Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1839-12-05

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sage which was read by him in both
Houses. ~ IS
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT..
Columbia. S. T.. Nov. 26, 1889.
Fe'lo,o-citi.ens Of the Senate.
md House 2f Representatives.
Tn taking retro>pectof theplsty year. our
most devon, gratitude is cal'ed into lively
exercise, 10 the Almighty Dispenser OF all
good, for the very abuuhanl harvesis WIN
which he has been pleased to reward t'f
tolls of the husbandman. The tee'n!ns
earth has brought forth in grea! Pt"lslon
all the products of the soil usually cuitlva-
,ed But these signal blessings have been
accompanied. in the course of an All Wise
Providence, by visi'alions of a painful and
melancholy character. Disease has af-
fictcd portion Of our State, and death
has consigned to the tomb many eminent
and valuable citizens-men, distinguished
Tor their shining virtues, great ta'en's aud
public services.
As a member of the Confederacy, South
Carolina must necessarily feel deep IN
seeest in the Legislation of the General
Eovernmeul; and in looking towards the
various important subjects which may
probably, at an early day. employ the de
iiberations of Congress, our attention VIII
be arrested by one topic Of vast magnllnde.
prepnau, with future veal or woe, AS II
shall be settled. I mean the Tariff ques-
ton. Bv the Compromise Act OF 1888 it
was provided. that by the gradual reduc-
tlon Of the duties they should be broushI
down 10 TWEEN: y per cent in 1872, whi n will
then he their ablished.rates, unless The
amen 1T IN the meaa time, shall he al eyed
Nv law. Bu, the same act contains The
pledge Of Congress, that the revenue shall
be reduced 10 the economical wants OF the
Governments. 1t is believed that duty
below 20 per cent. upon the i'nPortnlionS
would raise sufficient revenue tor all the
essential purposes of Government. The
main obstacle to this reduction is to he
Sound in the strong disposition which, in
some sections of tho Union, is felt to in
crease the epnblic expenditures, for the pro-
motion Of sectional Interests. ar,hese are
not diminished to the lowest necessary
point, they will, at all ii ues, afford Il con
vcnient preleSt for refusing 10 reduce 'he
.imposts. If The people could be made
sensible of the enormous tribute which is
annual, exacied from them, by this indi.
rect mode OF taxation. they would demand
the repeal of such ouerous laws, in voice
which their Representatives would nOr
dare to disregard. If the Government
would consent ,e ADOPT The system of 'li-
rectaaxes, and attempt tn draw such large
sums from tho people, il would snnn bc
discovered that the tax-paying citizens
would not, for moment, endure the bar
then. The very faeI That each man il The
community would then know the precise
amour, Of tax which he paid, establishes
the soundness of the proposition. that in a
popular government, direct taxes are 10 br
nreferred to those which are indirect. But
H tEisckance cannot uow be introduced
into our Federal legislation. the adjust
ment Of the Tariff, upon such modifica-
lions as will conduce TO The peace. harmo
nv and integrity Of the Union, is solemnly
reoured, as we'll by the dictates niwisdom
as of patriotism. The past history of our
country will indicate the evils which are
to be avoided -evils ofa menacing aspect.
The aastipg States will not endure pro.
seclive duties. They will insist. that du-
lies shall be laid exclusively for revenue,
and ,hn nurevenuc shall be raised, Than Is
required ty the economical wants OF The
Government. The people of this section
contend tor Il uniform AL valnre'n duty
upon all impnrations upon scale sradn
ated with reference to diminished eyp"n
ditures and the economical dem lands OF Ine
Governments.
From the Conptroller's Report, the follow.
3ng abstract is obtained. exhibiting the cnnril-
noa of the Finances Of the State on the lst
Oct. 1894
The undrawn balances of exist
lug appropriations amount to S103, l39 25
The usual and necessary appro-
priations for the year l3t0, 292.42O 90
Making. S390,::59 IS
To meet the payment of which,
ahere is cash inthe two Treas
arie,, Oct. lst l.39, Sl13Os7 65
And nett amount Of taxes to be
collected i'll ls40, 100000 90
Making, $iO3,OS7 ic
Which will leave only balance Of about
S12,5O0 in the Treasury. on the list October
next, without the prospect Of any receipts until
the taxes shall be collected and paid into the
Treasury, in May and June l94l.
II is important. ,e know the precise situation
Of the State in relation to the debts due by it,,
and the fluids belonging to it. to meet those
debts. For this purpose have caused state
meut to be prepared, giving this information
and herewith communicated. From this doc
,ment the following general results obtained
Aggregate amoun, Of funds be-
longing to the State, $1,000. $50 q
Aggregate Of debts due by the
State, 3,039,243 81
Balance in favor Of the State S59I ,5S6 40
But il is proper to state, that in the amount
ofdebts due by the State, is included the
deposite Of Sl .O5I ,422 09 OF tho surplus