The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-01-10

10 every member Ol our cOnBFesSlOHdl
delegation, requesting them to give
diligent attention to this important
measure, and 1 fave also addressed
communications to the Governors OF
the several Southern States, whose Cit
jZens are in common Interested in the
fund, and requested them to take SINH
lar action, and replies have been re-
ccived from several of the Governors,
showing that they have acted upon
this suggestion, and the Legislature of
Georgia has passed u resolution re-
questing its congressional delegation
actively to cooperate, and it is hoped
that at the present Congress by united
effort, this legislation, long delayed, +,
will be enacted. 1t is difficult to see
why in this era OF good feeling, when
all the acerbities of the war have gone
to their merited oblivion, that the Con-
gress of the United States should with
hold from its citizens the simple right
to proceed before its own courts, and
demonstrate their interests in the
fund, for which the highest courts has
admitted that they occupy a tiduciary
position. >....
In this connection it is proper to state
that much of the evidence upon which
these claims. exist is rapidly passing
away, and some means should be af-
forded to our citizens to perpetuate
this testimony as far as possible, and to
enable them to do so com missioner
should be appointed with power to ad-
minister oaths who should take deposi-
tiops of witnesses who are cognizant OF
facts relative to these claims, put them
in permanent shape, and register them
in suitable manner, so that this testi-
mony, now so valuable, may be available
whenever the Congress of the United
States shall see proper to permit these
matters to be litigated. Such commits
sioner should be appointed without ex-
pepse to the State, but his compensation
should be entirely matter of agree
ment between him and the parties who
may desire to avail themselves OF his
services in the perpetuation OF the evil
dence relating to their several claims,
and sum of money, not exceeding 500
might wisely be appropriated to defray
the expense of printing needed blanks
and purchasing suitable books of
record. 'tti.
ROADS. -.
There is no subject of greater i'm
portance and that will affect more peo-
pie than that of good roads. No sub
iect will come before you to which you
could give careful consideration with
more profit The tendency has been
for the country population to move 10
the cities and towns in order to secure
the advantages of church and school.
If this continues the country districts
will become depopulated and the popu-
lation will be congested in the cities
and towns. The condition Of the public
roads in certain seasons OF the year
makes it almost necessary that the
country people should be denied school,
church and social privileges. Unless
something is done to arrest this How OF
population to the cities and towns the
condition of the country districts will
become alarming and it is already re.
ceiying the attention of the Thought
full. The country is the preserver OF
true manhood aud the foster father OF
manly independence. Nothing will
conduce more to It's development and
desirability as place of residence than
the building OF good roads. The saw
ing af time, the saving in the wear and
tear of stock and vehicles, and the ad-
dition to the loads that could be hauled
with, more ease, would compensate for
much outlay in road improvement, not.
to speak of the convenience and COM
fort to the people who travel on the
roads in marketing their products and
attending church and school. Our con-
ditlons are such that it would scarcely
be wise to levy an additional tax for
this purpose. But by wise and proper
use of the means at our disposal much
more might be accomplished than is
now done. In many of the counties
much of the work on public roads Is
but shiftless pretence. Under our
system of county chain gangs II the
force were kept at work on permanent
improvements and the building OF
permanent roads instead of cleaning
out bitches and throwing little dirt
in the middle, which has to be done
over after each rain, much more might
be accomplished. SoHMof the counties
have realized the i'm Nftance OF this
permanent work and a5 result good
and permanent roads are being built
submit for your consideration the i'm
portance of requiring all county chain
gangs to be kept on permanent work
and not be permitted to fritter away
their time on work that will have to be
done over two or three times year.
am glad to report to you that the
authorities of Clemson College have
realized. the fact that road improve,
ment is one of the greatest economical
problems OF the day and that they are
dcvoting money and time to the study
of the problem for the benefit OF the
farmers of the State. Experiments
are being made under the direction OF
an expert, who will also give the col
lege classes series OF lectures on road
making. Experiments have also been
made at Clemson on the use of broad
tires and the results have been pub
lished in bulletin form. If in your
wisdom you can devise some plan by
which you can give to the people. OF
this State better roads you will confer
a lasting blessing upon them.
WAR CLAIMS.
During the raising Of troops by the
State in 1898 for the war with Spain
considerable Indebtedness was incurred
which has not yet been entirely adjusted
Claims have been put in against the
general government for these several
amounts but many of them still remain
unpaid. I will submit to you special
message covering, as far as am able,
a full statement OF this matterand | de-
sire now simply to direct your attention
to this special message. Those citizens
who furnished supplies on the order OF
the Governor of the State should have