Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-12-07
general appearance and judicious discipline of
the convicts like improvement appears.
LUNATIC ASYLUM.

tai of 55O. Of these, $40 are supported Dy the
State as INDECENT poor and 25 by themselves or
friends The laws establishing and regulating
this institution contemplate that those receiv-
ing it's benefits who are able to pay in whole or
in part should do 50, and that the pauper alone
should receive the bounty of the State. That
supposed abuse in this particular exists has
been heretofore brought to the attention of the
General Assembly, and at its last session addi-
tional legislation was provided to correct it.
These laws are either not executed or are in
sufficient. Fewer patients pay now than be-
fore. 1t is not in the power of the trustees
and officers to supervise this matter. The
power and responsibility rests with the author
tiles in the counties who give the papers of
commitment. 1t may he that popular senti-
ment demands that unfortunates Of this class,
without regard to their means, should be sup
ported by the State. If this is so, the laws
should be changed and pay received from none.
In 1876 there were 298 patients in the Asy-
lum now the number is nearly doubled. Your
attention is called to the report of the super
intendent, in which the increased demand TOR
the coming year and the still larger prospect
i've demand in succeeding years which will be
made upon this institution is clearly set forth.
There are, by the United States usof 1880,
in South Carolina $500 persons who may, and
in most instances should, receive the benefit of
this wise and noble provision for suffering hu-
manity. With one-fourth OF that number
present in the Asylum now, about one-thlrd 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 pecuniary basis upon which patients are
to be received, and with comprehensive ana
economic measures meet the increasing de-
mands of this branch of the public expendl-
ture The details Of the superintendent's re-
port are suggestive of these, and some OF them
he forcibly urges. The appropriation asked
by the trustees for the Asylum for the coming
year is 2114194 l am happy to believe that
in scientific treatment and in all that promotes
the comfort and well-being of it's inmates this
institution will compare favorably with others
elsewhere
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
A tax of twenty-five cents per ton is collect
ed on every ton of commercial fertilizers sold
in the State and is made applicable to the main
tenance of the department of agriculture
The tax realized last year was S23,7
The department is charged with the inspec-
tion and supervision of the sale Of fertilizers !;
with the duties of fish commission with
the management of the States interest in the
phosphate mines with the development OF the
agricultural and mechanical interests of the
State, and with the promotion of immigration.
1t has been in operation 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
and important duties with which it has been
entrusted. I am persuaded that under its
present vigorous and judcious managementlts
usefulness, already manifest, will greatly re-
dound to tile benefit of the State.
The pursuits of our people are so largely ag-
rcultural that the bounteous returns of hus-
bandry, during the last year, is subject Tor
devout gratitude. The cotton crop was better
than an average. The corn crop was better
than for many years. The small grain crops
were undoubtedly the largest ever produced in
the State. Rice was fully up to the average,
and the smaller crops-sorghum, sugar-cane,
peas, potatoes, fruits, &C., were better than
usual. The commissioner 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
amount of farm supplies of which the short
crop of that year necesstated the purchase
l have heretofore expressed my sense of the
paramount Importance, socially and industrl-
ally. to the State, of the advent of thrifty
and intelligent immigration. The resources
of our fields, forests, mines and water-powers,
are comparatively untouched. A complete
and exhaustive handbook of the State, under
the direction of the board, has been prepared
and will soon be published. Its distribution
will bring to the attention of capitalists the
opportunity for investment that these resour-
ces offer, and to the immigrant seeking a home
in a genial climate, the means of betterlng his
fortunes which will surround him on every
hand, in our midst. You will permit me earn
estly to bring to your attention the subject of
immigration, and to express the hope that your
wisdom will devise measures which will pro-
mote this desirable end.
STATE AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL
SOCIETY.
This society has borne an important part in
the development of the material interests of
the State. Organized in 1866, it received an
annual appropriation Of $4,000 from the pub
lie treasury, and was handsomely endowed
from other sources During the civil war it's
buildings were destroyed and it's endowment
dissipated. Four years after, its revival and
reorganization was the first indication, on the
paat of capital and intelligence, of reviving
hope in the future that awaited our industries.
For the last three years it has annually receiv-
ed an appropriation of $2, 800 from the State.
This society holdSa summer meeting for the
discussion of agricultural and kindred subjects,
at which is elected much valuable informa-
tion. Heretofore, it's transactions have not
been published in permanent form q; but its in
creased resources will now permit, and it is
intended in the ensuing year to collect them
in compendious form. Its annual fairs are
held at Columbia, in November. at the last
10000 persons attended, the premium list
amounted to $1,000, and there were over z, 600
entries for the premiums offered. The exhibit
tion in every department was highly creditable
Order and good feeling pervaded the throng,
and during the entire week it was necessary to
arrest but one person for disorderly conduct.
a continuance Of the appropriation for this
society is asked.
EDUCATION.
The educational system of the State as now
established by law and in successful operation
finds it's development in the Public schools,
the University and in the Institution for the
Education of the Deaf, Dumb and Blind.
The University consists of Clafllh College,
the Military Academy and the South Carolina
College, This distribution of the aid given
by the State to education is comprehensive
and judicious. The full development of these
plshed all that can be done by public instrnc-
tion in qualifying the rising generation for
the high duties of citizenship, and l earn
estly commend each of them to a continuance
Of your fostering care.
TIE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The report of the State superintendent of
education shows a gratifying improvement
in the public school system. During the last
wear there were in attendance upon the public
schools e., ,399 white and S0,575 colored pupils,
making total Of 145, 974. This is the largest
number of pupils ever enrolled in the public
schools of this State in any one year. The
average length of the school session was four
months-a Slight increase over the sessions