Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-01-21
State Affairs.
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
COLUMBIA, S. G., January II, 1875.
Gentlemen of the Senate and House Of Repre-
sentatives
In the inaugural address which had the
honor to deliver before the general assembly,
l stated that, lowing to the want OF the in.
formation to be obtained from the reports OF
the various officers in charge of the several de-
partments of the government and the public
institutions" it would become my duty at
subsequent time to present to you some addl-
tional information and recommendations con-
cerning several important interests of the
State.
In accordance with that announcement,
and in the discharge Of the duty imposed upon
the governor by the constitution, "from time
TO time to give to the general assembly in.
formation of the condition Of the State, and
to recommend to their consideration such
measures as he shall judge necessary or ex-
pedient," call attention to the serious pub
lie inconvenience resulting from the delay on
the part of the officers from whom annual
reports are required in furnishing the same.
Even at this late day, nearly two months
and half after the close of the last fiscal
year, and seven weeks after the annual meet
ing of the general assembly, | have barely been
able to obtain several of the most important
reports in time to make brief and imperfect
examination of their contents My public
duty will, perhaps, be discharged by calling
your attention to the great detriment thereby
occasioned to the public service. If such
delay arise from causes beyond the control Of
our public officers, then, if possible, the gene
raj assembly should remove those causes but
if they arise from other causes, a remedy ought
to be devised and applied.
Referring briefly to the State treasurer's re-
port, the Governor continues:
APPROPRIATIONS AND RECEIPTs-l desire
especially to call attention to the prime import
ance, as urged by the State treasurer, of keep
ing the appropriations within the receipts.
This is manifest without argument. All pro-
per deductions should be made from the gross
amount of the taxes to be levied, and rigid
estimate, based upon the results of former
levies, should be reached before the rate of
taxation is fixed. After this has been done,
the appropriations from the proceeds of the
levies made should never be allowed to ex.
ceed, by single dollar, the estimate of the
amount Of such proceeds. AS the State treas
urer justly remarks: "This is absolutely
essential to the restoration of the credit of the
State * and the success and prosperity
of our public Institutions"
In this connection, I call attention to the
statement on page II Of the comptroller.
generals report of the total taxable property
of the State under the recent assessment, and
the amounts to be realized therefrom under
the specific levies made by the "act to raise
supplies for the fiscal year commencing
November l, 1874" l am confident the
estimates there made are the highest limits
which will be reached under these leves.
If this be so, it is absolutel ly necessary that
the appropriations to be made at the present
session should in no instance exceed the
amounts there specified. One palpable de-
parture from this rule has already occurred in
the legislative appropriation bill passed at
the present session, and trust no other SINH
lar departures will receive the sanction Of the
general assembly.
In this connection, I call attention to the
"estimate of supplies for the support of the
State government" at page 101 Of the comp.
troller-general's report. The whole amount
required, according to that estimate, for "sal-
aries and contingent funds" is no less than
s212,450; whereas at page II, of the same
report, the whole amount to be realized from
the levy made for the same pu, pose is only
s150,47651. If this estimate, therefore, is
made the basis of the appropriations, there
will be deficiency of S61,973.49. 1t is
manifest that such result must be avoided,
and point it out in order that it may receive
the attention which it demands.
Referring to the views expressed by the
State treasurer upon the evil of over-drawing
warrants on the State treasurer in excess Of
the appropriations for which they are paya-
ble the Governor recommends immediate leg
islation to the end that the evil may he
checked.
COMPTROLLER. GENERALS REPORT. The
report of the comptroller.general presents a
we'll arranged mass of information, which
will deserve the consideration of the general
assembly.
call the attention Of the general assembly
to two statements, at page -, of "the total
taxable property Of the State" namely, sl4l,-
624,952. The corresponding amount under
the former assessment was S176, ,956 6,502.74.
l also call attention, with approval, to the
observations Of the comptroler-general, at
pages IS and IA, respecting change in the
time of the year when property should be
listed, the necessity of a revision of the pres
ent general tax act, and additional legislation
in regard to forfeited lands.
DELINQUENT COUNTY TREAsURERs.-I
call special attention to the fact, as stated by
the comptroller-general at page Is, that the
sum of s470,090.20 remains charged against
county treasurers on the books Of his office;
that amount being about ID per cent. Of all
State taxes collected since 1868. While only
part, possibly small part, of that sum is
actually due to the State, yet no reason of
which | am aware exists why this entire sum
should not at once be "accounted for" I,
therefore, join with the comptroller.ge general in
askinp "strinpent laws DrOyidinp that severe