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

|
| Dec l JOHN +. GYLES. Agent
Governor Chnnbcrinin's inaugural.
! FELLow-CITIZENH OF THE SENATE AND
| HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,: l have ap-
peared before you to-day, to as.umo the
office OF Governor, and to state my views
| OF the action and policy on the part OF our
State Government which will best promote
the pubic welfare. Our recent political
| canvaes presents ono or two aspects which
arc significant OF the will OF tho people
Tho two parties which sought supremacy
wero equally emphatic in their demand tor
tho correction of existing abuses in the ad-
mlnstratiOn OF our government. and both
presented to the public the same platform
OF principles and policy for the future c1n-
duct OF public affairs. Tho remarkable
spectacle was thus presented, among
people hitherto considered most widely
divided in their political sympathics and
aims, Of All absolute identity OF sentiment
upon all the questions which were present
ed to the public by either party. II ia truo
that largo minority OF our citizens did
not take part in either OF tho political con-
| ventiOnH which presented tho respective
candidates for State officers, vet in the
election wherein tho total number of votes
cast was moro than II. Quo greater thsn il,
any previous election SINCE 1859, only two
parties appeurcd, both uf which prufessetl
to scek similar onds by similar means. The
| result ie that we who have been elected 10
|
which wa seek and tho gnnti Il inu.hoiis; iy
which those objects arc to be- reached.
/ without intending to over-state the extent
TO which our recent party combinations
havc bound us in rcspcc: to our future
! action. l CO lgratuiate all 0u. people upon
the substantial harmony Of purpose which
nov prevails. l take strength ind hope
from that fact. II we are honest in our
professions, cannot find myself in an
tagonism to any member nj the executive
Iani SIofI
ment, except upon matters nf detail in Gar
common pursuit cf tho gam. ends | feel
bound to say that, until experience shall
correct me, shall rely for support, in the
course which | intend to pursue, upon
| those members OF the General Assembly
who wero opposed to me in the recent 30
liiical contest as confidently as upon those
VINO who favored my elcetinn. The paIn-
| mount duty before ua may be stated to be
the practice and enforcement of economy
| and honesty i'll tho administration of the
government. Fortunately cur evils are
chiefly evils OF administration. Our State
Constitution commands the undivided ap-
! pro"al of our people. The body of our
just and wise. The present demand is tor
faithful application and enforcement uf
the existing ,C0netitution and laws: in "A
word, good administration. Wise htatcs-
rnanship aims ut practical results, and
concentrates it's strength upon those meu-
| sures which are uf prime Importance. |
must bo pardonod if | omit to catalogue
all the matters Of pubic interest To which
| consideration must be given by the Gene
raj Assembly, and contine INV attention, To
those topics which appear to be most press.
ing.
! Our earliest and most earnest attention
should be directed to the subject Of the col.
| Lection, appropriation and disbursement or
he public funds. These matters are. fnrul-
amental. Onr recent experience teaches
us that government cannot he strong In
popular esteem which adopts I'M nst modes
OF taxation, imposes unnecessary taxes, ex-
| penda the proceeds oftaIAtion upon impro-
! per objects or i'll u ndue amounts. or permits
loose and reckless methods an Tie disbur.o-
rnent OF public funds. Our present tax
| system grows out of the provisions OF the
Constitution which are contained in Article
l, Section So, and Article Y. section !. Tho
4 leading features oil the system are An at
rdi0r"m valuation and uniform and equal
rate of assessment and taxation Of all pro-
| Pcrty. real, personal and poascssory, with
certain specified exceptions. Under exist
ing laws the taxpayer is required to make
statement, under oath, annually, to the
County Auditor, Of all hi. ropcrty subject
to taxation, and to yalne tho same "at its
true value III money, or ''usual selling
| price" H. il 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 ongflt to he added 10 the
valuation 10 be made by the Tx payer and
to give notice OF such recommc dationb to
! tho taxpayer. The returns are then sub.
! mitted to II County Board OF Equalization,
composed OF the County Auditor, County
Treasurer and "three Intelligent tax-pay
ing citizens" to be appointed by the Cir
Quit Judge. This board are TetjuiTois 10
equalize the valuation made by the tn1-
| payer By raising tho valuation Of euch pro.
perty as, in their judgment, has been re-
| turned below its true value, and by rsduc-
Ing the valuation OF such IN, in their judy
ment. has boon returned above its true
value; but they are forbidden to reduce the
| aggregate value Of the real and personal
property OF the County below the aggregate
yalue as returned by the County Auditor
Under the construction placed upon the
Law by the present Comptroller q eneral, in
whlch cohcur, the aggregate va]u alton Of
persohai property in any County is abso-
lMtely hSed by the Taxpayers themselves.
The County Board Of Equalization merely
eTnailze tho valuations Of any specific per-
sonal property m compared with the ave-
rage valuation OF other personaI property
OF the County. special Hoard OF Edual.
cation for the city OF Charlerton ia pro.
yidod for with similar powor, and dnties
The returns thus equaltzed STAND. as to the
valuation Of personal property. AZ the
basis for taxation; but the yalsation of
real property in the several Counties aro
submitted to State Board Of Eau atiop
composed OF one member from each Con,
Rresaionel District Of the state. the Govern.
or, secretary Of State and Comptroller.
General, whose duty It is to add TO or de.
duct from the aggregate valuation OF the
real property OF each County, or OF Zach