The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1863-01-28
The Legislature-Message Of Governor
ROnham

The Legislature stood adjourned to reassem-
ble on Tuesday, the Goth inst. The first day
there was no quorum OF either House. On
Wednesday both Houses proceeded to business,
quorum being present, and a short Message
from his Excellency, Gov. Bonham was received
and read. Not being able to publish the Mcs
sage entire, we will give an abstract of its most
material portions:
The Governor recommends the passage of
law to regulate the production Of cotton. II.
says: "Such law is needed to rcpress the ny.
ariec OF those who hoard their grain. with III.
view OF making larger gains 10y the production
oil cotton Ii is due to the State herself and to
the families OF the men who are now 6phtiug
the battles of the country, that every lawful
means should be adopted to keep the bread.
stufls at low standard of values.
On the subject of negro labor on the Coast
he informs the Legislasurc that while the Sec.
rotary of War cordially approves the other pro.
visions of their Act upon this subject, he does
not feel authorized to assent to that provision
which requires the Confcdt rate Government to
pay ior negroes lost or captured, on the ground
tnat Congress alone can authorize it. Hence
the Act is rs yet imperative and the, eforc he
has not felt at liberty to arrest the operation, in
the meantime, of the resolutions OF the Council
Tor supplying such labor rs can be procured
under them. lie further adds that this subject
calls imperatively for drompt action on the part
OF the Legislature. Nothing should be left un.
done to complete the defences at the earliest
practicable day.
lie recommends that the State appoint an
agent at Richmond to assist the sick and woun
ded soldiers from this State in obtaining their
discharges, iurlouShs, pay and pa ssport..
lie refers to certain embarrassments in the way
OF executing the directions Of the Legislature
in respect to the election of Field Officers for
the First Corps of Reserves, and SAYS il was
manifest that they could not be executed until
the present meeting of that body. lie thinks
that we have no power to order an election for
the held officers Of regiments transferred to the
Confederate service. Even where elections
among such troops did take place, under tho
laws OF the respective St,ths, as was the case
AT one time, they were ordered by the Conf,J.
crate officers, and not by the State authorities
And he perceivcs no difference between the
regiments OF Reserves already turned over 20
the Confederate service for three months and
those for the war, so far as any right exists ON
the part OF the State to control their subsc.
quent elections.
The Governor rccommands that tho Ic, mr.
uerihS these elections be repealed lie comm
sells harmony and concert of action, ard saw.
'here is every reason to apprehcmd an invasion
OF our coast by the enemy.
Resolutions were offered in both Houses. and
agreed to, TO the effect that be referred tc the
committee on Confederate Relations to inquire
and report whether any legislation is necessary
III consequence Of the Emancipation proclama.
ton OF Abraham Lincoln, President of the Uni
ted States, and ot the course to be pursued by
Jefferson Davis, President of the Confcdcrat.
States, relative to such officers Of the army of
the United States as may become the prisoners
OF the Confederate States.
Mr.. Is. =. Perry offered the following resolu.
ton, which was agreed to:
Resotred, That it be reiearcd to the Commit.
tee on Roads, Bridges aud Ferries to inquire
and report as to the propriety of calling out all
males between the ages OF fifteen aud sixty.
aud all female slaves who are field hands be.
tween those ages, to work on the public roads.
bill III the Senate to vacate the commits.
s'ons OF militia officers, received the second
reading, was agreed to, and was ordered to be
sent to the House of Representatives.
Senate sent to the House for concurrence a
resolution to adjourn on Friday, the 3Oth in,
slant which was agreed to, and returned to The
Senate.