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

II not cnecked, Will open tile way 70
an increasing mass Of this kind Of
legislation, aud must result il the
practical defeat of the objects of the
constitutional inhibition.
Prompt action should be taken by
honorable bodies to enforce obsery-
ance Of the provisions of the Consti-
tuition on this subject, and to confine
legislation as nearly as practicable
within the limits prescribed by the
Constitution. I would respectfully
recommend Cor your earnest consider
ation 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, aud reporting such as
come within the prohibitory provis-
ions Of the Constitution, relating to
local and speoial Legislation. With
snch safeguard, sho General Assem-
bly, can successfully avoid the enact
! nunt of laws forbidden 5y tie CeHs.;
tuition and insure the faithful observe
ance Of its wise end salutary provis-
ions.
THE SINKING BUED CoEEIss;oN.
The total value Of the assets Of the
cumulative phosphate royalty sinking
fund is sz63, ,O07 Sc. 0e this amount
937 ,532 was loaned to counties at the
rate OF 8 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 25, 1896.
and February %, 1897, $58, ,484. az.
This leaves balance of 9131, ,262.7s,
wh;oh has bsen deposited in bank,
bearing per cent, payable monthly.
You can see from the above state
mens 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 31st Of December, 1896, there was
then leaned &c the banks at II per
cent. interest, and secured by de-
poeit with the State Treasurer as COL
lateral security of State Brown 4a per
cent. stock, 9173, ,9s4.22, leaving only
81, ,816.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-
jenrnmeHt CO The General Assembly,
the.grand oldConfederate soldier, Gen.
Hugh L. Farley has passed away be-
fore he. completed the work to which
he had been assigned. I appointed
Col. John p. Themes Confederate
historian, to carry on the task. You
villa find in the report Of Col. Thomas
detailed statement Of the work al
ready done, together with what re-
mains GO be finished, especially as to
the completion OF the Confederate
rolls. II 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
thai provision be made fos carrying
ON this work. To insure completion I
recommend that q 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.
d The General Assembly should give
careful consideration to the matter cf
expenditures by county governments.
The system now in force is very cum
bersome, and in many counties leads
to extravaganza. From the represen-
tation by. townships arises tendency
20 reciprocate fayors, and this leads to
useless expenditures which, if there
were NO opportunity for these mutual
ly beneficial exchanges, would be
avoided. Many counties have .s:as-
died this trouble az far as possible ard
nave made aIurther saving by placing
their officers ,son fixed salaries and
turning the surplus left .eoyer after
|ipaying the salaries> into the general
county fund. s,, E
CONCLUSION. s
faI desire to. impress upon the mem
bers " the General Assembly, the ne
cessity for the /, strictest economy in
the appropriation Of public. moneys.