The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1882-12-08

by convict labor upon improvements and
extension of the PcntcDtiarv itself. A
number of hands have been worked on the
| Columbia canal. and IN examination of the
Superintendent Report exhibits the fol-
loving transactions A balaucc in hand
at the beginning ofthe fiscal year of 81 l ,199
earnings for the year, S94 ,236; expenses
proper of the Peuitentiary, 50,9S9 per
diem and mileage of Board of Directors
Sl,2G1 ; paid on canal sS,096; paid iuto
State Treasury, $40, 900; and remaining
in hands of Superintendent Sl4, ,9O1. This
last amount is in cash and bankable notes
given for convict labor. its disposition await
your direction.
This exhibit contrasts favorably with the
management of the Penitentiary in the pc.
riod from 1868 to 1876 Then, besides the
earnings OF the convicts, it required an an
ual average appropriation of S62, 500 from
the State Treasury to support the institu-
tion. In the health, general appearance
and judicious discipline of the convicts, a
like Improvement appears.
LUNATIC ASYLUM.
During the year there have been under
treatment in the Asylum 755 PATIENTS
There are now present $50 white aud 222
colorcd, making q total Of $50. OF these,
525 arc supported by thu State as INDECENT
poor and 20 by themselves or friends The
laws establishing and regulating this inst-
tuition contemplate that those receiving its
benefits who are able to pay in whole or in
part should do so, and that the pau
per alone should receive the bounty of the
State. That supposed abuse in this partic
ular exists has been heretofore brought to
the attention Of the General Assembly, and
at its last session additional legislation was
provided to correct it. These laws arc either
not executed or are insufficient. Fewer
Patients pay now than before. 1t is not in
the power Of the Trustees and officers to
supervise this matter The power and
responsibility rests with the authorities in
the Counties who give the papers of com.
nitment. 1t may be that popular sentiment
demands that unfortunates of this class,
without regard to their means, should be
supported by the State. If this is SO, the
laws should be changed and pay received
from none. In 1876 there were 29S pa.
tients in the Asylum ; now the number is
nearly doubled. Your attention is called
to the report of the Sup ,riutcndcnt, in which
the Increased demand for the coming year
and the still larger prospective demand in
succeeding years which will be made upon
this institution is clearly set forth. There
are, by the United States census of 1880,
in South Carolina 1900 persons who may,
and III most instances should, receive the
benefit of this wise aud noble provision for
| suffering humanity, With one fourth of
that number present in the Asylum now,
about one third of the aggregate current
expenses of the State is for their support. -
1t appears to me to be the part of wisdom
to at once settle and enforce the pccuniary
basis upon which patients are to be received,
and, with comprehensive and economic
measures, meet the increasing damands of
this branch of the public expenditure. The
details of the Superntcndcnt's report are
suggestive Of these, and some of them he
torclb!y urges. The appropriation asked by
the Trustees for the Asylum for the coming
year is sll4,l94. | am happy to believe
that in scientific treatment and in all that
promotes the comfort and well being of its
inmates this institution will compare tavora
bly, with others elsewhere
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
"A tax Of twenty-five cents per ton is col
lcctcd on every ton Of commercial fertilizers
sold In the State and is made applicable to
the maintenance Of the Department of
agriculture. The tax realized last year
S23,704.
The Department is charged with the in
spectlon and supervision Of the sale of fertil>
izers with the duties Of Fish Commission;
with the management Of the States inter
est IN the phosphate mines with the dcvcl
opment Of the agricultural and mcchanica
interests Of the State, and with the promo
tion OF immigration. 1t has been in opera
tion for two years, and the elaborate report
OF the Commissioner to be submitted to you
will exhibit the well directed energy it has
brought to bear upon the various aud i'm
portant duties with which it is entrusted
| ain persuaded that under its present
vigorous and judicious management its use
fulncss, already manifest, will greatly re-
dound to the benefit Of the State
The pursuits of our people are SO largely
agricultural that the bountcOus returns of
husbandry during the last year is a subject
for devout gratitude. The cotton crop
was better than an average. The corn crop
was h~ttcr than for many years, The small
grain or pps were undoubtedly the largest ever
produced in the State. Rice was fully up
to the average, and the smaller crops-sor-
Shum sugar cane, peas, potatoes, fruits, &c,
were better than usual. The Commission.
or estimates that the excess of this years
production, exclusive of cotton and rice,
which are our chief market crops, over last
year is much more than the omonnt
of farm supplies of which the short crop
OF that year ncccssitatcd the purchase
l have heretofore expressed my sense Of
the paramount Importance, socially and
industr:a!ly, to the State, of the advent of
a thrifty and intelligent immigration. The
resources Of our fields, forests, mines and