The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-12-04
GUS religious denomination all evidence the

1eellng ana spirit or our people upon tnls sup
ject, and their solemn con victiOn that the well
fare, advancement and true interest OF both
races are best subserved and prom oted by pre-
serving intact and unchanged, as far M prac-
ticaole, the peculiar eharacteristlcs cha and dis'
wherever and whenever II has been possible
10 practice 1t. has invariably been productive
of peace and harmony instead OF nntagontsm,
because In perfect accord with the Innate SEN
timent and sympathlcs of both races; and
surely, IT. cannot fail In this case 10 be one ol
the most effective remedial means In the
treatment Of this unfortunate class or pa.
tlcnls by the removal OF one OF the principal
sources of Irritation and discomfort. This Is
no new subject for legislative consideration
for three years ago, when the necessity, for
increased accommodations In the Asylum,
owing to the croweed condition OF all It's de-
partments was brought to the attention OF
the General Assembly, joint committee oil
both houses was appointed to confer during
the recess with the regents as to 1.-THE besi
policy for the future provision for the colored
insane"
While majority of the regents were oppos.
cd to separate organization, yet this COM
mittee, after conference with them and care
inl investigation OF the mcthoIs of other
States. declared In their report that the ch1ei
and only advantagesof one large central lnsti.
tuition Is economy of administration; out
that the advocates of an entirely separate
Asylum urged in reply that the expense, IN
sIead OF being increased, would In reality be
dim inished, on account or the cheapness ol
land Of desirable quality and location tn ne
obtained in other portions OF the State, whlcn
could be utilized for The support OF the instl'
tuition by the profitable as well as wholesome
employment Of the labor OF The Inmates; that
the same board OF REGENTS would answer Ioi o,
both, the only additional officers necessary
helng perhaps superintendent, steward ano
treasurer, whose salaries would be more than
compensated for ny the cheapness oil manage
ment: and that the most recent experience
and the highest authorities are opposed TO the
creation Of large and overErown hSyluins, es-
pecally when confined within narrow areas,
regarding abundant space and limited num-
Der as essential to successful treatment.
This report was followed by the introduc-
tiOn by the committee OF joint resolution
"providlng for the appointment of u comnis'
sion TO inquire into and to report upon sulta-
hle localities for the establishment or al aSy-
lnm for the colored insane, and also to cali Tor
donations OF land for this purpose"
Unfortunately, this resolution, coming up
only the day preceding adjournment, was de,
featcd without debate or consideration, anu
no action whatever on this important ques'
tion was taken by the last General Assembly.
This grave question, pressing, as IL surely
does, for immediate attention, has again oeen
brought forward In the report OF the superln-
tendent of the Asylum, to which | would re.
spect fully ask your careful consideration, as
tnncisely presenting the whole snbject, ana as
containing the Views Of an able, Jealous ana
SIX illful officer, whose warmest sympathies
and best efforts are enlisted in the discharge
OF the arduous duties OF his responsible Of
flee. We have in support Of these arguments
The example Of our sister southern states oi
Virginia and North Carolina. The former
has thought 1t necessary, In providing for thls
helpless and wholly dependent class, to estao'
lish four asylums. three for whites and one
for the colored insane. and the latter tnree'
two for white and one for colored patients.
Whatever may be your conclusion In this
matter, whether it be for the maintenance OF
one huge institution, includ Ing under one or
ganiZation every class OF these unfortunate
Ia, 81, toko ett ko1 1rrith In no
limits almost OF your rapidly growing and eH-
tending capital, or whether IL be for the estab-
lishment of m entirely separate and distinct
institution for the coiored insane. am conn,
for the interest OF the State, as well az by the
lnftiest impulses Of philanthropy and true
charity.
I would also call your attention to the sug-
yestIon Of the superintendent for the estab-
lshment of a training school for feeble.mihd-
ed children now In the Asylum, and to his
statement OF the markable success that has
bren achieved in the education of the defect
I've classes. The expense involved Is incon-
siderable, and would he fully justified by the
Importance and humanity Of the object
sought to be accomplished.
The institution has been most economical
ly conducted at a daily average per capita
cost OF 371% cents, comparing favorahly In this
respect with similar institutions throughout
the country.
Esiimates for the present year are also sub
increased over thote OF last year, are rendered
necessary by the enlarged population. I re-
commend that the appropriations required TO
meet them be made.
RAILROAD COMMISSION.
In consequence of the amendments to the
general railroad law made at the last session
OF the General Assembly, the rallr0nd COM
mission have had their time very fully occu-
pied during the past year in carrying out the
riotN nf Ia Cnr
Freight tariffs have been generally revised
throughout the State, and are now on an ap.
parently satisfactory basis, both as regards
the public and the raiirpads.
The railroad Interests In the State show a
large and health incre3 Use in nullding Of new
lines. rs well rs In an enlarged volume OF bus
urSs.
Your particular attention is called to the re.
ported improved physical condition OF most
OF the roads In the State-a feature In their
management very carefully looked after by
the commission.
The special legislation of last session in re-
gard To the connection OF tracks Mt Spartan
burg by the Port Royal and Western Carolina
and Richmond and Danvllle railroads has
had the effect desired, although h the connec-
tion was not made within the time prescribed.
This matter has been argued befors the
Supreme Court. but no decision has yet been
rendered.
During The past spring conference Of all
he railroad commissions in the United
states was held In Washington, d. c., under
he auspices OF the Interstate commission.
aud it is proposed to hold such conferences
hereafter annually.
These meetings must naturally he product
i've OF no inconsiderable benefits to both the
public and the railroad corporations; and as
some additional expense, not contemplated
by the original Act, must be incurred by the
com mmiSSion In their attCIdance on the same,
would suggest the prOprlety Of increasing
the continS gent fund of the the com ission to
such an extent as will enable them to be pres
eut at these conferences whenever they may
Uc held.
Some changes and amendments to the ex-
listing law, suggestions doubtless OF the WASH
iugton Conference, are recommended by the
commission, which should, think, receive
as careful and early consideration as Is con-
sistent with the transaction Of other impor-
tant business Of the session. The harmonic
ing, a. far as practicable, the various statutes
OF the different States OF the Union upon this
grave and difficult subject Of railroad super.
vision will accomplish much towards its
speedy and satisfactory solution. TO which is
now so earnestly directed tho thoughts and
best efforts OF both our public and business
men.
1t is matter OF general information that
In response to an urgent public demand sew
eral OF the railroads entering Columbia pro-
vided separate but equal accom- modations for
passengers OF the two races during the recent