The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-05-09
CnIrMiIA. MAY G. ISL,

on the Taxpayers Convention, Governor Scott
writes:
COLUMBIA, May G, 1871.
Gentlene7a-I have the honor to acknowl-
edge the receipt OF your communication OF this
dale. in which, referring to the Convention of
Taxpayers to assemble in this city on the 9th
instant, Ito take into consideration the dc.
RAGGED condition OF the finances OF the S!ate,"
you Invite me to express my opinions Oh the
subject. I concur with you most heartily in
the hope that the convention will be successful
in "deVising means for the redemption OF the
Site from her financial embarrassnients, and
placing her In the position. she has heretofore
occupied in nresosrces. exalted in
credit and unsuled in reputation" The i'm
portance of this convention is conceded by
every thoughtful man, as itsprings from gen
eral belief on the part Of the taxpayers that
there has been great mal-adm1nistration IN
the finances Of the State, tending to an unnee'
essarv and unwarraEted increase Oh the PUBIC
debt, and thereby adding largely to the bur-
den OF taxation. II This convention assem-
bles, as believe it will. with determination
to develop the truth or falSiy OF these rumors.
uDswayed by political partisanshlp, they VIII
accomplish much good by. pointing out any
evils that may exist In TINS particular: ana
suggesting proper and prompt corrective, or,
if the result of their investigation lustires IT,
by relieving those upon whom the bur
den of taxation falls heaviest, OF the wide
spread dlstruss of the financial management OF
the State, which has gained currency among
the people. This course on the part OF the
convention will lay a sure foundation for all
needed reforms. and tend TO inspire confidence
both at home and abroad. The important sub
jects of finance and the State debt. and ol as
sessmenls and taxation, which will be consid-
cred by this convention engaged my early at
tention upon my Inauguration IN 1868, ana lG
my first message to the General Assembly
urged that they should give to these vital mat
tiers their most careful consideration, and l
deem the following extracts from that message
not inappropriate now
1.-THE financial condition Of the State will doubt
less engage your early and most serious attention.
and she necessary ways and means b, provided
both for the support OF It's government and to
meet he lawful demands OF It's creditors, foreign
character Is credit, and credit is the very SIN
ews Of the State in peace and war. The obligation
OF the State therefore, to meet all OF It's liabilities
is founded alike upon correct moral principle and
sound pubic policy. Z his obligation should be
the more sensibly felt, from the fact that State
cannot, like an individual, become the subject OF
coercive process to Compel 1t to meet It's }ustln,
debledneSs, but the cIedgor mast re.y solely upon
its honor"
In regard to taxation and assessments, that
message contains the following:
.Thcre Is no problem that Can engage the at
tenion Of the legislator, more difacllt than the
framing of an equitable system OF taxation.
Even IN the most prosperous communities, me
laws that exact from the citizen portion .! MS
means to support the government that prote Is
his life and property, are viewed with extreme
ssus;iiveness. Especially is this The case IN
society such as uu:s waete values Of every klnd
have been suddenly changed oy the commissions ol
ware
In this connection would now add, that if
the credit of Commonwealth is TO be the
mere creature OF party success, u,en, indeed,
has the public creditor but slight guarantee
for the safety OF his investment. Such q theory,
fool assured will neec with no sanction by
the convention.
While it is nv sworn duty as Chief EXecu-
tive OF the State, to take care that the Com
monwealth suffers no harm. either by tne
enactment of unjust laws or The mal-admlnis-
tration OF it's finances my private interests as
a taxpayer also impel me to cooperate in any
measure that will tighten the taxes, reduce
the expenditure of public moneys. and at the
same time preserve the public credit. AS you
have invited my opinion, / would venture to
suggest that committee OF your convention
cal! rpon the officers charged with the care OF
the pnblic moneys, for an exhibit OF their
books and all official records relating u lne
Stale debt, and the receipts and disbursements
cStbe funds committed TO their custody dur
ing their administration OF their respective
departments. trust that these officers VII!
chteriuy give the committee access 10 All
sources of information without reserve, anu
aid them in person 10 arrive at correct cou-
clIsioa: and II it were deemed eZpedent lot
this committee to extend its researches to ,he
financial agency in New York. will render
any aid within my power TO facilitate the oo-
ect OF such examination, believing, as do
that The more complete The investigation, the
more beneficial will be the result in satisfying
The taxpayers, and the public creditors. that
any existing d!strust Of the healthy condition
OF our finances has arisen from want OF III
formation on the one hand and OF Mlsrepre-
sentation on the other.
do not wish to be understood as ntlmatinS
that there has been no extravaganza 10 tile
expenditure of the public moneys. or 10 im-
providanI lScislation These evils have exist
ed, and demand correction. The 1rst and
mos. natural remedy for these evils would be
10 secure Tor the State the services OF citizens
whose experience and personal character
would furnish guarantee Tor wise legislalon.
and indicious expenditure OF the public
funds. Events in this State for the past three
years have not been propitions to secure the
services OF that class OF our citizens. Whatever
plan may tend TO the achievement OF this de-
sirabie end, in any manner consistent with our
system of free government, will deserve the
earliest attention and support OF The General
Assembly.
may be pardoned for thus even casually
ailuding TO the political situation, as this musl
be recognized in the application OF any practi-
cal remedy for the derauged condition OF oul
finances either real suDn0spd