The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1897-01-21
ThGGOVGrnOr'S Message
A Review of the States Con-
dition and Prospects.
The Retiring Governor Makes
a Fling at the Peniten-
tiary and the Farm
er's College.
His Farewell Address is
Neither Graceful or
Timely.

The following is the principal por-
tion of the message of Governor Evans,
relating to the general affairs of the
State:
FINANCE AND TAXATION.
The finances of our State are in bet
ter condition than ever in our history
The State debt is smaller and the debt
pei, capita has decreased from eleven
dollars to four. The following taole,
taken from the Comptroller Generals
report. gives an idea of the progress of
the State:
lS95-Acres Of land returned, 18, ,073,-
go: l896-Acres of land returned, 49,
1875, 122; increase, 1896, 3l,1 1852.
Total value, real estate. 1896, $780,
976,705; total value real estate, 1895,
800, 157 ,179; increase, 1896, 1919, ,626.
Value of personal property 1896,
S45, ,s3s, ,Go7; value OF personal property,
497.
Value of railroad property, 1896, $23,-
$40, 1872; value of railroad property,
1895, $23 797 1852; increase, 1896, SLIP, 5lO.
Total taxable property, 1896, $l7O,-
5,474; total taxable property, 1895,
Sl69, ,448, OIL increase, 1896, 81, 1906, 533.
Number OF polls assessed, 1896, 1853 :
S24; number Of polls assessed, 1895,
152,7S3; increase, 1896, GOAL.
Total Taxes, 1896
State, $7G8, 8,425.15; county, $751;
9l9.76; special county, $I7l, ,102.6 .65: road,
$35, ,53S. .O6; special and local in counties,
1926. .505.7G; three mill school, $512,-
2S3.42; special and local school, $751;.
29O.67; poll, $l59, 9,S24.00, total, $2,3l7,-
889.48
In making your supply bill for the
past year. you est mated that the dis
pensary would pay into the State
Treasury $l9O,o00 in round numbers.
The amount paid in was not available
until October |, 1896, and then only
$25, 900 per month. This, of course,
borrow an amount sufficient to cover
the deficit until the dispensary funds
were available. We accordingly bor-
rowed $780, from the banks, but 1
am happy to inform you that the dis
pensary has turned that amount into
the State Treasury and the notes have
been paid promptly, as we'll as all other
obligations of the government. leave
the Treasury to my successor unem-
barrasscd and not owing a dollar.
While we have paid out $50, 900 more
than any previous administration and
met other extraordinary expenses, the
levy has not been increased, but low
cred. The taxes on farms acd horses
and mules and farm products have been
lowered by reduced assessments. The
taxes on railroads have also been de-
creased by lower assessments. The
officers of your government receive
less for salaries than ever in the his
tory Of the State, and the interest on
the public debt has been decreased
$79,500 per annum.
L am embarrassed d somewhat in this
statement by reason Of the State Treas
urer not being able to furnish me with
an abstract from his books, as in pre-
vious years. He claims that it is i'm
possible to do so by reason Of tn . change
in the date OF closing the fiscal year
from November 3lst to January 1st,
giving only ten days for settlements
with county treasHrers. His report
will be furnished you, suppose, before
the session of your body closes, and I
l desire to call your attention to the
Downer Fund, which has been lying
idle in the treasury for ten years. This
fund was placed in the treasury by the
agent some years ago, and was made
up from the sale Of the Downer Insti-
tute, located at Beech Island, in Aiken
County. The object of Mr.. Downer
was to educate the orphan children Of
Aiken County, or that portion of old
Edgefeld District now lying in Aiken
County. The interest on the fund is
sufficient to maintaih two or three boys
at ono OF the colleges of the State, and
it would be we'll to carry out the will
of Mr. Downer in this way.
a competitive examination could be
had in Aiken County for these scholar
ships among the poor boys entitled to
Mr.. DOwner's benevolent fund, and I
trust 1t will be provided for.
The banking institutions OF the State
are In excellent condition, but one
failure having been recorded during
my administration, and that could
hardly m be called failure, but rob;
berry. The aggregate banking capital
of the State is $685. ,2O1, with the
surplus of $4,845, 730, making total of
$10,2l3,03l. This is distributed among
ninety-one banks. The relations Of
the State and the banks have been
most pleasant and mutually beneficial.
I desire to thank the officers for the
kindnesses shown mo during my ad-
ministration.
THE SINKING FUND.
Upon my induction into Office large
amount of the sinking fund was urin-
vested, deposited In bank, drawing no
interest. 1t was impossible to pur-
chase the securities required by law
for such Investment without paying q
large premium. In my last message I
recommended the passage of an act
authorizing the Governor and the
Treasurer to loan this fund upon the
security OF the valid bonds OF the State
to be deposited in the State Treasury.
You accepted my recommendation and
nQaaol fha 0Nt 1pairn1 Wa houo
soaned the entire fund with the exoep-