The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1904-01-13

these responsible duties, knowing that in his care they would be
faithfully met. Colonel Tribbles official report of the work done.
though brief, is accurate and of comprehensive information. IL
recies the progress made over great obstacles, and most clearly
reveals some of the difficulties in the way of recording, for future
ages, some of the truths of history. 1t shows how these obstacles
can be overcome, and contains accurate data concerning what has
been actually accomplished. This is interesting information and
should have our careful attention,
1t may be unnecessary to do so, but I beg that you permit me, as a
further evidence of Colonel Trbbles fitness for this work, to en-
Phasze his patriotic services in having a meeting of the commits.
sioners of the Southern States at Atlanta. The resolutions there
adopted, memorializing Congress to amend the present bill, so that
1T may allow the acceptance of such rolls as can be made up by the
surviving members Of the Confederate States Army, is one of the
most valuable services rendered in connection with this work. In
all of the work done by Colonel Tribble I am glad to note that this
important. task has been in capable, patriotic and faithful hands.
His war comrades vii. unite with me in emphasizing the true value
of such service as he has rendered, and l recommend that he be
paid the sum Of $4,000 for this work. Colonel Trbble has been
put ito heavy expense having to reside in Columbia, and also having
to employ a clerk, and I know that this amount is much less than
what has been paid for similar services by other Southern States.
Colonel Tribblc, in his report, acknowledges his indebtedness
to Gen. Edward McCrady, to Prof. w. J. Rivers, and to Generals
Mangault, Kershaw and Farley. He also takes occasion for special
mention of the valuable work done by Col. John P. Thomas in
connection with the securing of rolls and records, and in all of these
acknowledgements beg to Join.
PENSIONS.
The members of the General Assembly, acting as the representa-
tves of the people of South Carolina, have shown that they
consider it a privilege to provide for the needy survivors of the
Contederacy. These veterans, in the vgor of young manhood,
offered their lives iii defense Of their country, and now, in their
declining years, 1T IS not only a patriotic duty, but ni is also a CRATE
full privilege, to show our appreciation of such hcrosn. In their
great struggle these soldiers were actuatcd solely bv principle and
patriotism, and our care for them today cannot be more fifty nor
more appropriately bestowed than upon the foundation laid by these
nen themselves in the years gone by.
we have now upon our pension rolls $500 pensioners, an increase
OF $40 over last year, and among this number your appropriation
of 100000 has been divided. The present laws regulating the
distribution of this pension fund, in the main, are working salts
factoriy. [ am advised by the officers whose duty it is to distribute
this fund that frequent changes of this law, particularly such as
have local bearing, disarrange its working order and seriously
impair its efficiency. / can readily understand how this NAV be 50
and as it is now working smoothly, in charge of the survivors them
selves, [ think it would be we'll to leave details to them, SO far as
this may be possible. The report of the Comptroler-G General fully
n coroDrobopciyo1y cate fotI a. A:l.:
appropriated for pensions, and the list Of pensioners for each county,
with the amount paid to each pensioncr, under the classifcations
prescribed by law, are here set forth in full.
THE MONUMENT TO WADE HAMPTON.
Among al. the great mcn our State has produced there is no one
whose name is more beloved, whose memory is more honored, whose
fame is more secure than is that of Wade Hampton. Not only was
he the brave chehain, the wise statesman, but to us he was even
more: he was-and is-Wadc Hampton, the beloved South
Carohnian, the redeemcr of our State. We can never forget him,
M 1t is the earnest desire OF our people that a monument to his
memory should st"nd before the capitol of the State he loved aud
served so well.
with this object in view YOU appropriated, at your last session,
the sum OF S2oooooo, which sum was to be available when the
people OF our State should raise 100000 for this purpose, and I
had the honor OF appointing a committee from your body to take
charge OF this WORK. Many reasons have operated against the
completion of this subscription, the principle one being the inability
OF the Committee to reach the people. The Treasurer of this Com
nhtee has reported to me that $5467S6 of the required amount
has been secured to date.
In my judgment it is best that there should be nc further dehy,
as this is a matter where sentiment and pride are concerned and /
recommend nat you make the amount already appropriated at once
available, and instruct your Committee to proceed with its work.
CHANGES IN OUR JUDICIAL SYSTEM.
for a few years past the congcstcd condition of the calendars of
the Circuit Courts i'll nearly all of the counties of our State has
been a problem which forced itself upon the consideration of the
people. 10 relieve this condition, in 1000 an Act was passed pro-
Wding 1T the holding of Special Courts. While, through the
1nstrumentahty of such courts, much work has been done this YEAR
despite the continued illness of two Of our Circuit Tudees-st1l if
IS obvious that they have not met, and cannot meet, all the reot1ire-
ments Tor which they were intended. Only a brief presentation
OF the present condition of this problem can be included in what
desire to say to you in this Message.
Since the passage Of the Act above referred TO each or hoe
shown a rapid increase i'll the number of Special Courts hell.
demonstrating the fact that among other objections such a meas
III loo no tend towards economy. Last year a Civil Contingent