The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1870-12-10
rConsiaue1 Era I,aae.l

ehouSand dclu.s Tor range lights on Sui
iivan's Island, Charleston harbor, and
chat It is necessary chat an act should be
passed csdiug the jurisdiction of their
sites to the United States, to which your
attention is respectfully invited.
There are II number of provisions in
che constitution which require upprcpri-
ate Legislative action to carry them into
effect, such as the provision for divorce,
tho appointment of officers and employ
ess Of the Lunatic Asylum, time anu
manner of inaugurating the Goyernor
and Lieutenant Governor, and clccting
justices of tho peace &c, to which 1
would respectfully call your attention.
MISCELLANEOUS
Gentlemen IF tie General Assembly,
Taxation is the vital power of all gov
ernmeuts, and l invoke your serious at
tention to tho necessity Of strict econo-
my in expenditure, SO that no more
taxes be levied than is consistent with
an efficient administration of the gov
ernment. Notwithstanding the consti-
tutionul provision for q uniform and
equal rate of assessment and taxation,
the taxes on real and personal property
have become oncrous, while railroads
and other important interests are viHu-
ally exempt. There is much roou1 for.
retrenchment in the salaries of county
officers, and especially in that of school
and county commissioners, whose com
pensation is greatly disproportonatc to
the trifling amount of duty performed
by them. Having thus submitted to
you the condition of the State, aud made
those recommendations as to your legisla-
Ntion which seemed to Inc iudicoust |
might perhaps properly conclude this
message; but cannot refrain from say
ing what / feel deenly. l am conscious
that L have been reelected by large
majority Of the citizens of this Statc-a
majority SO large as to secure my nd-
ministration against any opposition of
practical consequence, ard l trust that
my conduct in the future as in the past
will show how thoroughly / recognize
the confidence which has been vouchsafed
to me-but cannot refuse to recognize
the fact that large body of those in
whose hands the wealth, the influence
and the education of the State have, in
former times, been entirely placed, and
in whose hands, to very considerable
extent, they are still placed have been
opposed to the party of which am The
chosen representative, and are to-day
apprehens:yc Of the results of my ad |
ministration. AS far as l am individually
concerned, wfiic wish it were other
wise, l will bear with patience the
denunciation that know proceeds from
an entire misconstruction of my acts, my
thoughts and my feelings. But if
know myself, that which l desire above
all things is the restoration of harmony
70 tho disturbed opinion of this State,
the recognition by all classes in the State
of their mutual dependence aud their
common interest; and if l could close
my term of Office knowing that my efforts
had been successful in making all men
feel once moro that they have a common
interest in the reputation and prosperity
of the State, should rest content with
myself and thankful to the G Cd of Peace. |
who used me as His instrument. know
how difficult this will be but, in conclu-
sion, will say that l will pledge myself
to every legimatc effort for the accom-
plishment, of this desirable result, and
will hail, as the best friend of the State
and my administration, every and any
man, supporter or antagonist, who will
aid mo in any way to compass this per.
feet work Of peace.
(Signed) ROBERT K. SCOTT,
Governor