The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-11-29
CHAR RLES ON -.
THURSDAY MORNING., N0VEMBI Err 90, 1866
THE G0HERN0R'.S MESA GE.


Yesterday, the well considered Message OF Ills
! Exccllency Governor ORE to the General AS
somhlv Of the Sate,,and have given to 1t,
1onhtlcss, the consideration to which such an
ntterancc in the sentintercsting condition OF
! affairs is Justly entitled. The tone of it is not
particularly Joyous or exhlaratng His Ex-
cellcncy seems fully impressed with the respon-
sibilitics of our present position and the some-
what gloomy aspect of our material and politi-
cal fortunes but=with calmness and courage he
looks The conditions fairly i'll the face and with
much of Judgment and prudence presents to
the consideration of the Legislature graphic
statement of affairs, and the measures which
in his judgment seem best suited to meet the
rcquisition of the time.
His suggestions in reference to The District
Courts we think arc eminently just. 1t may
be true that they will answer valuable pur-
pose in the judicial economy Of the State, b'i1
it is not certain that they will do So They arc
the Introduction Of an anomaly into that sys-a
tcln they break upon the uniformity of com
mon law proceedings; and as the State has al
ready been under the necessity of abandoning
a similar departure in the old County Court
system. it is not certain that we will not find it
proper to do 30 again. It is OF least important
that there should be no constitutional impedi-
ment to the changes which our experience may
show to be proper and important, and tits wise,
therefore, that the Legislature should make
provision for q change in the Constitution upon
this subiect and that if it should so occur at
the expiration Of another year that these Courts
have not performed their functions, it may then
be possible to make the alterations which our
better judgment and experience may suggest.
With respect to the propriety of making
new assessments for the value of lands and
town and city lots, with view to more equal
taxation, we presume there can be little ques-
ton. Nor, if it be conceded that there is ne
cessity for larger receipts into the treasury,
can it be questioned that the objects of taxa
ton indicated by His Excellency, and the
modes of imposition suggested are eminently
proper. It not certainly apparent, however,
that larger receipts, or very much larger re-
ccipts at least, than those resulting from the
established rates of taxation, are Indispensable.
If there be an accruing interestupon the State
debt, not met by the present receipts, it is GER
tainly q question whether the better interests
Of the country would not be consulted by meet
inc that excess with further bonds or other
obligations of the State. 1t is, of course, de-
sirable to meet it with funds, and to give to the
credit of the State whatever advantage may
,,,,+ f.e.-.-41. ,,---r~ .y-.~--A-<f s----A-o
interest, but at the present time it is vastly i'm
portant to spare the people Of this State US
much as possible with the burthens Of taxation.
Almost our only hope for recovery from the
present depressed condition of affairs is in the
occurrence Of q larger population, and in the
inauguration and establishment of new enter
priscs of other lines of business. To these
the discouragemcnt of heavy taxation will be
very great. Already the pressure is severe,
added to our contributions to the State, the
heavy exactions by our town governments, and
the Government of the United States. Every
form of property, or Of industrial activity, are
searched out, and men inclined to locate their
enterprises in this State will hesitate to do 80,
If there bethe probability that such pressure
of taxation will be increased. Of alternatives,
therefore, unpleasant as it may be, it would
seem to be the best to adapt ourselves to our
restricted fortunes; conduct the State upon linz
tied appropriations; meet accruing interest as
best we Gun by other forms Of obligation, anu
offering to interests inclined to Il location here
whatever of induccmcnt there may be nthe
assurance that they may live under the taxa
ton they will encounter.
AS with@respcct to accruing interest, So
also, VIC think it should be with respect to the
principal, and though it would certainly be
desirable to have sinking fund, thetime is not
propitious now for the inauguration Of such an
institution. And inclined to whatever Of econ
omy may be consistent with an honest dis
charge of obligations, we would certainly COM
mend the proposition to scale the debts Of the
State contracted by tho war, in accordance
with the rule suggested by the Convention in
transactions between individuals.
Upon the subject Of the distresscs of our
people, and the proposition to supply them with
provisions, His Excellcncy, impressed with its
painful character, but also with the difficulties
Of alleviation, has no distinct measure to pre-
sent, and all who speak upon the subject must
labor under q similar embarrassment. Nfsfor
tune is the common Il. Calamities have come
80 thicl.l1nnn 11a that fnr, haun nnuthinn hut