The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1900-01-10
o.,a.,,a, of the General Assembly:

Gentlemen of the General Assembly:
During the past year the heavy hard OF
affection was laid upon the CHIEF eSecu-
tive of the State and the people we're
c.7,ed 10 mourn the death OF their Gov
erno- After long illness Governor
yvi,1;arn H. Ellerbe died at his home IN
o7a-;on County on June ?, 1899 Young
- wears full of honors, and commanding
the respect of his countrymen he was
Gathered to his fathers. Holding the po-
sit;ou of Lieutenant Governor, to which
had been elected, and obeying the COZ
stitution, l took the oath OF ONCE as
Governor on the sd day OF June, 1893
and Immediately thereafter began 'he
5iscba-oe Of the duties pertaining thereto.
Since YOU last met there has Oeeh 'e.s
-.arted material progress in the State IN
almost every branch Of industry. Inc
husbspdman has garnered the products OF
his 6elds with the assurance OF GOO
Turns for his labor. Manufacturing en-
te-prises have gone forward with almost
miraculous rapidity and are furnishing
lucrative employment for many OF ou'
people. There has been great acu'''! III
the building OF railroads, the s1es: ue
-.a1o,a-s of country. Peace, happiness
and prosperity prevail in every portion OF
the State. Factional bitterness and STRIFE
are things of the past and the people are
united for the upbuilding, progress anu
development of the entire State. Dea'n
has not thinned your ranks and you come
together to deliberate and make laws t01
the people under most ausplcious ci!e"n-
stances. trust that IN ali your delloe1a-
tons YOU may be guided by single
nproose-the welfare and happiness Oh
the people whom you have the honor TO
represent. However you may d1tteT, as
differ YOU WILL your combined wlso0"
and high patriotism, am sure, Will re.
suit in the passage of such laws as WILL
rebound TO the good of all the people IN
the accomplishment of this purpose |
stand ready and anxious to aid you ana
cooperate with you in so far as my power
and ability may go.
EVIDENCES OF PROGRESS.
In cotton manufacturing South Caroh-
ma leads all OF the Southern States anu
stands second only to Massachusetts IN
the number of spindles and second 10
none in equipment. If the progress OF
the past year augurs anything for the
future we shall soon lead all others III
this important industry and instead OF
furnishing any Of OF our staple crop i0'
export to other places for manufacture we
will be large importers OF cotton 110ni
other States to supply the local demand.
During the past year eleven new 1nlAs
have been organized and are IN process OF
construction, representing total capital
of ss,2z5,ooo. Sixteen old mills have
been enlarged, representing an increase
of their capital stock of S2,429,ooo' Inns
not only means large addition to the
wealth of the State and an increase OF the
taxable property, but it means wealth put
into active service and employment tor
many of our people.
In railroad building, as have already
stated, there has been very decided ac-
tivity. 237 miles have been completed
and in actual process of construction.
This represents an outlay OF least $4,000
mile, or nearly $4,000 and when
completed and returned for taxation,
even at valuation Of SO, 600 mile Will
add s.. SO, 800 to the taxable property OF
the State.
In cotton seed oil mills, the lumber
business, and other branches of industry
there has been very marked activity. For
the exact figures in all of these new en-
terprises beg to direct your attention TO
the full and exhaustive report OF the Sec
retary of State 4 study OF these figures
and realization of the material progress
upon which the State has entered should
be cause Of sincere congratulatlon to every
t-,e Ca-olirian and should move you as
representatives OF the people to do all that
YOU can to foster and encourage this prog
ress aud these institutions and industries
which mean so much for our State.
have thought proper thus briefly to direct
YOUR attention to these substantial evl-
dences Of progress and growth as an en-
couragemeut and an incentive to our peo-
pie to the accomplishment OF even greater
things which lie easily within our grasp
if we will bu. put forth our hands and lay
hold of the advantages and opportunities
that thickly surround Us on every side.
FINANCES.
take pleasure also in congratu.ating
~ou on the condition of the finances OF
the State. The State Treasuter has been
able to meet all Of the Obligations of the
State promptly and also the interest on
the public debt without the necessity OF