Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-01-15
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
1t Was Read to the General Assem-
bly, Yesterday.

The general assembly of South Caro-
lima convened in annual session yester-
day (Tuesday) at noon, and listened to
the reading of Governor McSweeney's g
annual message. The document is
quite lengthy. If published in full, 1t
would fill about twelve columns of THE
ENQUIRER; but inasmuch as most Of 1t
is devoted to a review Of the admins
tration Of affairs during the past year,
the general reader will probably be
content with a brief synopsis Of its
more salient features.
BY way Of introduction, the COVER
nor refers to some Of the remarkable
events that have taken place during
the past year, citing crop failures. the
assassinat ton Of the president and the
development Of Industrial enterprises.
He suggests a fear that manufacturing
industries are being developed. at the
expense Of the rural districts, which
have heretofore been the sinews and
strength of the state. he refers to the
deaths Of three members Of the gene
raj assembly during the past year and
takes occasion to say that two lynch
lings have occurred: but suggests that
they were entirely justified.
With reference to tax extension, the
governor says that he extended the
time for several reasons, among others
because the people had right to ex-
pect an extra session. He recommends,
however, that the general assembly fix
time to close the tax books and stick
| to it.
The question Of taxation is reviewed
at length. and figures are quoted from
the reports of the comptroller general
to show that there has been an in
crease Of s9,61S577 in taxable values as
compared with last year.
The subject of good roads Is discuss
ed at length, and facts and figures are
quoted to show their value as an in
vestment: but no positive recommend
alton Is made on the subject further
than the following: "Any action look
ing to the oetterment Of our roads
which, in your wisdom, you may see fit
to take will be so much done toward
the pre- notion of the general prospects
Of the people. Whatever plan you
adopt should be efficient, economical
and equitable. And that you should
adopt some plan Is patent to every
| thoughtful citizen.
The governor expresses himself en-
phatically in favor Of the prohibition
of child labor in cotton mills; but
thinks that in the event of the passage
of such q law, the mills should be al
lowed a full year in which to adjust
themselves to new conditions.
Compulsory education comes in for
careful consideration. According to
the census figures, it appears that illit-
eracy among the white people Of the
state has been decreased only per
cent. during the past ten years, while
illiteracy among the Negroes has de-
creased nearly 81 per cent. during the
same time. The fact that compulsory
education laws obtain in all Of the
more progressive states Of the Union
mended for South Carolina. In this
connection, the governor also suggests
the necessity Of increasing the efficiency
Of the office Of county superintendent
of education by increasing the salary
He says owing to the poor pay but few
Of these officers are able to give their
entire time to the duties Of the office.
The soldiers home matter Is favora
bly, discussed and endorsement Is CIV
en- to a recommendation from the board
of regents Of the state hospital for the
insane, that the necessary buildings be
erected on the grounds Of that institu-
tion, and that these buildings revert
back to the institution when they are
no longer needed for the purposes Of
the home.
There Is a brief review Of the man.
agement of the state dispensary during
the past year, and recommendation to
the effect that the minimum fine for
violations of the dispensary law be
fixed at $50 instead Of $10O.
Attention is called to the recent act
of congress providing for the redistrict-
ing of the state so as to secure COM
pact districts from contiguous terri
tory, with as nearly as practicable
equal numbers of inhabitants. The
governor recommends that action be
taken now, so as to provide against
possible embarrassment in the future.
Among the other subjects referred to,
are the necessity Of forest preserva-
ton, the advisability of representation
at the Louisiana Purchase exposition,