The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-12-03
UuLUMR NIB S. .NC.
wednesday Morning. Dec. ., 1874.
Tho. .aovsrnor's Recon ra.na..Ion..

we listened TO the inaugural address
ot Governor Chamberlain with satis-
faction which increased as he proceed
ed. aud heightened into qualification
at its close. It ia o document which
sc thoroughly businsss-like. It groups
in excellent order, and expresses in
!ce:a !!:as:sss, :hs Indispensable re-
forms and desirable changes and modi-
ficstions OF existing laws, and presents
them to che General Assembly with u
proper earnestness and only the neoes-
sary elaboration. 1t would be unpro-
ftsble to 60 again over the ground. cr
back to the time covered by the cor
rsptions which he portrsys. and single
ont persons or rings engaged in them,
and hold them up for punishment or
condemnation. That may be safely
adjourned to another day. We wish
now to note that the policy of expos
ing them. the duty Of agitation until
the pnblic evils should become fully
known, and an infexible purpose
formed to have them corrected, is fully
justified by the attitude OF all parties
10 day. It is we'll exhibited by Mr..
Chamberlain, when he points to the
striking fact that no party or man in
South Carolina could dare to ask the
favor OF the people, except upon the
most explicit pledges to remove p re-
sent, abuses. Accepting frankly his
avowal OF purpose to seek these ends,
and regarding his message as more
than an earnest OF his sincerity, we feel
confirmed in our opinion of the wis
dom and discretion of the Con serva-
tive press and people in the inor easing
warfare which they huve made upon
corruption, aud in the reiterated de-
n,and that it shall stop. In that de-
mand they now have allies more pow
srfnl than themselves in requiring it
30 be enforced. They will henceforth
persevere in the warfare with greater
confidence OF success. Those who
were opposed to the election of the
Governor will, therefore. support him
IN the endeavor which he purposes to
make to introduce economy and ho-
nesty in the administration OF the af-
fairs Of the State Government, just as
cordially as if they had favored his
election. And they will seek to do it
IL the way which will give him the
least embarrassment. They will dis
regard minor and unim portant D,atters,
no the essential result which is 30 dear
80 them be accomplished.
In directing his attention to the i'm
2Ortant matter OF the collection and
disbursement of the public funds. the
Governor traces the evils which attend
it, not to the tax system itself. That
il, good enough, and will work out q
jast result, il placed in the hands of
honest and competent officers to ma
mage. He insists that property shall
be valued for taxation at it's true
money valne. as directed by the Con-
Etitution. and promises to appoint only
faithful officers in this branch of the
public service.
BE com mends to the careful oonsi.
derasion Of the General Assembly the
question " hether Auditors and Trea-
surers shall be elected by the people of
she Counties. or appointed, Ms hereto.
lore, by the Governor. The amount
oi taxes should be stringen.ly limited
:otheRctnal requirements OF good go.
Vernment. The people are not able to
contribute q dollar of taxes beyond
What the most rigid economy will war.
~ !;tJ
He denounces the whole system OF
contingent funds as wrong in prinoi.
pie, and mischievous and demoralizing
IN effect. and recommends that the
practice OF appropriating them be dis
continued. He earnestly urges a re.
lacsion Of the expenses Of the General
assembly, aud Limitation of their
sessions to about thirty days. Iu this
connection. he points out the evil of
M inordinate number OF special Acts
re inonrnoration tha oxtro,oo. -