The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1853-12-06
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
Gentlemen Of Tie Senate,
and House of Representatives.:

bling again, under the most ausplclous crcum-
stances, to legislate upon the affairs of South
Carolina, and by the enactment OF new laws,
and the establishment of fresh precedents for
her future government, to promote her moral
and social welfare, improve and develop her
internal resources, and to increase her COM
,,nercial and political importance among neigh
ing States and nations.
Whilst the Constitution under whose provi.
sions sou are here assembled, imposes upon
YOU that highest of all social responsibilities,
the task to provide for the welfare of the pco-
ple of the commonwealth, upon me devol' cs
the subordinate obligation to lay before you
from time to time, information Of its condition,
and to make such recommendations as shall
Judge necessary and expedient. The absence
of a comprehensive political experience enables
ane but imperfectly to meet all the require.
ments of such duty. In inviting, therefore,
YOUR co.operation to the recommendations
which | shall make, your wisdom and expert
ence will carry into effect those which are ad.
yantageous and for the rest that is demanded
by the wants of the State, safer reliance can
not be placed than in that patriotism and en-
lightened view of public policy, which, under
all circumstances, either in peace or in times
OF trial, have characterized your legislation.
The year.which is past has been one ofsig-
nal prosperity to the State. Not only has it
been characterized by all unusual degree of
health, but every department of industry ex-
lists in condition of thrift and prosperitr.-
Although the growers of cotton are not reap
ing as large a yield Of their labor as they at
one period anticipated, yet the present fair
price for their staple and comparative free
dom frou debt, place the planters in condi-
ton of greater independence than they have
enioycd at any previous time. Their property,
both real and personal, is greatly increased in
value, and fresh sources of revenue are opened
to them, by new. convenient, and more expe-
ditious means of Communication with the me-
tropolis and other market towns. Improved
modes of tillage and the importation from
abroad uf fertilizers for their lands, are adding
each year large amounts to the income of the
State, and are fast laying the foundation Of
steady Improvement and permanent wealth.
IF possible, the results of the years labor
among the tide water planters are even more
fla,tering. The season has been free from food
or unusual gales, and the summer rains have
palced a. their disposal an abundance of fresh
water for the luxuriant growth of the grain.-
The harvest has been heavy, and the high pri'
ces which their grain crop at present COM
mands, make it the most prosperous of all the
AGRICULTURAL interests Of the State-as indeed
it usually is in the absence Of those caiami,ics
which sometimes affect it, In addition t" these
facts, in this summary of the condition OF the
State, the city Of Charleston, exempt as it has
been during the summer, from every sort OF
epidemic, and presenting in its bills OF mortal
ity condition Of health which will compare
favorably with those of any city apon the con-
tineut, has had tide of commerce poured M
to her lap, which she has never before received.
Both the domestic and foreign imRortatlons
into the city have been unusually large, and
sales have alre .dy been effected toan extent
nearly as great as in the entire business sea-
sons of other years. Railroads leading into
the interior, and into regions beyond the State
limits, which have hitherto been in the prog
ress Of construction, are now performing their
proper functions, and comforting their expected
benefits. This, together with the great health
of,he city, has .brought to her markets new
and valuable customers, and the daily iucreas-
ing facilities by rail, to points still more dis.
present confines of the city int" the more ex-
tended limits of a great metropolis.
Fhe subjects to which shall chiefly call
YOUR attention, are the finances of the State,
the condition Of the Blue Ridge Railroad ell
terprise, popular education, and the subjects
connected Herewith, the condition of the Asy-
lum for the insane, the construction of new
Capitol, the question of boundary between
Georgia and South Carolina, the laws regard
ing colored seamen, and to one of the articles
of The consular convention between the Gov
ernment of the United States and his Majesty
the Emperor of the French.
herewith submit to you an abstract Of the
condition Of the finances Of the State together
with statement of the condition of the Bank
ofthe State on the lst October, which is the
end of the fiscal year. For that period, the
results Of its operations cannot be otherwise
than satisfactory.
The profits of the bank during the year have
amounted to $3.50, 1000, exceeding the profits
of the previous year S2l, ,594.92 From these
profits have been paid the interest on the fire
loan debt, 100, 1868, and the balance carried to
the sinking fund amounts to s229,037. The
account exhibits larger balance than usual;
but the Bank has advanced to contractors for
arms, &C., about S5l, 900 which isa set.of
against this balance. The sum of S75, 800 has
.also been advanced to the Greenville Railroad
Company, which is the amount of assessment
'on the stock held by the State in that Compa-
ny, and which, if paid by the State, will make
a further reduction of the cash balance in the
treasury The bank holds the notes Of the
Company with security, for the amount of the
advance
ILL., G,ndad doht duo Lu tl,o Stnta On Ii &C