The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1897-01-19

393 6I4 "A in 1895, an increase of $362
641 46 The tonnage for 1896 was d..
: l55,957, an increase Of 573.580 tons. 1,
will thus be seen that instead of bank
J rupting the roads the decrease In
passenger and fertilizer rates has
} proved a benefit.
Two years ago nearly every railroad
In the State was In the hands of q re.
ceiver; today, with one exceptions
and managers.
THE p. Il. 3 A.
am happy to inform you that the
litigation over this property in the
State and United States Courts, which
nable, has finally been brought TO a
close. The property has been sold and
purchased by Messrs. Thomas and
Ryan, of New York. They became
also the purchasers of the Knoxville
81 Western Carolina Railroad, and
these two properties have been con-
solidated under the name of the
Charleston 81 Western Carolina Rail.
road. Under the act which repeated
the charter of the Port Royal & Au-
gusta Railway commission was
formed, composed OF the Governor, the
Attorney General and the chairman of
was To inquire as to the purchasers OF
the property and their correction, if
any, with competing lines of railroads,
the intent Of the Legislature being tu
prevent the absorption of the property
by q corporation hostile to Port Royal
and this State.
Upon learning that Messrs. Thomas
anu Ryan had become the purchasers,
tue Commission proceeded to examine
them upon oath as to their relations
with any hostile or competing lines.
The evidence taken by the Commission
is ON file in the Office of the Secretary
OF State, and respectfully suggest that
1t be printed for the use of your honor.
able body. These gentlemen swear
positively and equivocally that they
have no interest in any competing line,
aud have but one object: The develop.
ment Of Port Royal and the successful
operation of their railroad. The Com
mission became convinced of the sim
cerity and honesty Of purpose of the
purchasers and could make no further
opposition to the confirmation of the
sale. Ii at any time, however, q dif-
ferent purpose Is revealed the State
can intervene and again rescue the
property.
THE. STATE PENITENTIARY.
The State penitentiary continues in
o healthy and sound condition. 1t was
to be hoped from the statement rnade
last year that the State would receive
u revenue from this institution of about
$4,000. regret, however, we are
doomed to disappointment. With ref
erence to the report of the superin-
| tendent 1t will be seen that the insti-
tuition commenced last year with S15,-
| N
institution makes good showing on
| paper, but unfortunately never covers
| anything into the State treasury. |
feel satisfied, however, that the policy
OF the board of directors is good one
and if pursued for the next two years
will result much more satisfactorily,
$50 far rs the State treasury Is concern
ed. The policy OF leasing convicts to
private parties has been discouraged
| by the board and should be. Complaint
has been made to me twice during the
year OF parties leasing convicts. it being
stated that such convicts were allowed
to roam at large in the community day
and night. The attention of tho sup
erintendent was called to this and ne
| has endeavored to correct the same
| This system has become obnoxious
wherever 1t has been triedand the board
should discontinue the practice as soon
as possible. The farms authorized to
be purchased are in good condition
and have yielded according to the re-
| port oil the uperintendent abundant
harvests. The report of receipts and
disbursements for the fiscal year end
ing December 81, 1896 are as follows ::
Disbursements. $63,570.83, to which
must be added supplies on hand and
consumed, $l5,69 81; to which must
| be furtGer ADDED the amount received
| from the SCate treasury for salaries,
So, $50, making a tOJat of $84 3l6 10; re.
| ccipts, ST., l20.l7, deficit $23, l9l 53; to
this must be- added the further sum of
| So, $50, amount of salaries from th,
State treasury for the years lS9i-95, and
which the superintendcut pledged the
| Governor and Treasurer would be
returned, but 80 far has not beeu COW
cred into the State treasury. Under
The provision OF the appropriation for
that year these salaries were to be
paid out OF the earnings of the peni-
tentiary. There b,ing no earnings and
to save the institution from EN- barrass-
ment, upon the urgent request of the
superintendent Withdrew any objec-
tlohs to salaries being paid out of the
State treasury upon the solemn prom
ise. however, that the amount
would be replaced before the end
of the fiscal year. The amount has not
yet been returned. 1t will thus be seen
that the total deficit amounts to $27,.
24l.33. The superintendent reports
total liabilities SIS, 1902, making
grand total $45, ,6l2.46. Assets report
ed, cotton $22 02O 90; amount due from
contractors and other sources, contin-
gent s., 10S.46; $500 bushels of oats at
40 cents, contingent, ST 900; value Of
products on hand not to be sold, for
consumption in prison $24, ,707. 1t would
be prope" under the circumstances to
stand off the products on hand for last
year and for this year as this year as
they will be consumed. The suparin-
tendent reports that he will be able to
pay every dollar tho institution owes,
including the $4,000 for the purchase
OF the Reed farm bought last year, and
pay cash for the next years guano sup.
plies, which has been bought some
timo ago at q very low price. This
cannot be done II the amount due the
State is refunded. 1t was the inteu-
tion OF the Legislature to require the
salaries OF the institution to be paid
out OF Its earnings, and 1t can never
be said to be self.supporting as long as
the people are taxed to pay such sala-
ries, no matter what showing Ia made
as to improvements. [ am satisfied the
institution Is la q better condition than
IL has ever been and trust that in the
near future 1t will be source of rove
nue. TO the State.
mr. ftIIk