Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-07-09
MESSAGE OF GOVERNOR SCOTT.


From the Charleston Ne,os, we are able to pre-
sent an abstract of the message Of Governor H.
X. Scott, to the Legislature now assembled in, Co
lumbia. The document is an important one, and
is giving general satisfaction, by the fairness with
which it treats important State matters and for
Il liberal policy recommended to the Legislature.
We have room only for portion Of the abstract
taken from the Nnos: ...., a.,ha layrt zE.
Under the head of finance and taxation, it is
strongly recommended that the Legislature shall
take Immediate action to provide for the extin-
guishment of the entire debt Of the State, now q.
mounting to about IS, 800 900, pnncipaland inter:
est. A general statement of the public debt and
of the available assets of South Carolina is made,
and the importance is urged Of preserving the faith
and credit Of the State, SO that if Necessary at
future time loan may be effected at q reasonable
rate of interest The means suggested for the &C.
complishment of this object are, first the exercise
of rigid economy and secondly, the establishment
of an equitable system Of taxation, whereby the
accrued and increasing interest upon the debt may
be promptly paid. To sustain this credit the mes
sage says 1--WE should not even seem to take ad.
vantage of any constructions of law whereby the
obligations of the State may be evaded z sag
1t is strongly insisted, however, that great; care
should be exercised in the matter Of taxation, 50
that neither the people shall be oppressed nor the
unnecessary burdens. At the same time all class
es of citizens should be made to aid in supporting
the government that protects them, and if they
refuse, the Legislature should provide means to
enforce the payment of taxes: H.. ,......
The importance of education to the masses OF
the people, as the great conservator of law and
order idwelt upon at some length. and it is urged
that a thorough system of good schools shall be
established as soon as may be consistent with the
financial condition of the State. Attention is di-
rected to the act of Congress Of 1862, whereby
1870 600 acres of land were donated to each State
for the establishment of agricultural colleges In
which pupils may receive thorough and liberal
education. Thiscollege scrip the Governor states,
is now worth in the market fraction more than
one dollar per acre. He also refers to the act OF
1864, granting FIVE hundred thousand acres Of pub
lie land to each State for the creation Of common
school fund therein. This would save to the treas
ury large amount, and obviate the necessity OF
taxing the people for the specific purpose of edu-
cation. The Governor urges upon the Legislature
to memorialize Congress for further grants Of land
or money for educational objects, as, in the impoy-
erished condition of the State, it impossible for
her people to pay by taxation for the education
that is so requisite to their peaceful progress
Adverting to agriculture and emigration, the
Governor expresses desire that the capital and
labor which have heretofore been employed in the
nroduction of one staple alone, should be applied
to diversified crop system. On this point valua-
bic statistics were presented, drawn from the re-
port of the United States Agricultural Bureau,
comparing the value of mixed crops of certain
States with the value Of the cotton crop Of the
South The opinions expressed will be read with
interest by oil planters: ..' 1r o.. >
He remarks upon the great advantage which
South Carolina offers to the emigant from Europe
in its soil and climate and suggests that the Leg
islature shall provide By law for the establishment
of Board Of Emigration to encourage this wor-
thy class of settlers.
He speaks also of the discoveries Of bone phos-
pilates that have been made in the State, and OF
the flowing back of the currents Of trade that have
begun in consequence of the shipments of this fer
tilizer and of our lumber to Northern ports. The
mineral resources of the State and the practicable
ity of their development are referred to, and the
establishment of geological or meteorological bu-
reau recommended. III: .t.,,.,: =.
The delicate point of political disabilities is fair
y and squarely met, by an earnest expression OF
the hope that the Legislature will, at an early day,
relieve every citizen Of his political disabilities.
The Governor says he is satisfied that such mag
nanlm0uS act would DE appreciated Dy tnecommu-
nifty at large as an evidence Of good will that it
would tend to remove misapprehension and settle
the public mind, and that it would not be mistaken
or lily requted by the class benefited In this con-
nection, the Governor states that he believes there
are none of the class in this State whose offences
against the laws of war would exclude them from
an amnesty. His argument on this subject is CO.
gent and conclusive.
In reference to the militia he suggests form of
oath not retroactive, but simply binding the per-
son to obey the laws in future; and urgesa speedy
organization e .. .-..,.
The message urges the Legislature to encourage
railroad enterprises in the State and the extern
sion of aid to the Blue Ridge Rail Road in partic-
ular To-. . Il b-i '..'' /.
The attention of the Legislature is directed to
Section 8, Article s. Of the new constitution, in
reference to the digest of the laws Of the State the
alteration of the forms of pleading both at law and
in equity, and the expunging of such statutes al
are no longer applicable to our present civil polity
The Governor suggests that two or more persons
learned in the law shall be designated as commits
sion to perform this work, and that they shall be
literally compensated therefor. In this connection
he urges that two persons Of well known legal q.
bity shall be employed as advisory council, to aid
the Legislature in drawing mr., neceaaarp sfaf,,tas