The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1855-12-07


With the exception Of two or three years.
this Actwas regularly executed until .ls4l,
when the Legislature declined making the
usual appreciation, on the ground, it WAS un-
defstood,r that the State ought to be its, own.
insurer. AS then the Legislature had as
sunied, III some Sort, the responsibility ofan
insurer, it was hoped that this would be an
additional inducement for repairing the loss
es occasioned by an accidental fire. Conf
dently anticipating the friendly interposition
Of the State, the Board appointed acommittee
to make iacontract upon the faith Of an appro-
priation from the present Legislature. But the
Committee found it impossible to execute
their trust. No mechanic would undertake
the work. With the deliberate opinion of
such body as the Board of Trustees before
me, Ididnot scrupie, to regard this rs an
emergency in which the public interest de-.
manded whatever appropriation could be
made from the contingent fund, without
prejudice to the customary drafts upon it,
The assistance which was able to render.
enabled the Committee to make contract
upon very favorable terms, anil the work
has been completed within shorter period.
than was thought possible. The College
appears in renovated beauty, and the tide of
its prosperity has had no ebb. ,.-..,
The entire cost of the new building is
$22. 10000. OF this sun, have advanced
out of the contingent fund $4,000. An
appropriation of 1902 will be necessary to
fulfil the obligation Of the Board with the
contractor Mr.. Cownover. have paid for
ordinary drafts on the contingent fund, ST.
02054. There are certain rewards offered
for the apprehension Of fugitiyes from JUS
tice, by myself and predecessors, which may
hereafter constitute a claim on this fund.
The Military Academies are most success
fully conducted and continue steadily 10
grow in public estimation. Though but of
few years standing, their fruits are already
felt in every district Of the State, and under
your fostering care, the harvest in time will
be rich and abundant. They viii be found
to be stronger safeguards than forts and for.
titicatious. The INDECENT young man who
finds himself thus generously trained by his
State for tie duties of life, can never forget
that he has State to live for--he will al.
ways feel that she has claim upon him,
in the hour of her trial, will regard no sacri.
flee too dear in defence of her Institutions
Wise policy dictates that their capacity for
good should be enlarged 10 the extent of
our means, Too much praise cannot be
awarded to Gen. James Jones' Chairman of
the Board OF Visitors, for the unselfish devo-
tion with which he watches over and guards
their interests. He has Just reason to be
prouds of the success which has crowned his
efforts, and the State may congratulate her
selfthat the experiment was intrustcd to the
guidance of one so ohighly qualified for the
task. sSs"
With but a few exceptions, have review.
ed the regiments Of the first and fifth militia
ry divisions of the State, and the regiments
of Charleston and Laurens Districts. was
gratified with the military spirit evin-
eed, and the knowledge Of tactics which has
been generally acquired. The Adiutent and
Inspector General found always at his
post. and It affords me much pleasure to tcs.
tify to his zeal and efficiency in the discharge
Of his duty. 1t is not necessary that |
should urge upon you the importance of
keeping up our present militia system. Our
peculiar condition, and the dangers to which
We are exposed both from within and with
out should preclude the thought of aban-
doning it. Ii is not desirable, nor is ii prac
ticable, to make regular soldiers Of our citi.
zens, but it j. important TO teach them at
least the rudiments of that science upon
which every people must rely for security
and defence. The muster field, like the
school house, has its lessons. 1t inculcates
the duty ST obedience, the virtue OF. courage,
and the sentiment Of pa,siot;sm-and with
out these elements, the standard Of character
can never be high. s
The Free School system will receive nj
yoang hands that, consideration which its
importance demands. lis results have fals
len so far short Of its object, that il
may be pronounced failure It's defects have
beenlong felt, and yet nothing has been done
except to double the sum Of money to be vast
edunder Q bad system. 1t requires thorough
and entire reformation. Il is unfortunate
that the end which was evidently contem-
plated by the act Of 1911 has been aban-
doned, sud that what was intended to intro
duce graduslly general system Of common
schools has been perverted. to the exclusive
education ofpaupers, In my judgement we
should return 70 the policy Of 1871, and
seek to inaagura,e q system which, in its nj
innate developmeat, should bring the means
Of education within the reachs every fami-
y in the State. A perfect scheme. cannot
be matured ct once. It IS easy to devise =
Il I-4 tE-1 - o q. v. -. ~. .