The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-12-02
Governor ChamberInin'. inaugural.

Dec1 JOHN E. GYLES. Agent.
Governor Chamberinin's inaugural.
FELLow-CITIzENH OF THE SENATE AND
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,: I have ap-
peared before you to-day, to as.umo tho
OF the action and policy on the part OF our
State Government which will best promote
the pubic welfare. Our recent political
canvass presents one or two aspects which
are significant OF the will OF tho people
The two parties which sought supremacy
wero equally emphatic in their demand for
the correction of existing abuses in the ad.
mihistratlon OF our government. and both
presented to the public tho same platform
of principles and policy for the future con-
duct OF public affairs. The remarkable
spectacle was thus presented, among
people hitherto considered most widely
divided in their political sympathics and
aims. of an absolute identity of sentiment
upon all the questions which we're present
ed to the public by either party. 1t ia trne
that a large minority Of our citizens did
not take part in either of tho political con-
veuiions which presented the respective
candidates for State officers. yet in the
election wherein the total number Of votes
cast Was more than II. 600 greater than in
any previous election sIncc 1868, only two
parties appearcd, both OF which profsssed
to scek similar onds by similar means. The
result is that we who have been electc cd to
d
which We seek and the general methods by
which those objects arc to be reached
without intending to over. state the extent
to which our recent party combinations
have bound us in respect to our future
action. CO 1gratulate all our pcoDle upon
tho snbstantial harmony Of purpose which
nov prevails. l take strength and hope
from that fact. II we are honest in our
professions, I cannot find myself in an
tagonism to any member OF the executive
IaI (ann rt,1Q nf
ment. except upon matters Of detail in oar
common pursuit CT tho came ends l feel
bound to say that, until experience shall
correct me, shaii rely Iur support, in the
course which l intend to pursue, upon
those members OF tho General Assembly
who wero opposed to me in tho recent DO
Htical contest az confidently as upon those
VINO who favored my election. Tho para-
mount duty before us may be stated to be
the practice and enforcement of economy
and honesty in tho administration Of the
government. Fortunately cur evils are
chiefly evils OF administration. Our State
Constitution commands the undivided ap-
proYal of our people. The body OF our
statute law is believed to he, in general.
just and wise. The present demand is Tor
u faithful application and enforcement of
the existing Constitution and laws; in Il
word, good administration. Wise statee-
manship aims ut practical results, and
concentrates its strength upon those mea-
i
must be pardonod If I omit to catalogue
all the matters Of public interest to which
consideration must be given by the Gene
raj Assembly, and contine nv attention. to
those topics which appear to be most press.
ing.
Our earliest and moht earnest attention
should be directed to the subject Of the col.
lection, appropriation and disbursement or
he public funds. Theae matter are fund
amental. Our recent experience teaches
q mn
popular esteem which adopts unjust modes
OF taxation, imposes unnecessary taxes, OK
pends the proceeds ofta1stion upon i'm pro-
per objects or in undue amounts, or permits
loose and reckless methods in the disburse-
mcnt OF public funds. Our present tax
system grows out of the provi-ions of the
Constitution which are contained in Article
!, Section &c. and Article TX, Section ]. Tho
leading features OF the system are an ad
ratorr'H valuation and uniform and e1uul
rate OF assessment and taxation OF all pro
perty. real, personal and posscssory, with
certain specified EXCEPTIONS. Under exist
ing laws the taxpayer is required to make
q statement, under oath. annually, to the
County Auditor, Of all his roperty subject
to taxation, and to value the same s.et its
price" II Ia the duty OF tho County Audit
or to state opposite each tax-paver's name,
In the return made by him, any amount
which he believes ought to be auSs I'd to the
fnilAllou ~ p0 ulhue Dy tu6 taxpayer, ana
to give notice OF such recommendations. 20
tho taxpayer. The returns are then sub.
mitted to County Board OF Equaliz alton,
composed OF the County Auditor, County
treasurer and "three Intelligent taI-pay-
ing citizens" to be appointed by the Cir
Quit Judge. This board are required to
equaiiZe the valuation made by the tnx-
payer by raising the valuation Of such pro-
perty as, in their judgment, has been re-
turned below its true yaide, And by reduc.
ing the valuation Of auch as, in their judg-
mgnt. has beOn returned above its true
vaiue; but they are forbidden to reduce the
aggregste value OF the real and personal
property OF the County below the aggregate
value ae returned by the County Auditor.
Onder the construction placed upon the
law by the present Comptroller-G eneral, in
which concur, the aggregate valuation of
personsl property in any County is abso-
lutely fixed by the taxpayers themselves.
The County Board OF Equalization merely
eGnalize tho valuations OF any epecific per.
sonal property rs compared with the ave.
| rage valuation of other,personaI propertv
OF the County. A spociafRoa OF FonAii.
cation for the city Of Charleston ia pro.
| vided for with similar poweF, and dnties.
The returns TINS equalized stapd. as 10 tho
valuation OF personal property. as the
| basic for taxation; but the valuation of
real property in the several Counties are
submitted to State Board Of Rau aliga ation.
composed OF one member from each Don.
gressional District Of the state. the Govern.
or, Secretary OF State and ComptrolIer.
General. whose duty It is to ada to or de.
duct from the aggregate valuation Of the
real pfOOerty Of 6anh' Hnupkv ~, - ...A