The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1879-12-04

Touching the militia, the Governors
recommendation is found in the follow
ing;,
The militia has been surrounded and
embarrassed with many difficulties, not
the least of which is the scanty support
given it by the Legislature. Notwith.
standing this, a splendid nuclus has
been organized, which if encouraged,
could be easily extended to meet all the
necessities of the State in this depart
ment; but if it fails in the future, as it
has in the past, to meet that cordial en-
couragement from the General Assembly
which the system demands, it is idle to
expect the establishment and continuance
of well-organized militia, such as would
do credit to the State and be prepared for
any emergency that might arise. The
spirit, patriotism and State pride of the
young men of the State stand ready to
respond to any demand upon them to
build up this system and make it an hon
or to South Carolina. But they cannot
do this of their own expense. They need
arms and suitable equipments; let these
be furnished and they will do the rest.
Tho report of the Adjutant and Inspector
General, however, will present the wants
and necessities of the system, and COM
mend this report and its recommeuda-
tions to your careful consideration and
favorable action.
AS to the public roads, the Governor
says, amongst other things, and recon-
mends as follows:
We have railroads now running to
most of the county sites in the State, and,
as consequence, the county villages
have become market towns to the inhab-
itants of the counties in which they are
located, where their produce is sold, and
from which they are mostly supplied
with their commercial supplies. What
an impetus would be given to agriculture,
to progress and improvement in every
way, if to these different county-sites,
from the extremities of the respective
counties, were running we'll. graded, level
and firm highways? Every branch of
industry would thereby be materially
benefited, the expenses of carrying to
market every article reduced, and the
necessaries of life greatly cheapened to
the consumer.
The difference as to ease and rapidity
of transportation resulting from i'm
proved highways-improved by proper
skill and labor bestowed in laying them
out, leveling and keeping them in con-
slant repair-is much greater than is
usually imagined. =
In a road rising hundred feet in
the distance of two thousand, its ascend
ing slope would be one in twenty. One
twentieth of the whole load drawn over
it must be actually lifted up the entire
height of one hundred feet; but upon
such q slope horse could draw only one
half as much as he can upon level road,
and two horses, therefore, will be needed
onssuch road to do the work of one if
the road was level. If this be the fact
in the matter of leveling and properly
grading simply-the cost of carriage
could be greatly reduced; and when is
added to this the constant repairs of the
surface-which could be kept up by
not be confined to those who trade at the
market towns themselves, enabling them
to grow and expand indefinitely, multi
plying their population and increasing
their wealth. Our present system, if ad-
hered to for all time, could never pro-
duce these results. 1t is deficient in two
essential particulars-skilled superinten-
dence and control, and constant and
efficient labor. These cannot be sup
piled by the present system. Each coun-
ty should have practical engineer or
road commissioner in sole charge of the
county highways; his whole time should
be devoted to the business. The neces-
sary labor should be furnished him by
county and other convicts, commutation
tax, and such other labor as might not be
able or willing to pay the tax. And this
officer should be held strictly responsible
for the condition of the roads. In sys-
tenn of this sort, after short experiment,
[ am fully persuaded the people would
most cordially cooperate; and besides
furnishing employment for many deserv-
ing young men, and inducing scientific
education in direction much needed for
the full development of our resources, q
patriotic rivalry would spring up in the
different counties and with the different
offcers.in charge, which would soon work
most wonderful change in the face of
the country-leading to the wealth and
prosperity of the whole State. I most
earnestly recommend this matter to your
consideration as one matter most needing
attention in our present condition.
We consider this recommendation wise
and timely, and as one which touches
Immediately the material welfare of all
the people Of the State, and especially OF
the poorer classes, who trade alone with
the market towns, and hence touches
narrowly the prosperity and progress OF
our interior towns and villages. 1t is a
subject we'll worth the expense Of a ses-
sion of the Legislature, and whenever it
is needed and acted on, everybody will
be surprised it shonld have been so long
neglected, and at what cost it had been
neglected. We do not want hurried
Legislation on this subject, but careful,
thoughtful action and the very largest
and freest discussion.
RAILROAD COMMISSIONERS SALARY.
The Governor recommends the payment
thereof from the treasury of the State,
and to be paid monthly as other salaries
are.
The Governor also suggests that
the proper steps be taken for the amend
ment of the Constitution touching the
homestead law so as to secure a more
equal distribution of its benefits to all
classes of citizens.
The Governors observations touching
the penitentiary are highly pertinent,
and will, doubtless, secure the attention
of the General Assembly to so important
q, subject. His Excellency repeats his
recommendation that penal labor, or a
portion of it, should be used outside Of
the walls of the penitentiary in works ol
a quasi-public nature. We sincerely
hope this recommendation will be ear.
nostlv heeded nv the T,epislature We