The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1878-07-25

not only the result of his labors during
the past year, but makes suggestions
worthy of your grave consideration.
Owing to circumstances with which you
are familiar, the facilities for the educa-
ton of our people have not boen, as yet,
what we desired and expected them to
be. We must not forget that among the
pledges of reform made by us there is
none to which We are more solemnly
committed than that of placing within
the reach of all classes the means OF edu-
cation. I earnestly invoke your fayora-
BILE action on this subject, and trust
that you will be able to mature some
system which, while beneftting the
scholars, will secure prompt payment to
the teachers. Many of these latter, after
discharging their duties faithfully, now
hold claims against the State, which
should at once be paid. I recommend
the ratification of the constitutional
amendment regarding the tax to support
free schools, adopted by the voters at the
last election. From the funds which
will thus be provided, together with
those arising from the poll tax, our
schools can be put on footing of use
fulness.
The late professors of the Univerity were
not paid in full when that institution
was closed, and suggest that provision
be made to pay the claims held by them.
My attention has been called to the fact
that there are also portions of the sala-
ries of Professors Reynolds, Rivers and
the late DR.. LaBorde, of the old faculty,
still unpaid, and it appears to me emi-
nently proper that whatever amounts
may be due to these gentlemen, or their
representatives, should be paid. These
claims can be examined by committee
appointed by the Legislature, and re-
port embracing the facts Gun bo submit
ted to that body for its final action. The
daughters of Professor LaBorde request
me to transmit to the General Assembly
o memorial on this subject, and I take
great pleasure in doing SO, commencing
it to your favorable consideration.
The action of the General Assembly at
the last session contemplated the re-
opening of the university as school for
the white youth of the State, and the
establishment Of a similar institution for
the Hack. This plan strikes me rs wise
and well-considered, and / recommend
that such measures bo taken at the pres
ent session as may be necessary for its
successful Inauguration. 1t will, of
course, be impossible to put these uni
versities or colleges in complete working
order at once, but such legislation to
that end can now be had as will lay
secure foundation for them. They can
be built up until they are able
to effer to the youth Of the State every
educational advantage to be found else
where. In no mode can the funds con-
tributed by the people of the State be
more judiciously, more wisely or more
expended than by giving to
their children cheap and ample means of
knowledge.
Ignorance is the faithful parent of
crime, and if we hope to suppress the
latter we must first eradicate tho former.
The reports of the officers of the penal
and charitable institutions will give you
all necessary information as to the con-
dition and wants of these institutions
Though they have been managed well
during the past year, under the circunl-
stances surrounding them, and at ma
terial reduction in expense, many
changes are necessary to bring them up
to the proper standard. Improvements
in them are called for and are justified
even in an economical point of view, for
if these institutions are put upon
footing they can be made self
supporting to great extent, if not in
full. This is more particularly the case
with the penitentiary, and it is very de-
sirable that the convict labor should be
instead of being, as it now is, O
burthen on the honest people of the
State. The superintendent hos recently
visited many of the penal Institutions in
the country, and he has thus acquired
much valuable information, which has
been laid before the directors. sug-
eest that there should be five instead of
three directors of the penitentiary, to be
elected by the Legislature. In my
opinion, the same mode should be
adopted as to the Regents of the Lunatic
and I respectfully recommend
the change proposed in the manner of
filing these responsible positions, US
think that whenever officers of State in
stitutions are to be chosen the selection
of them should be in the hands of the
General Assembly and not of the Execd-
tive.
The reports of the various officers of
the State government will give full in
rs to all matters pertaining to
the different departments, and these re-
ports will receive, US they merit, your
careful consideration I am sure. The
exhibit made is eminently satisfactory,
as it shows that substantial progress has
been made in the march of retrenchment
and reform.
The taxes levied OF your last session
have been very generally paid, though
payment fell due at q time not only un-
usual, but unpropitious. In view of
this fact, and the additional one that in