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THK SUMTER WATCHMAN, Established April, 1850. "Be Just and Fear not-Let all the Ends thou Aims't at, be tr * Country's, thy God's and Truth's." THE TRUE SOUTHRON, Established jone. 1266 Consolidated Aug. 2,1881 New Series-Toi XVI. So. 25 C?fcteftjnnan at? S?U?IJOT. * Published Erery Wednesday, -BY IV. Gr. Osteen, SUMTER, S. C. TERMS : $1 50 per annum-in advance. ADYERTISEKEKT: One Square first insertion.$1 GO Every subsequent insertion. 50 Contracts for three months, or longer will be made at reduced rates. All communications which subserve private interests will becharged for as advertisements. Obituaries and tributes of respect will be charged for. THE MESSAGE. Gov. Evans' Last Public Doc? ument. SYNOPSIS OF THE LEADING PARTS. Gentlemen of the Genera1, Assembly : It is the duty of the Governor under the Constitution io give you from time to time information of the condition of the State and to recommend such meas? ures for your consideration as he may deem expedient. ? shall confine my? self ia this last annual message to giv? ing you euch information as I have been abie to obtain as to the condition of the State, leaving to my successor to make recommendations as to any future legislation or policy. The Dispensary law is stronger to-day than at any time since its enact? ment, and is better enforced, as will appear from the statistics later OD. At the last session of your honorable body I recommended a change in the laws, setting forth my reasons fully at the time for so doing. I showed to you bow it was impossible for the old Board of Control, composed of State officers, to control, and bow unjust it was to force the Governor and Chairman of the Board to approve and sign warrants about which he had no inform?tico I knew that if any irregularity occured tbe enemies would at once cry corrup? tion. And in their efforts to make cap* ital against the Chief Executive to the constables with wrong doing. Suoh bas been1 the case, and the wisdom of my advice and your subsequent pas? sage of the present law is fully proved. This is the mest important matter you will have to deal with, and I would respectfully call your attention to the exoetlent report of the Board of Control with the request that you trudy it and think well before making any changes in the present system. THE DISPENSARY AS A BUSINESS. Up to the time of my induction into efice as Governor the Dispensary had been in operation about eighteen months The Governor was charged not only with tbe enforcement of the law, but as business manager io the capacity of Chairman cf the Board of Control. The business had continually increased until it reached over a mil? lion of dollars annually. Realizing that as a business it was tentative, that it bad not been placed upon what could be truly called a business plane, and ibat it was burdened with crudities of which it must be divested before it could re-ich the expectations of the public as a moral reformation and a business success, my first official act was to give its former management a a thorough investigation in order to ascertain its financial status as well as its weak points. I was beset by many difficulties, political as well as business. To commence the business the General Assembly of 1892 voted au appropria? tion ol ~50,000. For the first eighteen months of its existence the Dispensary experienced many vicissitudes, and when it was placed in my hands I found it still embarrassed and hardly able to stand alone. It had not paid a dollar into the State treasury in net earnings, and the $50,000 appropriation was still unliquidated The statements of its growth and progress as published from time to time by the former Commission? er were unsatisfactory to the publio for tbe reason that the system of book? keeping was a Chioese puzzle, and no ooe could tell exactly the true status of the bustoess. This fact gave color to the adverse criticisms of tho administration of the law, and invited tbe terrific accusations that were made against those charged with its management. The last state? ment of the assets and liabilities aod profits which the former Commissioner made was for the quartsr ending Jan? uary 31st, 1895. In that statement tho profits claimed to have accrued / to date amounted to $151,259 51. Book? keepers of experience could Dot cipher this out and claims were made that the profits were fictitious I determined to change the business management and to adopt a fall and satisfactory system of accounting. An expert bookkeeper was emplojed and it was ascertained that the profit claimed had not accrued but that the accrued profit to that date was forty odd thousand dollars less than the amount. This w*s simply a mistake io j bookkeeping and io crediting to the pro fit accouor what had not accrued, but what wa? expected to have accrued in j the hands of County Dispensers. Af- ! ter a thorough dissection of account* I ii was ascertained that the profi'8 had not reached ?11,000. The entire assets, including cash, merchandise, teams and wagons and personal ac? counts, amounted in round numbers to $198 OOO The liabilities amounted in round numbers to ?86 OOO. The total assets being subsequently affected to the amount of $2 OOO in a fioal checking and adjust meet of accounts. The liabilities were as follows: To State appropriation, ?50,000; to sundry persons for liquors, $36,000; total indebtedness, ?86.000 Cash on hand, ?45,848.40 or ?40,451 60 less than amount necessary to liquidate the indebtedness This is simply ? rough statement of th* R?atus of thc Dispen? sary when ? took charge of th* busi? ness, I am happy to state that ? turned it over to my successor healthy and in good condition and as sound financially as any bu^ioess institution of the coun? try. It has been taken out of politics and placed in the hands of a Board of Control composed of farmers, bankers and business men of ability whose rep utation for honesty and integrity oan not be impugned The purchasing power, such a temptation to some men, has been taken from tbe bands of the Commissioner and given to this Board. They have exercised it judiciously a-:d in a manner to command the respect of all parties. The duties of the Com? missioner are now exercised by the Chairman of the Board and Superin? tendent, and the office of Commissioner could be abolished by your body. Tf this power is ever again placed in the hands of one man he would at once be? come an object of vituperation, mis? representation, abuse and slander of all the enemies of the Dispensary and every penny a-liner without any moral or social responsibility. The experience of the past year should be enough to convinoe your body of the truth of ali that I have said and predicted, and while I am sure that you will be advised and impor? tuned to change this law and return to tbe old system, you will find by investi gation that such propositions come from lean and hungry politicians with itch? ing palms. You will be told that the operations of the present Board are a failure. Judge by their acts and the resolts and not by hearsay. The sub joined comparative statement ot sales to County Dispensers has been furnished me by the bookkeper and is subject to your examination and verification : Sales lo County Dispensers, Feb? ruary 1 to December 1, 1895, ?896, 120 17. Sales to County Dispensers for the year 1896, $1.306.612.91. Increase, $410,492.74. Sales by County Dispensers, Febru? ary 1 to December 31, 1895, $1,076, 963 65. Sales bv County Dispensers for 1896 (estimated), $l,50l),000. Increase, ?423,036 35 PROFITS STATE DISPENSARY Net accrued profits, State Dispensary from February 1st to December 31st, 1895, $123,467.77. Net accrued profit, State Dispensary 1896. ?200.000. PROFITS COUNTY BI-PENSARIES. Net profits to town and counties from February lat to December 31st, 1896, ?106,131 28. Net profits to towns and counties 1896 (estimated), ?122,005.65. The amount that bas been actually paid to the State, county and town treasurers from the net earnings from the State and County Dispensaries is as follows : Paid iotJ the State treasury in 1895, $100,000.00 Paid into the State treasury iu 1896, ?100,000,00. Total, ?200,000 00. Paid to towns and counties io 1895, $106,131.28. Paid to townes and counties io 1896, $122,000 00. Grand total net profits paid in from all souroes. ?428,131.20. For further particulars of stock and cash on hand, etc.. I respectfully refer you to the report of the State Board of Control herewith submitted. It will be thus sees that as a busi? ness its success cannot be denied. To the above estimates the sam of $50, 000 per annum the average cost of main? taining the Dispensary constables, should be added. It has not been the object of the State administration to the conduct this business for the sole , purpose of profit, but the price of liquors has been fixed with a view to make them cheap enough to prevent extortion from those who should have liquors and at the same time high enough to prevent those who should not have them from so easily satisfying their thirst. It has been cootended by extreme advocates of the Dispensary law that the profit feature should be abolished. There is no profit except for the purpose I have stated, aud if such ideas should prevail and liquors supplied to the pubiio with only the cost of administering the law added to the original cost prices wc have a j v A I ria.e of i-ffairtJ bordering on to trt-i whiskey After rhis year all profit! ari-iog from the sale of i quo rs will bi applied to the supplementary soboo fund If thii? is blood m?>?ey. as tot Clanks contend, to whar better u?e.< C")u?d it be applied than to bealing the wounds inflicted upon the heart* o; the wive.* and children of iotenuperatc drinker? thau by ging to such children the only true safeguard against, intern peraooe, education and culture? ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAW. The enforcement of the Dispensary law has been the bane of the whiskey dealer, the terror of the illicit distil 1er, the pitiful excuse for the opposi don of hypocrites, cranks and the platform of disgruntled politicians catering to local influences, good or tad It is the duty under the law oi all the executive officers of the State, counties and towns to enforce this law and such officers are compelled to take an 03th prescribed by your honorable body to faithfully enforce the law when they assume their of ficial duties The Governor is au? thorized to employ constables and three State detectives whose special duty it is enforce the law I have employed on an average about fifty constables during my term of office and one State dectective and they have been zealous and faithful in their efforts to suppress the illicit traffic, and I am satisfied and I am sure the people of the State are at the results obtained. During the past year fifty -five regular commissioned constables includin?; the two chief State consta bles have been constantly employed The State is divided into two divi? sions known as the ''upper and the lower.The upper division in charge of Chief Fant and the lower in charge of Chief Holley. The sal aries and expenses including one detective and the clerk in ray office amounted to $47,726 Ol. Thirty-one constables are assigned to the upper and twenty-four to the lower division The upper division ha? been much harder to handle by reason of the proximity of North Carolina and the mountaiu distilleries. The amount of whiskey and brandy seized in the upper division for the past year was 3.345 gallons, niney barrels of beer, 8.076 gallons of cider and beer bot? tles, twelve vehicles and sixteen head of mules and horses, and ten illicit distilleries were destroyed. In the lower division there were seized and confiscated 6,099 gallons of whis? key, wine and brandy, thirtynine barrels of beer, twenty two hundred and fitfy five gallons of beer and cider in kegs, three vehices*and four head of mules and horses, one illicit distillery was destroyed The resist? ance to the law in the upper tier of the counties adjoining the North Carolina line and in the County of Charleston has been most stubborn In the remaining counties of the State a healthy condition exists and the citizens are almost unanious in support of the law, and I am glad to report that the law being better en? forced throughout the Slate at large I as is shown by the sales of the Dis ! pensarles and the number of con ! victions of illicit dealers in the State and municipal courts I The violations reported to my office ! show a large decrease and the daily reports of the constables show a bet? ter state of feeling throughout tbe State at large. ? In the counties of Oconee, Greenville and Chesterfield difficulties have been had with traders coming from North Carolina We hav? been greatly embarrassed by the decision of the United States Court, which allows the importation of whiskey for "personal" use. The matter is now before the United States Supreme Court, and if our po 8ition is sustained there will be little trouble in putting an end to the il licit traffic. One of the best evi? dences of the decrease in the illicit traffic is the decrease in the number of licenses issued by the United States Internal Revenue Department For the year ending June 30th, 1896, there were issued to parties outside of Dispensaries 315 licenses and one wholesale li ense included Of these 190 were token out in the city of Charleston. For the same period ending June 30th, 1895, 720 licenses were taken out. Of this number 157 were taken out in the city of Charleston, showing a decrease of 405 in the State and an increase of 33 in the city of Charleston. For the year ending June 30th, 1897, theie have been issued so far to illicit deal? ers 172 licenses, of which 125 were taken out for Charleston, among them four .wholesale licenses to dealers in that city. The number of convictions for violations of the Dispensary law has increased from year to year, as the following table by the Attorney General shows: In year 1893 no bills and discon? tinued, 24: not guilty, 7; mistrial, 1; guilty, 17; total, 48. In year 1894 no bills and discon? tinued, 107; not guilty, 3; mistrial, 0; guilty, 2; total, 112 In year 1895 no bills and discon? tinued, 65; not guilty, 21; mistrial, 0; guilty, 55; total 141. fi ? In year 1896 no bills and discon? tinued, 444; not guilty, 24; mistrial, 0; guilty, 159; total, 627 For the past year, of the 627 cases reported, 231 were from the city of Charleston. METROPOLITAN POLICE. The greatest problem that I have had to meet since my connection with the Dispensary law has been its proper enforcement in the city of Charleston. There are more friends in this city to the law than an out? sider who has had no dealings with them would imagine, but it has come to be a political and a social question in that community, and a great num? ber of its friends have not the temerity to publicly uphold it. I realized that to be politic in dealing with this ques? tion meant to be false to the great majority of the people of South Caro? lina and untrue to those who had elected me, and I determined upon an aggressive policy towards this city. The question narrowed itself down simply to this: whether the il? licit traffic and contempt of law and order should prevail in Charleston and be restrained in the rest of the State, or whether I should support and en? force the law with a 6trong hand, giving equality to all men Seeing the increased amount of il licit sales of whiskey in this city, and the contempt with which the officers of the law were treated, and having warned the mayor and city council re? peatedly of my intention, to no avail, the State Commission, consisting of the Governor, the Secretary of State, and the Comptroller General was called together aod thoroughly re? viewed the situation. They unani? mously agreed that thft only course left was to use every power for the enforcement of this law placed in our hands by the General Assembly, or to ?.abandon the city to the barkeeper and the rumseller. We decided on the former course. I expected, and so did the other members of the Board, to receive the condemnation of this city, and of the enemies of the Dis? pensary law throughout the State, but I am determined to do my duty, and, failing in that, to recommend to you such legislation as I deemed neces srry to meet the case. The metro? politan police has proveda success in every sense of the word, and I am satisfied, if left to a vote of the hon? est, Christian, law-abiding citizens of Charleston, freed of political malice, they would sustain it In the first place, it is admitted by its enemies that the chief of the force and the po? lice are more efficient and have given better service than any in the Listory of the city. The policeman as a po? litical ward heeler has been de stroyed, and even Mr Barnwell, chairman of the opposition, and a bitter opponent of the law and the police, in an interview in a city paper after the last election stated that Marshal Martin and his entire force had acted with absolute impartiality, and had performed their duty faith fully "Praise from Sir Hubert is praise indeed.'' The only objection seems to be that the city has been deprived of one feature of home rule, and this has been the slogan in the absence of any meritorious objection. What is home rule? Does it mean the absolute power of a municipaity to abrogate and nullify the statute laws of a sovereign State? Does it mean thc submission of the lives and homes of honest citizens to a govern? ment of rnmsellers and illicit dealers in whiskey? Does it mean the free parade through the avenues of lawless Italians with whiskey barrels wrapped in the flag of the Union? If so, then let this conception of Jefferson perish in South Carolina Under the laws of this State, police officers are State officers Municipalities are formed for the purpose of aiding the State government in enforcing the laws of the State. They are intended as subordinate limbs of the gov? ernment, and when they fail to per? form their functions they should be put under State control, or have their charters repealed. It has been con? tended that the police have been taken from the control of the citizens This is untrue. They are in the hands of a commission of native born Charlestonian8, whose interests are linked with those of the city They are under the control of a chief who has enjoyed the confidence and respect of the city, and they can? not be otherwise under the law. The report of the commissioners has been made to me as Chairman of the State Board, and I herewith transmit it to you with the hope that it will be printed, for this is the only way that it can be done and laid upon the desk of every member cf the General Assembly. The total drunks and disorderlies have gradually decreased from 801 in 1890 to 277 in 1896 under metr?poli tan police-a decrease of nearly 35 per cent. During the pear 1896 there were bound over by the Magistrates for violations of the Dispensary law 231 cases. Their names and residences are duly given in the report Of this number 32 have been tried and convicted and have paid into the County Treasury ?5,250 in fines. A better showing than this would have been made but for the fact that at the last term of the Court every case was continued upon the affi? davits of attorneys who claimed to be sick and were seen upon the streets the next day. The grand jury found 24 additional true bills. In 1895 not a conviction was had, the grand jury refused in many cases to find true bills It is a notable fact that two of the city council who were sworn to enforce this low, were among the number indicted and against whom true bills were found There are o'ncr references to the police. The investment of the Sinking Fund in State bonds is take? up and discuss? ed at length. The difference as to the construction of the law as to delin? quent taxpayers is considered, and it is stated that this will have to be settled by the legislature. On matter of phosphates, a balance on royalties due by C C. Pinckuey, is discussed, and says matters generally can be left to phosphate board. As to railroads, he makes the sbow iog of the board and in relation to the Charleston and Western Carolina road says : "The evidence taken by the Commission is on file in the office of the Secretary of State, and [ respect? fully suggest that it be printed for the use of your honarable body. These gentlemen (Thomas & Ryan) swear positively and unequivocally that they have no interest io any competing line and have but one object, the develop? ment of Port Royai and the successful operation of their railroads. The com? mission became convinced of the sin? cerity and honesty of purpose of the purchasers and could make no further opposition to the confirmation of the sale. If at any time, a different pur? pose is revealed tbe State can iotervene and again rescue the property.'7 He congratulates the State oo the condition of the Hospital for the Insane. Says the Peoitentiery is in better con? dition but that salaries have not been paid out of earnings and (bat the insti? tution cac not. be said to be self sup? porting until that is done. Suggests thar longer term convicts be sent to chaio gang, as ten year convicts can be as well managed as two year convicts. He ctmmends the militia to the care? ful consideration of State. He says the South Carolina College is in a healthy aod prosperous condition and says, "The usual appropriations are asked for and I am sure will be cor? dially made by your honorable body He commends the Citadel to the ten? der care and oonsideration of the mern ber9 and 6ays it should not be dealt with? in a niggardly way. There ba9 already been too much economy regarding the institution. As to Clemson be is not enthusiastic, and says if there is any failure to ful? fill tbe expectations of the people, the blame must rest where it belongs, upon the shoulders of those charged with its management. "The South Carolina College, with no fitting school, almost equals tbe attendance of Clemson, with Clemson's standard not as high as the South Carolioa College." As to Winthrop be suggests that a new dormitory be built by a division of privilege tax money, which will not burt Clemson. He says Winthrop is doing finely. As to colored college he says the achievement has been wonderful. Financial statements are appended. Unpretentious Inauguration. DENVER, COL., Jan. ll.-The most simple and unpretentious inauguration ceremooy io the history of Colorado marked the inauguration of Governor Adams at noon to-day Mr. Adams walked over from bis residence to the oath of office before Chief Justice Hayt, then read bis ad? dress before the assembled legislators, and, returning to his office began the duties of his new position. There was no parade and the total cost cf the cel? ebration was $3.50 for the printing of tickets of admission to the capitol build? ing. The governor in his inaugural demands the most rigid economy in the oonduct of State affairs. A Cure from Lame Back. "My daughter, wheo recovering from an attack of fever, was a great sufferer from pain io the back and hip?," writes Louden Grover, of Sardi?, Ky. "After using quite a number of remedies without any benefit she tried one bottle of Chamberlain's Pain Balm, and it bas (riven entire relief." Cham? berlain's Pain Balm is also certain cure for rheumatism. Sold by Dr". A. J. China. Gold and Silver Papers for sale by H. G Osteen & Co. Highest cf ail in Leavening Pow Is Tnere No Remedy? The recent homicides fri our State are enough to shock the most san? guinary The atrocities perpetrated by the negro, Simon Cooper are on a par with the Turkish outrages. While the other homicides were not like the unexampled crime of that man, they were enough to put us to the blush. Along with the acts of individuals, came the Orangeburg lynching. And the week ended with the killing of the mad-fiend Cooper. it is an awful record for a country claiming to be civilized. Nine homi? cides in eight days, the first of the New Year-and two of these by lynching-one of them without any excuse. We are distressed for our country It is in fearful condition and no remedy seems in sight Few have confidence in the law. Despite all the hopeful inferences from the figures reported by the Attorney General, one fact cannot bc covered : A homicide stands better chance of escaping punishment than another criminal. The figures show a lower percentage of convictions here than in other crimes. And conviction is not always punishment. The condemnation of the press does not deter reckless men from do? ing deeds of violence The record of the press of our State is beyond cavil in this matter. Apologists for misdoers have been found in fewest instances, and even where this seem? ed to be, it was claimed that the deed excused, had reasons palliating. As the voice of the press has been for law and order, and it has not availed, no present remedy is there. Perhaps, as it continues, a coming generation may heed. But our con? dition demands present relief. The pulpit has spoken definitely in places, and its general teaching everywhere is against the defilement of violence and man slayidg So far, the warning of the pulpit has not availed. It should continue to de? clare God's law and in time it will be heard. But to-day, the command? ment is unheeded. Can nothing be done ? We do not know. But if no better plan be offered, may it not help us if we form and work, "Law and Order Leagues ?" They accomplished something in some places Perhaps they may bring a temporary relief until the slower, surer work of pulpit and press can aid in forming a public sentiment which will demand and secure the punishment of homicides and all other crimes-and make the law a terror to evil doers. Let our wise and true men consider and act. Eumanity needs it. God demands it-Christian Advocate. , Tne Discovery Saved.His Life. Mr. G. Caillouette, Dr uo??i?"> Beaveraville 111., says: "To Dr. King's New Discovery I owe my life. Was taken with La Grippe and tried all the physicians for miles about, but of no avail and was given up and told I could not live. Having Dr. King's New. Discovery in my store I sent for a bottle and began its use and fra m the first dose began to get better, and after using taree bottles was up and abaut again. It is worth its weight in gold We won't keep store or house without it' Get free trial bottle at J. F. W. DeLorme's Drug Store 2 Backlen's Arnica Salve. The Beet Salve in the world for Cute, Bruises Sores, Ulcers, Salt Rheum. Fever 8ores, Tetter Chapped >.>>.'? Chilblains, Corns and all S < n Eruptions, and positive!; cures Piles or no pay required. It is guaranteed to give per? fect 3ati3fiiction, or money refunded. Price 25cent8 per box. For 9ale by Dr. J. F. W.De Lorme. --.????.?.?> Tbe Finest assortment of choice stationery at H. G. Osteen and Co's, book store. DISEASES OP THE SKIN. The intense itching and smarting inci? dent to eczema, tetter, salt-rheum, and other diseases of the skin is instantly allayed by applying Chamberlain's Eye and Skin Ointment. Many very bad cases have been permanently cured by it. It is equally efficient for itching piles and a favorite rem? edy for sore nipples; chapped hands, chil? blains, frost bites, *nd chronic sore eyes. For sale by druggists at 25 cents per box. Try Dr. Cady's Condition Powders, they are just what a horse needs when in bad condi? tion. Tonic, blood purifier and vermifuge. For sale io Sumter, by Dr. A J. Cb"** Lamp shades when artistically made of crepe tissue are things of beauty. If you wact to make shades to beautify your homes, H. G. Oste?n & Co. can supply the materials. A large stock of crepe tissue in ten foot rolle ust received. Em PURE