life of a state. as a free govern ing community. depenlds uponl the care and thought and work we give to this greatest of all needs of a people. The reports from the preside and trustees of our higher educ tional institutions will all be sub rnitted for your consideraton. These are ncluded in the report of the state superintendent of educatioi, ai I sincerely trust that each of these valuable papers will have your careful attention. These colleges are all essentially public institutions, and these reports are submitted to you for your guidance. instruction and action. I am gratified, not only % because of the full and comprehen sive information therein containe'd but feel that the State is to be con gratulated also upon the character and scope of the work done and the great interest manifested by these capable and faithful officers. It is not necessary for me to re view this work at any length in this Message. The reports are all available and cover every detail necessary for your consideration. I shall only, therefore, call your -at tention mot briefly to each on'bf our several higher institutions bf learning, with the request that you examine these reports fully for yourselves. The usual appropriations, 'ap proximately, are again asked for this year, and I heartily recomiehd your favorable consideration -bf these requests. The -recoids mide by these colleges is a turce .of pride to us all, and they should hAie as liberal support as it is possible for us to bestow. The old South~ Carolina College reports the largest enrollnent.bf pupils it has had for many years a fine showing. Your body will again be asked to permit the chang ing of this institution from a'Col lege to a University. This request was denied at-gour last session, and in rernewing it'now, godd reasdias wvill again be submitted .for. your consideration. I recommend' that the proposed change-in keepn with the life, usefulness~ and d.ig nity of this iristitution-be mnade, and I sincerely trust this desiralie end will be accomplished. This can be done without conflicting with the interests of any State in stitution and is, in every sense, a proper step to be taken. The report of the Board of Vis itors of the South Carolina Military Academy-familiarly known to history and to fame as "The Cita del"-presents a full synopsis of good work well done. This insti tution. through peace and wvar, has upheld the honor and glory of South Carolina, and- its years of usefulness have given to us many representatives of our highest citi zenship. I commend its work, its needs and its requests to your fav orable consideration., Clemson College, as the -annual report of its president and trustees for this year so cdearly reveals, con tinues to grow in strength and stature. The rapid growth and- in fluence of this College has already placed it at the head of similar Southern institutions, and has made it the rival, in character and useful ness. of any college of its kind. This report will be read with gratifica tion. by the friends of the College everywhere, and has my heartiest. commendation. Winthrop College. numbered among the chief institutions comn manding the pride of South Caro linians, submits, through its presi dent and trustees, its usual fine re port. An additional appropriation for a model school will be request ed, and I recommend that this be The new Carnegie Library is quite an attractive feature of this institution and this handsome struc ture, with its useful equipment will soon be dedicated. I commend especially for your consideration the work being done by the State at Cedar Springs In stitute. The report made shows how great is the work done here ini fitting for li.ves of usefulness those upon whom affliction has been laid and wvho are thus deprived of ad vantages belonging to more fortu nate ones. The report of the president and trustees of the Colored Normal, In 'dustrial, Agricultural and Mechani cal Cee shows good manage