The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1916-01-19
oem on the 10th of December.

some of the regents, L learn irolli
them that inasmuch as they have
found that they have carried over
S17,SS5, they will cut out the item
Of $4,000 which they have asked for
for this year for the matter of equip
ment. |, therefore, make this recon-
mendation that you will provide Tor
the maintenance of the Institution
the S325,OOO asked for, which in
c}udes the salary Of the s~uperlnten-
dent and all other expenses OF mann
tenance; also provide for the $780,
UU0 requested for the purpose Of con-
tinuing the improvements.
Just a word here in reference to
their asking for S325,G00, where they
used only 100000 last year. Last
year this work was all new to them,
and they, knowing that their eXpen-
ditures could not exceed the appro-
priation, necessarily held down every
item. They could not do certain
things they felt necessary, because
of tnis fear Of exceeding the appro-
priation. You can realize that the
eight months in which this board
and the superintendent have been in
charge have been active months in
deed. They have had to go slowly,
having had to make these improve
ments step by step, and there are
many things that they have kept
down, but those of you who have
been to the institution and have seen
what is to be done there realize the
necessity of furnishing the money
necessary to carry on this work.
As l stated to you, l feel that the
results of the management of this in
stitution have justified me in the ap-
pointment of DR.. Williams. | desire
to say in respect to DR.. Williams be-
ing paid $500 a month, that he does
not have a single perquisite that
went with that office; he does not
have the use of the house; he does
net have water, lights, fuel, vege-
tables, servants, horses, carriage and
even an automobile. He lives in his
own house, and he does not get one
cent in perquisites or anything else
from that institution, except the $3.50
a month provided in the %appropria-
ton bill, and the money which l paid
out of my own pocket, so I want you
to bear this in mind that the superin-
tendent heretofore received $4,000
and $1,000 or $1,400 in these per-
auisites, conservatively estimated.
whereas, DR.. Williams gets $500 a
month and not a single perquislte
goes with it.
Regents Fine Work.
I want to say just a word on an
other matter. l feel it is but due to
the board of regents, who have given
their time, energy and thought to the
work of this institution, to say Of
them that I do not believe that |
could have selected a board who had
more average talent along the several
lines of their training, and that that
knowledge was only to be equaled by
the efficiency and ability which those
men have brought to that institution.
I have endeavored to give you a
plain statement of facts connected
with this institution. In doing this
I have discharged my responsibility.
The responsibility now rests on you
to carry OH efficiently and ably this
great work. Economy in this insti-
tuition will not consist in cutting off
expenditures, but rather in seeing
that the money spent is wisely spent,
getting a dollars worth for every
dollar spent, in giving better treat
ment to these patients.
Remember that they come! from
avery county and every section of the
State, and there are few of us who
are now representing the people of
the State who have not friends and
relatives in this institution. Is there
any work that can appeal to u hu-
mar hearts to a greater degree than
the care Of these unfortunates?
These inmates are in the institution
by no will or act OF theirs, but are
there by reason of an affection
brought about by causes beyond hu-
ma control.
1t is u solemn ,;uty and obliga-
ton to give these people the very
best treatment and skill that can be
found. 1t is our bounden duty to
make this institution not only better
than it has been in the past, but the
best in the land. l do not urge this
work in order that it may be put
down to the credit of the Manning
administration, but rather that it can
be put down as the result of your
painstaking, kindly and humane
thought for the welfare of these REQ
pie. You car do nothing that will
make a more enduring monument to
your wisdom and to your foresight,
to your human kindness and charity.
1 will leave this matter in your
hands, with the confident assurance
that, with the full understanding of
the conditions of this institution and
OF its imperative needs. you will dis
charge that obligation in such a way
that it will be a credit 10 you. repre-
s%entlng the people of South Carolina:
that it will be a creGit to the State
OF South Carolina. and will show to
the world that we are Christians liv-
ing in a Christian land. and recor-
nlzlng the highest purn0se 10 dis
charge Il duties. both to God and
to our suffering fcllowmen.