The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1906-01-10

lessness, to be expended under the
direction Of the governor, seems again :
to be a necessity, and I recommend ;
that you make such an appropriation ,
as you deem proper for this purpose.
Special Courts.
In increasing the number Of judicial ::
circuits in the State understood 1t to ;
be your intention to abolish the hold"
ing Of special courts for the transac-
ton Of civil business. The law, how
ever, providing for these courts was
not repealed at your last session, and,
in addition to this, you renewed your
former appropriation for the purpose
Of holding special courts. number
of these courts have been held during
the past year; the appropriation has
been entirely exhausted, and an un-
paid balance amounting to several
hundred dollars will be presented to :
your committee on claims for pay
ment.
Without discussing the serious OBJ
jections to special courts, my expert
ence has convinced me that 1t Is ups< =
wise to maintain them as part OF our
judicial system, and further believe
that this Is against the spirit Of the
law, which established two additional
circuits. Our tax problem Is a. serious
one, and it should be relieved when
ever the interests Of the State do not
suffer. For this reason and for other
considerations which I have referred
to, I recommend that you make no
appropriation for special courts, and,
in addition to this, that the law 'ereat-
ing them be repealed.
A Public Library.
In the growing educational advan-
tages Of our State J. have thought, for
some time, that the establishment,
upon suitable and proper basis. Of
public library would be most de-
sirable step. Hon. VIM. A Courtenay.
who has done 50 much to preserve the
history and literature Of our State.
has submitted an interesting paper to
me bearing upon this subject, from
which shall present the following
extracts for your consideration:
Much interest is felt in the found
ing Of proper public library, which,
IN its scope and purpose, means
great advance beyond anything pre-
viously considered; and as Columbia
has been the vicarious sacrifice for
the whole State, there are those citi.
zens who think, in this new life Of the
capital city, that the good Offices Of
the State might we'll be given to aid
in the city's coming advance.
valuable preliminary work has al
ready been done in the establishment
Of the Timrod library. The first need
Of such an institution would be site
for the erection Of a suitable building,
and as the location for such site 10
within the action Of the general as
sembly, it has been suggested that the
small area needed for such a purpose
limitations, by the general assembly
from it's unoccupied land holdings.
The area wanted will not exceed in ex-
tent one-eighth Of an acre, and It
should be so located as to be readily
accessible to the community. AS no
money will be needed, 1t has sAbeen sug-
gested that the initiatory step to the
desired end might well be taken by
the general assembly, and authority
given for the occupation Of a small
area Of land, to initiate this promising
project"
This is a most desira BILE PROPOSE
ton. The library is nov established
and it's scope and field for usefulness
above suggestions, which I heartily
recommend that you do.
The Catawba Lands.
Another matter which I think neces-
sary to call to your attention Is tho
question raised by the remnant Of Tho
| tribe Of Catawba Indians, respecting
the tract Of 180 square miles which
they once held in the present counties
Of Lancaster and York, and the small
remnant Of that tract, consisting OF
| 620 acres, which they now occupy In
the county of York. These lands were
formerly ceded to the Indians in legal
manner, and until 1910 were recogf
nked by the State as their property,
but, in the above year, the State MADE
| treaty for the purchase Of these
| lands. The matter was not sattsfac-
torily arranged, however, and has bean
In an incomplete form ever since. Tue
Indians are now threatening to sue tae
State for the recovery Of these lands,
and have employed counsel for the put
pose Of presenting the matter to your
body and for bringing action In tho
courts In case no satisfactory arrange
ment Is made.
| In view Of these facts, and the impor-
tance Of having the matter thoroughly
investigated, both for the purpose OF
rendering justice to the Indians ana
defending a suit IN case one is brought,
recommend that the matter be inves-
tigated, and such action taken as the
facts warrant.
You will find in the office Of the
historical commission valuable data
concerning these lands. This ihforna-
ton was compiled at my request by
Mr.. A. S. Salley, secretary Of the his
torical commission.
| River Navigation.
It is a matter Of prime importance
to our State that our rivers, wherever
possible, should be made navigable.
We have several rivers which could be
utilized greatly to the beEeflt Of the
State at no considerable expense. The
| general government, In spito OF the
! efforts Of our representatives In con-
gress has not dealt generously with us
In this matter, considering the great
Importance Of these streams.
7 believe that you should aid our
representatives by taking action upon
this subject, going to the extent OF
memorialize congress to make the
necessary appropriation. Such action
on your part would be Of material
4 assistance to our representatives In ac-
complishing the purpose for which tney
have been striving.
Not only are the rivers which flow
through our State Of Importance to us,
but also Of great importance IS the Sa-
vannah river, dividing us from Georgia,
and running the entire length OF our
State. An earnest effort is being maoe
by the representatives In congress
from Georgia to deepen this river, ana
our representatives have been request
ed to cooperate with them. It would
be greatly to the mutual benefit of the
interests involved to act together IN the
matter of securing an appropriation
for the rivers of each State, and nope
this will be done.
Drainage of Swamp Lands.
An amendment to our State consu-
tuition provides by law for the condem-
nation Of all lands necessary TOT tne
oroper drainage Of the swamp and low
lands Of the State. and provides also