Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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to their children it would be an easy mailer lo supplement the public school tu.h ami have good cer.imon schools in ewry country community. Since tlrt; State lu:s undertaken this matter the pity is that she is net able to do it more tii roughly and completely. For with this divided responsibility the children if. many c. sos are the sutierers. The greatest blessing that could come to this State would be a lirst-class common : school open for the full school year in j every country community within her borders, jdie State Superintendent of Educotion will submit to you his annual j report, in which he will make many sug- j gestions and recommendations and from which you can gather the true condition of the common schools of the State and to that report I beg to direct your attention. HIGHKR INSTITUTIONS. Whatever may have been the difference of opinion as to the wisdom of establishing State colleges the policy of the 'State in this matter has been fixed and i , Uiese lusuiuaoiis <;rc hcic <tuu o.i doing a good work for the State and if N judged by the enrolment of students there is a demand for them. To pull them down or to give them niggardly assistance would be a backward step which I feel that no true son of South Carolina, would be willing to take. It is no longer a question whether or not the State should engage in higher education. That has been settled. To make war on these State institutions is to retard the progress and development of the State. There has been a general awakening in the subject of education in South Carolina and not only has the enrolment in the State colleges been good but the denominational colleges have been more prosperous in recent years than ever before in their history. There should be no conflict between the denominational college and the State college. They are both doing a good work. No true friend of any State college will wage warfare on any denominational college and there is no sound reason for ain* denominational college to feel unkindly towards the State colleges. The denominational colleges have done and are doing a good work in this State and should receive our hearty commendation. I would like to take up each State college separately and call to your attention the work done and the needs of these institutions, but I can do no more than to refer you to their reports and recommendations and commend them to your favorable consideration. The South Carolina College, Clemson Agricultural "\T*?r?hnuioal PoIipct^ thp South Caro ^ hua Military Academy, Wintlirop Normal and Industrial College, aud the Colored College at Orangeburg will ail submit to you through the heads of these institutions detailed statemeuta of their condition and needs and these deserve your careful attention. You should be as economical ju the expenditure of money as is consistent with, the efficient conduct of these institutions but to withhold more than is necessary for their proper maintenance would not be wise economy. I feel sure they will not ask for extravagant or unnecessary appropriations and I, therefore, confidently commend to you a careful study of their needs and demauds as set forth in the reports that will be submitted to you. PHOSPHATE INDUSTRY. By reference to the report of the Phosphate Inspector you will see an itemized statement of the work accomplished duing the last fiscal year. The royalty paid the Slate for rock mined in 1S9S amounted to ?23,522.64. During the fiscal year just closed it amounted to ??39,379.28, being an increase of ?15,856.64 over the preceding year. This indicates that the companies Going business in our phosphate beds are recovering from the disastrous effects of the great storms of the past few years. The care and development of the phosphate industry of the State is of vital importance and demands our careful consideration. At your last session no provision was made to defray the expenses of the Commissioner and the Board. This expense has been met by the Attorney General, under resolution of the Board, out of funds collected by him and in his hands. I suggest the advisability of providing a sufficient amount to cover this expense in your appropriation bill. For an itemized statement of the work done by the Inspector I direct your attention *.1 u:. 4. to ais repuri. LEGAL DEPARTMENT. As will be seen by reference to the report of the Attorney-General, that office has accomplished a "large amount of work and it is gratifying to note the success and satisfaction that have attendcd'the efforts of that officer. The publication of some of the opinions of the Attorney-General of a general and public nature is a commendable innovation. The reports of the circuit solicitors contained in that report are worthy of your attention. They show that the efforts of these officers to punish and prevent crime have not been unavailing. v RAILROADS. The twenty-hrst aunual report of the State Railroad Commission will be laid before you. It is gratifying to note that the general condition of the railroad business of the State is prosperous* Railroads properly conductod are public benefactors They are in one sense citizens and large tax payers to the State. It should be gratifying to every citizen of the State to know that the business of the railroads the past year has been good, for it indicates that there has been activity in every line of industry. During the year, the Commission in revising the freight tariffs, has made various changes which have reduced rates to the benefit of shippers without any diminution in the gross revenue of the roads, which' has been maintained by the increase of the tonnage. One of the most important changes in the railroad situation daring the year has been the leasing of the South Carolina and Georgia Railroad by the Southern Railway System. The result of this transaction lias been to give the city of Charleston a continuous mileage tariff to all sections of the State reached by these lines. The same is done by the Atlantic Coast Line system. This operation of a ctr.-ii-rht- milt-acro svstem bv the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad and the Southern Railway was brought about in a large measure by the persistent efforts and rules of the Commission, who realized the importance of general benefit to be derived from a closer commercial relation between the seaports of the State and the country north and west of Columbia. This results in placing our principal seaport city 0:1 a reasonable rate basis with the entire State, which, together with just inter-State rates 0:1 the part of these roads, will enable Charleston, with proper efforts on the part of her merchants. to take her position as the leading port on the South Atlantic coast. As I have already stated, there has been great activity in railroad building during xhe past year and I am pleased to give m this connection the exact figures which have been furnished :ue bv'the Railroad Commission. It will 7-.nl onlv afford our people thor; iv.h : .-eight and passenger accommodations, but it adds materially to tile wealth and the taxable property cf the State and will give employment to many people. < nr ?. The Atlantic Coast Line has con tructcd from Denmark lo Robbins, a distance of 34 miles. The Southern Railway lias constructed an extension from Cayce's to Perry, a distance of 31.2 mile. The Seaboard Air Line has under construction. and will have completed in a few weeks, a line from Clieraw to the Junction of the F. C. <S: P. R. R., a distance of 91 miles. The Sumter and Wateree R. R. constructed a line from Sumter Junction to the City of Sumter, a distance of 15.S miles. The Xorth Western R. R. Company have under construction an extension from Sumter to Camden, a distance of 30 miles, 10 miles of which is in operation, and the otlier.mileage is under rapid construction. There is under construction a line from a point of the Asheviile & Spartanburg R. R. to Lockhart Mills, a distance ot 15 miles. A line from Conway to the Seashore is { under construction, a distance of 10 miles. This will make a total new mileage of 237 miles in the State. Your attention is directed to the report of the Commission, in which you will find much valuable and encouraging information. I submit herewith a synopsis of the year's business. RAILROAD EARNINGS. Earnings of the railroads of the State from all sources for the year ending June 3?, lS99- $ S,916,383.04 TOTAL EXPENSES. Maintenance of way and structures, equipment, conducting transportation, general expenses 5,831,246.37 Taxes 383,716.37 Income 2,701,430.44 Increase in gross earnings over 1S9S of 5 S27,053.00 Gross earning per mile 3.377-43 Operating expenses per mile. 2,357.98 Net income per mile 1S99 1,023.36 Net income per mile 1S9S.... S07.57 Increase per mile 215.77 THE DISPENSARY. There is no question that will engage your attention at this session that will demand more careful thought and in which there is more interest manifested than that of the control of liquor. You will no doubt have several propositions presented to you by different members ol your ooav ior yuui WliOiUeration. It is important that you should take hold of the question in a positive and direct manner and meet the issue squarely. Under the Constitution of the State there are only three modes allowed for dealing with this question. "The General Assembly may license persons or corporations to manufacture and sell and retail alcoholic liquors or beverages within the State:1' "or the General Assembly may prohibit the manufacture and sale and retail of alcoholic liquors and beverages within the State;" 0: it "may authorize and empower State, county and municipal officers, all or either, under the authority and in the name of the State, to buy in any market and retail within the State liquors aud beverages in such packages and quantities, under such rules and regulations, as it deems expedient." And in no case shall it be sold in less quantities than one-half pint or between sun-down and sun-rise, and it shall not be drunk on the premises. Neither can the General Assembly "delegate to any municipal corporation the power to issue licenses to sell the same." Under the last alternative the Dispensary Law is in force. At the present time and in view of the era of material progress and development upon which the State has entered I do not believe it would be wise or good'business judgment to refer this question to a popular election. Not that there is any uneasiness or unwillingness to trust the people, but it would have a tendency to renew strifes and bitterness and engender bad l r~~l:?T Kalioro trnnlH rpt.ard the Iicenug auu x uv/jiv/? ^ ?. ww- ? progress of the State in its material development. Much of the prejudice that has heretofore existed against the Dispensary Law has been broken down and many of its most bitter opponents have come to realize its good features and are ready and willing and anxious to see it improved and enforced. With certain amendments which seem necessary, aDd which will commend themselves to your good judgment, and which should be made at the present session, and with the proper enforcement of the law, it is the best solution of the liquor.question yet devised. Even those who oppose the Dispensary Law admit that it has good features. Whiskey has been put under the ban and whether you prohibit it, license it, or take entire charge of it, the principle is the same. It seems to me that it would be good judgment to take hold of tbe?present law and amend and improve i\ Prohibition is very nice in theory but in existing circumstances and conditions I do not believe it would be practicable. Extraordinary machinery would be necessary to enforce it and there would be no means with which to employ the machinery except by additional taxation, and even then whiskey would be freely sold and barrooms under the guise of drug stores would spring up and flourish in every town and hamlet in Soutn Carolina. Such has been the experience whereever prohibition has been tried. Local option would be even worse than prohibition. To have prohibition in one county, a license system in an adjoining county, and the dispensary in another, would create no end of confusion and trouble throughout the State. No law has been enacted in this State in recent years that has been as bitterly opposed and as strongly supported as the Dispensary Law. And yet, with the exception of a few localities, it has been as well enforced as could be expected. being revolutionary as it was. No law can be thoroughly enforced that has not behind it and to support it a healthy public sentiment in its favor. Now that public sentiment is growing in its favor it seems to me that it would be unwise and bad judgment to repeal the Dispensary Law and to make trial of some other system of controlling the liquor business. That there has been bad management in some departments is not an argument against the system. That there should have been disagreement and contention amongst those in control is unfortunate. I would recommend for your consideration the abolition of the State and County Boards of Control and that the duties of these officers be devolved upon other officials. You should elect a State Commissioner of high character and good business judgment and give him sufficient compensation to command the services of such a man. He should be given more authority and discretion and required to give a good and sufficient bond and be subject to I removal by the Governor. As the present law stands he has very lit'le discretionary power in the tnanagement of the business and is not much more than a clerk to carry out the iriia rules and regulations of the Board of Control. As an advisory board to the State Commissioner I would suggest the Comptroller Geueral, the State Treasurer and the Slate Superintendent of Education, with such powers and duties as in your wisdom you may think proper to confer upon them. I do not deem it wise to put the Governor or the Attorney General on this advisory board. You mitrht add to this board the chairman of the Finance Committee of the Senate and the Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee of the House. It would not be necessary for this board to meet more than four times a year and at each meeting competitive sealed bids could be submitted and these bids opened in the presence of the Commissioner and such purchases made as would be needed to supply the demand. The State Treasurer is the custodian of the funds, the Comptroller General distributes the school part of the fund arising from the dispensary, and the State Superintendent of Education is thp Vipad of the educational daoartment which is the beneficiary of the fund. These officers are elected by the people and have to give account to tbem for the manner in which they discharge their duties and are always men of ability and character. In place of the County Boards I would suggest that the County Supervisor, the County Auditor, and the Mayor of the County seat town, if a dispensary be located there, if not the mayor or Intendant of some town in the County in | which there i9 a dispensary, constitute the County Board, and that they serve without extra compensation. They too are elected by the people and would have to give account of their stewardship to the people. I would also suggest that the county dispensers be elected by the people as other county officers elected and for a term of two years. These changes are suggested not only because in my judgment they would improve the administration of the law, but on the ground of economy. I regret that I have not the figures for the last fiscal year. They could not be obtained on account of the assembling of the Legislature coming so near to the close of the fiscal year. The figures, however, will not be materially different from those of the fiscal year 1898, so far as the County Boards are concerned, but the cost of the State Board will undoubtedly be very much increased. In this year the total cost of the County Boards was $9,724 20. For the same year the cost of the State Board oi Control was $4,390 01, which makes a tnt.al of $14,144.21 as the cost of the State and County Boards of Control and which by their abolition would be turned into the profits of the dispensary. I would also suggest that the law be so amended as to bring violations within the jurisdiction of the magistrates, so that all cases might be promptly and summarily adjudicated. Much of the expense of the constabulary arises frorr having to attend circuit courts as wit nesses and prosecutors against blinc" tigers. Soon after I came into office I reduced the constabulary force nearly one-hal; and endeavored as far as I knew anc could secure information to select met of character and discretion to perforce the duties of State Constables. As public sentiment grows in favor of the law anc magistrates and their constables, anc other officers realize that it is as muci their duty to enforce this as any othei law, I am satisfied that the force can be still further reduced and finally entirely abolished. During the past year I issued acircu lar letter to all the magistrates anc sheriffs of the State and the mayors anc intendents of the incorporated cities anc towns, calling their attention to the fact that the Dispensary Law was ai much a law of the State as any othei law and also directing their attentioc to their duty to enforce it just as thej would the statute against larceny oi any other crime, and asking their aic and co-operation in the wise and hu mane execution of all laws. The re sponses were numerous and unanimous in expressions of hearty co-operatioa Some of them were frank enough tosaj fk/Mt Vto/3 Knnn a r> r? moro Dnnrttfpfl tX tliau lucj uau uuu ** w ? -> the Dispensary Law but manly enough to acknowledge it as a law of the Stat* and to pledge their support and co-ope ration in its proper enforcement. I an satisfied that this circular has resultec in good and that in many of the cities and towns the local authorities are do ing what they can to appreheud viola tors and that there are fewer violations of the Dispensary Law than of man^ other laws on the statute books. Mr. W. W. Harris, who is clerk auc is in charge of this department undei my direction, in his report to me says "There is less complaint of the illicit traffic in liquor coming to this office from throughout the State than e?ei before during the five years I have been connected with this department and it is very evident that there is less violation of the Dispensary Law over the entire State, with the possible exception of the city of Charleston and two or three of the counties in the north-west portion of the State, and it is probable that even in those sections there has been improvement." I submit herewith a table showing the comparative cost and the work done by the reduced number of constables for the last six months of 1899 and the corresponding six moDths of 1898. It will be seen that so far as the work done the number of seizures is about the same, while there has been a saving for the six months of 1899 over the same six months of 1893 of S8,233.90 in this one item. ( [ I ft O "I I W, j saanzpsjoaaqiunx | | o I IT; 1^. ^ f",;o |"C*| <-5 ft rr N f. CS I X | .{jEtnqtns texx? Ml -UOD JO JSOD IBJOX c? $1 I ~ o> : 2 -saiqBjsuoo jsqinnx ? ? ? ? ? ? :| 2 ;;;;;; :"l - - " -"I I I NJt'flN saanzps jo aaqtunx ^-"S Jf $ IiC r^C O | r>? w c* Jn\C r>? C\ r*? -uoojoisoDtBjox % C4 CO r o> -sdiqBisuoo J^qiunx % ?:?.??<: 90 "_^ ; = ': -| -?; si H ' O ^ jj x S ^ 5 S S - . =^3.^0 o I', J?rf AM ? CJ 1-, s s i, y 0 W These figures include the cost of buggy hire, railroad fare for the constables, and the salary of the clerk to (he Governor. I am glad to be able to state that during my term of office, with but one exception, there has been no conflict between the constables and citizens and in this exception one constable was killed and another wounded and one citizen was killed. This unfortunate trouble cannot any more be charged to the Dispensary Law than could a similar difficulty in the enforcement of any other law bo argued against it. The annual report of the State Board of Control for the li>eal year ending December .'11, 18(.h>, wiil be submitted for your information as soon as it can be made up. As already stated, the fiscal year ending so near the assembling of the Legislature, it was impossible to obtain information showing the business and condi'fioa in time for my message. I am informed, however, that the profits will be much larger than in any previous year t-ince the enactment of the Dispensary Law. This does not necessarily mean that the consumption of whiskey has increased but rather it argues that less whiskey has been shipped in the State for personal use and the blind tigers have decreased and much of the prejudice against the Dispensary Law no longer exists. I have received from the Comptroller General the following statement of receipts and disbursements on account of the special State Dispensary School Fund for!898-'99: Received from State Dispensary 1898-99 $130,000 00 Disbursed to the several counties under Act 1898 $67,204 35 Disbursed Deficiency several counties under Act 1899 19,338 02 Disbursed surplus several counties under Act 1S99 43,457 63?8130,000 00 I am sure that you will be guided by a wise discretion and exercise good business judgment in dealing with this subject, and I trust that whatever action you may take will redound to the good of the State. CONFEDERATE RECORDS. The last General Assembly made no provision for the continuance of the office ofState Historian and the completion of the work which that officer had in hand. Col. John P. Thomas, who had been appointed to take up the work laid down by Judge J. B. Kershaw and Gen. H L. Farley, and in view of much unfinished business connected therewith, deemed it his duty to keep 1 1-:- - ~ j .? ?u;, In ills uujee open auu it? pujac^uuo mo mbors oq his own responsibility, and as a contribution to the Confederate History of the State. The result of this year's work appears I in the elaborate report submitted to me and by me transmitted to the General ' Assembly. 1 It will be seen that the account given ; of the raising of troops in South Caro| lina for State and Confederate service, 18Gl-'65, which Col. Thomas presents as the joint work of Mr. W. J. Rivers and ' himself, is a valuable contribution to the history of the part taken by the State in the War Between the States and that taken by the J troops furnished by the State to the \ Southern Confederacy. This paper throws a flood of light upon the rolls and lays the foundation of the sketch designed to accompany the publication I thereof, when this publication shall be , ordered by the General Assemby. Col. Thomas further reports, as the 1 result of his services for the past year, \ the collection of much additional hisI toric data bearing upon the services of , the Confederate soldiery from South Carolina in the War for Southern Indole pendence. ;* The rolls having been practically com' pleted, Col. Tbomas recommends their 1 publication, properly edited and accom panied by such a sketch as that outlined j in the one submitted, supplemented by a concise statement of the part taken | by each of the organizations from South I Caroliua which participated in our he\ roic struggle. ' The cost of this publication would be very small compared with its historic 1 value. It is important that we should [ preserve this history and that it should [ be put in permanent sbape while some of those are still living who helped to make it and are more competent to record it accurately than any of their de3 scendants will be. I submit for your 1 consideration the wisdom of continuing ' the office of State Historian and of making provision for the publication of 1 this history. Estimates have been re5 ceived from a reputable publisher which indicate that it will not take a very f great outlay to have this history published. It is probable that a sufficient 3 number of copies could be sold to private individuals to reimburse the State " for the outlay. Before taking definite 5 action you might appoint a Committee 7 from both Houses to look into this mat. ter and report at the present session. \ Col. Thomas will gladly lurnish the Committee with such information as he ; may have. ' Col. Thomas has submitted to me ? his resignation as State Historian, to which he was appointed in October, 5 1897, by Governor Ellerbe. He has ' given efficient and faithful service dur[ ing his term of office and has labored hard to gather aod put in shape the ' part that South Carolina took in that ; great struggle. He should be compen! sated for his services during the past ' year, and I commend it to your favorable consideration. ! CHICKAMAUGA BATTLEFIELD, i The General Government has puri chased the Cbiekamauga battlefield aod . converted it into a national park. It is kept in excellent condition and stands i as a permanent tribute to the raagnifii cent valor of the Araericau soldier. It is the only battlefield so consecrated. t The General Government has asked the various States having troops engaged in that battle to mark the positions o' their troops by the erection of suitable monuments. Many of the States havt so honored their son9 and $47i,ouu navf already been expended for this purpose by sixteen States. Georgia leads the Southern States with an expenditure of $25,000. The General Assembly ol South Carolina in 1893 sent a commission to locate the position of her troops and in 1894 appointed a commission to select suitable monuments. In view of the prominent part South Carolina took in this war and in this battle it seems but fit and proper that she should join with her sister States in this tribute to the memory of her heroic dead and provide the necessary means to complete the work already commenced. The South Carolina Divisioh U. C. V. will present, a memorial to you asking an appropria-' tion for this purposed $10,000. I commend it to your favorable consideration STATE BOARD OF HEALTH. The annual report of the State Board of Health will be submitted to you. It is important that you should give careful attention to this report and the sug-1 gesdons and recommendations contained in it. You will also find a full exhibit of expenditures of the Board The fund appropriated at the last session was exhausted before the close of the year largely on account of the existence of small pox in various sections of the State and in the efforts of the Board to combat the disease. Other infectious and contagious diseases have prevailed to a more or less extent in some1 parts of the State but have been of a very mild character. Only smallpox has assumed anything like an epidemic form and the mortality has been very light. It has appeared in twenty-three {counties during the year and is still prevalent in some sections. It is imj pnrtant that stringent measures should j be adopted in order to stamp it out before it assumes a more virulent type. The Secretary of tlie State Board, Dr. James Kvans, in his report to me says: "It was impossible for the State Board of Health to ptevent the rapid spread of the disease to those widely separated seetions of the State for several reasons, the chief of which was the inadequate funds at the disposal of the Board: not being clothed with sufficient power to enforce their authority in isolating, guarding and preventing intercourse with the sick: in enforcing the great safeguard against the spread of the nnnt-irrinn ffimnnlinrv Pflrcinatinn. nnn the {rreut. necessity of extending the health organization to the township which would secure prompt notification of the presence of any contagious or infectious disease to the health authorities, who could thus take prompt action in stamping out any disease before it could possibly infect other persons and become epidemic." This matter deservesyourcarefu! attenlion. To extend the organization from the State Board to the County Board and from the County Board to the Township Board would put in operation machinery that should be able to control and stamp out any contagious or infectious disease before it could have opportunity to spread, and could guard with a jealous eye the health of the State. You have now on your calendar a bill providing for township boards of health. On account of the prevalence of small pox recently I made arrangements to borrow $3,000 to be put at the disposal , of the State Board of Health in order to stamp out and control the small pox epidemic. Up to this time that fund has not been drawn upon but I have no doubt the State Board has incurred some obligations which will have to be met in handling' the dissase. The health of the people of the State is a very important matter and should be carefully guarded by the enactment of wise sanitary measures. In the rerort of the State Board you will find several important suggestions atd recommendations which should receive your careful consideration. MEDICAL COLLEGE. The Medical College of the State of South Carolina located at Charleston is not a State institutson but through the kindness of its faculty has for several years been furnishing free tuition to seven deserving young men, one from each congressional district in the State. vA.in rv mnw V\ O Tl Q mQ^ VkT7 XI1CSG juuuv mr,u ua,?v, the Governor. I thought proper to call this matter to your official attention and to commend this institution for the good work it has been doing for the State. OYSTER BEDS. In our coast counties the oyster business could be made an important industry if proper aud wise legislation were enacted to protect the oyster beds. I am informed that tons of oysters are shipped from. Beaufort County every week during the winter to canning factories in other States for which the State receives practically no revenue, and these beds are almost inexhaustible. And what is true of Beaufort is true of Georgetown and our other coast counties. It is a much more important matter than some of our people who are not familiar with it imagine. If properly protected, canneries could not be built and profitably operated where the beds are and remunerative employment given our own people. If they were not and the oysters were exported the State should receive some revenue from them and not voluntarily contribute to enrich other j States from property which is ours, I ask for this matter your careful consid-; oration and such legislation as in your wisdom you in :y conclude proper for the protection <>f the State. At the session of 1397 v iu legislation was had along this liu.- "Mj. h needs to be amended and perfects . and made more effective. CLA [MS FOR CAPTURED AND ABANDONED PROPERTY. It has been brought to my notice that there remains in the Treasury of the United States the sum of $10,512,007.96, balance remaining from the sale of captured and abaudoned property of the Southern States, under the Acts of Congress approved March 12, 1363, and July 2, 1861, this being chiefly cotton seized in and around Beaufort during the occupancy of the parishes of St. I rr , fMi. T 4-V, ~ .. tieiena anu 01. iiuse ? wunc luc nai was in progress, and elsewhere throughout the Southern States in such parts of the territory as were under Federal control during the war, and after the war by special agents of the Treasury appointed for that purpose. This fund has been the subject of considerable contention. Claimants have endeavored to establish their right to it, but owing to the difficulty of bringing suit against the United States, a sovereign, and the peculiar provision of the law under which it was taken requiring iron-clad oaths and proof of loyalty, individual suit could be brought only in a very few instances. Meanwhile the fund has laid in the Treasury, and individual efforts have continued to be made by persons deeming themselves interested therein, before Congress, to secure the privilege of bringing suit in the Court of Claims. During the years that have passed the subject has been considered frequently by the Supreme Court of the United States, and it has oeeu determined by that tribunal in a lirect decision, (Klein vs. US 13 W. A.. L L. 138 II) that it was not the intention of Congress by the enactment of those statutes, that the title to property seized under them should be divested from the" loyal owner: (2) that he proceeds of the property should go into the Treasury without change of ownership; (3) that the same intention prevailed in regard to property of owners, who though hostile at the time the property was taken, might subsequently become loyal; (4) that the Government constituted itself trustee for those J whoby that Act were declared entitled! to the proceeds of captured and abandoned property. In the 55th Congress a general: UJ11 Anom'nrr tVio rj uiii w as luifi uu ulcu uptuiu^ vuv^ uw* of the Court of Claims to suits by all of these claimants, and favorable reports from the Committees on Claims of both Houses were submitted, recommending" the ! passage of the bill (Senate Hill 5020 55th Congress, 3rd Session. Report Senate Committee on Claims No. 1634) and these public documents carried on their face the evident justice of such legislation. The bill failed to pass only for the reason, as I am informed, that it railed t,-> receive attention in the mass of bueiness before Coneres*. and so this measure, so b 'm-tieial to a large number of our citizens, the proceeds of wijose property is in thnt fund, failed at that Congress. With a view of aiding the passage of the bill when re-in I I troduced, as it lias boon or will be, 1 , have seen proper to address a request ' to every member of our congressional | delegation, requesting them to give diligent attention to this important j measure, and I have also addressed I communications to the Governors of j the several Southern States, whose oil- i izens are in common interested in the fund, arid requested them to take siini- ! lar action, and replies have been re- j ceived from several of the Governors, showing that they have acted upon ! this suggestion, and the Legislature of Georgia has passed a resolution requesting its congressional delegation actively to co-operate, and it is hoped that at the present Congress by united elTort, this legislation, long delayed, will be enacted. It is difficult to see why in this era of good feeling, when ail the acerbities of the war have gone to their merited oblivioD, that the Congress of thr- United States should withhold from its citizens the simple right to proceed before its own courts, and demonstrate their interests in the fund, for which the highest courts has admitted that they occupy a fiduciary position. In this connection it is proper to state that much of the evidence upon which these claims exist is rapidly passing away, and some means should be afforded to our citizens to perpetuate this testimony as far as possible, and to enable them to do so a commissioner should be appointed with power to administer oaths who should take depositions of witnesses who are cognizant of facts relative to these claims, put them in permanent shape, and register them in a suitable manuer, so that this testimony, now so valuable, may be available , whenever the Congress of the United | States shall see proper to permit these I matters to be litigated. Such a commissioner should be appointed without expense to the State, but his compensation should be entirely a matter of agreement between him and the parties who may desire to aval) themselves of his services in the perpetuation of the evidence relating to their several claims, and a sum of money, not exceeding $100 might wisely be appropriated to defray the expens- of printing needed blanks and purchasing suitable books of record. ROADS. There is no subject of greater importance and that will affect more people than that of good roads. No sub ject will come before you to which you could give careful consideration with more profit. The tendency has been for the country population to move to IQ6 U1LIUS 21UU LUW U5 LU UI UCi tKt the advantages of church and school. If this continues the country districts will become depopulated and the population will be congested in the cities and towns. The condition of the public roads in certain seasons of the year makes it almost necessary that the country people should be denied school, church and social privileges. Unless something is done to arrest this flow of populatiou to the cities and towns the condition of the country districts will become alarming and it is already receiving the attention of the thoughtful. The country is the preserver of true manhood aud the foster father of manly independence. Nothing will conduce more to its development aud desirability as a place of residence than the building of good roads. The saving af time, the saving in the wear and tear of stock and vehicles, and the addition to the loads that could be hauled with more ease, would compensate for much outlay in road improvement, not to speak of the convenience and comfort to the people who travel on the roads in marketing their products and atteuding church and school. Our conditions are such that it would scsrcely be wise to levy an additional tax for this purpose. But by wise and proper use of the means at our disposal much more might be accomplished than is now done. In many of the counties much of the work on public roads is but a shiftless pretence. Under our system of county chain gangs if the force were kept at work on permanent improvements and the building of permanent roads instead of cleaning out ditches and throwing a little dirt in the middle, which has to be done over after each rain, much more might be accomplished. Some of thecounties have realizod the importance of this permanent work and as a result good and permanent roads are being built. J submit ior your consiuerauon luc importance of requiring all couDty chain gang9 to be kept on permanent work and not be permitted to fritter away their time on work that will have to be done over two or three times a year. I am glad to report to you that the authorities of Clemson College have realized the fact that road improvement is one of the greatest economical problems of the day and that they are devoting money and time to the study of the problem for the benefit of the farmers of the State. Experiment? are being made under the direction of an expert, who will also give the college classes a series of lectures on road making. Experiments have also been made at Clemson on the use of broad tires and the results have been published in bulletin form. If in your wisdom you can devise some plan bi which you can give to the people of this State better roads you will confei a lasting blessing upon them. War claims. During the raising of troops by thi State in 1S98 for the war with Spaio considerable indebtedness was incurred which has not yet been entirely adjusted Claims have been put in against the general government for these severa: amounts but many of them still remaio unpaid. I will submit to you a specia: message covering, as far as I am able, a full statement of this matterand I desire now simply to direct your attention to this special message. Those citizens who furnished supplies on the order of the Governor of the State should have their money and should not be required to wait any longer for payment. They sold their goods to the State and look to the State for payment and not to the general government. You should make some provision for the prompt and satisfactory adjustment of these claims remaining unpaid. This would not interfere or retard the collection of these claims from the general government 0.-./3 Tin?T7Qto Tiar>tio<i would not hp snh auu jyinmuv ^/U4 W4VS/ t, VM.W w ? w- _ jected to the inconvenience of being kept out of money justly due them and which they expected to receive in cash STATE MILITIA. It is gratifying to note that marked improvement has been made in the status of the State militia under th* present administration of the Adjutant General's department. The number of companies in actual service has been considerably reduced but there has beeD an increase in efficiency. You are aware that for several years past the support of this Department by the State has heen very meagre and really insufficient to meet the demands required in maintaining- a creditable and an efficient mil'tia organization. Grave social and political conditions, liable at any moment to threaten the peace and welfare of the State, would seem to indicate the necessity of preparatian at all times. I would, therefore. recommend that you be as liberal the current year in the support of this important branch of the State service as the linances of the State founded on wise economy will allow. A full and exhaustive report of all matter relating to this department has been prepared by the Adjutant General for your consideration, J commend it to your careful attention. TAX OX STATE RANK'S. The repeal of the ten per cent, tax on State Banks will go far toward solving: the money question. This is a patter entirely within the province of the National Congress at Washington but a resolution from the several State Legislatures requesting Congress to repeal this tax would have its influence. Such a resolution from you would give encouragement to our Senators and Representatives in Congress who are making a fight for the repeal of this tax and would be evidence that they had behind them the support and enilnrsprripnt, of thp nponlo whom t.hpv represent. BANK AND INSURANCE EXAMINER. In 1896 an Act was passed creating the office of Ba? k Examiner. But the Board appointed by that Act did not elect the Examiner, as I am informed, for the reason that no appropriation was provided for the expenses of the office and the law is, therefore, a dead letter. There are now more than one hundred insurance companies doing business in this State. Life insurance a3 well as fire insurance has taken deep root with our people and nearly every man has those who are dependent upon him provided against his death with an insurance poiicy upon hi9 life. It is of very great importance to a great many of our people that the companies that solicit business in this State should be substantial and reliable companies, so that the insured may feel secure that when he pays the premium on his policy, when death comes, those for whose benefit he ha9 paid it may get the insurance. And so with State Banks. A greatdeal of the business of the country is done through banks and many of our people have their savings in thtse institutions. They invite the trust and1 confidence of the people and should be UDder the supervision of the State. I submit for your serious consideration the wisdom of providing a State Examiner for State Banks and bankers and the insurance companies doing business in this State. All reputable companies and banks should be glad to i J . f i uave ou(ju tJAauutuawuns maue ior oneir own protection as well as the protection of their customers. The salary and expenses of this office could be provided for by the institutions named in proportion to the business they do, as is done in the case of the Railroad Commissioners. TRUSTS. While we feilicitate ourselves on the number of corporations that have been chartered within the State during: the past year and should do nothing: to hinder their success it should not be forgotten that they are creatures of the State. Obtaining their existence from the State, you have the right to . regulate their operations and the operations of those doing business in this State though receiving their cor- ' pcate existence from other States. The tendency of these corporations is towards centralization and combination. This tendency leads ultimately to oppression and an effort to drive the weaker institutions out of competition and unless guarded by wise legislation will eventually take away from the individual his dearest rights. While on the other hand if wisely conducted and. properly guarded they will do much to^ develop and bring into life the natural* resources of the State. It is a subject, that should command your most earnest and thoughtful attention. T thought proper simply to call it to? your attention, so that while you legislated to foster and encourage corporate enterprises you might also guard and orotert tb^ rights and privileges of the individual citizen. BIENNIAL SESSIONS. The advisability of biennial sessions of the Legislature has been frequently called to the attention of the General Assembly by my predecessors. That we have too much legislation we all admit. Fewer changes ityjur laws as a rule would be better. There would not be that uncertainty in regard to many laws, that now exists. Many States have adopted biennial sessions of their Legislatures. The State Constitution provides for annual sessions of the Legislature and the Declaration of Rights de clares, "The General Assembly ought frequently to assemble for the redress of grievances and fop making new laws, as the common good may require." I submit the matter to you for your careful consideration, inasmuch sis there has been some discussion of this subject and some demand in certain sections for biennial sessions. As you will see, in order to change, would require an amendment to our Constitution. LOCAL LEGISLATION. Much time at each session of the Legislature is consumed with the passage of laws that have only a local application The attention of the Legislature has been called to the expense of such legislation at different times by my predecessors and yet every session of the Legislature finds itsdlf confronted with a batch of local and special legislation. The Constitution prohibits the passage of local or special laws concerning certain subjects and demands the enactment of general laws to cover the same. You should avoid as far as possible the passage of local and special legislation, for it not only involves expense, but it creates confusion in understanding and knowiug just what the law is. Where general laws have not been provided in accordance with the requirements ot the Consti-. tution they should receive your attention and then the introduction of local and special legis-. lation should not be permitted. PAYMENT OF TAXES. In view of the demand from certain sections that the time for payment of taxes be extended,, after consultation with ?he Comptroller General* by virtue of authority given us by law, we extended the time for the payment of taxes witl*out penalty to the first of February, 1900. COOD ORDER, There has been no mob violence during the past year and general good order has prevailed throughout the State. The county of Darlington is to be congratulated on giving a legal trial and execution for a crime that usually results in summary j ustice. This spirit is to be encouraged and commended and will result in greater respect for the proper and legal channels of administering the laws. Liberty is too often construed as license and we need to instil into our people a regard and fespect for constituted authority and that the best and most highly prized liberty is that which is surrounded by restraint. One of the greatest evils of the clay and of modern times is the tendency to disregard and disrespect constituted v authority and to rebel at the restraint that is necessary to put upon personal freedom in order to secure and enjoy the best and the purest aud the sweetest liberty. CONCLUSION. I have thus endeavored to obey the mandate of the Constitution laid upon the Governor to ' 'give to the General Assembly information of the condition of the State, and recommend for its consideration such measures as he shall deem necessary or expedient." I have not presumed to V lecture you on economy, for I feel sure that yott realize as fully as I do the needs of our people and will be as economical in the expenditure of public money as is consistent with efficient service. The burdens of taxation always fall hea-ily but where there is a wise and necessary expenditure of the public fund for the general good no reasonable tax-payer will complain. You should deal with the affairs of state in a businessMKe manner ana as a prudent Dusmess man would manage his private affairs. If you find that in any department the expenditures can be cut down without hurt to efficient service it is your duty to cut them down. Useless and extravagant appropriations should under no circumstances even be considered. Prudent and careful economy should guide you in all matters touching the State's finances. I invoke upon all your deliberations the guidance of an all-wise and overruling Providence and trust that whatever you do may be done with an eye single to the good of all the people of the State. M. B. McSWEENF.Y, Governor. 4