The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-01-10
- s. &, . .,,,s,,sof General Assembly:

Eeut1ernenSof fthe General Assembly:
During theipast year the heavy hand OF
afiiction was laid upon the chief e1ecu-
.sfiyes.of the State and the people were
\ ca1,ed To mourn the death OF their Gov
ernor. After a long illness Governor
William H. Ellerbe died at his home IN
marion County on June 2, 1899. Young
in years, full of honors' ard commanding
IA fhe: ..,1, sre,snpect of his countrymen he was
ss & ssssoathersd to his fathers. Holding the po-
3 ss;tion Of Lieutenant Governor, to which L
been elected, and obeying the Con-
E$6futiou. I took the oath OF othce as
ssfnor on the sd day Of June 1892
nndiately thereafter began the
Ahe duties pertaining thereto.
ast met there has been very
rial progress in the State in
branch of industry. The
4, has garnered the products OF
with the assurance of good re-
l6E his labor. Manufacturing en-
Iterprises have gone forward with almost
miraculous rapidity and are furnishing
lucrative employment for many OF our
people. There has been great activity III
theabuilding of railroads, the great de-
3yelopers of a country. Peace, happiness
and prosperity prevail in every portion OF
the State. fractional bitterness and STRIFE
are things of the past and the people are
united for the upbuilding, progress ana
s development of the entire State. Deatn
i has not thinned your ranks and you come
together to deliberate and make laws Tor
the people under most auspicious clrcunl-
stances. thrust that in all your delibera-
;tions you. .May be guided by a single
,pur-pose-tf1e welfare and happiness OF
athe people whom you have the honor to
represent. However you may dlffer' as
Eer you will, your combined wisdom
Ind high patriotism, I am sure, will re-
suit in the passage of such laws as Will
4edound to the good of all the people. In
the accomplishment of this purpose
NSstand ready and anxious to aid you and
cooperate with you in so far as my power
and ability may go.
EVIDENCES OF PROGRESS.
In cotton manufacturing South Caroli-
ma leads all of the Southern States and
tands second only to Massachusetts IN
tie number of spindles and second to
neae in equipment. If the progress OF
he past, year augurs anything for the
Rtute shall, soon lead all others IN
tins Important industry and instead of
furnishing any of of our staple crop TOR
export to other places for manufacture we
will be large importers of cotton from
other States to supply the local demand.
4 During the past year eleven new mills
!. have been organized and are in process Of
construction, representing total capital
nof $3,275,ooo Sixteen old mills have
been enlarged, representing an increase
ssof their capital stock of s2,42e,ooo. This
mot 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 for
many of our people.
In railroad building, as have already
! stated, there has been very decided ac-
Stivity. a37 miles have been completed
land in actual process of construction.
This represents an outlay of least $4,000
mile, or nearly 100000, and when
completed and returned for taxation,
even at valuation of $40, 900 mile will
add 81, $40, 900 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. A study of these figures
j. and realization of the material progress
upon which the State has entered should
be cause of sincere congratulation to every
true Carolinian and should move you as
representatives of the people to do all that
You can to foster and encourage this prog
ss1ess and these institutions and industries
which mean so much for our State.
shave thought proper thus briefly to direct
your attention to these substantial evi-
Z ,dences of progress and growth as an en-
t.couragement and an incentive to our peo-
pie to the accomplishment of even greater
things which lie easily within our grasp
if we will but put forth our hands and lay
) hold Of the advantages and opportunities
that thickly surround us on every side.
- g 3. FINANCES.
I take pleasure also in congratulating
lsvou on the condition of the finances of
the State. The State Treasurer has been
able to meet all of the obligations of the
.sState promptly and also the interest on
- r.