The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1856-12-05
S6,143,114 "a


The amount Of 81 1000, appropriated at
the last session to defray the contingent cx-
penses of the executive department, have
had no occasion to draw from the Treasury
With the unexpected balance Of last year,
and balance of $2,594 81, transferred to
my credit by my predecessor, have been
able to meet the ordinary drafts on the de-
partment. As my term Of Office is about
to expire, feel no delcacy in making Ger
tain recommendations in relation to the de-
partment. The salary Of the Governor is
wholly inadequate to the maintenance Of
the proper respectability and dignity of the
station. have avoided all unnecessary ex-
pcnse =; l have indulged in no display
whatever and from my experience, I have
no hesitation i'll saying, that no man can
dispense the ordinary hospitality expected
of him, nor maintain that style Which our
people very properly associate with the Sta
ton, without drawing largely on his income.
The first Office in the gift of the people
should not be one which the wealthy only
can afford to accept. 1t is no answer to
say, there is no want Of aspirants for the
position. Willing public servants are not
generally the most efficient. The repubi-
can standard of compensation for all pub
lie service, is that which will command the
talent that is able to serve the common
wealth. 1t too often happens that he who
has given his life to the public, entails up
on his family the incidents of wasted for
tune. / recommend that the salary of the
Governor be increased to five thousand dol
lars and that he be required to reside at
the capital. On this latter point, I invite
your attention to the following extract from
the message of the late Governor johnson :
"The Office is itinerant, and follows the per-
son of the Executive wherever his necessi-
ties or convenience may compel him to re-
side. This is utterly inconsistent with the
necessary order and uniformity iu the con-
duct Of the business of the office. He can
not carry with him all the books, docu-
ments, and vouchers, nor his Secretary
He must either dispense with him, or sub
ject him TO An expense which would swal.
low up his small salary. The citizens, too
are interested to know where the Executive
may be found, and if he has no fixed resi-
dence, are obliged to 60 in pursuit through,
high ways and by-paths. They may chance
to pass him on the way, without knowing
him "a case Of actual occurrence.) The
true remedy is to provide him residence
at the seat Of government, and require him
to reside there permanently"
The outward pressure against the insti
tuition of slavery should prompt us to dc
all we can to fortify it within. Diffusion i,
strength-concentration, weakness. Ou
true policy is to diffuse the slave population
as much as possible, and thus secure in the
whole community the motive of self inter
est for its support. Ibave no doubt of thu
inherent ability of the institution to main
tain itself against all assaults. 1t is the ba
sis Of our political organism, and it would
not be difficult to show that the poores
white man among us is directly concerned
in it's preservation; but the argument o
self interest is easy Of comprehension ant
sure of action. recommend the passag
of law exempting from sale (undsr con
tracts to be hereafter entered into) at leas
one slave. Such an immunity would stim
, ulate every one to exert himself to posses
his family at least Of prctsiety in som
: degree above the casualty Of debt. As 20,
multiply the number who acquire the prop
erty, so you will widen aud deepen the de
termination to sustain the institution.