The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1875-03-25

system of corruption which has disgraced oul
State and offended the nation. The State has
already paid on account of such claims an ag'
gregate amount which, if we were not familiar
with the facts, would pass the bounds OF be-
lief.
Since the regular session of the General AS
sembly for 1901, the State had paid prior to
the presents session, on account of legislative
expenses, the vast sum of 81 661 ,00O. Accord.
ing to the registry already made by the clerks
of the two houses, under recent resolution OF
the General Assembly, there are still outstand,
ing claims of the classes embraced by the pres
ent act to the amount of 1888, 900, of which
amount S500,O00 consists of claims for leglsa-
tive expenses. Is there never to be an end to
the payment of such expenses? Is the fact
that such claims are outstanding to be success
fully pleaded in justification for their payment
without regard to present ability OF our peo-
pie? >,
I speak, therefore, with accuracy as we'll as
with Justice when say that these claims, as a
whole, do not constitute an obligation! wnlch
the State is bound to recognize or llquidate
until her honest and valid Indebtedness and
the annual expenses of her government have
been fully met. Certainly they cannot with
nv consent, be made the occasion of levy of
taxes in addition to the unprecedented amount
already levied for the present year.
But. if I could overlook all other objections
to the act, there remains one objection which
would, under any circumstances, forbid my
approval of the act mean the character, as
q whole, of the commission named in the act.
Upon this point I speak with a reluctance
which all Just men will appreciate, but I am
q public officer, bound to discharge an impera-
tive public duty, and while I speak with re-
luctance, must speak with perfect plainness.
The commission named does not, as whole,
command my confidence for the work assigned
to it. I am equally confident it does not, as a
whole, command the confidence of the public
for that work. The duties required of the
commission demand the highest character for
intelligence, honor and incorruptibility which
the State can furnish. By no fault or agency
of mine I am forced to declare that, in my
Judgment, the commission named IN the act
does not meet that demand. The amounts in
volved are too great the frauds believed to be
involved in the claims to be examined are too
widespread and pervading, the temptations to
collision and bribery are too powerful, to al
low me to consent to placing these duties IN the
hands of any man whose circumstances and
associations excite the faintest doubt of his
inhexible determination to stand as and insur'
mountable barrier to the further advances
of corruption and fraud.
The views now expressed compel me to with
hold my approval of the present act. Ishould
be blind if had not become fully aware that
my action will give deep ofense to many mem
bers of the General Assembly. I regret this,
but trust the lesson is nearly learned by all
That public duty is my only master. 1t is not
my nature to seek or enjoy conflicts, especially
with those with whom ! have had pleasant
personal or political relations, but there is no
loss or failure which seriously dread, except
the failure to see my duty and the loss of cour-
age to do it. Very respectfully,
d. Fl. CHAMBERLAIN,
Governor South Carolina.