The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1901-01-17

the State Treasury this year, yet per-
nanent Improvements have been made
out of the net earnings amounting, IN
round numbers, to SIC, 900, and there IS
still cash balance on hand for current
expenses of about $1,000. In addition
to this. the farms have yielded corn and
provisions sufficient to run the institu-
ton until the next crop is harvested.
The number of convicts remains practl-
cally the same as one year ago. A
needed, is nearing completion, within
the walls of the Penitentiary, at cost
of SI4,5oo In addition to being safe
prison, it is built with view to the
health and comfort Of the prisoners,
and will be paid for out of the net earn
ings of the Penitentiary during the past
year. At the last session of the Legis-
lature provision was made for the erec-
ton Of a Reformatory for youthful
criminals. A neat and substantial
frame structure for this purpose has
been erected on the Lexington farm, in
which will be kept all prisoners under
IS wears Of age. While it will be the
purpose or the Superintendent to fur
nish them instruction in morals and
if possible, make better citizens OF them
when they are released, yet they will be
required to labor as other prisoners,
but will be kept entirely separate from
the older and more hardened criminals.
At present there are only fourteen
prisoners under Is years OF age, and
these are all negroes.
A good many needed and permanent
Improvements have also been made on
the State farms, and everything there
is now in good condition. There has
been some discussion in regard to the
advisability of the State owning and
operating farms. A careful and thought
full investigation of the subject, / am
sure, will convince you that 1t would
not be good business Judgment to dis
pose of these farms.
INSTITUTION FOR THE EDUCATION OF
THE DEAF AND THE BLIND.
The Fifty-second Annual Report OF
the South Carolina Institution tor the
Education of the Deaf and the Blind
shows an average attendance OF 157
pupils, which is The largest in the his
tory Of the School Thirty-siX Ccun-
ties are represented. The expenditures
have been kept within the approprla-
ton. The per capita cost remains about
the same. The building for colored
pupils, for which the Legislature made
an appropriation at the last session, is
in process of erection, and will be ready
for occupancy by the beginning of the
next school term. The Superintendent
will ask for an appropriation of S2o,o 900
for support and $40, 900 for the erection
of school building and 81, 500 for other
improvements and repairs which are
needed.
The Twenty-second Annual Report
of the Board of Railroad Commissioners
contains a very full exhibit Of the
operations of the roads within the State
for the past fiscal year.
An examination of the report will
familiarize you with the duties of this
very important department OF our State
government You will doubtless be
gratifed to note that the general pros
prosperity of the year has benefited the
railroad interest, and that the roads as
whole are in good condition, both ma
terially and financially.
PENSIONS.
For several years the State has been
doing what she could for the few remain
ing old Confederate soldiers;th widows
of soldiers who are in need of its aid. 1t
should be a matter of congratulation to
every patriotic son that We have been
able to do what we have, and source
of regret that we are not able to DO
more. The trouble with our pension
laws is the tendency to abuse them,
and in manv cases those who are really
deserving 20 without the assistance they
need, and to which they are entitled;
but better that a hundred who are not
entitled to it should receive aid than
that one deserving old soldier should
suffer in his old age for the want OF such
help as the State and the people he
served so we'll are Justly due him.
At the last session of the Legislature
a new pension law was enacted, which
has not vet been tested. The new law
is intended to reduce the number OF
pensioners now on the roll, and to nave
on the list only those who are worthy,
and to give them sum sufficient to be
a real help to them. In order to carry
out the purpose of this law new set OF
blanks have been sent out, and the roll
for this year will be completely revised.
In view of this fact, it would be well TO
give the present pension law fair trial,
and to make such an appropriation Tor
the old soldiers as the General Assem-
bly may in its wisdom feel that the State
is able spend for this purpose. Last
year the appropriation was 100000, ana
there were on the payroll 7,7o7 pen.
sioners, of whom 4,575 were soldlels and
3,I32 were widows of soldiers. recon-
mend that there be no reduction tor
this worthy cause.
STATE MILITIA.