Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1904-01-20
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
Straight, Clear-out Recommendations on Va
rlcus important Matters.

Governor Heyward's annual mes
sage was sent to the General Assem-
bly, last week. The salient features
are:
/ THE STATES FINANCES.
The Governor again points out the
imperative need of increasing the
revenues of the State, although he
shows that the States finances are
not in as bad condition as has been
represented. The revenue during
1903 exceeded the expenditures hy
$56,304.29. This is accounted for,
though, by the payment of $50, ,137 .8f
into the State treasury by the United
States, settlement of long stand
ing account having been secured by
Senator Tillman. This, it will be
seen, would still leave deficit in
the revenues of the State as COM
pared with the revenues, and some
means will have to be devised to
remedy this state of affairs.
The Comptroller has made re-
commentator, which meets with
the approval of the Governor, to re-
wise the insurance laws so as to make
the insurance companies pay more
license fees. This change, it is esti-
mated, would bring in an additional
revenue of $4,000 to the State,
Such license law is in force in most
of che States and is giving satisfac-
tion.
THE COMMON SCHOOLS.
Considerable space is devoted to
emphasizing the need of educational
advantages in the common schools.
The Governor recommends the estab
lishment of rural school libraries, the
consolidation of rural schools, and
the establishment of manual train
ing and industrial school in each
county. Night schools in cotton
mill Villages are also urged.
The different State colleges are re-
ported to be in good condition and
doing good work, and the Governor
recommends the usual appropriations
for their support.
PUBLIC HIGHWAYS.
The Governor makes strong and
clear-cut recommendations on the
subject of good roads. He says:
While am convinced that proper
and systematic work of county chain
gangs can be of decided benefit, still
very much more than this is neces-
sary in order to obtain a modern
road. Under our present system
well bailt and durable highways can
not be hoped for as the present con-
dition of our roads do well attest.
Experience will prove, am sure,
that it is wise economy to spend
time and money on this work, and l
believe that our people now realize
this sufficiently to be willing to
defray whatever cost may be neces-
sary. In my judgment the various
counties in our State should be given
the legal right to tax themselves for
this purpose should they deem it best
to do so. To this end, therefore,
recommend such legislation as you
may deem judicious and which will
give to the counties the right, by q
majority vote, either to issue bonds
or to levy an annual tax for road inn
provement. Money voted for the
improvement of our roads will be an
excellent business Investment, the
value of which will be more appre-
ciated every year. As all citizens,
whether in town or country, will be
equally benefited by such an vest
ment, it is but fair that all should be
made to bear their share of the
burden, md this can only be done by
tax upon property.
The building of public highways
is now a national question. National
good roads associations have been
formed and are actively at work to
secure aid for this purpose from the
national government. Senator Lati-
mer has been doing active aud vigor-
GUS work along this line and is very
much interested. 1t seems to me that
if national aid is to be given for this
work there is no reason why we in
South Carolina should not have our
share of such an appropriation. The
cooperation of our national govern
ment in this matter is 10 new policy.
No particular State has paramount
claims here and it would, in my judg-
ment, be an error for South Carolina
not to secure her portion of any APP
preparation for the permanent i'm
provement of her highways that
may be available from this source.
The plethoric condition of the ma
tional treasury is a further favorable Q
consideration of this aspect of the
case.
BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION.
1t is recommended that bureau
of commerce and immigration be
established to advertise and exploit
the commercial and agricultural re-
sources and advantages of the State.
1t is pointed out that nearly every