The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-11-29
The Governors Message.

The message of Governor Scott was sub
mitted to both branches Of the General As
sembly yesterday morning.
Governor Scott, after on expression OF the
hone that political auimos!ty will suosloe'
and that the energies of the people Will De
directed to improving the condition OF the
State, takes up the several departments OF
the government in turn, making in each case
such recommendations as he deems neces-
sary. To. the remarks of the Executive upon
the Lunatic Asylum, the Phosphate bill and
the Trial Justice system, and to his recon-
mendation of legislation for the encourage
ment of State and county fairs, we especially
direct public attention. Active measures
are in progress for investigating the recent
troubles in the upper part OF the State-an
investigation to which no one will object, il
it be conducted impartially and be directed
to both sides of the political line. Governor
Scott is emphatic in his condemnation of the
mismanagement of the Land Commission,
and asks that its affairs be inquired into by
honest and intelligent men. This Land
Commission law undoubtedly requires
amendment. At present, it is Of little, if
any, benefit to the poor, and is q positive
injury to the State.
The Governor recommends highly pro-
per modification of the Jury laws, and ex-
presses his regret that so little has been
done during the past year towards compile
ting the Blue Ridge Road. In regard to the
Blue Ridge Road, it is sufficient to say, at
this time, that neither personal ambition
"nor political rancor" is irresponsible for the
failure of the contractors, or for the impossi-
bility Of negotiating guaranteed bonds at
par, while State bonds were selling at fifteen
and twenty per cent discount. The remarks
OF Governor Scott in relation to immigra-
ton are hardly wise or just. It is. only the
members of his ewn political party who rem
der life and property insecure. There is
nothing to hinder the most free expression
of political opinion in any part OF the State;
but the people will continue to show their
disapprobation of harangues, which have no
other purpose than the encouragement OF
the negroes to burn and slay wherever they
can coDjure up shadowy grievance. We
are afraid that Governor Scott, in this in
stance, does not appreciate the-wide differ
ence between liberty and license. This, at
least is charitable surmise.
The recommendations of Governor Scott
that strict economy be practiced in the ex-
penditure OF the public fands, and that the
salaries of over-paid officials be reduced,
have our cordial approval, and we can say
no less of the tone which pervades the con-
clusion of the message. We condemned the
Radical administration, and fought hard for
it's defeat, as all the State knows. This we
did because we believed the government to
be both incompetent and corrupt and be-
cause we saw no hope of safety, or OF pro-
sress, while the affairs OF South Carolina
lay in tie hands Of those who had little
experience and less culture. There was
nothing of malice in the attacks made by
this journal upon Governor Scott and his
colleagues. We said what we believed to be
true and have nothing to unsay or recall.
But we desire, as ardently as Governor Scott
can do, the reform OF abuses, the develop
ment of national wealth, and the elevation
Of the people; and we may say for ourselves
and for the political opponents Of the Radi-
cal party in South Carolina, that every pro-
per assistance and encouragement will be
given to Governor Scott, and his administra-
ton, 10 whatever they may undertake for the
common good, and the general welfare, of
the State.