Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-12-06

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fitted up under the direction of the chemist.
The other portions of the building will be
used for the displaying of the mineral, ag-
ricultural and other products of the State,
the exhibition of improved agricultural
machinery, and for the various purposes of
the department. The purchase of this
building has enabled the board to carry into
effect plan which has long been in view
the appointment of a chemist to the de-
partment of agriculture. The chemist was
elected in April last and entered at once
upon his duties. In addition to the chemi-
cal work which he will have to perform,
the chemist will be required to do such geo.
logical, meteorological and other scientific
work, either in the laboratory or the field,
as may be required of him by the depart
ment of agriculture.
The royalty on phosphate rock mined
during the last year amounts to $l3l ,157.4l
of this amount s125, ,793.41 has been paid
into the State treasury, leaving a balance
the commissioner and the special assistant
treat fully of the mining operations during
the last year.
The report of the superintendent of fish
cries shows the number of fish distributed
during the year in the ponds and rivers in
the State. He has succeeded in having
fshways constructed over the factory dams
in the Savannah River at Augusta and the
Salauda River near Columbia, and he re-
passage Of migratory fish to their natural
spawning grounds and enable the depart
ment to restock these depleted streams.
The department brought into the State
during the year sixty Immigrants in faml-
| lies. In consequence Of unusual expenses
incurred by the department, the commits
sioner has not had the funds with which to
press important work as vigorously as ne
had hoped to do. A complete handbook,
prepared under the direction Of the depart
ment and showing the resources and ad-
distribution. With the valuable infOrma-
ton contained in this book, capital and
immigration will be attracted more readily
ly than heretofore. The department has
published and distributed during the year
46, 900 copies of monthly reports and cir
culars treating of agricultural subjects and
matters of interest to those seeking infor-
nation about the State. The commission
er estimates that, owing to the unfavorable
seasons of the last year, the yield of cotton
as compared with that of 1882, shows a de-
crease of about 33 per cent, and the yield
of corn a decrease of about 30 per cent.
The yields Of other crops were proportion
ately decreased. The commissioner is of
opinion that the farming interests of the
State are on q sounder financial basis than
at the beginning of last year, owing chiefly
to the large crops of 1882 and the conse-
quently reduced cost of producing the crops
of 1883.
| THE MILITIA.
The adjutant and nspector-general reports
| that the number of the militia is somewhat
smaller than at the date of the last report
The militia is composed Of the State Vol
unteer Troops (white) and the National
Guard (colored).
The State Volunteer Troops consists of
seventy-two companies, with an enrolment
of 1896 men the National Guard Of nine
teen companies, with an enrolment of 95S
men-the aggregate being 1854.
The adjutant and inspector-general rec
ommends that there should be one compa-
ny of infantry at each courthouse and one
company Of cavalry in each county.
The inspections of the last year show
marked Improvement IN some of the compa-
MES, and especially in the cavalry. The
amount to which companies were entitled
from the appropriation of last year and the
unexpended balance on hand was S1.912 for
each man present in uniform at the inspec-
ton. The adjutant and iIspector-ge
reports that if more liberal aid is not grant
ed, some of the companies will be forced to
disband, as the men are unable to bear the
expense incident to the service.
In June last a Convention, composed Chief
| ly Of officers of different organizations be-
| longing to the Volunteer State Troops, met
in this city for the purpose of devising means
whereby the militia force may be made more
efficient. This Convention, as am inform
ed, will present to the General Assembly
memorial setting forth the needs of the
militia and praying for certain amendments
to tho r,oilitio la we This memorial will
embOdy the views of those who are familiar
with the entire subject, and | invite for it
your careful consideration.
The present militia force is sufficiently
large for all purposes. but its more thorough
organization and discipline and increased
efficiency are greatly to be desired.
THE RAILROAD COMMISSION.
The railroad commission was organized
January 10, 1883. In order to carry out the
provisions of the law under which they were
to act, it was necessary for the commission
ers to prepare themselves by full and care
full examination Of the many questions in
volved in the discharge of their duties
can bear testimony to the fact that the
zealously in the earnest effort to administer
the law fairly, and with due regard to the
interests of the railroads on the one hand
and of the people on the other Itshould not
be a matter of surprise, when the difficulties
of the task imposed on the commissioners
are considered, that the results of their eff
forts have not been entirely satisfactory.
How far the law will fulfil the purposes
which it was designed to accomplish, cannot
be known without further time to test it full
ly in all its details.
For reasons which are given in the report
of the commission, the schedule Of freight
and passenger rates did not go into effect
until September 18th last. Under this sched-
ule, as stated in the report, freight and pas
senger rates have been reduced. The report
shows that all complaints which have been
made to the commission in writing have
been adjusted, so far as such adjustment was
practicable.
| have endeavored to inform myself of the
practical working of the law, that 1 might
offer, for the consideration Of the General
Assembly, suggestions as to such mOditca-
tions as it might be proper to make at this
session. The short period Of time which has
elapsed since the adoption Of the schedule Of
rates, has not been sufficient to enable me to
make suggestions rs to material modifca-
ton of the law with any confidence in the
correctness of my conclusions.
l invite careful attention to the report of
the commission, which contains much valu-
able information as to the operation of the
law and of the condition Of the railroads in
the State.
THE WORLDS INDUSTRIAL AND COTTON
CENTENNIAL EXPOSITION.
In accordance with the provisions of an
Act Of Congress- approved February 10, 1885,
the President of the United States has
issued proclamation announcing that the