Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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F * ...... VOL. XI. ANNUAL MESSAGE By Gov. Mc Sweeney to the General Assembly. AT SESSION BEGINNING JAN. Uth. Chief tixecullve (ilvcs Sonic Sound Ad\ice to tlie Law-Makers of the Palmetto State. Tin* folio wine ?? in xii1??tniu-?? th<? annua? ntessngt c?l' Hon. Miles H. MeSweeney, Governor of South Carolina, road in both houses of the General Assembly: G?Mit|omvn of the General Assembly: You ?omr fresh from the people to legislate for the welfare of South Carolina. Ther< are many grave problems demanding solution. It is a time pregnant with opportunities and possibilities. There is demand for the exercise "f wise counsel anu prudent judgment. The oft h e of legislator is one of great possibility. You have the power t ? lay the burden of <i\u(iun uiH<n ino piopie ami at tlie pan"- time the power t<? spend tiie money patio red from the people. Vou also have tlie power to make the laws by which they are to be governed. Tltey have trusted you with this (treat pow- r and expect you to use it with wisdom and with prudence, looking only to the best interests of all the people. Whatever promotes their happiness and welfare should he your eonstant concern. If all men would refrain from interfering with the rights of others or of molesting them, government would not be neeessar; . Hut. unfortunately, we have not reached that high standard of morals. Government, however, should attempt to do no more than to protect persons and property and enforce contracts voluntarily made. It is true, as a vote, that the least governed are ilio host govern- d. in sending to you this, my last annual message, :t is gratifying to note th? good feeling which prevails - I*>N !' I ill udgll'llll 11117 Siiii'-. and Uk- absence of factional bitterness which at one time divided ott?* people. I luring my administration 1 have endeavored to ignore factional divisions and to lie the Governor of all Hie people?io insure to each community as far as possible the right of local self-government. In making local appointments I have sought in each east- the advice ami recommendation of tiie representatives of the county, believing that they were letter acquainted with local affairs and the wishes of their people than ! could possibly he. If by this course I have in any measure contributed to the unification of sentiment among our people nnd the wiping out of factional lines. 1 am gratified. In this day of rapid industrial development nnd progress there is not time for factional bickerings. Our chief purpose should he the material progress and development of our State, along with the moral and intellectual uplifting of our peoplr. The State lias enjoyed an era of materm! prosperity which is unprecedented. Now enterprises arc being projected, and the building of cotton mills goes constantly on. Business of ?-?* !? i .larani'r nas neon exoeRUon ally prosperous the past. year. Peace and good order prevail throughout tho State, and at the name time progross lias been made along educational lines. FINANCES. The income to the State for ilio year ending December SI was not sufficient to meet its obligations. The Governor and the State Treasure! were forced to borrow the full amount of the tflon.fion authorized by the last Legislature. This was made necessary by the fact that the last Appro prlatlon Act carried with it more than the revenue from the levy for SUitt purposes would realize. It is not good business judgment for the Stat" to borrow money to meet current expenses. Knowing the total assessed property of the State, the levy should be sufficient to raise enough raonej to meet, the appropriations. Or if it is desired to fix the levy the Appropriation Kill should be kept within the amount such levy will realize. You should so regulate the two that the State will not be compelled to borrow money for current expenses ana be forced to pay interest charges TAXATION. The Constitution of 1 S9T? says: "All taxes m?on property, real and person al. shall be laid upon the aetnal valiu of the property taxed, as the same may he ascertained by an assessment made for the purpose of laying sucli tax." And In another section it says: "All property subject to tax ation shall be taxed in proportion tc its value." And why not at its "actual value?" You will note the Ian gunge of the Constitution; It says. "8hull be." not "may be." It is mandatory. and yot we are going uThng violating this provision every year bj trying to fix some percentage of "ac tual value" and this percentage is different in every tounty. The State Hoard of Equalization, at a meeting held the past, summer, found such in equality in the assessments that they decided to memorialize the I^egisla ture to fix sixty per cent, of the actual value as the proper basis of valuation for the purpose of taxation. Why sixty per cent? sixty per cent? Why not follow the plain language of the Constitution? It v.*a.s found that iu some counties eighty per cent, of the actual value was the hasis, while in others it was as low as fifty per con*. ORT FOl of the ac tual value, and in some c ases, even lower. To adopt a percentage nl actual value would he a plain viola tlon of the provisions of the Constitution. It makes little difference to the taxpayer what the Imsis of valu at ion is so that all property is assess ed in ihe same ratio of value, for a certain amount of money has to be raised to meet the expenses of the government, and if Ihe valuation if high tbe rate is low. and vice versa. The inequality which now exists, however. makes the burden hear utievouly and the best plan is to require* thai the mandate of the Constitution bf followed. If one cNmnty is assessed at. KO per eent. and another at 50 per cent, of actual value, one is paying too much or the other is paying tor little of its proportion of the State tax. The tax for county purposes maker, little d Iff ere nee. This is 3 question which lias puzzled Icgisla tors since government lias hoc n organized and taxes paid, and the man whe c an devise a plan which will make th. burden ot' taxation lirar overiK 011 uli prop- rty will reeeivo I lie well (lone ol the people of tin; State. Kqual and just taxation, levied on all property proportionately and in at cordani c with ii.> value, is the pr> duet of the hfghco justice. and wheu done to meet simply the demands of government. economically administered. is n"ver hurdensome. On the ntlier hand, unequal or unjust taxation is always burdensome. If all property \v( r< returned honest 1> and fully at its iust valuation the problem would l;e solved, hut so long as human nature Is frail ami the impression prevails that it is not expected to return property at its value, we "may not expect this result. The plan recommended in my last message. 1 believe, will aid in getting all property on the tax hooks and contribute largely to an equitable val nation, and I repeat it here. 1'nder the present system the returns are made to the County Auditor. There is a Township ltoard of Assessors, which meets at the court house after the Auditor has taken the returns, and undertakes to go over I all of them in one or two days. Thru fher. is a County Hoard of Equali] zatlon, which also meets at the court hou e and goes over the returns for ! the entire county in one or two days. All of this is done in somewhat of u perfunctory manner and accomplishes Wttle or nothing in securing an equit able assessment of property. There ; are counties in the Slate in which some of the land is assessed at onethird or one-half its actual value, while other land is assessed at Its real j voim-. in fact, there may be two adjoining plantations, the one worth twice as much as the other, and yet tinder our system each is assessed fcr taxation at the same price per acre. KDUCATION. The strength and stability of any community are largely in proportion to the intelligence of that community. The intelligence of the community is always In proportion to the education of the masses. The power and strength of a State are not in its material advance and development, however valuable these may be. but. in an educated citizenship?an education which trains its citizenship intellectually, physically and morally. If our State is to keep pace with the other States of the Union our people j must be educated?not a few Ji^vc j and there, but there must be a gen; oral education of the masses. The wealth producing power of a country ( is in proportion to the education of its citizens, and as we increase the ' efficiency of every citizen by educa! tion. so we increase the wealth pro! difing power of the State. "If we I should doubt, the wages of every man in the State, we should not. thereby Increase Its wealth a dollar, but if ! we could double the efficiency of every man in tile State and then double the wages we should quadruple the wealth of the State." Said Mr. Ruskin: "A piece of land which will only support ten idle, ignorant, and Improvident persons will support thirty or forty intelligent. and industrious ones.*' The value of a country depends rather upon the virtue and intelligence of the people who inhabit it than upon the richness of the joll. All wealth has Its basis in intelligence. We should permit no child to grow up to meet the responsible duties of citizenship without at least the rudiments of a good education. "In the South 85 per cent, of the criminals are deficient in education, while 60 per cent, are totally illiterate." Statistics show that 22 per cent, of all the inhabitants in the South over ten years of age are illiterate, while In New York it is only 3 1-2 per cent. THE COMMON SCHOOLS. There Is a marked increase in the interest in public education, and there are many encouraging evidences of improvement. Yet the hare facts of the condition of the average school in some counties arc shocking. Reference to the statistics in the rerorl of lh~ State Superintendent of Education discloses that there are numerous schools with less than ?. three months' term, and still more with teachers so badly paid that they canlint tin cnnnAQA/1 %?. ' * ~? ... ..... K'.Tipftent. 1C the Legislature will uis- | charge its responsibility to the cause of education in its entirety in the State, there ruust be State aid to the public schools. An appropriation ta1 be apportioned according to the money raised in the counties is nothing more than a county tax?an increase of the constitutional three mill tax. Efforts heretofore made to pass such a law have met with the response from some delegations: "We have money enough already." The Charlestonians can point to their school terms and their teachers' salaries as evidence that they need little or 110 money. The truth is. that a legisla ^0 t MI IT MILL, S. C \VKI? tivo appropriation should ho mod along tho linos presort hod by the Con Ktitutiou to bring up tho deticiou schools to n minimum standard. Th dispensary money has horn uppot tlonod undor a law fixing thre months or $75 salary as tho minimur standard, but tho educational sonti inont of tho State has passed tin point whore it ran bo longer satistiei with ttliu minim?" " * _ ? .. II WCIVI 1(1 DC Ill tip enough for the Legislature to run tribute to the efficiency of the publl so boo Is a sum equal to the amount I appropriates to the State colleges. / much smaller sum. as estimated ? ; th. State Superintendent in his f t", nual report, would he more than a le quale to Insure a six mouths' tern with a $210 teacher to every sehoo I in the State that could make itsel j deserving of this aid by conforming i to the proper policy in its looatiot and the qualification of its teacher. Speaking further on the subject o education, the Governor commend: highly the excellent work being don* by tlie different institutions under tin i management of the State. C1HLD LABOR, i On the subject of child labor th* position Of the CcwiMir Is PtAypifvo I eal. and not to he misunderstood, lit I favors a reasonable restriction of chin I labor. without embarrassing th* State's industries. PENSIONS. Fair treatment of ih< old soldiers it eotuni?Mi?letl ami the the Stale shoiih ; treat thont as liberally a.- its tinancia I eondition will ailow. RAILROAD COMMISSION". Th* twenty fourth annual repot t til tl:- Railroad Commissioners will h. found upon llie desks of the member: ' of ih? Gen* nil Assembly. It contuhn i a vety complete synopsis *?f the rail roail sitneiion it> the State. Till" SIT \Tt." Mil ITI V , It is gratifying to he al>lo to givt special commendation to the military, department. and to note tin- intcresi and energy displayed hy the head ol ' tin department in his efforts to build up and euerui/. the militia syslocr of tin- State. THK niSPKNSARY. For the 11 rat time sine*? the Ilispen sary Law was enacted. it was nut at; issue in the political campaign foi the Governorship the past year, as al ' of the enudidates for Governor wen pledged to its support an I to the strh I ntore. incut of tin* law. The grcute.i e-pporit ion to l!:? s-.u. hi of Stale eon trol of tin :<! of liquor is in t .< 1'irg-r eitb of tin: State. As a ii gnU there Is lllieit sale of liquor Iti these litiis. and then will cnntlnm to ho until public sentiment in tic-si communities grows tnor .strongl; in favor of the Dispensary system air! jurors regard more sacredly their outli and convict persons who are proven guilty of the violation of the law. Spo rial constables can accomplish but little where such conditions exist j Fortunately, however, these eonmiuni th's are the exception, and in the I State generally the law is enforced and the guilty are convicted and una ished. The system is a good one foi the control of the sale of liquor nuJ that it is violated in some locnlitie> is no valid argument against the law The business the past year has in creased, which may he taken as an ev idenec that the people are becoming more and more in sympathy with tht ' law. rather than that the consumptior of whiskey is increasing The amount to the credit of tin School Fund on November 30th, 1 !?02 was $652,829.22, according to inquarterly report ?>f the la'gislaiivi Committee. hut not available, as il . was in stock. 1 Fluid tile Act of the last l.ogisl.i ture requiring the directors to pa> to the State Treasurer qiiavterlv th? profits to tho credit of the Sclioo ' Fund, three payments have l>< t made aggregating $92,755.91. Tlu j same Act. requires that the profits l< ' tin credit of the School Fund carried i as stock shall be reduced by semi annual payments to $100,000 by tlu first of January. 1904. Under this re quirement $100,000 have been paid tc the Statd Treasurer the past year This makes a total paid to the credil of the School Fund during 1902 ol $192,755.91. Tho following figures show the to tal net profits for the year ending No vember 30th, 1902, from the sale ol liquor and beer: ! From whiskey to towns anil counties $382,688.3< From beer to towns and counties 60.515.4C $443,198.71 Not profit to the State.. ..$123,699.0" Total net profit $306,897.83 From the figures quoted nbov* there was on hand to the credit of th? ! School Fund November 30th. 1902 | $052,829.22. and the total amount car ried in merchandise was $730.518 17 | It appears that wit lithe easy facilities of transportation and the rroqinnl I purchases which are made that this amount carried in merchandise eoulii he materially reduced without dctvi ment to the business, and yet the di rectors i;laim. as you will see fronn their report, that it is impossible tc run so large a business on any lest stork than is now carried, ft shouli he reniemhereil that there are about one hundred anil twenty-five local His pensaries in the State, and when I hi. stock is divided nmong them it does not give each a very large amount. It also appears from the statement of the Legislative Investigating Com mlttoo that on November 30th, 1902 the Dispensary owed for supplies whiskey, etc., $252,527.36. THE STATE PENITENTIARY. The past year has been a most sue. cessful one in the history of this instlOONTINUEUON FoTBTn PAUTt, i.I. IEKDAY, JANUARY 21. ILAWMAKERS MEET. t e All Eoriner Officers Re-elected Willii*. out Opposition. n ? ^ [ ORGANIZATION OH LOWER HOUSE. ' The Oovernor'a nesMltt Head No , Hills Introduced A Tribute to tlie I.rite Chief Justice. __ . ? | 1 Promptly :it noon Tuesday l.irui. f (iov. Tillman railed the senate to <>r I ; dor. i Every senator was present except Hon. Edward Mclver of Chesterfield. I With the exception all the new tnetn ' hers were sworn in and assigned to ' their respective seats. 't he roll of counties was called. After prayer hy the chaplain, the \ election of officers was immediately ( entered into and reunited as follows: President Pro Tern Senator John i , C. Shcppard. j Clerk Cleii. Robert it tlcmpliiil. Reading CierU Mr. \V. 11 Stewait. j Serjeant-at-Arms?Mr. .1. K. Sebum- I pert. All of these were unanimously eloc> lei! without opposition. 1 There were four nominations for I chaplain: Revs. Dr. <> \ Darby. Walter I. Herbert. M. M . Kinnrd. au-1 A. .1 Harrison of Hampton. A vote i f wn tak' n and resulted as follows: . Rev. Dr. DkiIjv 27: Rev. Herbert. 4; j It v M. M . Kinnrd. 7; Rev. A. .1. . Harrison. I. Dr. Drrliy was elected. Senator Shcppard arose and to- ' turned his si nee re thanks for the re- i newed murk of confidence and esteem j and for the honor conferred upon iiim , 5 | by his selection as president pro tent. | The followinir aminintmenls mmln ' L ! by Lieut. fjov.-elect Sloan were then ' ' ! announced: Assistant Clerk--11. M McCown. l. Joitinal Clerk?Tillman Runch. Hill Clerk?Henry l>. Kutlcr. Doorkeepers .1. II. Boiilwute. Jus j per H Wat.son. .1. F. (ioodlng. { Keepers of Committee (looms? I j .lames 1*. MctJorty ami J. A. White. I Keeper of President's Room K. R. t . Jenkins. Panes? Ci. Duncan Bellinger. .1;-., ami I!* Pry Jefferson Fctner. ''orti r Robert Adams. Servants Jack Prrssle.v and Albert \:inec. I Mail C;.'rier N (). Ryles. Till! PUKSIDKNT'S ADDRKSS. 1 \r' ei tin new members and officers i i bad been sworn in Lieut. Oov. Till| man called the president pro tent, to i the chair and left the senate chamber, t Before. leaving lie annoum ? d to tin . 1 senate the sad information of the I ! death of Chief Justice Mdver. and . paid a glowing tribute to the departed . ! chief of the State's judiciary. ? j He congratulated tin State of South I Carolina on the great o'ogre. s that . she made in recent years and spoke of the benefits wo were now reaping I from Ihe recent Charleston exposition. ? lie referred to Capt. F. W. Wagen>* . of Charleston, as "the one who had . done more than any one else to ad vnneo the commercial Interests of tin ! ; State, lie thought the ffiO.hOrt appro ? | prlated to the exposition the wisest : i ! investment the State had made in re i sent years. ! i i He congratulated the senators iliat t none of their number had been cnln 1 ? Into the "great unknown realm" since ? the last session ami accounted for t h. I absent faces as due to the hard fate of polities. On motion of Senator Slinrpe a com- ; mittee of thre-\ consisting of Messrs. Sharpe. Sin ppnrd and Brown was ap 1 pointed to notify the governnor that \ ' the senate was in si<*.sion and ready 1 for business. 1 STANDIN'Cf COMM1TTKES. 1 * The president then announeed the ' appointment of the following commit- ! " tees: J ! Agriculture?J. T. Douglass, chairman* A It VVIIIior.u l? i M-... ! > ning. T. W. Stanland. James Stack- 1 house, O. P. Goodwin, J. M. Gaines. ' L C. S. Mr Call. I*. 1.. Ilardin, C. II. | ^ Carpenter. T. 0. Mel^eod. E. b~. Warren. Kdueation?O. W. Grown, chair. man; J. Q. Marshall. T. M. Rayaor, 1 f W. B. Johnson. W. H. Sharpe, D. E. 1 Hydrick, T. B. Butler. J. M. Forrest. J. w. Ragsdale. ; Claims and Grievanees? It. I. Man- ' I ning, chairman; J. S. Brieo. W. H. > Sharpe. 1). E. llydrick, J. It. BIak? . . J. K. Hood. J. E. Peurifoy. C. S. Me ; * an, r. ij. miner. j Enrolled Hills?W. E. Johnson, . chairman: E. J. Dennis. J. A Mc- ' I Dermott, E. P. Warren, J. K. Hood. ' T. G. MeLoocl. .1. E. Puerifoy, W. ' c. Hough. ] Contingent Accounts?W. H. Sliarpe. ' chairman: O. T'. Goodwin, C. M. Davis. T. H. Hut lor. C. II. Carpenter. O. P. Von Kolnitz, Jr.. J. M. For* ' J i IC St. ' Finance Geo. S. Mow. r. chairman; 1 ,\. ii. Williams, J. C. Sheppard, J. i ' Q. Marshall. It. I. Manning. J. A. M' Dermott. .1. S. Price. W. 11. Sharp?*, ' c. s. McCall. J. M. Gaines. T. O. 1 1 Mc I .nod, .1. It. Hlake. ? ' Dispensary- T. \V. Stanland. ! | chairman; Robert Aldricli, W. H. Sharpe, A. 11. Dean, E. D. lierndon, 1 James Stackhouse, I'. D. Hardin. I Dv.nal and Charitable Institutions? . 5 1 J. T. Hay, chairman; W. C. Hough, 1 : E. I.. Horndon. O. P. Goodwin, G. I P. VonKolnitz. Jr.. J. K. Hood, J. E. 1 Peurlfoy. Commerce and Manufactures?J. Q. 1 Marshall, chairman; G. W. Brown. S. ' O. May field. A. H. Dean, J. M. j Gaines, w E. Johnson, J. K. Hood, C. S. McCall. J. W. Ragsdale, E. F. ' Warren. C. 11. Carpenter. County Offices and Officers?I,n 1 j Grand G. Walker, chairman; J. A. J MoDermott. James Staekhouse. E. 1* : I riMi Il'-rtidon. O. 1*. Goodwin. 1*. G. liar I in. Engrossed Hills IV G. Hardin, chairman: \V. C. Hough. .1. M. Gaines. C. M. Davis. IV I.. Ilardin, .1. K. I'mirifoy. J. K. llooil. Perioral Relations?E. J. Dennis, chairman; J. S. Briee. \V. H. Sliarpe, Thomas Talhird. C. II. Carpenter. (I. P. VonKolnitz. .Ir, T. G. McGeud. Immigration?S. McCall. chairman: K. .1. Dennis. .1. T. Douglas, .lames Staekhonse. Thomas Talhird. Incorporations (1. W. llagsriuh-, chairman: Geo. S. Mower. .I. 'IV lla>. Thos. Talhird. .1. A. McDoriuott. J. S. Brioc. .lames Staekhonse. J. K. Hood. W. II. Slmrpe. G. P. VonKolnitz. Jr. .1 \V. Itagsdnle. K. G. llerndon. Penitentiary .1. T. Hay. chairman: .1. A. McDermott.*U. I. Manning. Edward Melver. IV G. Hardin. T. M. ltaysor. .1. M. Porrcst. Judiciary S. G. Maytleld. chairman: Geo. S. Mower, Thos. Talhird, Ge Grand G Walker. J. T. Hay. G, W. Brown. G. \V. Ragsdale. T. M. Rnysor. D. It Hydrick. G. P. Von Miiim/.. .ir. (I. W. Ragsdale. !C. 1". Whiti'H. \V. C. Hough. Privileges ami Elections .1, C. j Shcppard, chairman: (?. \\r. Kags<hib\ I J. T. Hay. 15. I.. Hcrudon. \V. C ! Hough. Edward Mrlver. J. E. Pourlfoy. J . M. Forrest. Medical Affairs--A. it. Williams, ihairman: U. I. Manning. W. H. Sliarpe, O. 1'. (loodwlu, (?. F. Von (lulultz. Jr.. T. (5. McLcod. Pl.il male nils J M TIKfrdH barnm j Public I.amis--p. i,. Hardin, chalrmau: E. .1. Dt'iuiis. T. W. Stanland, ' U. p. (londwln. Thus. Tulbird, T. M. Rnysor. Retrenchment?1>. E. Hydride, ! chairman; (}. W. Ragsdalc, \V. C. llougli. J. K. Hood. J. It. Make. Utiles T. M. Haysor. chairman: J. C. Shcppard. Cleo. S. Mower. (1. \Y. Rag < ale. J. T. Hay. Robert Ahlrich. Homls. bridges and F?*tTlcs- .1. M. Haines. chairman: A. II. Williams. J. T. Douglas. O. I'. Hood will. T. \V. Stnnland. C. S. McCall. Edward Me Ivor. Legislative Library Thos. Tal i bird, chairman; E. .1. Dennis. T. M. > Haysor. W. E. Johnson, Edward Me Ivor. .1. H. Make, P. 1,. Hardin. Military?Robert Aldrleh chairman; Peurifoy. T B. Thitler. Mines and Mining?(}. F. VonKol- ! nit/. Jr.. chairman; Ledrund l?. ' Walker. A. H. Dean. Thos. Talblrd, T. \V. Stanland. J M. Haines. E. | I.. Hcrndon. Printing P. M Davis, ehairman; | Robert Aldrieli, J. S. MeDermott. E. t I.. Hcrndon. J K. Hood. Edward Me Ivor. Public buildings J. Q. Marshall, ! chairman; J. T. Douglas, R. I. Man- ' ning. H. Carpenter. J. R. Make. Railroad and Internal Improvements j ?A. 11. Dean, chairman; J. Q. Mar- i shall, T. W. Stanland. (J. W. Rag.v J dale, Robert Aldrieli, T. M. Haysor. D. K. llydrick, Thos. Tnlhird, T. b. butler. J. 1\. Hood. J. S. briee. K. L. 1 11 i-riidon Tin* announccmini whs also mail, of tin* appointment of .1. Krnser l.um as clerk of the finance. and .1. I'. 1 i? * land of the jtnlieiary committors. Senator Brown introduced a eon current resolution roeomm ndin.c tic appointment of three senators an 1 five representatives to attend the fun oral obsequies of the late Chief .T\u. tier Henry Melver. On behalf of the senate the president appointed Senators Brown. Ita>sor and ilydriek. On motion of Senator Brown the house at. 1:50 adjourned out of re spert t?i the memory of tlie late chief Justice. j House Proceedings. The house of representatives was ! railed io order at noon Tuesday by ! Col. Tom ('. Hanier, clerk of the last house of representatives. <Ion. Altamounl Moses was chtK**n temporary rhalrnuiii of the representatives-elect. , The members-elect presented themselves before the speaker's desk and were sworn in. The roll of counties j was called and the members-elect pre j sen ted themselves by counties and lay- j lug their hands upon tho house Bible | iuuk i no oaui or ouiee. They then sub- i scribed to the roll of the house and were duly qualified representatives of the State of South Carolina. Nominations for speaker being in oriler. Mr. it. A. Morgan of Greenville, j secured the floor and nominated Hon. : M. L. Smith of Kershaw rounty. This was seconded by Mr. Whaley of Charleston. Mr. Kflrd of Ix-xington, Mr. Lancaster of Spartanburg. Mr. itichunls of Kershaw and others. Mr. Gaston of Chester, put in nornl- \ nation the name of Hon. T. Yancey Williams of Lancaster. 'I'lliw was ?ecanded l?y Mr. Haile of York, Dorroh ?f Greenville. Mr. Moss of Orangeburg ind several Oihers. There were IIS koies raai, or wntch Mr. Smith received I >7 and Mr. Williams 21. Mr. Smith was escorted to the chair | by Messrs. Morgan. Patterson and ' Efird and after taking the' oath of speaker .addressed the house. SPEAKER SMITH'S REMARKS. Sentlemen of the House of Reprost-n- , tat ivesf: 1 would be unmindful. Indeed, of the promptings of a truly thankful heart, diould I fail to make my first, utterance 1 in the position to which you have so : kindly elevated me, an expression of ' leep ami lasting gratitude for that 1 most highly distinguished honoi Human life and conduet have always been, and will ever continue to he, influenced and controlled by many motives and ambitions. In an attempt to ?erve one's State and people, an obligation from which the humblest citizen annot escape, however rude, imperfect :?r unsatisfactory the attempt may he. Ihore is no motive or ambition more commendable, moro fundamentally right, or more p-oductivo of legitimate rights than that whic.. strives to win their respect, esteem and confidence, save that, perhaps, which, in a broad # I 4 \Z_J NO. 14. 1 spirit of appreciation. and the vi t! swerving devotion and unselfishness i which it begets. weeks, by all honu;, aide means, to retain them. if I am justified in entertaining the ! belief that the kindness of your partiality which has bo signally houcva I me. is to some extent, ut. least, an ev' ! denee of the former, than before I shall attempt to discharge the Important dn1 ties which it Imposes, the hope must lie I indulged and will he continually cher| iwhed, that by a faithful and consistent ! effort 1 tnnv Tie permitted to carry with ! me through life the consciousness of | fiavins enjoyed t li?? latter. Yes. gentlemen of the house of representatives. to pieside over the deli; tii-rutions of this body tiie chosen, ! trusted. a-?| commissioned representatives of a truly great people great in character, great in sehieveinent. greal j in tradition, ami far greater yet in his j torv is no mean honor to seek and the I delegation of that right no indifferent j trust to repose. When 1 reflect upon the brilliant at ; taimnent nnd distinguished service of those who hnve preceded me here, the apprehension whi< it follows. T promise ytm shall only serve to intensify the hope that after its duties and responsibilities are laid aside, that of the effort you may say. it was conscientious, that, the conduct was fair, courteous and impartial. and that the mistakes were honest. If that shall he your verdict, then the obligation which you place me under in your selection shall only lie ini reased l?y your own generous sestiniate of its wisdom. 1*1 us work together. for the prosperity and glory of our State. To this end ina> a Divine Wisdom and Providence guide and direct us. 1 desire to again thank you jur vimr iiiMiiisui^nt'ii consideration. Thos. C. Hammer was reelected (1? rk of the house and was sworn In by Speaker Sniitli. Col. Ikiinmer is now entering upon his third term and In personally v? r.v popular with the members. There w re thret nominees for sergeaiit-at-nrms. Mr. .1. S. Wilson of 1 jct'it aster. Mr. \V. K. (Irant of Greenvllle. and Mr. Geo. \V. Ashill of Ijeesvilie. Mr. Wilson received 81 votes, Mr. <irant "Jl and Mr. Ashill 14. Mr. Wils n was deeluretl elected and was sworn iflf^ Thin is his second term. Mr. JoYm S. Withers, of Chester, had no opposition for the position of reading clerk, an office which he has tilled with great neeeptablllty for twelve years. Mr. Withers is a very useful member of the speaker's staff. The house adopted a ? "olution presented hy Mr. John 1*. Thomas, Jr., granting the use or the hall to the State Mar association for its annual -r 1 I KUl.T Jinvrnoon and l-'rlday night. On motion 'if Mr. Morgan a com mittee of three waited on the go\i-rnor to infoim him that the house was organized and ready for business. \ similar message was sent to the senat< Tlie governor sulimitted 14 niesragi hi< annual message. 12 messng es . ihmitting reports of State officers, etc.. and one announcing the deatli of lion. Henry M Ivor, chief Justice. The house concurred in the senate resolution to appoint a committee to attend the funeral of Judge Mclver. Th" speaker appointed Messrs. T. V. Williams. Jr.. of itiehlund. J. O. IWt' lson. of Itarnweli, Win. I.. Matildin. of Cnvmllle and It. R. Wiuiley, of Charleston. Mr. Williams was excused on account of physical disahili ty and Mr. Altamont Moses substituted. x Plie i'hiladclphia Lodger observes thai tin- system maintain d l?y some mutual b oellt associations under which a '1111111 weekly payment secures h.* promise of medical attendan e pud of n ? essury funeral expense in case oi the illness or death of ti child is an unobjectionable form of , mutual assistance. Carefully conducted. upon a purely mutual basis, il may promni thrift and afford relief n nisi rcss. i ni- promise of u esish payment upon ilic < I oath of a ehilil Ih a iliff r* ni lliiiiu altogether. ami ought not to he oiu on raged or allowed. Hair Splits "1 have used AVer's Hair Vigor for thirty years. It Is elegant for a hair dressing and for keeping the hair from splitting at the ends."? J. A. Gruenenfelder,Grantfork, 111. 1 Hair-splitting splits friendships. If tne hairsplitting is done on your own head, it loses friends for you, for every hair of your head is a friend. 1 Aycr's Hair Viuor in 8 advance will prevent the J i splitting. If the splitting | has begun, it will stop it. Sl.tlC a Iodic. All druzjisls. n If your tlrocfrist onnnot supply you, B flirt us one dollar ,uxl ?c will cxnn'HH K you .1 liottlo. Bo sure anil rjlvo tlio name H ot your ncarrnt ry press oUice. A'liliess, 5 J. AYl'K CO., I.owell, Mass. it<7v-wry m. t v? ?'try c.' isnawi So. 4. WHY SUFFER HEADACHE OR LA GRIPPE? CURE YOURSELF WITH CAPUDINE NO BAD EFFECTS. Sold at tvll Drugstores i