The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-11-29

fentlbn may b9 T5efnlSy given osthe law
Of last session. granting tos certhin par
Ties stherein named, the right to dig and
mine in the navigable streams of the
State for phosphate. The receipts thus
far to the State from that Company
have been $1,989. In my judgment,
further Legislation is imperatively re-
quired to protect the interests of the
State in this matter. 1t is believed, that
tion of the affhirs of this valuable pro-
perty, a snm may be realized to the Trea.
sury sufficient to pay the interest On the
debt of the State, or its equivalent. The
Constitution provides for uniform and
equal rate of assessment and taxation,
and that only the proceeds of mines and
mining claims shall be assessed The
inquiry may be suggested, whether the
present mode of assessing the phosphate
lands is the most advantageous to the
State, and equitsble to the taxpayer,
and whether some change is not de-
manded.
THE LAND COMMISSION
Was undoubtedly one of the wisest nnd
most beneficent projects of the State;
but, from the odium which has been
brought upon it by charges, freely made,
of peoulation and personal purposes in
it's administration, the results have not
been commensurate with the sagacity
and philanthropy of it's objects. About
5000, 900 have been expended, and thou
sands Of acres Of land have been pur-
chased, but up to this time only q COM
paratively small portion of the land has
been sold to actual settlers; and the tar.
diness of the Commission should be q
subject of Investigation by the Legisla-
ture. This Investigation should be thor
ongh and searching, by intelligent and
honest men, who should examine fairly
and fearlessly into alleged abuses, which
denunciation. Desiring to investigate
these alleged abuses myself, I applied to
an eminent law frm in this city, but was
informed that, owing to the imperfect
legislation which characterized the Act,
my power over the matter was very lin
tied aud questionable. Whatever abuses
have characterized this agency and para
lyzed its usefulness, arc mainly traceable
to its organization, by which it's authori-
ty was delegated to five commissioners,
and by its divided responsibility, in con-
stituting any three of them, whose as
sent, obtained either individually or in
the aggregate, quorum to decide all
questions brought before them will
make no recommendation upon The sub
ject of modifying these provisions, but
would respectfully ask that the Executive
be relieved from his share of the control
and responsibility of the management of
it's affairs, of which he is entitled, under
the law, to one-ffth, while, in public es-
timation, he is held responsible for all
the faults and abuses connected with its
entire supervision. He would take the
liberty, however. of suggesting the en-
tire separation of the Commissioners from
politics, and restricting him to the di-
rection Of its legitimate operations.
Your attention is called to the fact, that
from the money already received for the
land sold, as we'll as those which are to
be sold hereafter, there is no provision
made for it's safe-l1eeping, other than the
personal responsibility of the Commits
sioner, who has them under his exclusive
charge. Provision should also be made
for their deposit in some safe and re-
sponsible institution, or they should be
used for the purpose of tho redemption
Of the bonds issued for the purchase of
lands.
STATE LIBRARY.
The report of the Librarian witnesses
his indefatigabls zeal and industry in
tiio oloOAai 20 VI AlS uutACos auo bilo
preservation Of property entrusted to
him.
AUDITOR OF STATE.
For information in this department, I
will respectfully refer you to his very
full and complete report, and call your
attention to the Importance of his re-
concentrations.
EDUCATION.
For the operations of the State Super
intendent of Education during the year,
1 refer you to the report of that officer.
The report of the Adjutant and In
spector- General is referred to for the
operations and proceedings of the mill
tary department of the State during the
year.
THE STATE CoNsTABULARy.
The report Of the Chief Constable pre-
sents full and satisfactory account OF
the proceedings and expenditures of the
body under his control during tho past
year. Captain Hubbard, in the dis
charge of his responsible and unpleasant
duties, has acquitted himself creditably
and efficiently. Strong hopes were en-
tertained that, after the expiration of
the late heated political contest, it would
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