The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-01-19

if not checked, will open the way to
an increasing mass of this kind OF
legislation. and must result in the
practical defeat of the objects OF the
constitutional inhibition.
Prompt action should be taken by
honorable bodies to enforce observ-
ance of the provisions of the Consti-
tuition on this subject, and to continc
legislation as nearly as practicable
within the limits prescribed by the
Constitution. I would respectfully
recommend for your earnest consider
alton the creation, by a joint resolu
tion, of joint committee Of the two
Houses, who snail be specially charged
with the duty of supervising all bills
introduced, and reporting such as
come within the prohibitory provis-
ions of the Constitution, relating to
local and special legislation. With
such a safeguard, the General Assem-
bly, can successfully avoid the enact
ment of laws forbidden by the Consti-
tuition and insure the faithful observ-
snce of it's wise and salutary provis-
ions.
TIE SINKING FUND COMMISSION.
The total value Of the assets of the
cumulative phosphate royalty sinking
fund is $263, ,OO7.56. OF this amount
S37 ,532 was loaned to counties at the
rate Of 5 per cent. interest per annum.
The sinking fund has permanently in
vested in State stocks $35, ,728.56.
There is invested in temporary loans,
under the Act of February %, 1895,
and February 25, 1897. s58, ,484.22.
This leaves balance of $131, ,262.78,
which has been deposited in bank,
bearing per cent, payable monthly.
You can see from the above state
ment that under the Act Of 1907 only
small amount was lent to counties;
while the greater part Of the fund has
been deposited in banks and is unse-
cured except by the credit Of these
banks. It will also be seen that on
the 3lst of December, 1896, there was
then loaned to the banks at a per
cent. interest, and secured by de-
posit with the State Treasurer as col
lateral security of State Brown ~ per
cent. stock, s173, ,9s4.22, leaving only
So, ,8l6.O3 cash deposited in bank.
CONFEDERATE RECORDS.
It has been particularly unfortunate
that the Office of State historian has
been made vacant by the death Of two
worthy incumbents. Since the ad-
journment Of the General Assembly,
the.grand oldCopfederate soldier, Gen.
Hugh L. Farley has passed away be-
fore he completed the work to which
he had been assigned. | appointed
Col. John P. Thomas Confederate
historian, to carry on the task. You
will fiod in the report of Col. Thomas
detailed statement Of the worl; al
ready done, together with what re-
mains to be finished. especially as to
the completion Of the Confederate
rolls. 1t is the duty Of the State to
prepare an historical account of the
part taken by the commands from this
State in the great civil war and to
complete the rolls. I therefore urge
that provision be made for carrying
on this work. To insure completion l
recommend that sum be appropri-
ated sufficient for carrying out this
undertaking; and | suggest as an in
ducement TO its early completion that
while sufficient money be allowed
monthly for current expenses, the ma
jor portion be paid only upon the
completion and acceptance of the
work as now mapped out.
COUNTY GOVERNMENT.
The General Assembly should give
careful consideration to the matter OF
expenditures by county governments.
The system now in force is very cum
bersome, and in many counties leads
to extravaganza. From the represcn-
tation by townships arises tendency
! to rcciprocate favors, and this leads to
I useless expenditures which, if there
were no opportunity for these mutual
| ly beneficial exchanges, would be
avoided. Many counties have reme-
died this trouble as far as possible and
have made further saving by placing
[ their officers on fixed salaries and
turning the surplus left over after
paying the salaries into the general
county fund.
CONCLUSION.
desire to impress upon the mem
bers of the General Assembly the ne
cessity for the strictest economy in