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Supplement to KEOWEE COURIER.
CITES WONDERFUL f
IN THE
ENDORSES THE DISPENSAI
SEVERAL AMENDM
The Finances of the State in
and Good Will Prevail TI
i erent Departments o?
Numerous and Timel
As to Taxation-Clai
Government-Goc
Gentlemen of thc General Assembly:
During the past year the heavy band of
affliction was laid upon tl.-* chief execu
tive of thc State and the people were
cai'eil to mourn the death of their Gov
ernor. After a long illness Governor
William II. Kllerhe died at bis boluc in
Marton County on June 2, 1899. Young
in years, full of honors, anil commanding
thc respect of his countrymen be was
gathered to his fathers. Holding thc po
sition of Lieutenant Governor, to which I
bad been elected, and obeying the Con
stitution, I took the oath nf office as
Governor on Hie ;>d day of June, iS99,
amt immediately thereafter began tl :
discharge of the duties pertaining thereto.
Since you last met there bas been very
marked material progress in the State in
almost every branch of industry. Thc
husbandman has garnered the products of
Iii.- bolds with the assurance of good re
turns for his labor. Manufacturing en
terprises have gone forward with almost
miraculous rapidity and are furnishing
lucrative employment for many of our
people. There bas been great activity in
thc building of railroads, the great de
velopers of a country. Pence, happiness
and prosperity prevail in every portion of
tho Stale, factional bitterness and strife
are things of thc past and the poeple arc
united for the upbuilding, progress and
develop.neut of the entire State. Death
has not thinned your ranks and you como
together to deliberate and make laws for
thc people under most auspicious circum
stances. I trust that tn all your delibera*
lions you may ho guided hy a single
purpose-the. welfare and happiness of
the people whom you base the honor to
represent. However you may differ, as
differ you will, your combined wisdom
and high patriotism, I am sure, xviii re
sult in the passage of such laws as will
redound to tho good of all thc people. In
the accomplishment of this purpose I
stand ready and anxious to aid you and
.co-operate with you in so fat as my power
and ability may go.
KV1DKNCKH Ol' I'KOt'.UKSS.
In cotton manufacturing South Caroli
'iia leads all of the Southern States ami
.stands second only to Massachusetts in
the number of spindles and second to
none in equipment. If thc progress of
the past year augurs anything for the
future we shall soon lead all others in
Ibis important industry and instead of
furnishing any of of our staple crop for
?export to other places for manufacture we
ss ill be huge importers of cotton from
?other Slates, tc supply thc li cal demand.
I)uring lin- pasi saar ( leven new mills
have been organized and are in process nf
construction, representing a total capital
01 l\1.-75.' ' ". Sixteen old mills have
boen cnl.ogeil, r presenting an increase
of their capital stock of ?2,,129,01x1. This
not only means a large addition to the
wealth of the Stale and au increase of the
taxable properly, but it means wealth put
into active service and employment for
many of our prc ?plc.
In railroad building, as I bas e already
stated, thcie luis been veiy lieeided ac
tivity. 237 miles base been completed
and in actual process ol construction.
This represents an outlay <>! least i.'.s,<*?>
a mile, or nearly ?0,1(xi.ixi?, and when
completed and returned for taxation,
cseu at a val lint ion of ,M< >,i*:ii a mile will
add ?2,370,000 lo thc tax-able properly of
the State.
In c.n<m sied oil mills, the lumber
business, amlotbei branches of industry
then- has been very m ilked activity, for
the exact figures in all of these new en
terprises I bet; lo dil eel youl attention to
thc full and exhaustive rep'.ti ni Hu- Sec
retary ol'Slate. A - iuds of these ligures
iud ?1 reali, atii.n ni the matei i il progress
upon ss hick Ute Slate li is entered should
la- cause <>t sincere congratulation toevei v
true Carolinian and sho ild move you as
representatives of the pe,.?de todo ??ll that
von can to lostet and encourage this prog
ress ami these institiiiioiis and industries
which mean so much for our Stale. I
have thought pr..p. i Gins bi icily lo direct
sour attention t.. thee substantial isi
fleeces of progress and growth a-, an en
eourngeiiient ?md an incentive lo om pen
pie to thc accomplishment of even greatci
things which lie easily within our grasp
if wc xviii bul put foi th om b.ls and las
bold of the advantages and opportunities
that thickly sui round us on every vide.
I ! \ X NC TS.
I take pleasure also in congratulating
. oil oil thc Cond il i< ll <.! ibo Imam-es of
Hu- Stat? . The Stale 'I n asutei has !.. eu
ible t.J mci i ?,|| ,,| Hie obligations ol thc
State promptly and also thc interest 011
?he publie d?lit without the necessity of
ETS MESSAGE.
MATERIAL PROGRESS
STATE,
\Y SYSTEM AND SUGGESTS
ENTS TO THE LAW.
a Healthy Condition-Peace
iroughout the State-Dif
" the State Reviewed,
y Suggestions ?fade.
ms Against General
)d Roads-Read it.
having to borrow any money or overdraw
ins account, and mill lias <\ balance in the
Treasury. I give herewith a statement of
the receipts and disbursements of the past
year:
I'S it ?'/ ?"'5?y ?38 833 8 I R
; ! rf, ?' !? i,;-? ? S V: 2 ?5 * $,? S % 8
" ir, ff
?? f.
i Thc Treasurer of the State has called
inv attrill ion lo thc fact that there arc n
I number of old bonds which have hitherto
I been reported as fondable, but which uii
I der the Art of i So.} are now no longer so,
and among, them arc thc bonds claimed
by the State Ko uk (Bine Ridge Railroad
hon.ls of iNvs<))to the amount of f37,ooo.
Thc Act of i.s?/> referred to prohibits the
Slate Treasurer from funding or paying
any bonds aller the expiration of twenty
years from the date of maturity. The
bonds above mentioned matured on July
isl, 1870, and the twenty years limitation
expired on July ist, ih'99.
These, bonds, it linty bc recollected,
have been thc subject of several applica
tions lo thc General Assembly for permis
sion to fund them without the surrender
of thc bonds themselves. One hundred
thousand dollars of these bonds were, it
I is alleged, plundered and taken fro::; the
bank in I'ehr nary, in6,s, by the Federal
lioops in their march through the State.
They have: from that time been constantly
claimed by the Hank, thc receiver of
which obtained an injunction from the
courts as early as 1870, restraining the
Tieasurci of thc State from paying prin
cipal or interest of any of them to any one
but to the receiver, and under that in
jinu lion all of these bonds but thc thiily
seven now remaining upon the Treasur
er's hooks have from lime lo time been
recovered bv the receiver of the Hank,
and bv him funded. Noone has dining
? Ibe thirty years since the injunction has
I been ill force claimed thc bonds in tpies
I lion, and thc Courts of the Slate haye de- |
! elated that they are thc property of Ibo.
I State Hank, and that the receiver of the
i hank is the only person entitled to fund
! and colled them from the Treasurer of
; the Slate
j The State owes these bonds lo some
one, and thc objection which the General
I Assembly has hitherto had to th? funding
j of them har, bet n, il is understood, the
? leai thal '.nie one might still produce
and prese ii I them to the Treasurer, for
funding mulei the funding Act of the
; State, and that the State might III illili
' wa) have lo pay them twice. 'Ibis ob
I jeetion ' ems now removed, as noone but
th.- receivci of the bank has the right lt?
j ask lo have them funded, all other per
sons being no? h.u rod by the statutes from
applying to the Treasurer fi ?r that purpose.
Hut howevci this may be, some action
ma t non- be taken in regard lo them.
They can no longer be c.uiietl on the
books of the Treasurer AS bonds fmidiihle.
lt lists with the d?lierai Assembly to say
what must l c done in the matter.
A short time ugo I received a commu
nication lioin thc Sccretaty of thc Treas*
myal Washington calling my Attention
lo a claim of Hie I'nitcd State-. Govern
nient ?gain .1 thc State ol' South Cand?na
and au Act of Congress passet! Mulch 3d,
1890, requiring him to institute such pro
cccdiugs as bc might deem proper lo col
lect ?ny bonds or storks, principal and |
interest, which the General Government
hohls against this Slate before any claims
on the part of thc State against thu Gen
eral Government should be paid. This
communication was bi ought forth on ac
count of thc claims put in by this Stale
for reimbursement of expenses incurred
in organizing volunteer troops for service
in thc war with Spain. I submitted the
letter to thc Stale Treasurer and asked
bim for a statement. I submit herewith
bis statement and ask for this mattel such
consideration and action as in your wis
dom you may deem proper to take: "lu
pursuance of this provision of law the
Secretary of the Treasury of the United
States bas notified us that tin-General Gov
ernment bolds certain State bonds lo tho
amount of?125,(xx), principal; and interest
to maturity of ?123,750, aggregating ?2.|S,
750, and requests payment of the same.
These bonds bear interest at six per cent,
and were issued under Act of December
'9i 1S55, for construction of new State
House, issued January ist, iS ,6, redeem
able January isl, |88l. Hy reference lo
thc records of the Stale Treasurer's office
it is noted thal there was some ?orre
Buondencc had between this office and the
'treasury Department nt Washington in
November, 1 SS 1, and during thc adminis
tration of Governor Johnson llagood, but
without a settlement of the claim so far
as wc know.
.'Under thc Act of thc General A sse m
? bl y at that lime of force these boc. ls,
principal mid interest unpaid to isl Jan
uary, 1880, were fondable in six percent,
consolidation bonds at fifty per cent, of
said amount. Thc consols being redeem
able on isl of july, 1893. 'flic Act of thc
Legislature of 22ml of December, 1893,
provides thal all bonds ami slocks hith
erto fundable in these consols upon their
surrender bc exchanged for the new 20
40 years .( !j per cent, bonds and stocks
authorized by Ad of December, 1892, for
the redemption of brown Consols. These
coupon bonds now held by thc United
Stales Government are fundable as above
staled upon their surrender, i. e., at ,s<
per cent, of principal and interest opto
maturity. The State, however, bas Revolu
tionary War claims lo the amount in
round numbers of ?550,000. In the in
vestigation of this claim against thc
United States Covet liment IhcGencral As
senibly in December, i\s<>, passed a teso
lotion authorizing the appointment of
sonic suitable person to investigate ami
prosecute the State'? claims as afoiesaid,
and under thal authority Governor K. Iv
W. Allston appointed Hon. Jas. A. black
agent fm- thal work. The said agent in
corpotated the result of bis labors in a re
port to the General Assembly, which wa:
ordered to he filed with Comptroller Gen
er.il, which cannot now bc found amolli
the records of his office. There is a larg?
mass of old papers now in one of tin
rooms of the State House, among whirl
this valuable report might ber found if tin
means were in hand to employ au elli
cit nt ami painstaking person or person!
to examine this confused mass of papers
There are, ia all probability, other claim:
held by the Slate against the Genera
Government, to say nothing of pt i vat 1
claims of large amounts amounting li
ir Thous of dollars."
This is a matter of very great imper
lance to our State. At your last sessiot
you passed a joint resolution request i ll)
and directing thc Governor and .Stat.
TTensurer to furnish all information avail
able to our Senator and Representative
touching the claim of the State agailis
the United States for money ail vance,
during thc War of 1S12, and that oil
Representatives in Congres* be ri-qucstei
Ul urge forward all legislation oil the sui:
ject. You also rescinded all outstanding
contracts if any should exist for the col
lection of this claim, lt seems that th
black Report made in and nii utiouc
by thc Slate Treasurer embraces all th
testimony and faels relative to th? State'
claim. In view of the importance of t ti i
report I recommend thal you provide fe
an er '.ablation of all Ihe obi record? n:i
espe? .Hy thc old rubbish that is store
away in one of the unoccupied rooms ?
the State Capitol to see if this report ca
bc found. Hs recovery may bc the mean
of our getting a considerable sum <
money from the United Slates Govert
nient and it is importa il to pul our Sen;
lots and Representatives in possession (
all the frtcts that can be obtained. As
understand il, thc claim of the Unite
Slates Government foi 'be seulement ?
the f.123.000 of South Carolina bonds lu
longing to the Indian Trust bund and th
accumulated interest is a just and hone:
claim which we ought to pay an
which we could pay with our elah
against the United Statis Coxen
ment and have a balance to the credit (
the State il" we can lind the testimony I
substantiate the claim of thc State. Tl
maller was in process of seulement win
the Civil War broke out in iN<<>, amt tl
State bad joined with other Stales in pr
lest against the unfair methods of tl
United Slates in adjusting tin- claims ar
it was to sustain its contentions th
black was employed to work up tl
Stale's ?'ase. lt may not bc possible
obtain the full amount claimed by tl
Stale, but I am informed that there is a
solute proof in ollieial docuiiu-ntsth.it ll
United States acknowledged that it ow?
tin- Slate of South Carolina in iS
fyN,?xx> and this with accumulated int?
cst for fifty-nine yeats would amount
about f 350,? ' . >. If this could bc adjust,
w ithout going into the disputed clainisll
Slate could pay the ?lam? the Cuit.
States Government bolds against it ai
ba?e about ?fuxi.ooo left. Under the co
s.ilidatiou Act ol 1873 thc Stale Treasur
can only refund old bonds at fifty cen
mi the dollar, bul if a sett lenient assn
gested could bc made with the Unit
States Government you might pass ;
Act authorizing the Slate Ticasun-r
settle at loo cents on thc dollar 1
condition that th.- United Stales pay I
just claims to thc Stale ol South l'ai..li
as acknowledged in thc upi at of the Si
rotary of the Treasury ii. oH.vS.
l'or a statement of the bondel debt
the State your attention is directed lo I
annual report ol the Stale Treasurer. < >
i bonds li ntl a ready sale iii the maikels
the wot ld al a premium and thc credit
lin- State is good,
I A X AT ION.
'flu- Const it ul ion sly s that "All bu
upon property, nalani! personal, shall
laid upon thc actual value of the propel
laxed, as the same shal! be ascertained
au assessment made loi the purpose
laying such tax." lt also says the "Gi
eral Assembly shall pi oville b\ ?a v to
uniform and equal tate of assessment 1
taxation." It is 11 la l thal very little
any property is assessed foi luxation.it
"actual value." poi if il were thc la'
ble properly of the State would bc a gr?
deal mo: c I han il is uni tia- late ol la -
lion could lu- considerably reduced.,
lin taxpayer, however, thal is not a m
t* ? ol very great concetti, :<>i a ceil;
amount of money has to be laised to nu
the expenses of government and w hile
Hie valuation were high the rate could he
I reduced, yet in tile end it amounts to the
same Hiing. Thc question Hint concerns
thc taxpayer is to have a uniform value
of assessment whether il he the actual
value Ol' one half the actual value. The
Imidi n of taxation would then fall equally
on all thc taxpayers in proportion to the
property they own, hut if one man's prop
erty is assessed nt its actual value ami
another man's al one-half its actual value
the uno either contributes more than his
share to the support of thc government or
the oilier does not mensure up lo his duly
in this matter. The main desideratum is
to secure such a mode of assessment ns
will give II uniform valuation lo all prop
erty subject io taxation. Thai such re
sults are liol obtained now I nm sure.
Whether it is the fault of the law or its
administration I am not prepared lo say.
Wc have township boards of assessors and
county boards of equalization, but the
manlier in which they as a rule discharge
their duliesand the lime thev allot lo the
discharge of these duties does liol secure
a uniform valuation of properly for the
purposes of taxation. Nor indeed could
they do it under the present plan if they
gave more lime to il. They may secure
an approximate uniformity for valuation
in each county, and so far as county pur
poses arc concerned thal might sutlice,
nut thc average in the counties varies and
the burden of Stale taxation does not fall
equally oil the several counties. 1 have
no fully matured plan to submit for your
consideration as a remedy for Ibis evil,
bul 1 am persuaded thal if some plan
could be devised by which the Constitu
tion could bc obeyed and all properly as
sessed at its actual value the burden would
hear more easily and equitably upon all
taxpayers. As the law now stands the
County Auditor is required to go into
eaeh township and take returns of prop
erty and then Ute township boards meet
and go over these returns und then Ute)
aro gone over by the county boards ol
equalization. I submit for your eonsid
elation tho advisability of requiring thal
ihr Constitution bc carried out and all
property assessed nt ils actual value am
that Ibo County Auditor take returnsonl)
in Hie townships and thal the townshi]
boards bc required to attend while tbesi
returns aro being made and if any epics
on ai i ses as lo tho valuation of the propel!)
it could bo settled by tho Auditor, th?
boa ni of assessors and tho owner of Hu
property. Those township boards sltouh
be men of ability ami character am
should bo in position to dele rm inc tin
actual value of thc property. 1 believi
that some such plan if properly can ici
out would materially increase tho litxuhk
property of the State and go far toward
equalizing the burdon of taxation. Then
is need for something ti. be dom; alo nj
this linc.
There is also some complaint of tho ii
regularity in which some County Treas
mers remit taxe.-, collected by them to th
State Treasurer. The law fixes the lillie
at which they shall remit but many o
them do not observe it. I think it wont
bc advisable lo place them on salary tb
same as County Auditors and requir
monthly statements from them and willi
hold their salar)- until the statement
were received And also require thei
to submit with their monthly statement
statement from the bank of deposit show
ing thc amount of ninney lo their crcdi
as Treasurer. And penalty should b
provided for the failure to lum ov<
I mids and make reports as required b
law and power given the Governor t
suspend or toinove such as persistent!
refuse or neglect to oho)' the law.
This subject of taxation is ono th;
more directly concerns tho people tba
any other with which you will have t
deal and it deserves your most carne:
consideration and ill whatever you do yo
should endeavor to make the burdon be.
equally upon all thc property of tho Stat
by comparison ot the ligures in tl
Comptroller General's reports you wi
see that the taxable properly for the li
cal year commencing January t, 1S99,
'85,183 moro than for the precedii
fiscal year.
Total taxable property for the
fecal year commencing Jan
nary isl, 1899.$176,422,2!
Total taxable properly for the
fiscal y ear commencing Jan
nary isl, 189S. '73.237.1'
Increase.
MN'KINli PUNI?.
1 beg lo direct your attention to the 1
port of the Commissioners of tho Sinkii
Fund fi om which it. appears that the C
mutative Phosphate Sinking bund n<
amounts to $347,731.38. This shows
increase of these a;.sols of $51,1
since the report of last year. Of tl
amount $11,746.65 isdorived from inten
and $39,379.28 is derived from phosph;
royalty during the year. The assets
this fund consist of the following,:
State stocks.< 35?728.
bank loan seemed by Stale
bonds. 20,000
Loans lo Counties. . 1 13,084,
Interest bealing deposits in
Hanks. i7.S,oiK
you\...-vi/.v.o
The assesls ol thc Ordinal y Sink I
Ptllld amount lo $43,330.64 of whi
$3O,2<XMXI is loaned lo counties and $1
130.64 deposited ill banks. This show
decrease of this fund of $2,143.42 sii
thc last top? >i t. This is covi red by t
purchase of escheated lands which h?
since been sold at a profit but the lei
ol' sale have not yo( bein lulls- com pl
willi by thc purchaser, 'flu- report gi
full detail-, of thc work of Hu- Conni
sioncis loi ibo scar and 1 invite yt
careful attention to it and Hu- reconnu
dations contained Hierein.
I'?NSIONS.
A generation has passed since the V
between thc States. Thc Sou Hiern .
(hers who fought lor a cause they delict
to bc right laiil their all upon the abai
their country, (treatersacrifice and si
denial were neva i mote ehceilully in:
iii any cause or in any country than
this struggle hy thc Southern .sold
They displayed 1 fortitude and a beroi
that will fin nish themes for thc port :
the historian foi all time to come. Tl
lo .t in battle because of overwhelm
numbers and resources 011 the ot dei si
and wi.bout repining laid down their tu
and returned lo their homes and bej
willi i s pi i it of ('heel fi I bless 1 il eb, sec I
rebuild theil lost fort mies. Many of th
have passed to the other shore and i
rest mulei the shade of thc trees, .
every yeal the ranks grow less. It is
sacred duty lo honor their memory ?
defend their good name. Not oi.ly si
is om thily lo take care of and provide
those who aie in need of om help. I
we can do without thc slighosl sembla
ol disloyally to the I ilion. There is
lougei ans antagonism between the ?
lions. The Southern soldici will def
the I mon ?is cheerfully now as any (
zen. This was demonstrated in the
with Spain, w here those who had op|M
cadi other in baltic fought shoulder lo
shoulder for UK* Hag.
What WC aro able to give is but a pit
tance, bul it helps and we should give it
cheerfully. I,asl year you appropriated
for pensions to Confederate soldiers and
widows of soldiers the sum of ;*nx>,(x>o. I
recoin mend a like appropriation this year.
It is important that this appropriation
should he expended and distributed wise
ly and in such a manner as lo meet thc
intention of thc appropriation. The se
lection of good, competent, and conscien
tious township and county boards, men
who know tile conditions and arc ac
quainted with the m;cdsof the applicants,
is of very great importance, lt is difficult
to gel men to work without pay, and
while in this case it seems that good nu n
might be found who would be willing to
serve without compensation, 1 suggest
that you consider the wisdom and advisa
bility of allowing the members of the
county and township boards one dollar
per day for not exceeding two days for
this service.
As you will see from thc repott of the
Comptroller General, there were on the
pension roll the past year y, 15S pension
ers. Of Ibis number _',i)io are widows of
soldiers. The total amount disbursed in
pensions was $98,675.80. Thc widows
were paid $38,412 mid the soldiers $60,
363.80.
niRKe'f TAX.
Coder thc provisions of the Act of Con
gress August 5, 1861, a direct lax was im
posed upon the citizens ol" the United
.Slates, and a part ofit was apportioned tc
and assessed upon the Stale of South Car
olina, Direct Tax Commissioners wen
appointed to doiiionstiatc this law. but al
that lime no part of the State of South
Carolina was under federal control, lt
November, 1861, the whole of the purist
of Si. Helena, ami all of that portion o
St. Luke's, which w??s composed of is
lands, fell into lae hands of bellera
forces, and lin Direct Tax Commission
eis established themselves al thal point
and under thc administration ol' the lav
all ol" the properly belonging to the etti
/ens of those two parishes was sold aili
bought by the United States, and resoh
under the provisions of thal Act, and o
other Acts amendatory thereto, and Ibesi
citizens were entirely divested of tbei
properties, 1.aler upon the deterininalioi
of thc war a portion ol thc direct lax as
sessed to the Slate of South Cai ulina w a
collected in Chai lesion and iusomcothe
lower counties of thc State. Thc pre
ceeds arising from the sale of the lands ii
beaufort went into the Treasury of lb
United Stall's under the different laws re
kiting thereto, and have been disposed ,
hythe I'nilcd Stales Government in at
cordance willi those laws.
A number of school farms, consist i 11
each of 160 acres, carved out of the plan
talions entirely in Si. Helena parish, wer
reserved from the early sales, and lease
by thc Government, and n uts collecte
?iud separately kept, and al thc close 1
the wai thc Government found itself i
possession of these school farms, ol' a nun
lier of houses and 1? >ts in the tow n of beal
fort, anda number of lots in what w;
then known as Port Royal City, a myth
cal city sought lo be laid out and eslal
lished by the Direct Tax Commissioner
and which, though thoroughly laid 01
and projected, failed to become a cit;
and is now a part ol three plantations i
St. 11 eic na parish.
l iv special enactment (Act of Congres
July K>, 1866) it was directed that the:
school farms, houses and lots in I lean foi
and lots in I he city of Port Royal on S
Helena Island, should be sold' and tl
proceeds invested in bonds of the Uniti
Slates, and the interest used under dire
lion of the Secretary of the Treasury
thc support of schools, without distill
lion of color or race, 011 the islands in ll
parishes of Si. Helena and St. Luke'
and by subsequent Act ol' Congress, a
proved Match 3, 1S73, it was directed th
in addition lo these funds the rentsd
lived from the lots of .school faint lan
should be likewise invested in such bon
of the Ulliled Stales, and all ol" Un
bonds retained by thc Secretary of t
Treasury ns n fund for the usc and sn
port of free public schools in thc parish
of St. Helena and St. Luke's, South Ci
ulina, in equal pail:;, the interest
>vhich should be annually expended
increase the eflici'uiey of any free pub
schools established .md sustained, m s.
parishes by authority ot' said State, if sn
school sh ill exist,olin, ass ise at tile disc
lion nf the commissioners herein nairn
and a Special board ol' three commissi,
cu., dil cet cd to be appointed by thc Sec
i.uv of the Treasury, u nlovable at '.
pleasure, each to receive a salary of .-"
pei year for his services in admitiisteii
Ibis fund, 'flic Act concludes with I
following statement: "This Act shall
subject lo amendment or repeal at I
pleasure of Congress."
From the proceeds of sales directed
these Acts ol pr<?pelly fi ?1 un riv belong:
lo cill/.cns of beaufort Count y lhere \
realized a sum of money in the neigbl
hood of 553,?xx>, which money, in ob?
i i nee io these Acts, has been invested
bonds of the I oiled Statis, am! th
bonds au- now in the Treasury of
United Slates, and the interest, thong
mere pittance, alter the payment ol
salaries of three commissioners, is adi
to the school fund for beaufort Com
Hld Continue:, to be so applied lo I
dav.
An Act of Congress approved Maid
iSqi, was passed to refund lite money
lcclcd bs thc United Stales under Dh
Tax Acts, and a provision was ni id'
thc .ph section of thal Act lo make si
partial compensation to the citizen;
beau foi t foi the l< ?ss of their laud-, and
actual direct ta\, with thc pen..Its
intel est, has been refunded to the citi;
of Ibis State, and the citizens ol' beau
have received from the Secretare ol
Treasury the gratuity which ss is give:
Ibeiii oil account of their laud, but
fund, thc immediate procci ls ol' laud
foi mer citizens of beaufort Connie,
remains in the Treasury of ihe Un
Stales undisposed of. ail I i- still wilki
bom them, though the Supreme Com
the I lilted S! iles Mc ?sec VS I '. S. .
I '. ii. Reports, ."ii 1 has dod ?red th t
perusal ol' thc entire Act 1 Mandi ?, 1
show.s that its pu i [i- ?se ss a s \~< pis bac
thc States, and lo] individual
zens of thc States the amounts of mc
received from them in thc course of
cn ut i. .?1 ..! thc 1 ?ne t l ax Acts ol 1
?uni Acts aiiieiidatorv theicto." This I
could liol hi paid back fol ka l ..I leg
lion, in isintu h ,c- the elicej of thc Ai
Match 15, IS73, has been lo co ll fe I il
bonds, and impound it in the fica
"subject to th.- plea- ure of Congii ss."
lt '.'ciii'. to bc soi 111 .sh it ofan anoi
that thc ( ,1 ? s ci uni, nt of the I Tilled St
should fed itself interested in the
sch ?oh. of two of Ihe J? Irishes ol this S
and sh,'Ucl go to the < xii nt ssiibh
ing and using money which mot.div
longs to the citizens of beaufort Coi
to obtain the lund'- wherewith to d
and it bas also seemed to me Illili il wa:
pc ,.iar province of the Slate of s
Carolina limier ils Constitution lo provide
for all of its free schools, ami this il hus
?lone willi'?ul making any exception in
respect to the schools in l?tese two former
parishes, mid the conduct of the Govern
ment of the Coiled Stales in this regard
would seem to be somewhat of an invasion
of Hie constitutional rights of the Slate, as
well as au injustice lo those citizens, the
proceeds of whose 1.mils are Ilms withheld
ami perverted.
I have, therefore, requested member
of Congress to introduce a bill lo repeal
Hie provisions of tho Act of March i.s.
IS73, to provide for Hie sale of those
bonds, the proceed? lo the persons from
th?: sale or leasing of whose lauds they
originated, and such action, taken al my
request, al the suggestion ol'parties inter
ested, is now pending before Congress.
When this matter is concluded the
whole subject of direel tax may be said lo
be ended.
Ponai and Charitable Institutions.
The Constitution of the Stair- imposes
upon us the duty of earing for the insane,
blind, deaf, and dumb, ami ibe poor, and
says that institutions for this purpose shall
be fostered and supported.
STATIC HOSl'ITAi roKTIIK INSANK.
W hile wc all deplore thc fact that we
should, have amongst us those who are
mentally afflicted, we should not only
consider it a tildy but we should esteem it
a pleasure lo care for them. I desire to
call your special attention lo the full ami
complete report of your cllicienl Superin
tendent of Ike Stale Hospital for the In
sane, Dr. J. \V. Babcock, and to ask for it
your can Cul consideration. lt is a sad
fact that the population at ibis institution
is gradually and constantly increasing,the
-average daily population being one thous
and. The total number being cared for
nt this lime is l,?xi2, an increase over last
\ ear of 36. < If Ibis number 599, are white
and ,|o/ colored. The number admitted
dm in;; Hu- year closing December 31 w as
11S- The discharges were yr;. Intlie
report ol tin- Hoard ol' Regents to un- it ir;
slated: "The steady growth of the insti
tution in thc last twenty-five years has
imposed burdens upon us beyond, the ex
peet.liions 1 >f our predecessors. The num
ber of colored insane will in a few years
exceed the white. While thc races have
always occupied sep?rale buildings or
wards, yet we cannot bul anticipate the
tillie when a wider separation than now
exists will be deemed necessary. lu
dealing w ith her charitable institutions as
with other vital questions, no progressive
coin tuon wealth should be satisfied with
temporary makeshifts. These subjects
demand not only consideration lor to-day
bul also provision for to-morrow. We
must adjust our present plans lo meei so
far as possible Inline needs." All these
malters and the improvements deemed
I necessary aie carefully and minutely dis
cussed in the report ol' the Superintend
ent.
The Hoard ol" Regents desires lo sug
gesl for your consideration the better de
velopment of the system of county poor
houses ami the consideration of the mal
1er ol' "settlement," by which il would be
better established who may claim bene
ficiary support in tlc State Hospital. Our
law should also be more specific in deal
ing with inebriates anil the criminal in
sane. During the prevalence of au ?pi
d?mie disease it is also recommended thal
for the protection ol" the patients in the
Hospital the right of quarantine against
the infected territory be entrusted lo the
C.overnoi , Hu- I'll iii man ol' thc Stale
board ol' Health, and the President of the
Regents.
The growth of th.- institution has been
so great that the necessary re j ia i rs from
ordinary wear and lear have become a
considerable drain upon the maintenance
lund. The board estimates that in order
to kee]) np these repairs and mala- sonic
of tin improvements recommended will
require about ;ti? , xxi. An ilemi/ed state
ment will be lound in the Superintend
ent's report.
The Hoard estimates that il will m ed
for this ye ir appropriations ns follows:
l'or maintenance.$ioo,rx>
1'"or debt o 11 Wallace property and
interest.|,3fio
Por permanent improvements. 10,000
Tor Regents. 1,20o
?i15,500
The institution is efficiently managed
au.i tin- appropriation is as economically
expended as is possible with a wise eon
duet ol' tue a (Va i rs, I commend lo your
favorable consid?rai ion the suggestions of
the Supei intend, nt and board ol Regents.
SOITII CAROLINA I N ST III Iii ? N Tole 'lill-:
i.iu'CAVioN <?i' 'im: i?i:.\r AM?
l ill-. OLINO.
The annual report of this institution for
Ibe year closing I (coomber 31, iKyn, shows
an enrolment of 1S6 pupils, representing
thirty-seven counties. Asan evidence ol'
the economical manner in which the in
stilutioii is managed the average cost in
twenty-four schools in which this school
was included w as >222poi pupil as against
A132 for this school. Hut the school bas
grow n beyond the accommodations which
it has lo oller. The Superintendent in .1
report lo me says: "The time basc?me in
the history of the institution when it w ill
be noocss i ry lo limit the nuiuhei of pupils
admitted or lo arrange for the accommo
dation of a giv lier number." Al ?1 meet
ing of Ibe Hoard the following action was
Liken: "< ?ll motion .,1 Mr. I). I'. Coil
verse the Superintendent was instructed
to ask thc- Legislature in next annual te
pon for an appropi ?.ilion of 520.1* .'' for the
ere? lion ami equipment of a school build
in;',. Also l" renew ri quel for appropria
tion of ? n?,i . . i for bu i hiing foi department
of ?'?doled pupil-." The following Hppn -
pi ?at iou are deemed necessary for I he
proper maintenance and < quipmetlt of ibe
institution foi the ensuing fiscal year:
poi supp ?ri.?*>,? - > >
P? M gene" al 1 < p iii s.. '
Por school bid 1.1 mg. .'.I,IOD
por building for colored pupil.. io,...*?
Su ??el i ut cm le ut Waiker ailil hi-, elii.ienl
corp.. of instructors are perfoi ming a labor
ol love ami doing au excellent work at
thi-. institution. The c ue and ?ducation
ol the ie un fort un ile children ol the Slide
should enlist your sviupathv and com
mand your thoughtful consideration.
ri:M I L\ ri \uv.
At your last ses: ou a rcsohilioii was
ad oj .'eil ordering'au i livest iga tum into the
; iiaii - ol the Stale Penitentiary. Thal
?nv? ! ?gat ion was had and a rep n I of the
committee was submitted lo me ns direct
eil by ibe resolution. I have submitted
in a separate message the action taken by
me on Ibis repoil and beg lo ?lireet your
attention toit and also lo thc leporl ol'
I he special committee. That committee
pel formed thc lintier laid upon il cflicionl
I . and iv? ll as voa will r ee from an ex un
illation ol (heit wi.1 ',..
Tb?: presen! Superintendent o? the Pen
itentiary, Capt. I >. I Ci i Ililli. took charge
on I he 15th of March. An examination
I ot his report will show thal the affairs ?>f
I the Penitentiary have been managed in a
very satisfactory manner anti thc finances
of the institution are in a very henlty con
dition. He found il necessary todo much
repairing on the buildings at Hie institu
tion and on the farm and there is much
more work that is necessary to be done.
When he look charge H ere wnsturned over
lo him by Ins predecessor ?i 14.35 in casli
and he found il necessary to commence
buying provisions lo support the inmates
at once and from Mardi 15th to the har
vesting of thc new corn crop bc was com
pelled to buy 3,388 bushels of corn and
meal. ll does not appear to mc lo
bc good business judgment, with Hie
farms thal are worked by the State,
to be forced lo buys so large a quan
tity of corn and meal when they could
and ought lo to made on the farms.
I am glad lo be able to slate that Ibo Su
perintendent thinks bis supply of corn
made during the pasl year will be suffi
cient to supply the institution during this
year until the new crop conies in. There
was also a large crop of oats made, some
thing over .|,< ? o bushels having been sold.
The Superintendent says: "Thc year ag
riculturally has been satisfactory, consid
ering thc late sit..i and other disadvant
ages under which thc work was done."
The cotton crop will amount lo nearly
six hundred bales.
There bas been no serious sickness
amongst the prisoners except a few cases
of miniugilis, front which there were sev
eral deaths. The Superintendent informs
inc that then; are several prisoners who
me suffering from consumption and close
confinement only aggravates the disease.
I have thought it would be wise and hu
milit? to secute a report from the physi
cian of such cases and have them turned
out, or placed in a separate building re
mote from other convicts, for their
punishment was not intended lo be
a slow death. There have been only
15 (.-scapes under the present man
agement and 12 of these were from stock
ai les of private parlies who have convicts
leased. I understand thal the Hoard of
Directors have been making contracts
for the lease of convicts when there was
not a sufficient number lo lill existing
contracts. 1 do not consider lins good
business judgment. Neither do 1 think
it wise lo make contracts for a long terni
of years, for conditions might arise which
would not leave a sufficient number to
work the State's property. I ask a care
ful considi .ilion of these contracts.'These
suggestions are made only in the interest
of tin- ellicicnt management of the institu
tion and not willi a view of criticism.
There has been a slight bibil increase of
convicts during the past year, as the fol
lowing statement will show:
CONVICT STATKM l\NT.
Prisoners in confinement De
cember 31, 1898. 7S4
Prom courts since that date. ... 272
Recaptured. 17- 289
V>7J
Discharged. 199
I'atdoned . 16
Kscapcd. 15
Accident)) killed. 1
Died.ll 272
Inprison December 31, 1899.... Soi
A summary of expenditures and re
ceipts during the past year shows a net
cash balance on baud of $9,886.67.
balance cash on hand Deo. 31,'98$ 4,804.44
Total receipts for thc year. 63,518.23
$68,322.67
Total expenditures for thc year. 58,436.00
Cash balance Deceinbur 31, '99.$ 9,886.67
In addition to the above receipts the
following amounts were collected and be
long properly lo the earnings of 1899.
Jan. 3. Collected from contrac
tors. f 431.60
Collected from J. M.
( ?rabain,Hosiery Mill,
October, 1S99, hire... 2,182.29
$2,613.89
In this statement the provisions and
supplies made on the farms to bc used in
the maintenance of the institution are not
included. This, it appears to me, ;s a
good showing anil demonstrates good
business management. It seems to me il
would be wise for the Superintendent lo
keep on hand a sufficient amount of this
money to meet current expenses audio
pay the cash for what be is compelled lo
liny, for by so doing be can run the in
stitution much more economically, and
thus in thc end be able to save money for
the State. I commend lo your careful
consider.ition thc report of the Superin
tendent ;ind Hoard of Directors.
KM-CATION.
Along willi lue material progress that
has come lo our Slate lhere has beena
lively interest in thc education of our
youth. Not only bas this been manifest
111 our higher institutions of leat tiing but
thc country schools and the primary
schools throughout Lil? State have been
.Mcally improved. lu almos; every incor
porated town and many of the country
districts Hie three mill constitutional lax
has been supplemented and the schools
are kept open for the full school year. The
teachers are educated Christian men and
women who have gone out from our col
leges and training schools fully equipped
foi their WM-h. 1 II a government like oms
the education of our youth is of para
mount importance. Any legislation that
will foster and encourage our common
sebo ils should ...( ive your heart)' ap
proval and endorse lent, tor you may fos
lei and build colleges as you please, the
fact remains that a vast majority of our
children can in ver avail themselves of a
collegiate training. If the means are
available it is within the range of possi
bility for all of them to obtain a common
school education, and thus bc equipped
for tho proper discharge of the duties of
citizenship, Intelligent citizens make
intelligent voters. Ivducaled mothers
u ar intelligent citizens. When you put
m..nev in education yon invest capital
that will give you ever increasing return
and can neither bc lost not squandered. To
secure efficiency in om common schools
three things arc of panuni mut i III pot ta ncc :
first, sou must have the means with
which lo operate them. Second, von must
have educated and cousccrali d teachers.
Third, you went intelligent ami ellicicnt
County Superintendents ol bducation.
! nfoi tun it. ly \s iib thc money which tho
State is able toexpend for common school
education thc average length of Hie tenus
of thc publie schools where thc public,
school tax is not supple nu 11 ted is only from
Ihree lo four months, lt i-. impossible lo
secure that efficiency and thoroughness
which ?.. ? should have unless the schools
could run longer. Thc teachers asa rule,
are ellicicnt and competent ami then pay
i . fal too small for tuc work they tender.
I fear thal the parents too often feel when
tho have paid their tax th .t they have
shilled the responsibility foi thc educa
tion of theil children hom their shoulders
to thc State. Il the parents could be.
made to realize the importance of this
matter and their responsibility and duty
