The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1900-01-11

His Excel!ency. NJ B McSweeney at
the opening session of that body Tues
day at noon:
Gentlemen Of the General Assembly:
During the past year the heavy hand
OF afflictiOn was laid upon the chief ex-
ecutive of the State. and the people
were called 10 mourn the death OF their
Governor After long illness. Govern
Or William II. Ellerbe died at his home
IN Marion County on June =. 1899.
Young in years, full CT honors. and
commanding the respect Of his country
men, he was gathered 10 his fathers.
Holding the position Of Lieutenant
Governor. to which had been elected.
and o5eying the Constitution. l took
the oath of office as Governor on the
3rd day Of June. 1899, and Immediately
thereafter began the discharge OF the
duties pertaining thereto.
Since you last met there has been
very marked material progress in the
State in almost every branch OF IN
dustry. The hus'6andman has garnered
the products OF his fields with the as
sQrance OF good returns for his labor.
Manufacturing enterprises have gone
forward with almost miraculous rapid
ity. and are furnishing lucrative en-
ploym1nt for many OF our people. There
has beer great activity in the building
o. railroads, the great developers OF
country. Peace. happiness. and pros
ps-iSy prevail il every portion OF the
STATE Factional Bitterness and strife
are things of the past. and the people
are united for the upbuilding. progress.
and development OF the entire State.
Death has not thinned yCur ranks. and
you come together to deliberate and
make laws for the people under mCSt
auspiciOuS circumstances. trust that
In all your deliberations you may be
guided by single purpose-tha welfare
and happiness O. the people whom you
have the honor 10 represent. However.
YOU may differ. as differ YOU will. your
combined wisdom and high patriotism.
an sure, will result i'll the passage ot
such laws as will rebound to the good
of all the people. In the accomplish
ment of this purpose stand ready and
anxious to aid you and cooperate with
YOU in so far as my power and ability
may so.
EVIDENCES OF PROGRESS.
In cotton manufacturing. South Caro-
lima leads all of the Southern States,
and stands second only to Massachu-
sets in the number of Spindles and se:-
ond to none in equipment. If the prog
ress of the past year augurs anything
for the future. we shall soon lead all
others in this important Industry. and
instead o. furnishing any of our staple
Drf n!9ppS
manufacture. we will be large import
ers Of cotton from other States to sup
ply the local demand. During the past
year eleven new mills have oe@n Or
ganiZed and are in process Of conStruc-
ton representing A total capital OF 20
o75 900. Sixteen old mills have been en-
Jareed. representing an increase OF their
,.ari-a. seek % S2429 900. iniS 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 en-
nloymeni for many of our people.
In railroad building. as ! have al
ready stated. there has been very de-
cided ACTIVITY. 237 miles have been COM
pleted and in actua! process Of con-
st~uatju-l. This represents an outlay oi
at leas. s25. 900 a mile. or nearly 81
OO0. 600, and when completed and re-
tnrred for taxation even at valuation
OF $4,000 a mile will add S2.3IOOOo 10
the taxable property Of the State.
In cotton seed oil mills. the lumber
nusiness and other branches OF indus
try. there has been very marked actlV-
ity. For the exact figures in all OF these
new enterprises beg to direct your at
tention to the full and exhaustive re-
port OF the Secretary OF State. study
og these figures and realization OF the
material progress upon which the
State has entered. should be cause OF
sircere congr2tu!ation 10 every true
Carolinian. and should move you as
representatives Of the people TO do all
that Won can TO foster and encourage
this Drogress. and these institutions
and industries, which mean so much for
our State have thought proper thus
briefly TO direct your attention TO these
substantial evidences OF progress ana
growth as an encouragement and an
incentive to our people TO the accomp-
Iishment OF even greater things when
aie easily within our grasp. If we VIII
but put forth our hands and lay hold
of the advantages and opportunities
that thickly surround us on every sloe.
FINANCES.
7 take pleasure. also, in congratuiat-