The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1848-12-06
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.,
Columbia, 2Slh Nov. lS4S.

GENTLEMEN: Having in your recent Ses-
sion been confined to the discharge of par
ticuar duts, you have convened here now
at the time appointed by the Constitution,
for the purposes Of general legislation, and
cannrt too dcepl " impress on you the i'm.
porlance rf this dury. The ri ght of the cit
izens to select their lawgivers from amongst
themselves, is amongst the brightest and
most cherished features in the structure OF
Representative Governments.
The Represent alive best knowsthe wants,
necessities and opinions of his constituents
and his fidelity and vigilance is secured by
the fact, tha, he himsclfis governed by, and
subjected to the same laws which he ordalns
for them. But his obligations to his imne-
dia,c constituents. are not the only rcspon-
sibiics which he incurs-lhey are but
members Of a large community, and their
particular interest will be best promoted by
consulting the general interest; and in dis
charge of the sacred duty of legislator he is
responsible To the community at large.
In the discharge Of the duties assigned to
me by the Constitution, | shall now. and
from lime TO time. endcavor to put YOU in pos
session Of any information ! possess, or may
obtain ofthe condition, and recommend such
measures as, in my judgement, will best
promote the general interest of The Stale,
And YOU will unite with me in implorng Al
mighty Wisdom, to aid and direct us in The
discharge OF our respective duties, so that
whatever VIC NAV do; shall promote the hap
piness and prosperity of our beloved State.
The Report "flhc Comptroller General
will put you in possession of the condition
of the Finances of the State.
Without entering INTO the details which
will be found in the Report the result shows
that the ordinary revenues OF the State, ex-
elusive of the profits of the Bank of the State,
and dividends in The Stock owned by the
State, in the South Western Rail Road Bank
amounting together to The sum nf Sl0S,OOO,
which has been carried to the credit Of the
Sinking Fund, are IN such condition as to
render it unnecessary to increase the public
burlhens- measure at all times much to be
deprecated, and especially when, as now,
the unusually low prices of our staples would
render it burihensome 10 the citizens at
large.
The Bank Of the State has very impor.
,ant agency in The management nt IT'S fiscal
CONCERNS. Great doubts were fell abnnl the
proprieiy of establishing il, when II was o..
ruenally chartered in eighteen hundred
twelve; and nothing but what was supposed
absolute necessity. could even then make 1t
acceptable. 1t will he rccollectcd that IL
a.. RrtYoIn do
clared in Ju. c preceding, which entirely cut
of our commerce with Europe; the pccunl-
arv resources of the country having been
completely drained by the preceding embar.
90 and nnn-in,ercou Sc; and with a fruitful
soil, un,iring labor, and abundant produc-
tnns without a market. even the wealthy
Planter, content To iorcgo the luXurlcs winch
use had rendered in some degree necessary,
found II difficult To meet the demands upon
hun, for the taxes and other dues to The Gov
ernment. The Stale then had in hand some
cash. and owned stocks AID other pr0duc.
tive securities to considerable amount, and
It was thought those won'd he more benc'
fc ally enlplnycd in reducing them to cash
and lending It to the citizens on real and
personal SECURITY. to relieve their neccs-
sites. a Loan Office Tor this purpose was
at first contemplated, but it was thought
that banking powers and privileges would
greatly facilitate its operations, an hence
The charter ol the Bank of the State, in the
form of which we fud 1t. From that time
To this, dIslruSt and doubts about the faith
full administration OF its affairs have pervaded
some portions Of the State, and might aid
all portions of it in greater or less degree
aud the pro- rieiy of closing it, and winding
up its concerns, has been suggested. Dan
ger of iudscrelion. the want Of fidelity III
us officers. aud nl the partiany of its lavors
when managed by persons having n" lmlne.
date interest in its results. are mainly relied
on IN support of this prop"siton.
have felt the full force of these argn.
mcnls, and if it was now first proposed lc
establish bank with the usual powers on
accouu, of the State, and based on its capta
| should unhcsitalingly nppnse my dissent
to it. There is danger that persons having
uu immediate interest in it, would not excr
else the same prudence and circums?ectlnn
in the management of it, that they would
do IN their own concerns-lhat they might
indulge in personal parlialiles, al the expense
of the Bank, and that they might prostitute
it to political party supposcs.
There is We, annther objection, which
strikes me as more mpusng. But for the
expectation of realizing prof atthc expense
of its customers. such thing as bank
would never have been heard of. 1t is C.
nough that the citizen has contributed hi
proper proportion towards the common bur
thens, and the State ought not to acccP
more at his hand. 1t may be said, that i
there was no Bank of the State, he nigh
find accommodation at other Banks on The
same terms, and the result to him would b'
g. i IL. ,..,xl,f L.