The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-07-11
the Blue Ridge. The State now owns
stock in this road to the amount Of 81, 310,- :

MIR. j. w. Ha. SOD, President of the conn
pany, states, in o recent report. that he
has made OF the condition and prospects
Of the Blue Ridge Rsilroad Company, that
''all that is expected of the State is that
she shall guarantee the bonds Of the COM
pany for, say, $4,000, 900. to be issued in
such sums, and at such times, as the pro-
gross OF the work may require. And that
the State shall provide for the payment Of
the interest on the bonds while the road is
being built. For example, the company
could perhaps expend 81. .OOO, 900 year for
three years, in which time the road can
be completed. The State would provide
for interest on sl,O00,00O:
first year. $50, 600
Second year. LAO, 900
s42O, 900
So that by an expenditure of s42O, 900, to
be raised by taxation in three years, this
great enterprise would be secured. The
State would have ample security for her
guaranty. A first mortgage on the road
thus eligibly located. costing $500, 600,
with debt of only 5000, ,OOO."
In view OF the great commercial impor-
tance of tho Blue Ridge Railroad to all
sections of the State, and of the large
amount OF its stock that the State already
holds, L recommend that your honorable
bodies will take into your earnest consi-
NoA a'ioh thC cADculSrCH VI tuG
company such timely aid as will secure it's
speedy completion.
The Blue Ridge Railroad, when CON-
plcted, will give us direct connection,
upon the shortest line, with the great
West, with all its inexhaustiblc supplies
OF pork, beef, corn and wheat, and will
thus cheaper many of the nccessaries of
life to our people, and, at tho same time,
furnish valuable outlet for our own pro-
ducts. Tho city of Charleston is the near
est OF all tho Atlantic ports to the great
States of the West, and by the construc-
tion of this road the wealth of that impe-
rial region will be poured into her lap.
She may then cast off her Widows
weeds. and become again the "Quecn City
of the South"
STATE HOUSE.
l invite your attention to tho condition
OF the State House, and as the State is at
present too poor to complete it in accord
ance with its original design, 1 recon-
mend that 1T shall be repaired and fitted
up so far AZ 70 make it tenantable for the
General Assembly and the Executive De-
partment of the State. The work should
be executed in such substantial and
proper manner that it may be made avail
able on the final completion of the build
ing. For this purpose, recommend that
the General Assembly will authorize the
Executive to advertise for proposals, with
plans and specifications from architects
and builders, to be transmitted by him to
the General Assembly for it's action during
the present session.
PENITENTIARY AND JAILS.
invite your attention to the condition
OF the Penitentiary building, and recon-
mend the completion of the same as soon
as the finances OF the State will warrant
the requisite outlay. Under proper regu-
latlons and judicious management. this
institution may not only be rendered self
supporting, but may become source Of
revenue to the State.
L would also recommend that you will
provide by law for thorough and regular
inspection of prisons throughout the
State. am satisfied that great sanitary
reform is needed, as their present condi-
tion makes them the means of physical
punishment to offenders, who are confined
within their wallis for even brief period.
The true design of imprisonment should
be rather to reform than to punish.
ASYLUMS AND AIMS HOUSES.
The calamities of war have added large
ly to the number of those who must de-
pend upon the public for the support and
assistance that that unfortunate condition
demands. l therefore recommend that
asylums and aims houses ofthe State, and
that they may be founded and admins
tered oL Il broad and liberal basis, worthy
of n Christian people.
THE FREEDMEN's BUREAU.
The assistance rendered by the Bureau
OF Refugees and Freedmen to the people
of this State, has been most timely and
valuable. While it has cared for large
numbers OF destitute poor, who, from
physical infirmity or otherwise, were
unable to labor, it has, at the samo time,
made judicious advances of provisions to
our planters, secured by liens upon their
crops, without which advances thousands
OF laborers, now usefully employed. would
be necessarily idle, and thousands OF acres
OF land, now bearing abundant crops,
would be lying untitled. 1t has not only
been tho chief organizer of labor in tho
State, during the past two years and a
half, by supervising the execution of equi-
table contracts between employer and the
employed, enforcing tho rights of both,
but it has inaugurated and sustained
been open to all, without distinction OF
race or color. AS, however. the civil
functions of the State are being rapidly
resumed, l have informed Maj jor- General
.. o. Howard, Commissioner Of the
Bureau, that it may be dispensed with as
an institution in this State, Immediately
after the civil officers shall have been
elected in the State, and shall enter upon
the duties OF their respective offices. The
several Justices Of the peace can discharge
the duties that arc now performed by
agents OF the Bureau. l have, however
requested that our people may continue to
receive the benefit of the school fund of
tho Bureau, as long as the same is dis
burscl III the several Southern States, for
the benefit of tho poor.
TIE LATE ASSASSISATIONS IN KERSuAW
COUNTY.
have learned with profound sorrow,