The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1888-12-05
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE,
AN EXHAUSTIVE REVIEW OF PUBLIC
MATTERS IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

AN EXHAUSTIVE REVIEW OF PUBLIC
MATTERS IN SOUTH CAROLINA.
Suggestions OF the Chief Executive to tn
General Asselnbly--The Various Interest
of the State Which the Lawmakers Mus
Study and Foster.
The. annual message Of Governor
John Peter Richardson was presented
to each branch of the General Assembly
on the 9th ult. It is document Of q
octave psges, replete with suggestions
touching the different interests of the
State. We give synopsis Of its state
ments and recommendations.
TIE STATE DEBT.
The Deficiency Bonds and Stock
maturing in July last stamountingto $780,.
2.26, were funded in new Il per cent.
bonds these latter being taken By in
vestors in South Carolina. The remain
ing portion of the State debt, which has
been funded under the Consolidation
Acts of 1S73-7S-79, consists of Consol
Stock 81, ,161, ,l4O.26, Consol Bonds S3,-
.S4l, 900, and the Agricultural College
Scrip, perpetual fund of Sl91, 800.
These amounts added to the Blue Il per
cent. Stocks Of S1S3, ZOO, and Blue Il
Bonds of $217. 600, together with the
$5,1S7.73 Deficiency Bonds snd Stocks
yet TO be redeemed, make the total fund
ed debt $500, ,l27.99. The Consol
Bonds and Stocks, amounting to Sc, 0O2,-
Hops, are payable or redeemable IN
1898.
The Governor recommends that the
Legislature take immediate steps to fund
that portion of the debt which natures
in 1893. He further suggests that some
measure be taken to induce the funding
OF that portion Of the State debt still
misunderstanding to $3.50, 1922.
FORFEITED LANDS.
On the subject OF forfeited lands,
and the enforcement Of the collection Of
ta1es, the Governor says: This serious
and difficult problem seems to have been
efectually solved by the passage at the
last Legislature of 'sAn Act IN Relation
to Forfeited Lands, Delinquent, Lands,
and Collection of Taxes" AS Chairman
of the Sinking Fund Commissions
Board largely charged with the super
vision of its execution-my careful
observation of its practical operation
during the last year has led me to the
conclusion that this law is practical and
effective as it relates to the collection of
the levy of 1887 and future levies, and
also as it relates to the collection Of back
taxes due the State prior to the levy Of
1887, estimated st present to be $751;
$40, which is really debt due by the
delinquent to the taxpayer who has
promptly paid his taxes.
It would be eminently wise, therefore,
70 allow this law to remain upon the
statute books Just as it now stancs,
without emasculstion by amendment,
with the single exception that it should
be so altered as to require the County
Sheriff to sell on some regular salesdsy
under the direction Of the Comptroller
: General.
TEE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The enrolment Of the public schools
for l8S7-'SS shows an increase Of 1871
pupils. There is also gain of 14,O36
In the average attendance, and e proper
tionate gain in teachers and buildings.
There is evidence of increased interest
in the common schools, in the improve
ment of school buildings, larger and
and more regular attendance, the hold
ing OF teachers institutes, and the greater
readiness of communities to tax them
selves to extend the school-term. The
Winthrop Training School, in Columbia,
Is commended to the examination and the
favorable consideration OF the General
Assembly. Touching the education of
women, the Governor says:
In this day of individual enterprise,
when women are entering the many new
fields of modern progress, I hope you
will consider what may be done to have
phonography, tslegraphy, photography,
and kindred sciences taught in these IN
.stitutions. There is no reason why
our females, called to earn their
!. bread by their own labor, should be
confined to the scooi room. Their re-
markable aptitude for teaching is simply
an indication of what they can do, and
have done, and will do in othtr depart
ments suited to Their sex.
His Excellency futher urges an earn
est effort on the part of teachers and
school officers to increase the peoples
interest IL the common schools and to
improve these institutions as one means
to ssreach and elevate the masses" and
be expresses the hope that the Day Is not
distant when the light of knowledge, ted
and guided py Christian principles, will
find It's way into every home IL our
borders.
THE STATE UNIVERSITY.
Alter setting out the expansion Of the
State University, Effected by the Act
passed, at the last session, Governor
Richardson says:
ssThere are now 221 students in at
tendance, with strong probability, from
letters recsived by the authorities, tina.
the number will exceed 240 before the
end of the current academic year. Oi
the 100 students entering for the first
time this year, the large ms!ority are
pursuing scientific courses Of study.
The material is excellent, and spirit OF
LOYAL enthusiasm pervades the whole in.
stitution. The Board of Trustees Will
ask for the continuance of last years
appropriations, and l recommend thai
the same be allowed them.
ssIn commanding to your fostering
care the University, our chief seat o!
learning, and bespeaking for it you,
liberal support, do so in the firm con
yiction that there is 20 other agency a