The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-12-06

teachers, and the saleries which different To-
callties make necessary to competent sup
port Facts of this sort, must consttu'e
the groundwork. In possession OF Ihese,
we may then proceed to compare ditereh.
systems adopting from among them 'h'
which seems to be best adapted to our own
circumstances, or originating new one
nil should prove unsatisfactory. All, there-
fore. that in my judgement, the Legislature
should undertake Mt present, Is to acquire
abis preliminary inform"tion, including the
accumulation of facts, the comparison OF
different Common School systems ana TIRE
digest Of plan suited to the wants Oh our
own people. This can be done by the ap-
pointment of n Minister of Public instruc-
ton, who shall be regarded as as othcer Oh
The Government compensated by n large saia-
ry, and who shall give himself unrescrved'y
to this great interest. Let him be required
to traverse the State, to inspect the condit'on
Of every neighborhood, and from persona'
observation and authentic testimony ict nun
become acquainted with the number, tne eN-
tent and the circumstances OF the ehi'Greh;
let hin be prepared to say where scnoo'
houses can be most conveniently eree'eo'he
distances at which they should be removed
from each other, the kind of teacher needed
in each neighborhood, and let him Indicate
what sections of the State are unprep"rSd
for schools in consequence ofthe dispersion
of their inhabitants. Let him be able TO
give some probable estimate Of the expense
incident to the successful operation OF an
adequate scheme In the next placeh shouio
be his duty to master the exiting systems
whether in this country or Europe, ana 10
lay before the Legislature q succinct account
Of their fundamental provisions. Let MN
propose the scheme which he thinks ought
to be adopted here, and let his report be re-
ferred to an able and learned Commission
charged with the final preparation Of such
scheme rs wo may bc ready to enact in'o
law
The expense Of carrying into effect the
foregoing suggestions, should be betrayed
out Mt reserved per centagc upon the pre-
sent Free School appropriation: TINS saving
additional drafts of money from the Treas
ury, and making the Free School fund cor
rect ultimately the abuses and defects of the
present system.
] had the honor nj yonr last session. to
submit to you n statement of the condition
of the Bme Ridge Railroad enterprise, and
also certain suggestions with regard to i'm
provcmcnts in the State Asylum for the In
then expressed remain unchanged; but for
bear to press them upon your consideration
FOR reasons which are obvious to yUu and
which you will not fail TO appreciate.
Upon the Subject Of the As"lum here
with submit for your pcrusal and careful
consideration an elaborate statement from
the able physician Of the Institution, whose
long experience and thorough investigation
on the subject entitle his opinions TO the
highest respect and credit. Itpreseuts snch
n variety of facts and arguments, Us cannot
| be embraced, even were il desirable, in the
limited space Ct an ANIMAL message. en-
treat your examination on them, us authority
for sorle future day, for your action upon
his subject. One fact appears to me TO be
Indispensable, that it woad be erroneous
policy on the part Of the st to to eXpcnd
any Further sums upon the present premises
and location, beyond the usual annual mp
preparation, but reserve its means for n fur
ther occasion when radical changes may be
comfort and beis"Sfhteau teau faF fhsp yFSSestssl
pants of that chcerless abode.
Upon the subject Of the Bue Ridge Rail
road, beg, with the greatest Difference
your attention 20 two enquiries. First
should the enterprise be abandoned for tho
|
limitations attached to the agreements be.
tween The several companies in their ANAL
gamation Into one, will uot eventuate in \
separation and If so, whether or not, thcr,
Is probability of their being ever again uni
ted, so as to afford the same advantages tc
THIS state, in the matter Of Western trad,
anu commerce.
| Secondly, whether in the event uf fail
| rid ~ A =:
there IS 4 reasonable hope hat North Caro-
lima will allow any road in this State. unit
ing with one la that, to connect with hel
Great road leading across the hileghanics tc
the West, except with such Grange ol
guage; or the substitution of other ditfcul.
ties, Us will forever preyent the people OF
this State from ayaiing themselves Of the
advantages Of trade with the valleys of ths
West through that channel. These are sc.
nous considerations, and are worthy Of youl
grayest inquiry. My own conviction is, tina,
Ihe advantages which we now possess unde,
present charters once lost, are lost forever.
have the honor to lay before YOU a let
tor from his Excellcney the Governor OF
Georgia, accompanied by the, report of O
Special Joint Committee Of the Legislature
OF that State, upon tho subject of the s'Me.
mortal Of the City Council Of Augusta, in
relation to the Bridge across the Savannah
river ut that place, with the request that
would submit the same to your consider;,-
ton.
AT your last session, | was instructed in
conjunction with the Attorney General, to
take such steps as were necessary on the
part OF this State to submit the question nj
issue between herself and the State OF Gcor-
ga upon the subject of boundary on the
Savannah River to the adjudication of the
Supreme Court Of the United States. In
conformity with this injunction, ] addressed
communication TO His Excellency the Gov.
ernor Of that State, inviting bis &C. operation
IN this measure. have not yet received a
reply but earnestly hope that the proprirty
OF such step will be conceded ns the easi-
est aud most equitable mode Of adjusting
this long standing question.
In April last, very large and harmonious
Commercial Convention was held In the city
OF Charleston, which took certain ini,isry
steps, among various other measures, to-
wards the formation Of the Southern Paci.
nc Railroad Company. The Committees
appointed by the Convention have submit
ted the form Of an Act Of Incorporation of
the said Road, TO be adopted by the south
ern States ] herewith submit It. together
oil a "a