The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-12-04
SOUTHERN PRESS
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1850.
WASHINGTON CITY

WASHINGTON CITY.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1850.
Message of the Governor Of South Caro-
lima.
We inserted in Saturdays paper that part OF
Governor SEABRooK's message which related to
to the Federal Government. The noble and
important position South Carolina occupies
renders her internal affairs highly interesting to
the country at large, and we are happy in being
able to present from the luminous message
of the Governor, a sketch Of her condition,
which entities her to the rank of a model State,
in her domestic as well as external relations.
The total of her public debt, is only $2,l6l,-
292-although her internal improvements will
bear triumphant comparison with those of any
other State-even those who have run deeply
into debt for public works.
Her taxes are only $3l3,3Sl, and her income
from other sources is $2S69ll-making the
total of income $6O0,292 Her total of prop
erty cannot be less than three or four hundred
millions of dollars, 80 her state taxes are less
than one tenth of one per cent on her capital
an evidence of the freedom of her government
which no other State can surpass.
The Governor says:
The present number of students in the South
Carolina College, is one hundred and niEety-
five, which is as many rs can be conveniently
accommodated. The very fourshing condition
of the institution is high evidence of the conf
dence which the public entertain for the caracity
and fitness of those to whose especial charge it
has been committed. Annually there leave this
abode Of literature and science, young men, all
strengthened and improved in moral and intel
lectual culture, and many destined to fill i'm
portant stations in society. Its sautary inu-
ence on our personal and social relations and
the character of the Commonwealth, alone fur
nishes q conclusive reason for enlarging the
sphere Of its usefulness.
The Military Academies continue to merit the
public support. Although the average number
of cadets, ut the institution in Charleston, for
the last year, was ninety, and the discipne is
known to be rigid, yet, during that period, order
and quiet prevailed, and to neither expulsion nor
suspension,'by way of punishment, was it found
necessary to resort. At the Academy in this
place there are % cadets. The studies prescri-
bed are faithfully pursued, and the guard and
police duties strictly executed. The health Of
the students for many years has been uninter-
tons, the number of cadets might soon be pro-
portionately increased.
In view of the present and future aspect of
our public affairs | am warranted in recommend
ing the establishment of depots for military
stores and instruments Of war at Anderson
Courth-house, Spartanburg Courthouse and
Marion Courthouse; and that each depot be
placed under the charge of limited number Of
young men, commanded by graduate Of the
Citadel Academy, whose business it shall be to
instruct the guard in all the practical branches of
the art of war. This plan, having a two-fold
object in view, would, Independent of it's intel
lectual and moral advantages, give security at
all times to the largest section Of the State, aud
insure to our entire community political benefits
of no ordinary magnitude.
AS the Military Academies were originally
designed, among other things, to instruct our
youth in the art of war, this object, perhaps from
want Of due attention to the subject, has not
been fully attained To demonstrate by rrac-
lice in the field, the lessons they have received
in the recitation room, the students must be fur
nished with all the necessary means, in some of
which the schools are very deficient. To sup
ply these wants, advise the purchase of pyro-
V,
battery of artillery.
Dumb school at Cedar Spring, Spartanburg
District, under the superintendent of Mr.
Walker. The number of mutes in the State is
supposed to be about seventy, of whom only
thirteen are receiving instruction. Impressed
with the conviction that the public are not well
Informed concerning the advantages of Mr..
Walkers seminary, have invited that gentle
man to attend at the Capitol with few Of his
pupils, in order to satisfy the legislature Of
their progress and his capacity to teach.
1t seems that South Carolina also has fol-
lowed the fashion of the North, in adopting the
free school system, fact that we were not be-
fore aware Of The Governor says
AS the acts and resolutions Of the legislature
were not published until late in March, | was
not informed until that time. that had been
authorized to appoint fit and competent person
to ascertain the practical operation of the free
school system. From the lateness of the sea-
son, it was apparent that in despite of perse-
vering exertions, should fail in realizing your
expectatons-a result which was subsequently
verified.
In the belief that no action had been taken on
the subject of my recommendation by the legis-
lature, issued a circular to the commissioners
OF free schools, propounding certain queries, a
copy OF which with their answers shall be laid
before you. The differences, deducible from
these papers, are: first, that the present system
succeeds only where, with dense population,
the funds for educational purposes, enlarged BY
contributions from other sources, are ample