The Manning times. (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, January 18, 1899, Image 1
VCL. XIV. MANNING, S. C., WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1899. NO. 29
THE STATE SENATE.
The Opening of the Body in An
nual Session.
ONLY EIGHT ABSENTEES.
The Lee County Senator Stood
Aside. Names of the New
Senators. Other Business
Transacted.
The appearance of Lieut. Gov. Miles
B. McSweeney on the speaker's stand
in his purple robe of office at noon on
Tuesday of last week was the signal for
the senators to hasten to their seats.
A single rap of the gavel was sufficient
to call the chamber to order, and the
legislative session for 1899 had begun.
Since the last session the chaplain,
Rev. Mr. Willoughby, had died, so the
Rev. E. L. Archer, senator from Spar
tanburg, was requested to make the
opening prayer. He besought the Lord
to "put our hearts and minds in proper
frame for a rightful performance of
duty," and asked that "what is done
may be for the good of the people and
the glory of Thy name."
The roll call showed eight senators
absent-Talbe-t, of Beaufort, Ragsdale
of Fairfield, Walker of Georgetown,
Scarborough of Horry, Wallace of Laur
ens Livingsten of Marlboro, Alexander
of 6conee and Bowen of Pickens. As
last year was election year there were a
number of new senators to be sworn in.
Col. J. W. Floyd, who was acting az,
sergeant at arms until his successor
uhould be elected, conducted the new
members before the bar in groups of
seven, where they were collectively ad
ministered the oath of office by the pres
ident.
-In the second group was Senator-elect
R. E. Carnes of Lee county, which a
fe w days ago was declared to by the su
preme court to have been unconstitu
tionally formed. As the oath was
about to be put, SenatorGeo. W. Brown
or E - objected to the senator
from Lee being b.,rn into offie for the
above reason.
"I hold a certificate of election as
eenator from Lee county and desire to
be sworn in," said Mr. Carnes.
Mr. Mayfield at this point was recog
nized and, offered the fbllowing resolu
ion pertinent to the question:
Whereas, Objection has been made to
swearing in Hon. R. E. Carnes, senator
elect from Lee county, on the ground
that the supreme court has decided
that an act of the general assembly
establishing said. county is unconstitu
tional and void, therefore be it
Resolved, 1. That the right of Hon.
R. E. Carnes to a seat in the senate as
a senator from Lee county be referred
to the committee on privileges and elec
tions.
2. That Hon. R. R Carnes be not
sworn in, but permitted to occupy a
seat until the motion is disposed of,
with the right to be heard upon the
queszion.
It was at the suggestion of Senator
Baruwell that the latter part of the res
olution was changed so as to give Mr.
Carnes the right to be heard on the,
question.
Mr. Carnes took his seat, and the in
inction into office continued. Here
are the names of the new members:
W. N. Graydon, Abbeville; J. M. Sulli
van, Anderson; Jos. W. Barnwell,
Charleston; R. C. Sarratt, Cherokee; J.
Lyles Glenn, Chester; W. S. Blakeney,
Chesterfield; Louis Appelt, Clarendon;
W. B. Gruber, Colleton; Geo. W.
Brown, Darlington; Win. Ilderton,
. lorencs; W. C. Hough, Lancaster; J.
Q. Marshall, Richland; Richard L.
Manning, Sumter.
Senator J. C. Sheppard of Edgefield
was sworn in alone to fill out the unex
pired term of Senator Gaines. Messrs.
Knox Livingston and W. T. Bowen
were not present to be sworn in.
There was no excitement incident to
filling the clerkships and other senate
positions, such as in the house.
On montion of Senator Mayfield.
Senator R. B. Scarborough was elected
president pro tem. On the motion of
the same senator, Gen. R. R. Hemp
lill was reelected clerk -of the senate
and he was immediately afterwards
sworn in. There was no opposition to
either of these gentlemen.
C.;or this position there were several
candidates. Senator Love, seconded
by Senator Glenn; placed in nomina
tion Mr. W. J. Waters of York; Sena
tor Henderson, seconded by Senator
Aldrich, proposed the name of Mr. Jno.
T. Gaston, now of Columbia; Senator
Mower nominated Mr. J. T. Smith of
Newberry, and Senator Archer second
ed it; Senator Hay, in the ateece of
Senator IRagsdale. and at the request of
citizens of Fairfie'ld .county, nominated
Mr. S. F. Cooper of that county; Sena
tor Marshall of Richland n iinated
Mr. L. R. Marshall of Columbia, who
had served from 1878 to 1889 as ser
geant at arms; Senator Hough nomi
,nated Mr. J. Wmn. Sistare of Lancaster,
and it was seconded by Senator Geo. WV.
Brown.
On the first ballot the vote stood:
Gaston 15; Smith 7- Sistare 3; Waters
5; Cooper 1; Marshall 1. Senators
Graydon, Suddath and Hay changed
their votes to Gaston and he was de
clared elected.
The readieg clerk, Mr. W. H. S-tew
art, was reelected without opposition.
Senator W. A. Brown for chaplain
put in nomination the Rev. G. H. Wal
dell, superintendent of the Epwortn Oc
phanage.
Senator Aldrich asked if the rules of
the senate required this offiee to be1fi1l
ed. If not, it seemned to him that the
hard times wtuiM Warraut the abolition
of the office. The times were when the
senate had no chaplain, iie moved
that the president invite different mn
isters of the city to lead in prayer from
day to day.
Senator Henderson at once opposed
,ich a motion, and it was los:. Mr.
Waddell was then elected chaplain.
At the suggestion of Senator Hender
son, the president appointed a commit
tee of three to notify the governor that
the senate was ready for business. Sen
ators Henderson, Sheppard and Dean
were put on this committee.
With the senate reorganized and ready
for work, Lieut. Gov. McSweeney ad
dressed that body as follows:
Senators: I am glad to greet and to
Cer of the senate of South Carolina.
Since the adjournment of this body a
little less than a year ago this nation
has passed through a stirring and a his
tory making period. The dark clouds
of war hovered over us, and in some re
spects the most remarkable war'of an
cient or modern times was waged. I
congratulate you and the State of South
Carolina that the sons of this grand old
Commonwealth responded so nobly i.nd
so promotly to the call of the president
for men to defend the flag. It is a
matter of congratulation to our State
that her sons and the sons of the south
bore themselves so nobly on the field of
battle or in the camp, but remembering
their noble heritagethey could not have
done otherwise. I congratulate you
also on the fact that peace again reigns
and that it has been demonstrated that
we have in fact a reunited country and
a common flag, which we all love and
are ready to defend with our life-blood
if need be. I also congratulate you
that we have now a united Democracy
in South Carolina, free from bitterness
and strife and all actuated by a common
purpose, and that purpose the welfare
and prosperity of our common mother
South Carolina.
It should, and no doubt will be, our
pacpose to work with harmony and
good will for the dispatch of such busi
ness as may come before us at this ses
sion of the general assembly. In the
accomplishment of that purpose you
may depend on my best efforts, and I
ask your hearty cooperation. I trust
we may be guided in the passage of
such laws as will redound to the good
of the great masses of our struggling
people, and that we may finish the bu
siness before us in as short a time as is
consistent with wise legislation.
During the past year I have received
the resignation of Senator Gaines of
Edgefield, and I ordered an election to
fill the vacancy.
But one death has occurred among
the members of the senate during the
past year-that of Senator McAlhaney
of Dorchester, who was a useful mem
ber of this body and whose untimely
death we all mourn. I have ordered
an election to fill the vacancy but have
not yet received any return from it.
I now declare the senate of South
Carolina ready for such business as may
come before it.
After the committees were announ
ced Senator Henderson offered a reso
lution instructing the committee on
privileges and 'elections to determine
and report to the senate offices to be fill
ed by the legislature and to name as
early a day as possible on which all of
them could be held. He said that the
sooner these places were filled the soon
er the legislature would get to work and
finish with its business. He was anxi
ous that nothing should impede a short
session.
The perennial tax extention question
came up in the form of a resolution
from Senator Aldrich to extend the
time for payment to the last day of
April.
Senator Manning also introduced a
resolution to extend the time.
Senator Henderson introduced the
following important bill fixing the time
at which objections to the qualifica
tions of jurors must be made:
That all objections to jurors called to
try prosecutions or actions, or issues or
questions arising out of actions or spe
cial proceedings in the various courts
of this State. if not made before the ju
ror is sworn, shall be deemed waived;
and if made thereafter shall be of no
effect.
The governor's message was received
by the senate and read by the clerk
while the members following the read
ing closely in printed copies farnished
them. Upon its completion the senate
adjourned to meet at 12 m Wednesday.
As It Goes in the Senate.
While Senator Caffery, of Louisiana
was making his great constitutiona,
aguments against expansion last Friday
there were exactly Bix senators on the
floor, and they were engaged in their cor
respondence and other official duties,
says the Washington correspondent of
the Chicago Record. Among them was
Mr. Spooner, of Wisconsin, who, hav
ing finished reading the New York pa
pers and having nothing else to do,
thought he would be a little polite and
exhibit some interest in the speech.
When this amiable idea occurred to
him. Mr. Caffery was reading with
great emphasis from a small book he
held in his hand, and to show his
friendly disposition Mr. Spooner, who
had not been paying the slightest atten
tion, arose and inquired with great in
terest: "May I ask the title of the
book from which the senator from
Louisiana is reading?" Senator Caffery
looked up with an air of amazement and
in a most sarcastic manner retorted:
"From the constitution -of the United
States."
A Brutal Outrage.
Mrs. Nan cy Welch, a most excellent
white widow lady and mother of five
children, residing about three miles
from Harper's Cross roads, in Chrtam
county, N. C., was outraged and mur
dered about five o'clock Thursdayafter
noon by Henry Jones, a black negro.
Jones was a desperate character, about
35 years old. Mrs. Welch had been
visiting at her son-in law, Mr. Jones,
and she did not return home at night,
search was made and her body found
about fifty yards fron the public road
with her throat cut. The alarm was
given, search made and the negro found
at his home near Richmond Thursda~y
morning about 3 o'clock. He confessed
his guilt, and was carried back to the
scene of .he murder and hanged by an
unknown party of about fifty.
A Big Job.
A dispatch from Madrid says persons
who have returned there from the Phil
ippine islands expatiate upon the "dif
ficulties facing the United States when
undertaking to conquer the whole ar
chipelago in arms." They assert that
it will be impossible for the Americans
to penetrate beyond the ports without
an immense army, declaring that the
islands are "so impoverished that the
Americans will be compelled to obtain
provisions elsewhere," and that the. cli
mate is much more fatal than the Cu
ban elimate to Americans.
Big Battle in Arabia.
A great battle has been fought in the
Yemen division of Arabia. The Turk
ish troops stormed and captured the in
surgent position at Shanel on Nov. 30.
About 4,000 insurgents and 2,000 Turks
were keilled or wonnA dA
THE LOWER HOUSE.
Full Story of the First Meeting of
the Representatives.
SPEAKER GARY RE-ELECTED.
Hamer Beats Gray for Clerk. A
Sword for Victor Blue. The
Members Get Down to
Business at Once.
The house of representatives was call
ed to order Tuesday morning of last
week at noon. As the clerk. -Gen. J.
Walter Gray, struck the gavel upon the
spepker's desk and called the house to
order, the sergeant A't arms swung the
mace into its official place, on the
speaker's stand, and the house of rep
resentative had begun its session.
Clerk Gray announced that the first
business of the session would be to
elect a temporary chairman.
Mr. McCullough of Greenville nomi
nated "one who has long been a useful
member of this body," Mr. D. H. Ma
gill of Greenwood. Mr. Magill was
duly elected by acclamation.
Clerk Gray then administered to Mr.
Magill the oath subscribed to by a mem
ber of the general assembly.
The clerk called the roll of counties,
three at a time, and the members-elect
presented themselves before the bar of
the house, where the oath was read by
Chairman Magill.. administered by the
sergeant at arms, and repeated by the
members, who then signed the roll of
the house.
D. E. Keels, representative-elect
from the county of Lee, presented him
self and was duly qualified. He after
wards took his seat and no challenge was
made.
SPEAKER GARY.
When the members had pres-uted
themselves and had been sworn in Mr.
Bacot, out of regard for the interests of
the state, and for the dispatch of busi
ness, and for his own personal gratifi
cation, asked to be permitted to. nomi
nate F:ank B. Gary of Abbeville for
reelection as speaker of the house,
Mr. Sturkie of Orangeburg, Winkler
of Kershaw, . Ashley of Anderson,
Blythe of Greenville, Stevenson of
Chesterfield all seconded the nomina
tion on behalf of their delegation. Mr.
Stevenson moved that the nominations
De closed. This was carried, and the
election of speaker by the roll call show
ed that of 114 votes cast Hon. F. B.
Gary received the entire number. He
was duly declared elected speaker.
Mr. Patton moved that a committee
of three be. appointed to wait upon the
speaker and to present him to the house
Messrs. Patton, Patterson and Mauldin
were appointed. They retired and ac
companied Mr. Gary to the speaker's
stand, -when he assumed the speaker's
purple robe.
Before taking the speaker's chair,
Mr. Gary said: "In assuming tlie duties
of the office to which you have elected
me, permit me to thank you for the
high compliment whi.h you have paid
me.
"Having been elected three times to
preside over the deliberations of this
ho..orable body, I can but feel that my
election now is an endorsement of my
codrse heretofore. This is indeed grati
fying to me.
"in the discharge of my duties as
speaker, it will be my constant endeavor
to do my part towards keeping the as
sembily up to that high standard of ex
cellence that has long characterized it,
and to promoto that harmony and good
feeling which is so essential to wise
legislation. I feel asst red that to this
end I will have y our hearty cooperation
and that your deliberations will
result in lasting good to the people of
this State. At this time I shall yen
ture but one suggestion, which I hope
will not be regarded as ous of place.
"It has been said that the committee
are the eyes; ears, hands, and, often
times, Lhe brains of the assembly. This
being the case, I would suggest that the
committees, to be hereinafter appointed
scrutinize every bill that comes up -be
fore them, with a view to seeing wheth
er or not they are in contradiction of
of the coastitution of 1895. Some of.
the acts of recent legislation have been
held by the courts to be unconstitution
al. and there are others which, in my
judgment, will be whenever they are
put to the test. It seems to me thaat it
would be a saving of time and expense
to prevent such acts from cumbering
our statute books.
"Again thanking you for the honor
conferred upon me, and trusting that
your work may be a benediction to
South Carolina, I declare the house
ready to proceed to the transaction of
business."'
Speaker Gary announced that the
next step in organization would be to
elect a clerk.
J. A. McCullough of Greenville
nominated-Gen. Walter Gray of Green
ville, a gallant boy soldier, a faithful
and competent clerk for former sessions
of the general assembly.
T. T. Rogers of Marlboro nominated
T. C. Hlamer of Marlboro, a young man
who, by his own industry, had received
a collegiate and a legal education and
was now the support of aged parents,
J. W. Ragsdale of Florence nominated
R. M. McCown of Florence, who was a
man of sterling worth, a man of
strength in the Democratic party in his
own county, and a man whose ability
to transact the duties of clerk ha'i been
proven by his connection with the
clerical work of the senate:
C. L. Winkler of Kershaw seconded
the nomination of McCown.
Geo. E. Prince of Anderson second
ed the nomiination of Gcn. Gray.
Frank Manning seconded the nomi
dation of T. C. Hamer.
Mr. Henderson moved that the nomi
nations close. This was carried, and
Winkler, Williams and Ragsdale were
appointed tellers.
Trhe first ballot resulted in 115 votes
being cast. Of this number Grey re
eived 38, Hamer 35 and McCown 42.
Necessary to elect, 53. There was con
sequently no election.
On the second ballot Gen. Gray lost
four votes, three of which were changed
to Hamer and one to McCown. Anoth
er member, who was absent on the first
ballot, voted for McCown. Result: 116
votes cast; necessary to elect, 58; Gray
34; Hamer, 38; McCown, 44. There
was noane on the third ballot ex
cept that three votes were changed
from Gray to McCown.
Oti the fourth ballot Gen. Gray's
supporters fell away until but 21 were
left. Hamer received seven and Mc
Cown four of the votes formerly east
for him. Total vote, 117; Gray, 21;
Hamer, 45; McCown, 51.
On the fifth ballot, Gen. Gray's
friends thinks his defeat certain, fol
lowed the lead of McCullough, and
made an almost solid change to Hamer.
The effect resulted in the election ofHa
mer. The result was as follows: Votes
cast, 114: necessary to elect, 58; Gray,
4; Hamer, 63; McCown, 51. At the
announcement of the result, Hamer's
friends made an attempt at applause,
but were forbidden by the speaker.
Mr. Hamer presented himself before
the speaker and took the oath of office
and donned the official robes. Be has
for several years been bill cleik of the
house and is quite familar with the
workings of the clerk's office.
The speaker announced that the elec
tion of a sergeant at arms was then in
order.
J. 0. Patterson nominated N. H.
Stansell, the present incumbent. D.
H. Mazill and a number of others see
onded the nomination. D. B. Peurifoy
of Saluda nominated Samuel B. Holley
of Saluda. This was seconded by D. F.
Efird of Lexington and others. The
roll call showed that of the 115 votes
cast, Stancel received 85 and Holley 20.
Mr. Stansell was subsequently sworn
in.
The stentorian voice of John S.
Withers of Chester will again resound
through the halls and corridors for he
was unanimously elected reading clerk.
He was nominated by C. L. Winkier of
Kershaw and J. Hardin Marion of
Chester.
The names of three reverend gentle
men were presented for election as
chaplain, Rev. M. M. Kinard, Rev. J.
C. Abney and Rev. E. A. Wingard.
Mr. Abney was elected.
Cole L. Blease of Newberry offered a
joint resolution relating to the ap
pointment of an investigating commit
tee. He asked for its immediate con
sideration.
T. W. Bacot introduced a bill to pro
vide a sword for Lieut. Victor Blue, of
the United States navy. The bill ap
propriates $500for the purpose in view.
N. G. Evans, of Edgefield introduced
a bill to extend the time for the pay
ment of taxes for the fiscal year 1898
until the first of March 1899.
The Governor's message did not
reach the house until Wednesday.
On motion of Mr. Johnson the mem
bers'vacated the seats they were occupy
ing, and moved outside the railing, in
order that permanent seats might be
allotted.
Little Miles McSweeney then drew
from a box slips, on each of which was
written the name of a county. As that
name was called, the members would
select their seats. This occupied about
an hour, and when completed the mem
bers were ready to adjourn.
On motion of Mr. Blease the house
adjonrued until Wednesday at noon..
Eagan Cals Miles a Liar
The most vigorous and sensational
testimony was given before the war in
vestigation commission Thursday by
Commissary General Eagan, who, ap
pearing unexectedly to meet the alle
gation against the beef issued in the
war, vigorously arraigned Maj. Gen.
Miles, commanding the army. He read
his testimony from a long written state
ment. He denied the numerous state
ments of Gen. Miles and charged that
the latter's testimony constituted se
vere reflections on the commanding
generals of expeditions, and referred to
him as "this same commanding general
Nelson A. Miles," and said that who
ever called the beef furnish the army
"embalmed beef" was a "liar." Furth
er on during his testimony, Eagan
called Miles a "liar, who lied in his
throat, lied in his heart, lied in every
part of his body, who had perpetrated
a gross scandal, and who should be
drummed out of the service and im
prisoned, and should be avoided by
every honest man, and barred by every
club." He characterized his inter
views as "filth."
-A Good Suggestion.
Under the head of "A Plain proposi
tion," the Barnwell People says:
"A Barnwell merchant, a thoroughly
good man, who is too modest to like to
see his name in print, makes a sugges
tion worthy of consideration. It -is
this in substance: That the merchants
of the county give the preference as
far as they can to home made supplies,
in the matter of hams, bacon, lard,
syrup, meal, grits, butter &c., over like
goods brought from other States, and
that the non producers who have to buy
their food supplies purchase the county
raised produce in preference to similar
articles from the North and West.
He says that if those having a sur
plus of foods products can and will sell
to the merchants at the same prices
paid for imported goods good home mar
kets can be opened in every town in
this section of the State that will put
and keep money in circulation, and
show that everything does not come ou
of the cotton basket." u
Quiet in Wilmington.
A Washington gentleman just return
ed from Wilmington, N. C., says there
is nothing whatever in existing condi
tions to recall the race troubles of two
months ago. "The city," said he. "is
orderly, and even in the country round
about there is no trace of ill-feeling.
Mayor Waddell is conducting munici
pal affairs admirably, and has the sup
port of all the people. The blacks re
pose confidence in him, and are show
ing the utmost respert for the law. A
Negro cake walk was announced the
other day, and tne Negroes generally
are en-joying themselves and on good
terms with their neighbors. There is
no lingering bitterness anywhere to be
found. There were fewer arrests in
Wilmington during the holidays than
in any ether city in the country."
Washington Post.
All Relations Severed.
The North Carolina grand lodge of
Masons have severed all fraternal re
lations with the grand lodge of the state
of Washington because of its admission
of a Negro from Illinois as a Mason,
which the grand lodge of North Caroli
n i declares to be a violation of the land
marks of masonry recognizing Negro
lodges. This step was taken, it was
stated, not in anger but in pain.
Don't grumble, but go to work and
make a succass of your undertakings
THE MESSAGE.
Gov. Ellerbe Gives His Views
on Various Matters.
WANTS BIENNIAL SESSIONS.
The Governor Recommends Sev
eral Things that the Legis
lature Ought to Adopt as
They Are Right.
Governor Ellerbe's annual message
was read to the general assembly last
week. The following is a synopsis of
the more important matters treated in
the message:
FINANCES.
The Governor says the finances of
the State are still in an unsatisfactory
condition. Every obligation of the
State has been promptly met; but, to
do this, the State Treasurer has over
drawn, for small amounts, upon various
banks in which State funds have been
deposited. The State of South Caro
lina should always be in a position to
meet' current expenses without the ne
cessity of overdrafts upon banks. To
do this, it is evident that one of two
things will have to be done: either the
appropriations will have to be cut down,
or the tax levy raised.
Only $23,522.64 have been paid du
ring the year into the State Treasury
from the phosphate mining industry.
Mr. James Reid is due the State
$2,860.00 royalty on phosphate rock
which he has mined. The Attorney
General has instituted proceedings
against him, and all of his personal and
real property has been attached.
CONFEDERATE RECORDS.
At the last session of the General
Assembly, $500 were appropriated for
the completion of the Confederate rolls.
Col. Joun P. Thomas, Confederate His
torian reports that the rolls have been
completed, but the history has not been
written. In my last Message I made
the following recommendation.
"It is the duty of the State to pre
paie an historical account of the part
taken by the commands from this State
in the great civil war, and to complete
the rolls. I, therefore, urge that pro
vision be made for carrying on this
work. To insure completion, I recom
mend that a sum be appropriated suf
ficient for carrying out this undertaking,
and I suggest, as an inducement to its
completion. that while sufficient money
may be allowed -monthly for current
expenses, the major portion be paid
only upon the completion and accep
tance of the work as now mapped out."
If this recommendation had been
adopted, the entire work might have
been c )mpleted, for the Historian could
easily have written the history and col
lected the missing rolls, if he had been
authorized or required to do so.
BIENNIAL SISSIONS.
Only eight States of the Union hold
annual sessions of their Legislatures,
and it seems a most desirable policy for
our own State. Each session of our
General Assembly cost about fifty thou
sand dollars. We have too much legis
lation, and consequently too many laws.
Biennial sessions, limited to-forty days,
would be ample for due consideration
of all matters pertaining to legislative
business. I therefore recommend that
an amendment to the Constitution of
the State, looking to the establishment
of biennial sessions of the General As
sembly, be submitted to the people.
Members of the Legislature would then
be selected for a term of four years.
This very desirable action on the part
of the voters would result in a saving
of twenty-five thousand dollars a year
and this and other good reasons will
commend the measure to the people of
the State.
After some suggestions as to election
of offcers by the Legislature and the
hiclding of courts the Governor takes up
the subject of
LYNCHING.
He says during the last several years
there has been an apparently increas
ing disposition among us to attempt the
righting of real or supposed wrongs by
the law-breaking practice of lynching,
and suggests this as a remedy: See to
it, as conservators of the peace of the
State, as makers of its laws, as the
uardians of its sacred honor, that its
aws are so enacted and so administered
that conviction and punishment shall
follow critne with the certainty that
inks effects to causes. He also says
the offcers of the law must be chosen
for probity and for courage: and it
should become of itself a high crime
id misdemeanor for sheriff or consta
le to allow a prisoner to be taken iby
volence from his hands, even though
is own blood should have to be shed
o protect the criminal. That an offier
harged 'with the duty of holding and
f protecting a prisoner should suffer
im to be seized and snatched from the
ands of the representative of the
State's power and sovereignty should
onstitute forfeiture in itself of his
offce, for it is confession of indisposi
ion or of inability to perform the high
uty committed to him. Such officers
will never correct lawlessness, for they
re either in sympathy with it or they
re afraid of it. As an. additional
easure of restraint, it would be well
tand I recommend, that any county in
which the crime of~ lynching is com
mitted shall be liable, to'- the heirs of
he victim of the lynchers, in the sum
f five thousand dollars. and that men
who shall he convicted of participation
n lynching shall be deprived of the
ight to vote or hold office in this State.
OUR EDUCATIONAL sYSTEM.
The Governor says the colleges of the
State are in fine condition and are doing
xcellent work. The oldest of them,
he South Carolna College. has 180
tudents, and as able a faculty as can
e found in the South. It has fully re
overed from the depression of a few
ears ago, and is now continually in
reasing its patronage, and widening its
nfluence. Its affairs are administered
with judgment and economy. It entire
y deserves the patronage and support
>four people.
The South Carolina Military Acade
y, as you will see from the report of
ts Board, is doing efficiently the work
xpected of it. The severe experience
n maintaing discipline through which
t was forced to pass last session has
discharge most responsible and difficult
duties with a courage and discretion
that should commend them to their fel
low-citizens.
The State's newer institutions of
learning, Clemson and Winthrop Col
leges, are in flourishing condition; their
faculties are full, and their patronage is
large. These colleges are justifying the
wisdom of their establishment by meet
ing a need not met by any other educa
tional institution in the State. They
are giving practical and to some extent
liberal education to a large number of
boys and girls who would hardly be
found in the halls of the other colleges
in the State. Their patronage seems to
be up to their capacity of accommoda
tion and instructien.
The amounts asked for by these vari
ous colleges are reasonable, and are
necessary for their efficient operation.
I therefore recommend that the appro
priations asked for by these various in
stitutions be in each case appropriated
by the General Assembly.
I am informed by the State Superin
tendent of Education that the public
school system of our State has shown
steady growth and improvement during
the past. year. There has been a marked
increase in the professional spirit of
teachers, a deeper interest on the part
of the public in the welfare of the
schools, and a greater activity in pro
viding better school accommodations.
These are hopeful indications.
The Governor recommends that $30,
000 of the Privilege Tax on Fertilizers
be appropriated to Clemson College,
and that $30,000 of the balance of said
privilege tax fund be appropriated to
Winthrop College; provided, however,
that provision be made to supplement
the appropriation to Winthrop College
from the general treasury, in case the
amount received by the State from the
Privilege Tax on Fertilizers is less than
$60,000.
PENSIONS.
This State is now paying out annual
ly in pensions to Confederate soldiers
the sum of $100,000. No amount that
the , people could afford would be too
much to dispense to worthy and needy
men who risked all for the cause they
held sacred and became by this service
incapacitated for self-support. But
the greatest care should be taken that
such funds be properly distributed. and
that the State do not attempt more in
this direction than is absolutely. de
manded by the exigencies of the case.
We have a notable object-leisson in the
abuses of the national system of pen
sions to warn us to use the utmost cir
cumspection.
Our own system of pensions is in
need of changes and reforms. It is ex
pensive and cumbersome, and too open
to those solicitations of influence and
favoritism that invite abuses and en
courage extravagance. The system
should be simplified, and its regulations
and restrictions be made strict and even
rigorous. The township and county
boards should be abolished and applica
tion for pensions made to the State
Board. The sum now expended in this
way, $100,000, is more than the State
can afford, and more than is required to
atisfy the just demands upon .this
fund. This money is now being to in
discriminately distributed, with loss to
the State and with ;,justice to some
beneficiaries and favoritism to others.
Many undeserving people are drawing
pensions from the State, and many
needy and deserving veterans are forced
to go without. The- pension lists of
this State should be purged and every
beneficiary cut off from them who does
not show that he i.' so incapacitated to
provide for himself and so dependent
on his own labor as to be evidently a
worthy object of this public charity.
If these necessary measures are
taken, $50,000 will do more real good
than $100,000 are now doing, and the
State will be saved wasteful expense,
while the needy and the worthy will
reap, as they were intended to do, the
benefits of this fund.
I recommend that the pension list be
purged, that $50,000 only be appropri
ted for pensions the coming year, and
that steps be taken to insure the proper
istribution of this amount.
HOSPITAL FOR THE INSAE.
The Governor says unless the General
Assembly shall at once take measures
to purge the hospital of idiots, imbe
iles, and harmless patients who should
be in the poor heuses, and unless they
shall also correct the abuse of the
State's charity by personis now taking
advantage of the loose administration
o the laws governing the admission of
atients to the hospital, it will immedi
tely become necessary to make further
provisionin the way of accommodations,
ppliances and nurses and physicians
for the increasing number of patients
now crowding to the hospital. If, how
ver, you will, by stringent enactments,
revent the further commitment of per
ons not entitled to treatment in the
ospital, and will order the discharge
f those now there who are not legally
etitled to this aid, the present build
igs and force will afford accommoda
ion and attention for some years to
ome for all who should be received
nto the institution.
JUVENILE REFORMATORY.
At the last session of the General
Absen bly, a resolution was passed au
horizing the Governor to appoint a
ommission, composed of five members,
o investigate and report on the prac
icability and advisability of the State's
stablishing a Reformatory for Youth
ul Criminals. In obedience to this
esolution. I have appointed a commis
~ion, consisting of the following gentle
nen: Messrs. L. D. Childs, C. C.
rown, Richard Carroll, John Kershaw
d R. Means Davis. This commission,
ifter sending one of their number, Rev.
. C. Brown, to visit the Reformatory
t Elmira, New York, and after thor
ugh investigation, the commission
~ubmit~s a report in which they recoin
nend the establishment of a juvenile
eformatory fo'r colorea youths. The
lovernor endorses the recommendation
a the commission and says such a Re
~ormatory might well be located upon
ands belongigt th State. This
~ould be done with but little expense to
axpayers, by using convict labor to
ake brick and to erect the necessary
uildings. The plantation owned by
:he State, known as the "Lexington
arm," containing 400 acres, about five
niles from Columbia, affords a suitable
ite for the location of such a reforma
ory.
MI53:LLANEOU-S.
I call attention to the Report of the
Ldjutant and Inspe.:tor General. The
nilitia df the State need to be reorgan
ed. The present disorganized cqndi
tion is caused by a large number of the
State militia entering the service of the
United States in obedience to the Pres
ident's call for volunteers.
I recommend that all persons selling
cotton seed meal in the State, either as
cattle food or as fertilizer, be required
to pay the privilege tax.
The finances of the Penitentiary are
in a healthful condition. The low price
of cotton has decreased the profits from
the State Farm, but the institution is
more than self-sustaining and will pay
$10,000 into the State Treasury.
During the past year an epidemic of
smallpox swept through the State,
greatly alarming and inconveniencing
the people in some sections. At my
request, the State Board of Health
took the matter in hand, and endeavor
ed to stamp out the disease where i
had appeared, and to prevent its spread
ing to other localities. In their work,
however,. they were hampered for want
of necessary authority to deal with the
situation. There are several cases of
smallpox now in Sumter County, which
could have been easily handled if the
State Board of Health could have com
manded funds to carry on their work;
this they did not have, a3 the emergen
cy fund had been exhausted. The
powers of the Board should be enlarged.
CONCLUSION.
In conclusion, let me impress upon
you that the past year has been one of
unusual financial stringency. The pe:
ple generally are hard pressed to make
a living, and many of them are not
able to pay their taxes. As guardians
of the public weal and conservators of
the prosperity of the commonwealth, it
behooves you to take every possible
measure to insure economical and care
ful expenditure of the hard-won funds
that the slim resources of the State
Treasury place at your commane. Da
ring the recent campaign you pledged
yourself, as legislative aspirants, to
economical administration of public af
fairs, and to reduction of txpenses.
We all preached economy then; we
must practice it now. I have pointed
out various and practicable methods of
reducing expenditures. I trust these
recommendations may meet your appro
val and secure your.-upport. If you
will adopt these recommendations, you
can reduce the tax levy without at all
impairing the efficiency of the public
service. I can only recommend and
advise; you alone have the power to
act. I leave these important matters,
with all their burden of responsibility,
in your hands, feeling confident that
you will endeavor to discharge your re
sponsible duties with earnestness and fi
delity.
Itis my desire this session, as last, to
co-operatewith yourrespectivebodiesand
members, in forwarding the interests of
our mother State and improving the con
dition of her people, and especially in
lightening the onerous burdens of the
taxpayers, and-this behalf I shall be
glad at all times to consult with you as
committeemen and as members.
OUR BOYS IN CUBA.
Col Jones Writes of His Men of
Whom He is Rroud.
Headquarters Second S. C. V. I.
"Camp Columbia," Habana, Cuba,
,Jarfary 9, 1899.
Tc the editor of The State:
In order that the people o' our State
may know how the Second South Caro
lia regiment is getting on over here in
Cuba, I have concluded that I would
write you a short letter. We have to
day 861 men in camp, none sick except
a few with mumps. We are all most
agreeably surprised in every .say. The
country is a great surprise to us all. It
looks like a paradise. The roses and fo
liage are most beautiful.- The water is
splendid-almost as good as the water
at Savannah, which is the finest I ever
drauk. All the people t.re friendly to
us and I do not see the need of keeping
troops here another day. Many men of
the regiment say they wish to remain in
Cuba the balance of their lives, as they
think they can make more money here
than at home. We had a hard voyage
over because we were put on a cattle
transport with400 mules and horises and
were very much crowded. A great many
of my men were seasick, but If managed
to escape it and I never felt better in
my life than I do now. I have never
seen this regiment in better spirits orin
better health than it is to-day and I
pray good health may continue. We are
kindly treated by Gen. Lee and our
other superior officers. Thre weather is
guite warm in the day but cool at night.
We have had but one rain, but it was a
trash mover and our tentsleaked very
badly. I am doing all in my humble
power to keep the regiment in good
shape and trust I may succeed. I am
'atisfied we will have no fighting at all
to do and I believe in two months we
will be sent home. Yours truly,
Wilie Jones.
Colonel Second S. C. V. I.
The weather is about as warm as it
is in August at home and the natives all
rear sammer clothes. I have not seen
t chimney since I landed in Cuba and I
tm told there are none at all. I do not
snow where the smoke goes when they
:ook. When the regiment received or
iers to embark for Cuba not a single
nan deserted, but all obeyed most
~heerfully the order.
John Gary Evan's Place.
Senor Perfecto Lacoste, who was
>resident of the Havana Junta Patriot
ca, will be appointed alcalde, or
nayor, of Havana by Maji. Gen. Lud
aw, Military Governor of the depart
neat of Havana. Senor Lacoste is a
ealthy planter, popular among all
:lasses of Cubans and a resident of Ha
rana. The Cuban general, Mario Me
iocal, will be chief of police, and Col.
. G. Evans, of the South Carolina vol.
inteers, former Governor of South Car
>lina, and now one of Gen. Ludiow's
taff officers, will be appointed superin
endent of the department of corrections,
~mbracing the police, the minor Courts
ad the correctional institutions.
The Bravest Woman.
The St. Paul Globe thinks the bra
~st woman of the year is Mrs. Lucinda
~eese. of Brazil. Ind., who has asked
or a divorce, ten thousand dollars all
nony and the custody of her fourteen
-hildren.__________
BRvAN is a level headed statesman.
.nd occupies a more prominent posi
ion in the eyes of the people today
han he evr did.
STATES FINANCES.
The Annual Report of the Comp
troller General.
THE STATE'S EXPENSES.
Some Interesting Facts and Fig
ures Published for the Bene.
fit of the Taxpayers of
the State.
Comptroller General Derham has is
sued his annual report. This has been
a long and tedious job, preparing ithe
facts and figures from his office, but it
has been done. The introduction to
the tabulated report contains much
that will be of interest. It reads as
follows:
To the Honorable General Assembly of
.the State of South Carolina.
As required by law I submit here
with the annual report of this officeor
the year ending Dec. 31, 1898.
This report shows in the
State treasury a cash bal
ance of ..............$A5 0
Less warrants issued by
comptroller general and -
not paid by State tress
urer at the close of busi
ness, Dec. 31, 1898.. 10890 69
Leaving a cash balance as
shown by the comptrol
ler general's books. .$A39,786
Less funds not available
for general expenses of
the State government:
Sinking fund for reduction
(State debt).........$127322.5
Sinking fund commission.. 2,72v
Special. dispensary school -
fund............ ... . 607000
Permanent State school
fund................1 1 I 0~'
Dispensary. 56 258
Direct tax fund, intereat
and penalty:.......... 8,05483
Privilege tax...........2580:50
Morrill fund...... ......865J
Clemsonbequest......... ,320AG
Redemption brown consols. 4,61386
Redemption deficiency bond
and stocks ............. 29636
$3102 90-9
Cash available for State.
purposes............129.403 .
Of this amount the State is
due the following
Due for borrowed money. .$ 20,0000
County auditors and tres
urers............ ..'2235
Public piinting.......
Winthrop Norma and In- .
dustrial college schola
ships......... ..
Pensions.............
Balance due <inty audi
tor, Charleston....... 503
Balance due county audi
tor, Kershaw......... 100
$ 29,176
Cash balance actually avail
able for expenses State
government.........100,33581
$129',503 47
l'o thisamount of.......$100,335 81
Add uncollected State taxes
1899, estimated.......590 00Q00
Insurance licenses comp
troller general's ofiee.. 12,50000
Additionol insurance li
enses............... 7,500 00.
Fees secretary of state's
offe........ ........ 4,000 00
T'otal amount from all
sources............$714,335 81
The estimated expenses for the. State;
overnmerit for 1899 are $821,339 92,
eaving a balance of $87,204 11 to be
aid from the taxes of 1899.
There has been very little falling of
n the value of taxable property of this
State as shown by the abstracts from
he different counties on file in this
>ffce.
Toasts the President?
General Maximo Gemez has been en
husiastically feted in the towns he has
risited in Cuba. Triumphal arches,
iscribed "Vive, Liberating Ary"
and expressing gratitude to the Uie
States, were erected. At a breakfast
t Caibarien, given by the Spanish res
dents, General Gomez toasted Presi
ent McKinley. General Gomes will
robably -proceed to Santa Clara -stop
ping at intermediate towns. .He has
een invited to visit towns in all parts
f the island and receives many gifs.
L'he general is understood to be h'urt at
he fact that the United Staes govern
ent offiials are not noticing him and
re not inviting him to Havana.. Al
hough he safs nothing on the subject
iimself, regarding his feelings, his in
imate friends are aware that he expec
~ed different treatment.
-Old Tom Mackey.
A dispatch from Charleston W. Va.,
ays: Judge Thoma/'Jefferson Mackey,
he South Carolina jurist, who was in
ited at the November term of the
~ircuit court in this county on the
-harge of bigamy, left here this morn
ng in company with Deputy Sheriff
. C. Young and his counsel, Cleon
doore, for Martinsburg. W. Va., where
e was admitted to bail before Judge
aulkner. He married Miss Katherine
>orte field. daiugl ter of Col. G. A.
>orterfild. ca-hier of the Bank of
Jharleston, in July last, and a few
reeks after a w >man claiming to be his
awful wife turned up in New York.,~
~he sued him for a divorce, which has
een granted in that place, and now he
ill be remarried to Miss Porterfield.
he license having been issued Friday.
A Souvenir.
Mrs. Hamilton Fish,of New York gave
s5 Christmas gifts to the Rough Riders
andsome pocket knives in fine cases,
hich in turn were inclosed in chamois
kin covers. On one side of each knife
s a silver plate inscribed with the
ameof the recipientand theline "Sou
enir of Sergeant Hamilton Fish."
What the world needs to-day is great
oral, spiritual and intellectual leac'
rs who will lead the people upward
nd onward in the direction of a better