AVATER-POWERS OF SOUTH CAROLINA. 



199 



not been slow to express their high estimate of Southern help. Contrast 

 with the negro element of the population cultivates a pride of race which 

 -inspires a higher tone and renders the white working class more reliable 

 than it is usually found elsewhere. Labor unions and leagues are un- 

 known, and there are those who maintain that this freedom from labor 

 troubles, and the permanency and certainty they enjoy in their help 

 more than compensates for some remoteness from railroad transportation. 

 The expense saved in the item of heating adds largely to the economy of 

 factories, and by rendering the conditions of life easier and healthier, it 

 promotes the increase of an already very prolific population, which, if 

 prevented from migrating and fostered by such capital as would open up 

 employment in manufactures, would respond readily to almost any de- 

 mand made upon it. 



The average annual rainfall is stated at fifty-two inches, and it proba- 

 bly exceeds rather than falls below this figure. This is from four inches 

 to six inches more than in the same region in Virginia, North Carolina 

 and Georgia. The following statement shows how it compares with the 

 rainfall of the New England and Middle States, the maan of observations 

 made at twenty-six station? on the principal rivers in those States being 

 given : 



There are four chief river systems in South Carolina — the Pee Dee, 

 the Santee, the Edisto and the Savannah. The numerous salt water 

 rivers, important as they are for purposes of communication along the 

 coast, and even for a considerable distance into the interior, are omitted, as 

 tidal water-power is not to be considered. Such streams as flow through 

 the level country, although they are sometimes of considerable length, with 

 large drainage areas, and affording some water-power, as the Big and 

 Little Saltkehatchie and others, are likewise omitted. The following 

 table exhibits the leading features of these rivers. The number of mills 

 and the horse-power utilized are from the enumerator's returns for the 

 10th United States Census ; the estimate of drainage area, length and fall, 

 are bv Mr. Swain : 



