The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1900-01-15
Governor McSweeney De-
tends Dispensary, but
Wants Amendments.
HE SUGGESTS CHANGES
In His Message the Chief Executive
Reviews the History of His
State and Also Makes
a Very Fine
Showing.

Columbia, S. c., January 9.-(Special.)-
The legislature met in annual session a
noon today and within eighteen minutes
after the body was called to order it was
involved in a hot fight over the following
resolutions. simultaneously introduced in
both houses:
First-That a Joint committee consist
ing of two senators and three representa-
lives be appointed by the presiding oni-
GERS of the respective houses TO lnVeSu-
gate the affairs of the state dispensary.
Second-That said committee be and Is
hereby empowered TO send for papers ana
persons, - swear witnesses, To require
the attendance of all parties whose pres
ence shall be deemed necessary, to APP
point an expert accountant and stenuS-
rapher to investigate freely all trdnSac-
items concerning said dispensary AM It's
management and to take testimony with
in and without the state and shall nave
access at all times drIlhg its service 10
all books and vouchers ana other papers
CT said institution.
Sections 3 and give the committee au-
thority to sit during the sessions of fhe
house. to apply for any additional au-
nc rity needed and reqI est Il report IL
possible during the present session.
The resolution was bitterly opposed.
It's advocates declared that former inves-
tigatilg committees lacked power and
were but withdrawing concerns. Tho
resolution was amended in the house,
giving the committee power to punish 1or
contempt as in circuit coutrs and pro-
yiOing that statements made by wit
nesses should not he used against them.
The committee is to also have a marshal
and its sessions are to be open to the
public. AS amended it was adopted IN
the house. 1t will be considered in the
senate tomorrow. The expenses will DO
paid cut of the dispensary funds.
Governors Message Is Read.
Governor Miles b. McSweeney sent In
his first message to the general assem-
bly,. 1t was paper of about 10000 Words;
moderate in tone, and being for the most
part a record of public conditions.
The governor first refers to the death
of his predecessor and then to the very
marked material progress in almost every
line of industry" OF cotton mills he
says:
During tho past year eleven new mills have
been organized and are in progress OF construc-
ton. representing "a total capital of S3,2lJ,UOO.
Sixteen old mills have been enlarged repre-
senting an Increase OF their capital STOCK OF
In railroad building. 237 miles have been
completed and I'm actual process OF construc-
ton This represents an outlay Of at least
So uO0 "A mile. nearly {i,U0o00o, and when
completed and returned for taxation even AT a
valuation OF $4,000 II rlilc. will add %'S'oOOO
to the taxable property of the state
In cotton SEED oil mills, the lumber bust
ness and other branches of industry, there has
been very marked activity.
The state treasurer 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 having TO borrow any money
or overdraw his accounts. and stll has "a bal
ance in the treasury
short time ago 1 received a communication
from the secretary of the treasury at Wash
In my "a
United states government against the state
of South Carolina, and an act Of CONGRESSES
PASSED March 3. 1889, requiring him TO institute
such proceedings as he might deem proper to
collect any bonds or stocks, principal and in
terest. which the general government holds
against this state. before any claims on the
uart of the state against the general gov
eminent should be paid. This communication
was brought forth on account OF the claims put
in by this state for reimbursement OF expenses
incurred In organizing volunteer troops for ser
vice in the with SPAN
Ancient History Recounted.
statement from the state treasurer
&c submitted showing the state does owe,
nriucipaI and interest. about $4,000 to
the national government. but stating that
tho government is due the state S550,000
for money advanced during the revolu-
tionary war and the war Of 1872.
The message here recounts the history
of a claim made by South Carolina
against the national government for
nancy advanced in our early wars. Ref
erence IS made to a report on the matter
submitted to the South Carolina legisla-
ture in 1858. but which has been lost.
Governor McSweeney suggests that the
archives of the state stored away in the
capitol building be searched with hope
of finding that report. That report would
throw light on the situation. There is
well defined belief in official circles
that the national government in 1881
admitted owing South Carolina $4,000.
This. with the accumulated interest for
fifty-nine years. would now amount to
$3.50, 600 The claim Of the national gov
ernment against the state is sl25, 900.
Touching the claim of the government
the governor I'm his message says:
As l understand Il. the claim of the United
States government for settlement of s l25, OOu
of South Carolina bonds belonging TO the Indian
trust fund and the accumulated interest. is
Just and honest claim which we ought to pay.
and which weSould pay with our claim against
the United States government and have a bal
nnce to the credit of the state, ii can find
the testimony to substantiate the claim of the
state.
For a statement of the bonded debt of the
state, your attention is directed to the annual
report of the state treasurer. our bonds find
a ready sale in the markets of the world at
premium and the credit of the state is good.
The governor recommends continued
pensions of civil war heroes and their
widows.
AS you will see from the report 81 the comp
trolIer general. there were on the pension roll
the past year T. 15S pensioners. of this number
2. 9l0 are widows of soldiers The total amount
disbursed in pensions was SOS, 675.S0 The wild
ows We're paid Sll2 and the soldiers 500. 3G3. 50.
Dispensary Can Be Bettered.
There is no question that Will engage your
attention at this session that will demand more
careful thought and in which there is more
interest manifest than that of the control of
Iiouor Under the constitution of the state
there are only three modes allowed for deal
ing with this question 1.-The general assembly
may license persons corporations TO manu-
facture and sell and retail alcoholic liquors or
beverages within the state" "or the general
assembly may prohibit the manufacture and
sale and retail Of alcoholic liquors and bever-
ages within the state" or it may authorize
and empower state, county and municipal Of
fc.rs All or either, under the authority and
I'm the name of the state, to buy In any market
and retail within the state liquors and bever-
ages in such packages and quantities, under
such rules and regulations as IL deems expe-
dient And in no case shall ii be sold in less
quantities than one-half pint OF between sun
down and sunrise, and IL shall not be drunk
ON the premises. Neither can the general
sembly delegate to any municipal corporation
the power to issue licenses to sell the same
I-nder the last alternative the dispensary law
is In force .
Much of the prejudice that has heretofore
oxisIed against the dispen sary law has been
a,,I tfnrn