The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-01-10


on these farms. 4
These suggestions appear to me to
be admirable and they, with the full
report Of the excellent management
of this institution, should have your
most thoughtful consideration.
The South Carolina Penitentiary in
stitution is conducted in a most cred
table and satisfactory manner. The
discipline, while rigid, is considerate
and by no means severe. The greatest
care and attention is shown for the
health and comfort of the convicts.
I an glad to report that the new hos
pita1 fog consun.ptives is now about
completed, and in recognition of the
valuable services OF superintendent
Griffith, who was mainly responsible
for this humane undertaking, the
board of directors have seen fit to
name this building the Griffith Hos
pital." The farms owned by the State
are being constantly improved and
brought to higher state Of cultiva-
ton. These farms, in addition to yield
ing fine profit. are Of great benefit
to- the health of the convicts and also
furnish, in connection with this profit,
the chief supply of provisions for the
use of the inmates of the penitentiary.
The reformatory for youthful Grim
inais is a valuable adjunct to your State
institution. This also is self-sustain-
ing, and the youthful criminals are
taught in rudimentary branches and
are given religious education and in
struction
State Beard of Health.
The State board of health in their
annual report make several inapor-
tant recommendation which should
have your favorable attention.
Report of the Historical Commission.
On the goth of last February if was
my pleasure to sign the act passed by
your body al the request OF the His,
torical Commission, this Act making
much more suitable provisions and
appropriations for the important work
entrusted to this Commission. The in
teresting report of TIE work already
accomplished reveals the wisdom of
your action and contains some neces-
sary suggestions concering the furth-
er needs Of this department.
The work of this commission would
embrace such matters as the purclias
ing of the valuable collection of ab
stracts and transcripts of European
papers bearing On America, made by
Tie late 3. F. Stevens, Of London, ana
now for sale by his successors. This
particular collection of papers would
be of inestima5le benefit to the stu
dent of the Revolutionary history Of
South Carolina. as a large part of the
papers bear directly on the struggle
in this State, and the matter therein
contained cannot be found elsewhere.
TIE state CecIosist.
Since the establishment Of this d,
patrment. the work has annually in
creased in magnitude and Importance.
Not only is the State geoiogist kept
occupied in his own State, but numer-
Gus calls fir information have been re-
ce:ved from various sections OF the
United States and from abroad. Dur
ing the past year much valuable work
has been accomplished by this depart
nent in various sections of the State.
Railroad Commission.
The report Of this commission has
been received and will be submitted
to you. Full and complete details
concerning work within our State is
discussed and valuable statistical in
formation has beer compiled and
classified Other subjects of interest
are also treated, among these being
railroad taxation, assessment per snile.
value OF all railroad property in the
State. railroad construction, COM
plants, adjustment of claims, local
and interstate rates, private car lines
and demurrage. The building Of new
depots is considered also. and this
situation shows improvement.
I.aWleSsIeSs.
In my last two messages 7 thought
it my duty to call your attention to tie
absolute necessity Of adopting more
stringent measures for the proper en-
forcament OF law, aid particularly for
the prevention of lynchings. In re-
sponse to my request, you appro-
priated q special fund for this pur-
pose. This fund has been practically
exhausted in the prosecution of cases
Which occurred prior to your last ses-
sion. Although I cannot report sin
gle conviction of the parties supposed
~,