The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1897-01-21

| uloher hoIlCc 10 Tue contention Of Mr.
Thomas.
1t is unfortunate that there shoulG
DC us want CT harmony among the
commissioners. but this is human ma
ture and matter to be dealt with as
you deem proper. In the meantime
the interests Of the State are not suf.
| tcrlng. The Southern Railway has
hled its charter with tho Secretary Of
State rs provided in an act relating &c
tho same, and it is now q domestic cor
p0ratl0n. | had some doubt as to the
| constitutiOnality of this act and the
Attorney General was instructed to
make test case before the Supreme
Court. Tho court sustained the con-
stitutionality OF the act, and it is now
the settled law OF the State.
;. There is a better feeling existing
between the State and the railroads
than has been Tor the past six years,
and tho disposition to scttle all differ
ences on the part of the roads in an
amicable way has been fully met by
the administration. The assessments
Tor taxation have been equalized with
duc regard to the earning capacity Of
the several roads. Only two roads
show u deficit for the past year, and
one of these can hardly be called a
deficit as the amount expended has
oeon put in lasting improvements.
IDe total income Of all the roads for
1896 was $S, 302, 1851, as compared
with $i,G23, ,5@7 GS for the year 1895,
showing an increase of $GG7. .925 SO.
Inc operating expenses and taxes for
the year 1896 were Sc. 1913, 547 .2l, against
$6,32G 1902 in 1895, a decrease of
$l2I, ,Gl2.Il. The passenger earnings
in 1896 were So, 75G,32l.70, against 81
393,G14.24 in 1895, an increase of $3G2,-
GlI l6. The tonnage for 1896 was H.
l,o,957, an increase Of 573,5S tons. 1t
will thus be seen that instead OF bank
rupting the roads the decrease in
passenger and fertilizer rates has
proved benefit.
Two years ago nearly every railroad
In the State was in the hands of Il re-
celver; today, with one exception.
they arc in the hands Of their owners
and managers.
THE p. r. & A.
] am happy to inform you that the
litigation over this property in the
State and United States Courts, which
seemed to be for long time interim
nab!e, has finally been brought to a
close. The property has been sold and
purchased by Messrs. Thomas and
UcCdllC
also the purchasers of the Knoxville
& Western Carolina Railroad, and
these two properties have been con-
solidated under the name of the
Charleston & Western Carolina Rail-
road. Under the act which repealed
the charter of the Port Royal g. Au-
gusta Halfway commission was
formed, composed Of the Governor, the
Attorney General and the chairman Of
the Railroad Commission. Their duty
was to inquire as to the purchasers OF
the property and their connection, If
any, with competing lines OF railroads,
the intent OF the Legislature being to
prevent the absorption of the property
by corporation hostile to Port ROYAL
and this State.
Upon learning that Mcssrs. Thomas
and Ryan had become the purchasers.
the Commission proceeded to examine
them upon oath as to their relations
With any hostile or competing lines
The evidence taken by tho Commission
is on file in the office of tho Secretary
OF State, and respectfully suggest that
it be printed for the use Of your honor,
able body. These gentlemen swear
positively and oquivocally that they
nave 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
cerlty and honesty Of purpose Of the
purchasers and could make no further
opposition to the confirmation of the
sale. Ii at any time, however, a d,f.
ferent purpose is revealed the State
can intervene and again rescue the
property
THE STATE PENITENTIARY.
The State pcnitentiary continues in
q healthy and sound condition. 1t was
to be hoped from the statement made
last year that the State would receive
revenue from this institution OF about
$25, 900 [ regret, however, we are
doomed to disappointment. With ref
erence to the report OF the supcrin-
tendcnt it will be seen that the insti-
tuition commenced last year with $l5,-
629.S7 in cash and supplies. The
institution makes a good showing on
paper, but unfortunately never covers
anything into the State treasury.
feel satisfied, however, that the policy
or the board of directors is q good one
and If pursued for the next two years
will result much more satisfactorily,
so far as 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
ana night. The attention OF the sup
crintendcnt was called to this and he
has cndeavorcd to correct the same.
This system has become obnoxious
wherever 1t has been tried,and the board
should discontinue the practice as soon
rs possible. The farms authorized to
be purchased are in good condition
and have yielded according to the re-
port OF the superintendent abundant
harvests. The report of receipts and
disbursements for the fiscal year end
ing December 81, 1896, are as follows :
Disbursements. G3.57083, to which
must be added supplies on hand and
consumed, 5,605 81; to which must
be further added the amount received
from the State treasury for salaries,
SIS, $50, making a total of $8I ,3l6.70; re-
ceipts, $G2, l25.l1, deficit 1913, 1888; to
this must be added the further sum Of
# ln nrin 4 l, ~