The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-11-25

were denounced as making it political conven-
tion. and their leader as trying to reenact the
scenes Of Military Hall. All the officers named
declined to serve except Jackson, who was elect
ed. Elliott was then elected president, and T. F.
CLARK, president longshoremen, vicepresident.
Amid tremendous confusion, bawllng and hoot-
ing. the convention was declared organized, and
adjourned.
Il Is reported that Orissvel Co. will resist
the cancelment OF the Blue Ridge contract, on
the ground that their delay was caused by un-
avoidable circumstances.
The bill to repeal the township law will doubt
less be passed; there are only nve votes against
it in the House.
In the Senate Donaldson introduced bill to
authorize the Legislature to purchase the lot on
Meeting street, known as the Clubhouse, for
United States Courthouse, which received its first
reading. Notice was given by Arnim Of bill to
amend the charter OF the Charlotte and Augusta
Railroad; by Jllson, o bill to establish system
OF free common schools; by Wright, bill to In
corporate the Provident Life Insurance Company,
and bill to regulate pilots and establish rates OF
pilotage; by Donaldson, bill to incorporate Claf-
lin University, and bill 70 incorporate the Edisto
Phosphate and Fertilizing Company. The Com
mittee on Railroads reported in favor OF the in-
definite postponemento OF the Port Royal Railroad
bill; bill declaring that the public debt shall not
be increased was laid on the table; q bill to leine
contracts with laborers was postponed; a bill to
Incorporate the Ashley Bridge Company WAS re-
ferred; bill to create the County OF Coosaw-
hatchie has been postponed until next week; bills
providing for an election. d.1nlng the powers OF
,a,tices or the peace and regulating the practice
in their courts was postponed.
In the House, notice was given Of bill 20
change the county seat OF Barnwel; a bill to re-
charter Rantowle's Ferry, and bill to charter the
Delany Guards; Ransier introduced q Joint reso-
luton instructlng the county commissioners to
inquire as to what lands belonging to the State in
st. Johns Berkeley are held by private individ-
dals; referred. By Whipper, bill to charter
the Comet Star Light Infantry.
At1 O'Clock Governor Scott sentin his message,
which was read and referred. After which both
Houses Adjourned.
The Governors Message.
The message opens with flourish OF felicl-
tation TO the members OF the General Assembly
upon their occupancy Of the new legislative quar-
sers in the unfinished Statehouse, and the hope
is expressed that the lustrous beauty OF the nN1
halls may be "typlcal OF the frightening pros
perity of our beloved State OF her unstained hon
or and untarnished credit and may witness the
purity, the patriotism and the wisdom of her
councils, until her principles are rs firmly estab-
lshed as the foundations Of this edilce and peace
and prosperity prevail within her borders"
AN INcoRaUPTIBLE ADMINIsTRATIoN--nE FAvoIs
REDUCTION OF TAXBs.
The Governor then proceeds to boast OF The I'M
proved condition OF the finances OF South Carroll
ma, which, with wonderful etIrontery, he attr-
butes to the refusal OF the Legislature to weld 10
the gentle influences OF individuals and corpora
tions seeking State aid for railroads. lie vir,u:
ousy exhorts the Legislature to perscvere In the
same incorruptiblc course. cheap bid for popu-
larty in the shape OF n declaration in favor o! L
reduction OF the United States internal reveanc
tax (what has Governor Scott TO do with thatD
is followed up by this paragraph
When the present State Government came lnto
power we found that the Provisional Government
controlling the State from the close OF the war
hnh loon trnp fnA m v
ment of which, as well M to meet the current
expenses or the State Government, II was neccs-
sary TO provide. Among the liabilities was
floating debt amounting 10 S477,065 So This debt
was due to various county oillcialS-shcrillS,
magistrates, coroners and other claims against
the State. BY authority OF law there iiaI also
been pL in circulation bills roceHaDlc TO tle
amount OF S222, 600. In addition 10 TINS was ttc
past due interest on the State debt, which had
accrued from the lst Of July, 1867. All OF these
various amounts have been paid, ana the ollls
receivable redeemed. AT the present time lhere
Is but small toating debt that the Slate treas
urer will be compelled TO meet. Owing to these
payments the expenses OF the State Government
were heavier last year than they will he for Tie
present fiscal year, and the assessment OF taxes
may therefore be considerably reduced Tor the
coming year, and the tax burden upon the varl-
Gus branches OF industry made lighter than the
taxes OF almost any other State.
HIS ACCOUNT OF THE STATE DEBT.
The leading figures Of the State debt are given
as follows:
Funded debt October 81 1869 .......S 6,1S3,34o Il
Total assets held on that date. 2,754, G10 W
Interest falling due during the fiscal
year ending October 81, lSIO....... 3SS, ,G93 Sc
The taxable property he estimates
at................. ............. .SI9oV1V,Vuo W
The Governor adds:
During the past fiscal year, at n season, too,
when our capitalists. merchants, farmers, mt
chancs and others had Ill their money Invested
in their various branches o! business i million
of dollars for taxes was received into thc STATE
Treasury. To more fully illustrate the ahi.!ty oi
our people to meet all necessary trXcs, We may
refer also to the paymcIt hy our c..zcns into the
Federal Treasury ~ internal reYalne, tax
amounting TO the sum Of S2.622,G9O Go--maktng