The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-01-22

p1acSu W tno Creult OI Luo Souordl dC1
count in the treasury, making in all
$95, 5,69119. There is now due and un-
paid by the phosphate companies the
sum of $14, ,019. .55 royalty upon rock
actually mined and sold. This added
to the above amount gives $109, ,71O,H,
the amount that should have been re-
ceEed from Jan. LIST, 1895, to Jan. LIST.
1896, representing an output of 219, 420
tons. The phosphate royalty received
for the fiscal year ending Oct. 31st,
1892, was 152,2s6.4O. This upon a
royalty of 81 per ton. Upon the same
royalty we would have received for
the past fiscal year $219, ,421.4S.
Unless the situation has greatly
changed since my inspection Of the
phosphate interests last spring am
satisfied it would be unwise in your
honorable body to accept the recon-
mendation of the phosphate inspector
to reduce the royalty to 25 cents per
ton. I have heard of no complaint
from the phosphate companies on ac-
count of the royalty, and I am satisfied
it is low enough for the present at
least. ..., ..... ...
STATE PENITENTIARY. -...
The report of the superintendent and
board of directors of this institution
shows it to be in a healthy, successful
and sound financial condition. The
number of prisoners confined during
the past fiscal year is seyenty-two less
than for the previous year. This is due
to the sentencing of short term con-
yicts to the county chain gang. 1t is
to be hoped that the number so sem
fenced will increase to such an extent
as to all conyicts sentenced to the pen
itentiary to be employed within the
wall or upon the farms operated by
the State. The practice of leasing con-
victs to private parties is objectiona-
BILE to the people of the State and liza
BILE to be abused. In one case in the
county of Oconee, I was compelled to
order out the militia for the purpose
of protecting convict who had been
assigned to private contractor, with,
in that county. The people became
indignant at the liberties allowed a
convict, who deserved the severest pun
ishment. I desire to say however that
this was caused by a guard acting
without authority and not from any
order of the superintendent. When
called to the attention of the authori-
ties of the penitentiary the convict was
promptly conveyed to and confined
within the walls of the prison. I re-
gret to see want of harmony among
the board of directors as will appear to
you from the minority report submit
ted by Mr.. Willoughby. The matters
submitted in such report were called
to my attention and I met with the
board in order to see thai every means
and such information as the books af-
forded were given the board for their
direction. Mr.. Willoughby was ap-
pointed a committee of one to enquire
into the contracts made by the super
intendent and to correspond with
dealers throughout the United States
with a view Of obtaining supplies for
the institution at as low price as pos.
sible. I have not received his report
on account of my inability to attend
the last meeting of the board, but I
am satisfied it will be upon the minutes
duly recorded. I would respectfully
recommend however that your honor
able body appoint a committee to in
vestigate the affairs of this institution
in Difference to the request of Mr..
Willoughby and make their report at
this session.
By reference to the report of the SUI
perintendent it will be seen that the
institution commences the new year
with SIS, 5,695 81 in cash and supplies.
DEAF AND BLIND ASYLUM.
The institution continues to be ad-
.mirably conducted and with less COM
plant than any institution under our
government. The remarkable record
as to the health of the students made
by the institution may be well consid-
cred by the management of other insti-
tutions in the State, the cost per cap
ita for medical attention, ETC., being
only 33 cents per capita. Not single
case of serious illness having occurred
during the entire year. This is attri-
butab1e in large measure to the kind
attention and motherly care given by
the matron of the institution.
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.
The South Carolina college is enjoy
ing an era of prosperity in excess of
any heretofore in its history. During
the past year there was an enrolment
of 180 students, for the previous year
there was an enrolment of 100, and
for the year before that an enrolment
of only 6S. Thus it will be seen that
in period of three years the institu-
ton has almost trebled its enrolment.
This is due, in large measure. to the
rivalry of other State institutions and
to the exertions of the alumni who
seem to have awakened at last to the
facts that the institution must live on
patronage and not sentiment. The
college has also been fortunate in Sc
curing faculty that will compare in
ability and intelligence to similar in
stitutions in any State. I must CON-
mend the spirit and patriotism that
has actuated the various members of
the faculty to place themselves and the
institution in closer touch with the
people.
The dormitories of the college are
taxed to only one half of their capaci-
ty. Your honorable body has seen fit
to open the college to women and dur
ing the collegiate year thirteen young
ladies availed themselves of this priv
ilege, and I am informed by members
of the faculty that in their examina-
ton they have stood in the front rank
of their classes. I am satisfied if one
of tho ool)eoe dornoitories mera GOT