Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1900-01-11

Gentlemen of the General Assembly:
During the past year the heavy hand Of
allliction was laid upon the chief execu-
tive of the State and the people were
called to mourn the death of their Gov
crnor. After a long illness Governor
William ii. Ellcrbc died at his home III
Marion County OIL June 2, 1899. Young
in years, full Of honors, and commanding
the respect of his countrymcn he was
gathered to his fathers. Holding the po-
Siton Of Lieutenant Governor, to which |
had been elected, and obcying the Con-
stitution, | took the oatl: Of uihcc as
Governor Oh the sd day of June, 1899,
and Immediately thereafter began IT,.
discharge of the duties pertaining thereto.
Since You last met there has been very
marked material progress i'll the State in
almost every branch Of industry. The
husbandnan has garncrcd the products of
his fields with the assurance Of good re-
t;.rns for his labor Manufacturing en-
tcrprses have gone forward with almost
miraculous rapitlity and ave furnishing
lucrati''e employment for many OF our
people. There has been great activity III
the building of railroads, the great de
vclopcrs Of Il country. Peace, happiness
and prosperity prevail III every portion of
the State. Factional bitterness and strife
are things Of the past and the people arc
united for the upbuilding, progress aud
development Of the entire State. Death
has not thinned your ranks and you come
together to deliberate and make laws for
the people under most auspicious circun-
stances. trust that III all your dclihcra-
tions you may be guided by single
purposc-thc welfare and happiness OF
the people whom YOU have the honor to
represent. However you may ditter, as
differ you will, your combined wisdom
.anG 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 sou and
cooperate with you i'll SO far as my power
and ability may 80.
EVIDENCES OF PROGRESS
In cotton manufacturing South Caroll-
rIa leads all Of the Southern States and
stands second only to Massachusetts in
the number of Spindlcs and second TO
none i'll equipment. If the progress OF
the past year auGlrs anything for the
future we shall soon lead all others i'll
this important industry and instead Of
furnishing any OF of our staple crop for
export to other places for manufacture we
will be large importers of cotton from
'nthcr States 70 supply the LEGAL demand.
During the past year eleven ncw mills
have been organized and are iii process Of
construction, representing 4 total capital
OF S5275,r0J Sixteen old mills have
been enlarged, presenting an increase
rf their capital stock of S2,A29,oro. This
not only lncanS 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-
uvity. 2;}7 miles have been completed
and in actual process Of construction.
This represents an outlay OF least $500
'hil'' or nearly "''""'c'"' ami when
competed al" returned tor taxation,
even III 4 V''""''"n OF ''",o'"" n'''c VIII
add S2,5To,ono to the taxable property Of
The State.
I'm rn,,or ,c.d 81, mill. ,,,,. ,,,,,,,or
'''H'''S'' an" o''lc' nah'he" "i industry
thrr" has been very marked activity. For
the exact figures in ali Of these new en-
.,crpri,cs | h,,,n dir.c, ,,r, o,,,.u,;,,r ~