The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-01-09
MILES B. M'SWEENY
SECOND TERN AS GOVERNOR OF
SOUTH CAROLINA.
MESSAGE TO LEGISLATURE.
MORE LOCAL CONTROL FOR DIS
PENsARIEs FAVORED.

win ny the 6ONernor-1ne schOol
System Considered-An Appropriate
tiOn of s5O,0OO to the Charleston
Exposition Recommended-An In
crease in the Number of Judicial
Circuits Suggested.
Columbia, S. c.. Jan. s.-Gov. NJ. B. Nc
Sweeny was inaugurated governor to-day
for the second time. ~The ceremonies were
simple. The Governor in his message,
directed attention to the fact that not a
lynching had taken place in the state in
the year just closed.
The General Assembly convened to-day
at noon and the message of Gov. Nc
Sweeny was Immediately transmitted
The Governors recommendations as to
the dispensary indicate a desire to give
the towns and counties more immediate
control of the local concerns, and If adopt
ed would tend TO popularize the system
at the same time lessening the power Of
the State Board of Control.
He also makes very important recon-
mendations as to child labor in cotton
mills. In his introduction, the Governor
says: You need no better evidence of
the progress and prosperity of the state
than that presented IL the figures con-
tary of State. From this report it will be
seen that approximately Sl5,0000 900 were in
vested the past year in South Carolina
companies and while a large proportion
of il is in cotton mill building. yet many
smaller manufacturing enterprises and in,
dustries have been organized"
The receipts for the year, including
sos, SIS brought over in cash. were So, $780,
49, This includes S191. 300 from the dis
pensary. Cash on hand Jan. !, s625, 4SS.
With reference to schools the Governor
says:
THE complaint is made, and not I'M
Justly, that our school system is not well
articulated; that no provision has been
made to fill the gap between the common
school and the college, and that the col
lege must therefore maintain prepara-
tory department. While IL is true that
very few of those who enter the common
school ever reach the high school, and
fewer still the college, yet those who de-
sire to fit themselves for college should
have the opportunity to do so in their
own schools.
THE country common schools for white
children were kept open on an average
during the past year for q weeks, and
the negro schools for 10 weeks. The pre-
vious year the white schools averaged
10 weeks and the colored schools 14i5
weeks. The enrolment in the white
schools during the past year was 126 2S9;
in the dolored schools. 1856 COZ; total, 2S1,-
ss1. For the previous year the enrolment
was: Whites, 123,S98; negroes. 146. At; to-
tai, 269.S75. 1t viii be seen that We are
making progress slowly. The town
schools in nearly every case run for So
weeks. Il does not seem to me that the
country people should be satisfied with
less for their children"
With reference to child labor in the
mills, the Governor says:
THE question OF child labor in our cot.
ton mills is one that has been attracting
a great deal Of attention recently, and
properly so. Conditions in this state have
changed very much in the last few years
We are no longer simply an agricultural
people
There is no doubt the employment and
constant labor of children of tender age
in our factories is injurious to them and
will result in untold injury in the future.
To interfere with the government of the
family by legislation is dangerous. And
on the other hand unless something is
done to protect the tender children of
vampire parents who spend their time in
likeness and live off the labor of their
little children who are required to work
in our mills from year to year without
the advantages OF school, the situation
for the future becomes alarming. To force
no provision for their attendance upon
school but allow them to spend their time
IN idleness on the streets, presents al.
most as alarming an aspect as to permit
them 90 labor.
These children should be protected, bat
II Is not well that they should be idle,
and l doubt the wisdom of a rigid law
laid down by the Legislature prohibiting
absolutely their employment. 1t would
be better rather that all children between
the ages of seven and thirteen years
whose parents or guardians work in a
textile mandatory should be required to
attend school during the school term, If
this can be done under our constitution
without extending compulsory education
to the state.
AS to the dispensary, the message says
an part:
THE present system, as It may be i'm
proved from time to time, is the best so
luton yet devised and is growing In pub
lie favor; so much of the prejudice that
has existed against the law is being re-
moved, and many of those who oppose
the system are in favor of the enforce
ment of the law. AS public sentiment
grows in its favor it will be easier 20 en-
force it, The mayors and intendants OF
the towns and cities of the state, in re-
eponse to a circular which l issued dur
ing November, state that the law is well
enforced and that the sentiment of the
towns is for a strict enforcement. The
exceptions are the cities of Columbia and
Charleston and a few counties in which
the sale Of whisky is prohibited by law.
In fact in those counties In which no dis
pensaries are established it would con-
duce to better enforcement of law and
there would be less Illicit sale of whisky
IL dispensaries were established"
II again commend TO you the advisable
ity OF abolishing the county boards of
control and of devolving their duties upon
the Mayors or intendants Of the towns,
and the county supervisors of the coun-
ties, in which dispensaries are located.
The towns and counties are directly in
ferested in the proper management of To-
cal dispensaries, and the duties thus i'm
posed would not be onerous. ! also recon
mend that county dispensers be elected
by the people as other county officers are
elected. for a term of two years. They
would then be responsible to the people
for a proper conduct of the business
placed in their hands"
The Governor recommends that no more
convicts be leased 10 private parties but
that they be hired to the counties to be
worked on the public roads The peni'
fentiary has been self-supporting and
made $4,000. He recommends an appro-
priation of $4,000 in aid Of the Charleston
Exposition.
He also recommends the advisabiity oi
increasing the number of judicial cir
cults SO that court business may be
NTH ,,,oro axppditfOu