Year: 1878

5, 1
has now been accomplished in South Carolina.
Home rule has been rescued from the hands
of those political brigands who marauded the
State for go long time, and hope that it
has been made permanent; if not, it certainly
can be made so by the continued observance
of those great and wise principles Of justice
and equal protection to all, which has so emil
nently distinguished the present administra.
ton and which 80 fully meets the approba-
tion of the great heart Of the people, Such
being the fact, it is time to begin material re-
cuperation in earnest. After good govern.
ment, in this lies the strength, greatness and
power of people.


All history teaches the fact that there are
three grand departments of human industry
agriculture, commerce and manufactures
which are the corner stones of human pro-
gress. The temple of earthly prosperity rests
upon them, and that people is most fortunate
who have been blessed by kind Providence,
with material for their full development.
Now, this is precisely the condition of this
State: small in extent, limited in territory,
yet it is full and abounding, to a remarkable
degree, with all the material elements necessa-
~ to the development of these main indus
tries of life. No part of the globe is blessed
with more fertile soil or genial climate; no
portion of the Atlantic coast is marked with
better harbors; nor can cheaper roads be
built elsewhere and where can there be found
in any country, better facilities for the build
ing up of all kinds of profitable manufacto-
ries, both great and small, than here? When
you look at the State and see it thus 80 full Of
such important natural resources, it would
seem that Providence had intended that a
great and happy people should dwell within
its borders. It should be our aim not to de.
feat this benefcent end of Providence, either
by suffering misrule on the part of the gov.
ernment, or by sloth and inaction on the part
of the citizens, in failing to make use of the
advantages by which they are surrounded.
And I would earnestly recommend to the
General Assembly to take this matter under
consideration, and to see how far legislation
can aid in the building up of these industries.
have no special scheme to recommend, but
l have thought it would not be out of place
to suggest the great ends to be accomplished,
leaving the means to your better judgment
and superior information and wisdom.


l will, however, venture to suggest, In ref
erence to agriculture, one measure which, in
nay judgment, is greatly needed, at least, in
much the larger portion of the upper country.
/ refer to what is usually known as the stock
law. This law has been tried in several coun-
ties in this State and in other States, and,
from my information, wherever tried, it has
invariably worked we'll, and ultimately gives
satisfaction even to those who we're opposed to
it at the outset. 1t greatly reduces the ex-
penses of farming operations, improves the
stock, more efectually protects growing crops,
brings thousands of acres of good land under
cultivation, and, what is of great Importance
in some sections of the State, would preserve
the timber and forests of the country, and it
adds in every way to the end of all invest
ments and labor, viz, profit. In some coun-
ties in the State it has been adopted by a vote
of the people, under previous law enacted
by the General Assembly. With great def
erence, would say that this mode of legisla-
ton is an innovation of doubtful policy upon
the established manner of enacting laws
and, besides, elections upon local questions
generally produce discord and strife, and split
communities into parties, which has tenden-
cy to involve other and perhaps more impor-
tant Matters to the general prejudice of the
country.


In this connection, let me say that have
understood that during the past two years
there have been 600 able.hoded men constant
ly on the list Of penitentiary convicts, besides
others in the county jails. This is great
mine of useful labor comparatively lost to the
State. All this labor should be utilized in the
development of our resources. We have riv-
ers that need deepening, canals that ought to
be dug, mines explored, railroads built. The
beautiful stream that flows by tne capital, now
useless and wasted on account Of few tri.
fling obstructions across its bed, near this
city, might be made vital artery, high above
this point, to the internal commerce of the
State; the old Santee Canal opened those
immense phosphate deposits which lie imbed-
ded in the rivers of the lower country fully
explored and developed, and many other i'm
portant enterprises contaminated by sys.
tematic employment, through series Of years,
of the labor supplied from this source. If
men will commit crime, what better atone
ment to the public for their vicious conduct
than to be made useful in the development of
those matters in which the whole people are
interested. The forfeiture and sequestration,
so to speak, of their labor to the public good,
it seems to me, would be more sensible, hu-
name and effective punishment to them than
the immuring of their bodies in cells and
dungeons, and at the same time would afford
some compensation for the evils which they
have committed.


I do not know how far legislation already
had may accomplish results in the direction
indicated, but would recommend the whole
subject to your careful consideration.


If we intend to become great, strong and
prosperous State, the mudsills of our building
must be made of material development. Com
mence with that, and all the other elements
of strength and greatness will come of them
selves.


The lien law expires by its own limitation
on the 1st of January next This law seems
to have been we'll matured at the last session.
It protects the interests of the landlord, opens
a way for the poor man who has nothing but
his health and muscles upon which to obtain
credit to make these available, and it cheap.
ems the arrangement of recording and filing,
and think it would promote the welfare of
the people to have it re-enacted.


CONCLUSION.


In conclusion, gentlemen, permit me to con-
gratulate the General Assembly and the
Il II h. opl