Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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demand and seek to draw the people on to a lull realization ol their necessities in this line of education and culture. Hut the higher education inay.l'or tlie pres <Mit at least,be content to meet effectively the immediate demand. From what has been said above yon may easily infer that the prime necessity for the higher education in South Carolina is that all the State colleges be brought under the control of a single board of t rustees, who shall see that each is supported and expanded according us the needs ol the people shall indicate. No one of these should he allowed to trench upon the province of the others, or to lake from the neeeessary financial support ol the others. At present each State college has its ow n inde pendent hoard who consider t hemselves responsible only for its support and for its success; and who are naturalv not concerned, save in a sent inieiital way, with the pros| erity or interests ot the other Stale institutions. The control of the Stale's educational in stitutions i< now in the charge of separate boards of trustees lor each college, divided as follows : South Carolina College 17; Clem son College 1,*>; South (Carolina Military Academy II; Winthrop College 14; South Carolina State Colore Normal ond Industrial College 7. The work of the several hoards cou'td he better done and at con siderahlv less expense to the State by a hoard of seven com potent members. The trustees of the various inslituiions are, at present, placed in an attitude of partisanship to I heir own interests and of indifference, amounting ad most to hostility, to the other State e lieges. Thus, each struggling to take care of itself alone is by that effort brought into com petition with the others, instead ,.i i.... .. it i. 11.... i .i..i VM "VMUHlr ? II II III* III un HI ing w it li them. This breeds selfishness, distrust : i mi antagonism unions institutions that can llour i^h only hy working in harmony. My holiol in the necessity of State higher education is my warrant tor candidly pointing out what seems to me the only rational and economical arrangement tor its efficient administ rat ion. STATU COI.I.hoKS. The attendance at the State colleges is lully up to the average. Th y all appear to he doing satislactory and careful work, (hiring the past year I>r. Frank ('. Woodward \s; ielected I'resi .1.... .,r. I . 1. i i: / v.I WITIM W| I III- owil I II * .11 Ull | \ III logo, ami l'rof. Henry S. llartzog President ol dleinson t'ollege. They were elected to lid vacancies occasioned t?y I lie resignations ol Dr. .Janus Wood row, President ol the South i arolina t'nllege, and Prof. K. 1?. (Taighcad, Presi ilent ol t'leinsuti t'ollege. llesulls: are proving the wisdom of the! trustee?, in making these excellent select ions. I iie most earelul attention is soliciled to I lie del ailed report s ol the officers i>| the \arious Slate col leges. I'K.N M. \M> ( II A KIT \ Itl.K I.VSTI I I I IONS. The linances of t lie Penitent i try are in i very healtlifu! condition l-'or the lir-t tini" in the history' ol I In- itM it hi ion it has paid money into the Slate Treason, for tin* current exp"iises ol the Slate government I lie .ftl.t! IH.T'J hor row ? ? 1 lroin i In1 >o n Ui n^ I'ii inil <>m iin>sioii to n!? i i In- In-1 |>:i \ merit on tin* If'i'il j>l : ill ;il ion 11 ;i s liccMi I'i-1?;< 1 i. ;i inl .i 11 ,o ! 111 .i >li;i I ii in ot $ 1 o.lilio hi. i-cfii 111 r 11 <-?I in I ii tin* St iff T; i- ii r\ . in mMit ion lo llif.f | i\ infill*, thfi'f i. siilti *ifnt i : i -11 on liiinl lo pn rclnisf ;i'' t i m * If el i I i/or* iiffili'd loi i lie ncxi to11 I I?< iiifoiiM* lmm convicts 11 ;i i!. Willi 1111 i ;i.11 on liiinl. siion! i ni'-fl riirrcnl \ |? 11 ol I hi*- in.id ution 111 ! tin* uro.. pro ccrdx Iroin 1 lie crop pro<|iicci| 111i? fii 11 'ii11! into I lie Sinio I re: *.nr\ loi ir* 111*r;iI expense-. III! . I \ I I 11 OS I'll \ I I ill I III. i \ s INK. I 1)4' III 111: i IT 4 11)? I?t of 1114 State llospit il lor the i 11 - i n? i? ;ili that 4*4nii41 Ik* desjnd rii<* :ill iirs of 111 iusti(nf ion Itiivo Iiicii <nooc?.> 11| i I \ .111*1 i OOIIOIII i?-;111 \ ill ;i lot iii*i| I'lii* const r ii? I ion o| tlio I'.ukoi liti i I > 1 i ii it. lor i hi* colored insane, i> a ureal iiol needed improve 111?* 111 I |ion tin- - nail allowance oi .fT.iMiO t r i i - handsome I > r i i * l< si rut ii ri*. worth many limes as 111111 * 11. Iiis I ioimi nonilv Ii nislioil. Ilio Siato h i-- ovorv reason to 4 *4 m ^ j- at iiImIi* itself upon the marked improvement and sue ees>fn 1 m inurement of this iusij liltiou. e-peeial!v when its limited resources ire considered. I would nrnc tint lh<- sin ill appropriation asked lor hy the Itoirdot L'eireiits to complete this work he granted. INSTITUTE FOR Til K DKAF, DI M It AND BLIND. Special attention is directed to the Institution lor the Deaf, Dumb and Blind. It will be ionii(i 111:ic mis institution is doing admirable work and deserves I lie earnest consideration of your Honorable Bodies. lMIOSl'HATK INtn STKY. Only $40,700.25 have been paid during the year into the State Treasury from the phosphate mining industry. This amount under the law must, be devoted to a sinking fund for the redemption of Slate bonds. Von may expect a still smaller revenue Irom this sou ret next year. Coinpetition with Algiers and Florida lias so reduced the price of phosphate rock that some of our miners have been forced to stis pond operations. Those who are engaged in the business are mining at a loss, notwithstanding the j fact that the Board of l'hosphutc ('oniinissioiiers reduced I he royalty from filty to twenty live cents' per ton. On the lirst day of April, 1 SOT, ti e phosphate (Commission lersmet at Beaufort to inspect the phosphate territory. The plios phate miners were invited to be present and they were all represented at the meeting. After thorough investigation the Board adopted the following resolution : "Resolved, That on and alter April 1st. 1MI7. the rovaltv to be pa id to the* Stale of South Caro lina by all persons, corporations or companies minim: phosphate rock or phosphntic deposits from the beds of navigable streams and waters of the Slate and marshes thereof, shall be, and the same is hereby lixed, at tlie rate of twenty live cents per ton of dried rock, so loiifr as the price of said phosphate rock tree on hoard to the said miners at their several mines shall be three dollars per ton or under: but in cases there shall be any increase in such price over and above three dollars per ton, then and in every such case, there shall be paid to the State an ad ditional royalty per ton equal to one halt of such increased price I(ftTBp* and above foree dollars per ton, free on board. Provided, that all phosphate rock du?r, mind and unshipped on hand on the first i^1 of April Aa; I). 1897, shall first la* accounted for at the royally fixed by the Act of the (ieneral Assembly, entitled 'An \ ... ...: . ~ ' ? -- I ?| I 4'H-I lK'l.lllllU Id lilt? I II (IS J 111 ?'| I I * 11h111sf rv ol tli?' Si site*,' approved December 22nd, A. I). ISlh'i. Provided, lurlher, that all companies shall pay into the State Treasury the royalty upon all shipments made prior to (lie lirst day of April. A 1) 1897." Soon alter the adoption of this resolut ion eil i/.etis ol lieaufort liled with the Ho ird of 1 'hosphale ('ommisnioncrs a petition praying that the royalty on rock already mined he also reduced to t wenty-ti ve cents a ton. i >n the lirst of January, I s; 17. the plies ph a e millers had j on hand about Ifi.OOO tons ol rock which was subject to royalty, and on the lirst of April, 1 S!17. about l'J,0()(t tons. Alter tie consider atioii, tIk* petition referred to was rel.tsed. The hoard hold lh.it t ho royally oI lilt v roots per loo lixod l?y I ho Aot of I should ho paid on all rook on hand on I ho lirsl day of April.] I S'dT. I'll. Hoard took tho view that I ho |>hosphaU' minors woro hound. i>y tho oontraol oontainod in tho Art o| I to pay tho royalty lixod hy tho said Aot, until it was ohanuod hy ant In lily of tin* (i.moral Assembly. I'hoy lurther lu-ld that I hoy had no authority', nor did t hoy doom it riirlit. to make tho minors a prosout ol +'l'J,h(M> t hoti dno tho Stall' I ho Fanners' At initio < 'ompany tailod in t tolohor. I^'-'T. hoinir in dohtod to llio Stalo to tho amount ol -t I o.:;s | |ur rayalty on rook.; I his amount has not vol heon ooilootod I ho in it lor has hoon roloi'iod to tho Attorney tionoral Hid ho usiim proper ellorls to eolleol I ho money duo th Stall1. The roy alty now pui I tho Stale hy the inim-rs i> only lyvonty live oonls per Ion, and I helievo that i it her tli hi make lire iter 0011 eessioll^ It VVnillil lie heller i I' milling operations mi the State's rights discoiditilled. Il scenic unwise 111?1 unbusinesslike on1 the | >; i r t ol the State to saeriliee I iliese v <11111>I?> deposits, while prices jire >o low and business is so depressed On aeeoiint ol the I a rent <joan!ity mined the priee of rock is now below theeost ot pro duetion. The supply of rork is exhaust ible, and in a few years the demand will probably be greater than the supply; then we may resume minim; at a profit both to the miners and to the | State. The appropriation of $2,000 for the salary and expenses of the Phosphate Inspector is too much to pay, considering the small ret urn to the State from this source. I recommend that the ollice of Phosphate Inspector be abolished and that the Coinpetroller (ieneral be charged with the collection of the revenue from phosphate mining. ITIiLIC PHI NT I NO. During the year the ollice of Public Printer having been de dared vacant, the committee provided for bv law, consisting of the Coventor and the chairmen ot the committees on printing of your Honorable Iiodies, met and elected Mr. Charles P. Calvo Public Printer. This committee thought the State might have been saved several tuoiisand dollars had the Ad provided for. or permitted, competitive bids. The price to be paid lor the work is fiviwl in 1 lw? Aid *??nl I lui com imllee Ibund ilselI'compelled, uii der the provisions of the law, to make the appointment. 1 recommend that the Act he repealed and that a committee from each of your Honorable Hodies he selerted to let the contract for puh lie printing at competitive prices. 1 further recommend thatjthe Act fix the maximum price to he paid for the work so as not to exceed the price now being paid under the present law. imkkct tax. There are .$8,130.70 in the State Treasury to the credit of the direct tax fund, which, under an Act approved 24th December, 1801, is available lor public pur poses. I recommend that you pass a joint resolution authorizing the Treasurer to transfer this account to the general account. si'kciai, i.ko isi.ation. The number of special statutes should be reduced by the enact merit of general laws, embodying ample provisions and remedies for the relief of persons, corporations ami communities, relative to subjects of a general character and to put an end to the present flood of special legislation. As it is easier and in some cases cheaper to apply <> the General Assembly tor rel'. tf rather than to | the Courts or other tribunals provided by general law, the Legislature is being, upon various excuses, subjected to constant pressure to enact special laws for the relief of individuals Indeed, even constitutional provisions in tended to limit such special leg islation have often been evaded under tin* guise ot a so called general law. In the Constitution of 1 sj)5 there art* express pro visions prohibition special and local legislation bv the (Jeneral Assembly. I'rior to 185)5, durinn each legislative session a great deal ??l" lime was consumed in tin* consideration of such special leg islation, at great expense to the State. It was to check this grow ingevil thai these prohibitory proI visions were introduced into the < 'oust it ul ion. Ii is natural and I may he praiseworthy lor individual legislature to seek to advance t he t uteres I s ul t heir local it ies aim const it ueneies ; but such interests should he subordinated to t he gen jural public trootl. and such special and local legislation is evideutlv injurious lo the ptiI?li?> weal. loo 11111 < * 11 lfirisl.it ion. Iiolh general and special, h is iindniilit? 11ly charactori/i'il South (hiroliuu lor llio past 111i11 v yours. Sufli s|n?(?j;iI miii! local en id incuts, besides being a species of el i?s legislation, arc most liarni lul in making it uncertain what I In* slat utc law is. It i>, I here lore, a wise provision ol our pros cut ( 'hi si it ui ion which prohibits local and special legis'ation, and ii -hoiild he rigidly enforced. Hut not withstanding t hi? const it ut ion | il inhibit ion, an examination ol the Acts p'ssed by I lie tieneral Assembly during the sessions of I silt} a lid I s'.i7 will show that I hi* wise provision was evaded, and th it I here was considerable special and local legislation. Since the adj nirnuieni ol the (ieneral As seinbl v in IS" 7 an Act passed during the list session has h en decided by I le Supreme <'nurl lo to I>e unconstitutional, on the rrrmind, auionir others, that it was local and special legisla'ion. It was an Act forbidding *i citizen ol one <'f>11 iity to li*h in another < 'ounty lor profit williofil liist ob t :ii 11i 11:i license from I In* (loiuil v Treasurer. This seems to In* a ireneral statue, 'ait in tin' third section ol'the A el it provided that the Art shall apply to no ('ount les in the State except < '< ?l lelon -md Uerkeley. I'his din regard of const it ut ion a I provisions it not checked will open the way to an increasing mass of tin- kind of legislation, and must result in the pract iralMelenl of t lie objects of the constitutional inhibition. Prompt action should he taken I>v your honorable bodies to en I * " force observance of the provisions pi of the Constitution on this subjeet, and to confine legislation as nearly as practicable within the Pr limits prescribed by the Constitution. I would respectfully re commend for your earnest con ca sideration the creation, by a joint resolution, of a joint commit lee t|, of the two Houses who shall be ju specially charged wit h t he duty ot ih supervising all bills introduced, and reporting such as come within the prohibitory provisions of re t he Const it ut ion relating to local and special legislation. With 1 a such a safeguard the General As sembly can successlully avoid the enactment ot laws forbidden by c? the Constitution and insure the f? faithful observance of its wise and m salutary provisions. th or nil-: SINK INU FUND COMMISSION. re The total value of the assets of 111 the cumulative phosphate royalty 1 sinking fund is $2(53,007.58. Of a|c this amount $37,532.00 was loan- 't|( ed to Counties at a rate of five ^ per cent, interest per annum. flt The sinking fund has permanent- w; ly invested in State stocks $35,- al 72S.5(5. There is invested in fo temporary loans, under tlie Act 11 r ot February 25th, 1896* and r? February 25th 1897, $58,484.22. H This leaves a balance of $131,- !V Oil*) lino Iwtun /lnt\ncitarl _ MWM . ? v_?^ n IIIVII ii#ir? 1/r^ll |/\/oj i V~w in liaiik, bearing four per cent. U( payable monthly. Vou can see pr from the ahove statement that f<? under the Act ol 1SD7 only a Ik small amount was loaned to Conn -h ties; while the greater part of te the land has been deposited in t'1 banks and is unsecured, except P' by the credit of these banks. It will also be seen that on the .'{1st of December, 180(5, there was Jn then loaned to the banks at tour |n and a half percent, interest, and sr secured by a deposit with the nf! State Treasurer as collateral se- fo curity of State llrown 4 A percent, pr stock, $170,084 22, leaving on v ?l $2,81(5.00 cash deposited in bank. 'ONFKDKKATK HKCOHI) S it has been particularly uufortuuate that the otlice of State Ills li< torian has been made vacant by m ttie uvpth ol two worthy incuuib- |n ents. Since itie aiijburnment ol , lliu General Assembly, the gruitd ( old Confederate -ohr^er. General m llugbeh. Farley, has^assed away, ui befmT he had completed the work at to which he had been assigned. e, 1 appointed Col. John P. Thomas Conlederate Historian, to carry on the task. You will iimi in the *e report of Col. Thomas a detailed u* statement ol the work already 111 done, together with what remains m to be finished, especially as to the completion ol ihe Confederate roll-. It is the duty of the State to pr pare an historical account of the part taken by the commands from Ibis State in the p great Civil war and to complete ^ | the rolls. I therefore urge that proviooti be made for carry ingon 11 tins work. To insure completion I recommend that a sum he ap w preprinted sumcieni ior carrying | hi out this undertaking; and I sun j;) ir?*st as an inducement to it ? early ^ completion that while snllioient m'incv be allowed monthly for 11 I'lirrcnl expeases, the major p<?rtion ho pawl only upon the com- a pletion and acceptance of the r,( : >vor!< as now mapped out. rot NTY UOYKKNMKNT. <M The (leneral Assembly should give careful consideration to tl the matter of expenditures hv s( County governments. The sys-!<M tern now in force is very cumber * Jl some, and in many Counties leads , to extravagance. from the rep j (': sentation by townships arises a ; C tendency to reciprocate favors, j <r and this leads I?? useless expemll i tures which, if there were no on . ll " p ?r 111 m 11 v tor these mutually j beneficial x? 111litres, would Im* 11 avoided Many ('utilities have remedied this trouble as tar a* possible and have made a further! , saving bv placing t heir oflieers on i fixed salaries and turning the sur pi us left over after paying the salaries into the general (\iunt\ " fund. conclusion. 1 desire to impress upon the ' uieiilhei s of the (ieuerul Assembly 1)1 the necessity lor the strictest; economy hi the appropriation ot public moneys. While nnneces <| sary and excessive appropriations nt public money should be avoided at all times, and the strictest economy consistent with good ad ministration in every branch of " tile public service should beat all times enforced, there is at this jtime a special reason whv this principle should tie carefully ap-!(. j plied. The people have endured j a long period ol business depren- ' ,, 1 sion, but the present low price of cotton, our principal money '' crop, ha. caused still greater de-! . . .. ? I pression. and the rnercunti 1 * and 1 industrial inactivity is keenly , felt l?y all classes. As guardians i o f ttic public interests and ens ,, j Indians of the public funds the paramount (|uestion at this junc- |( ture, when considering the ap ^ | propnation of the people's money, | i should be: Can this expenditure s be deferred without injury to ihe|li iblic interests, until business all have resumed its normal itivity? On account of low ices and the scarcity of money e burden ot taxation presses lib more than usual severity jun the people, and in no way u you more richly merit their >pioval and gratitude or justify eir confidence in you than by Uicioiisly striving to lighten is burden. 1 have endeavored,atter a study ih* State's affairs to mak - such commendations to >011 as seem 'oper and just. The Governor in not make laws?to you alone entrusted, as it should be, the iwer to pass bills and to change Listing laws lor buttering the mditmns ut our institutions and r reducing taxes. My recomendations are merely advisory ; e responsibility for the passage defeat of bills, introduced or commend, I it s with you. It is y desire to co iperate during e coining session, as during the ist, with your respective bodies id members in the interest of e taxpayers and of oer people uierally; in that behalf I will all times be pleased to consult ith committees or with individumembers. The responsibility r the defeat of any good mease for whatever reason shall not st on the Executive, nor shall I low myselt to be influenced in i.v of my actions by intimations at my measures may he defeated, irsoual preference or desire shall >t be indulged by me in the proisal of any measure. If they he und not subservient to the pub ; interests, my suggestions ould be ignored ; if in that inrest, their defeat will harm not e Executive tint, only the peoe. I call your attention to the reirt? of the various State departents, which will give you a more timate insight into State allairs. i the various departments of the ate government I find in the [icers a general disposition to Mow the law and discharge o per I.v the duties of their lieeR. WM. II. EM'Kriik, (lovernor. Over production, when milr?ns are begging food and raient? Fie! fie? Away with such gie. Desire and money make ?mand. Desire abounds, but oney is not to be had. The volme of money must he increased id the money we now have lockI up in hanks and government in Its, and hold in the great rs of trade for stocks and future^-*. imhlinv. must be tnmoH ir?tr? - - ^ ip regular avenues of trade,for onev is the life-blood of the ation. It must not become con?sted, or prosperity will surely ie. There are but four great, wealth reducing industries in America : griculture, stock raising, mintg and manufacturing. Nearly iree-fourths of tlie wealth of the orld is produced by agriculture, ad yet about 1)0 per cent, of our iws and nation's power and paton age is used to foster com* icrce and capital. What supreme follv ; raise the verage ot wheat to $1 00, corn to ) cents, wool lo "JO c? nts. cott n ? 10 cents, and all over ?nr great, iiintry peace, plentv, prosperity nd employment will reign, and ?e desert places will again bh.sim as a rose. Had laws have jused all our national distress nd suffering, good laws alone in restore them Let <'hristiani f and patriotism pause and put. n their host efforts at deep, irnesf. unselfish contemplation r the situation, learn what is the i tter and study to riyht them. Mother ( to her hov sliding own the halusiers)? Willie, hat are you doin<r t here Willie?Makinir trousers for rphan ho\ s. Mrs. I'orkley? I olten wonder ow people understand each I her in France." Mrs. ( hit ham ? How ahsurd ! Mrs. I'orkley ? Well, my two milliters speak French and they iii'I understand each other. Victim?'No rhartre' you say i your advertisement ! Dentist ? Did it hurt X lot itit?You hot ! Dentist?Then I'll have to harge you hall a dollar. Victim ? lint voiir notice says o charge for extracting without ain. Dentist ? Alt, hut you admit I'd that it hurt. "Why do you think they tarried lor love !" "What other mot ive could t Iter.) ave la-en, seeing that the weding was not turned into a grand pectacular performance?"?<Move and Loader.