The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-11-29
CHI A r 7. ES TON
THURSDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER 20, 1866.
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

Our readers had before them, in our issue o
yesterday, the we'll considered Message of Hi
Excellcncy Governor 0nn TO- the General As
sembly of the State, and have given to it
doubtless, the consideration to which such ai
uttcrance in the present interesting condition o.
| affairs is justly entitled. The tone of it is moi
particularly joyous or exhilarating. His Ex-
cellency seems fully impressed with the rcspon.
sibilities of our present position and the some.
what gloomy aspect Of our material and politi-
| cal fortunes; but with oalmncss and courage he
| looks the conditions farly in 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
reauisition..of the time.
His suggestions in reference to the District
Courts we think are eminently Just. It NAV
be true that they will answer q valuable pur-
pose in the judicial economy of the State, but
1t is not certain that they will do so. They arc
the introduction Of an anomaly into that sys-
tenn; they break upon the uniformity of COM
mon law proceedings; and as the State has al
ready been under the necessity of abandoning
similar departure in the old County Court
system, 1t is not certain that will not find it
proper to do so again. 1t is at least important
that there should be no constitutional impedi-
ment to the changes which our experience may
show to be proper and important and it is wise,
therefore, shat the Legislature should make
provision for q change in the Constitution upon
this subject; and that if it should so occur at
Y Of f1,ar1 81 tb,tX Al.
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 proprety 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 aues-
tion. Nor, if it be conceded that there is q ne
cessity for larger receipts into the treasury,
can 1t be questioned that the objects of taxa
tlon indicated by His Excellency, and the
modes of imposition suggested, are cminently
proper. It'll not certainly apparent, however,
that larger receipts, or very much larger re-
ceipts at least, than those resulting from the
established rates of taxation, ore Indispensable.
If there be on accruing interest upon the State
debt, not met by the present receipts, it is GER
tainly question whether the better interests
OF the country would not be consulted by meet
ing 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 NAV
result from the prompt payment of its accruing
interest, but at the present time it is vastly i'm
portant to spare the people of this State as
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 larger population, and in the
inauguration and establishment of new enter
prises of other lines Of business To these
the encouragement 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 be tho 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 lin
tied appropriations; meet accruing interest as
best we can by other forms.of obligation, and
offering to interests inclined to location here
whatever of inducement there may be in the
assurance that they may live under the taxa
tion they will encounter.
AS with respect to accruing interest, so,
also, we think it should be with respect to the
principal, and though it would certainly be
desirable to have n sinking fund, the time is not
propitious now for the inauguration of such IN
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 the war, in accordance
with the rule suggested by the Convention in
transactions between individuals.
Upon tho subject of the distresses of orr
people, anfthe proposition to supply them with
provisions, His Excellcncy, impressed with its
painful character, but also with the difficulties
OF alienation, has no distinct measure to pre-
sent, and oil who speak upon the subject must
labor under similar embarrassment. Misfor-
tune is the common lot. Calamities have come
so thick upon us that few have anything but
sympathy to offer. And while there can be no
question that something should BIS done, it is
| difficult to soy what can be done that will not