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

Carolina, read in both Houses at the
opening of that body:
Gentlemen Of tie General AfSEm5b:
1t is gratifying to me to welcome you
as the representatives OF the people
under such favorable conditions. You
come as The first Legislature to assem-
bic in South Carolina in the new cen
turv. The Nineteenth century has
been one Of marked progress and de-
velopmeut in all the arts and sciences,
and il contains lessons which we may
learn with profit to ourselves and which
NAV be of use 10 us In leglslatlng tor
TIE future. Those who constituted the
first Legislature one hundred years ago
little dreamed of the advance III all
lines of industry and Of the discoveries
and inventions which have Signalized
the century just passed into history.
We caunot realize or even conceive the
advances that will be made during this
century upon which we are entering.
There seems to be almost no limit to
the achievements of the human mind.
It is for us to contribute our part to
make the world better and happier by
our having lived IN it and to leave to
our children a goodly heritage and a
name untarnished. 1t is your privilege
20 meet aud to counsel with one an
other and to consider and enact such
laws as will be of benefit not only 10
the present but to the future growth
and development of this grand old
commonwealth.
The march of material progress and
the development Of the State, to
which l had the pleasure to refer one
year ago in greeting the members OF
the Legislature, has kept up with
steady and sure step.
The business depression through
which the people had passed and which
was almost unprecedented seems to
have been followed by revival which
is touching all branches of industry.
The increased price which our farmers
have received for their staple crop
makes large amend for the falling Oft
in the Weld. Our farmers are learning
the Importance of diversified farming
and in consequence are becoming more
independent.
You need no better evidence OF the
progress and prosperity of the State
than that presented i'll the figures con-
tanned in the annua! report OF the Sec
rcta1v of State. From this report 1t
will be seen that approximately fifteen
million dollars were invested the past
wear in South Carolina companies; and
while large proportion of 1t is in cot
ton mill building, yet many smaller
manufacturing enterprises and indus
tries have been organized.
New manufactures continue to go up
and we are no longer simply an agrl-
cultural people but are fast becoming
as we'll manufacturing State. We
now lead all Southern States in the
manufacture of cotton goods and are
second only TO Massachusetts, in the
number of sDirdlcs. and at the present
rate of progress will soon lead all the
States Il the Union in this important
branch of industry. It is we'll to keep
this fact in mind as you deliberate.
Taxable values have increased 81, 245,
sos during the past year, as will be seen
from the Comptroller Generals report,
but the increase is not near as large as
it should DC or would be if our system
of assessment and taxation were so re-
vised and amended as 20 have placed
on the tax books all the property OF the
State now escaping taxation and If that
which is assessed were equitably as
sessed.
Peace and good order have charac-
terized our people during the past year.
We have not been visited by plague or
pes,ilence and no resort to mob vio-
Ience has niarTed the record or stained
the fair name of the State, though IN
one or two cases the strong arm OF the
military had TO be celled into requlsl-
ton, but the majesty of the law was
maintained and no blood was shed. In
one case there was strong provocatlon
for summary justice, but with the as
sistance of the military the culprits
were protected, lawlessness was pre-
vented, and through the ordinary chan
nels of the Courts stern justice will be
administered and the penalty paid.
You as the chosen representatives OF
the people should guard with jealous
eve their interests and welfare which
have been committed 10 your keeping,
remembering always the responsibility
which rests upon you.
FINANCES.
take pleasure in calling attention
to the very creditable showing which
the Treasury. Department Will be able
10 make as to the financial transactions
of that department for the fiscal year
closing December 81, 1900, as Will ap-
pear from the statement of receipts and
disbursements.
The claims of the United States Gov
ernment against the Stat. of South
Carolina for the payment of which at
one time the State was seriously pressed
and notice of suit given, are now III
abeyance for want of authority TO pro.
Secnte said claims in the Courts, And