Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-01-23
State Affaits.
GOVERNOR MOSES MESSAGE.

Inc annual message VI OOsefuoI moseS
to the General Assembly of South Carolina,
was transmitted to that body on the 18th in
stant. 1t is a lengthy paper, exhaustively
treating the various subjects embraced, which
are discussed in an earnest, candid and
straightforward manner. Frankness compels
us to admit that the message evinces ability
and discernment on the part Of its author !;
and we are gratifed that it is conceived in
kindly spirit toward all parties and all classes
of citizens, being free from the rancorous or
partisan spirit which may have been engen-
dered by the exciting and bitter canvass so
recently terminated, and protesting an ear
nest desire for the growth, advancement and
perpetual prosperity of the State.
Considerable space is devoted to the rela-
tions of the State to the Federal Government,
which are stated to be of the most cordial
character, and the people are congratulated
upon the fact that quiet and good order pre-
vail throughout all sections of the State.
In transmitting the annual report of the
State Superintendent of Education, the exhib-
it is made that the scholastic population for
the year 1871 exceeds that of 1869, by 12,197,
there being total in the former year Of 1877
179, and in the latter year total of 2O9, ,376.
Of this population, embracing both sexes be-
tween the ages of six and sixteen years, in
1869, S5,196 were whites, and 114,983 we're
blacks; in 1871 the whites numbered 84,204,
and the blacks 1912. The scholastic pop
ulation for the year 1871 amounts to nearly
thirty per cent. of the total population Of the
State. AS comparison of the attendance at
school, it is shown that the attendance OF 1877
exceeds that of 1871 by 1926 pupils, show
ing that not more than thirty-six per cent. of
the scholastic population of the State are in
attendance on the public schools, which leaves
sixty-four per cent. of the children of scholas-
tic age, who are being taught in private insti-
tutions, or are being left entirely destitute of
mental instruction. AS the latter is most
probably the case, the fact is deplored by the
Governor, and as preventive of the evil con-
sequences attending state of ignorance,
system of compulsory legislation is recon-
mended.
TheState Orphan Asylum has 140 inmates,
of whom "a are boys, and SO girls. The un-
naid liabilities of the institution amount to
S62,O15.65, and the balance of the appropria-
ton for the past fiscal year, remaining un-
paid, is S75,04354, of which sum $40, ,21411
have been anticipated by the sale Of the
Comptroller-General's warrants drawn upon
the appropriation, leaving the actual balance
of the appropriation S54,829.42.
The State Penitentiary has cost more for
its maintenance during the present year than
at any former period, from the fact that the
appropriations for its support were, and still
are unpaid, and nearly all the necessary sup
plies were compelled to be obtained on credit
at greatly enhanced rates. The resources of
the institution for the past fiscal year were
from appropriations, $4,000; and from the
hire of convict labor, sales, &C., $4,74769,
making total of sS4,717.69, while the ex-
penditures for the same period we're S74 ,699. 49,
This leaves an actual deficiency of 81, 7,436.86,
for which special appropriation is recon-
mended. It is estimated that in its erection
the penitentiary cost $1,000 per cell. At the
instance of the Board Of Directors, the Gov
ernor recommends that sum of money be
appropriated for the purchase Of a tract of
land Of easy access to the penitentiary, to be
used as farm for the prison. The number
of convicts in the penitentiary on the 1st day
of October, 1871, was 300; the number now
in confinement is 21S, showing a reduction of
81 during the year, many of whom were par
doned when near the close of their terms
In noticing the report of the Health Off,
Ger of the port of Charleston, and the sugges-
tions of that officer, the Governor earnestly
recommends that the General Assembly will,
without delay, provide a law for compulso-
ry system of vaccination, in order to avert
from our people the ravages of small pox,
which loathsome disease is raging in various
sections of the country.
The total royalty received by the State from
the Phnsnhata Comnanies. for the past three