The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1872-12-19
7 have thus embodied in short form the in

have thus embodied in a short form the in
formation have derived from the report OF tne
State treasurer, and commend these most i'm
nortant matters to your earliest attention, in
order that the necessary tax levy may be made
without DELAY to meet the current expenses OF
the present fiscal year, and to supply the deh-
ciencies of the fiscal year ending October 81,
1872. Allow me to suggest that the rate OF
taxation should be determined or the basis OF
as low an estimated expenditure AS will be con-
sistent with the proper maintenance OF the va
rious departments of the State Government,
and the payment of the just and unquestloned
obligations of the State. With view to insure
the speedy payment of the taxes with the least
inconvenience to taxpayers, ancl In ORDER 10
encourage prompt payment by the citizen of
his dues to the State, recommend chat pro-
vision be made by law for the granting OF re-
bate of FIVE per cent. under the pending levy,
ON all taxes paid in on or before the fifteenth
day of January, 1873, and rebate OF hiteen
ner cent. on the penalty already attached, in
cases of delinquents, provided that such taxes
as are nov delinquent are paid iii on or before
the 10th of January, 1873.
NV general message, based upon the annual
reports of the several heads of the departments,
will be transmitted at as early period as pos
sible for the consideration and action of your
honorable bodies. All of these reports have
not vet been received, apd | am unwilling to
make any recommendations that are not foun-
ded upon specific data explicitly stated. pro.
pose in that message to bring under review all
the various matters to which these reports re-
late. inclusive of the bonded debt of the State,
and invite your attention to such remedial
measures as the necessities of the State appear
to demand. This duty of retrenchment and
economy is imposed upon the Executive and
legislative branches of the government by the
expressed judgment of the people, from whom
they derive their powers. 1t Is also enforced
by the impoverished condition of the public
treasury. In this matter, fellow-citizens OF the
General Assembly, you must guide and control,
and it will be the bounden duty of Others to
obey. A judicious system and wise economy
in expenditures is not inconsistent with lib
eral maintenance of all the State institutions,
and speedy liquidation of its Legitimate obi
cations ~,
All the taxes necessary to the accomplish
ment of these ends, no doubt, will be levied,
but light rate of taxation can only be vindi-
Gated by clear necessity, which must be made
manifest by plain proofs on logical reasoning.
The highest tax on the lowest basis of expendi-
ture will meet with the sanction of the people.
That basis having been arrived at, the public
necessity in good faith being the standard, the
tax should be promptly levied and vigorously
collected. Whatever may be your action in
the premises, it must stand as the authoritative
decision of the law-making branch of the gov
ernment, which the citizen must obey. l, there.
fore. trust that the people, whose delegates and
trustees we are, will be dealt with in spirit of
candid unreserve, it being their right to know
from their elected agents the exact condition of
all their public affairs. Having performed! this
duty, let us recognize our own responsibilities,
and fearlessy discharge them. This is not the
time to recriminate, but to act.
''''- (Sipned,] FL. MOSES, Jr.,
Governor.