The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1875-12-01
The Governors Message.


tion of the Legislature are thus sum-
med up in the concluding paragraphs
of the message itself:
"The measures which I deem most
essential to the present welfare Of the
State are: First, the prompt passage
of supply act which shall impose the
lightest possible burden of taxation;
second, the enactment of law which
shall require all disbursements Of pub
lie funds, except the interest on the
public debt, to be made upon warrants
of the comptroller-general, issued upon
vouchers approved by that officer and
permanently recorded in his office;
third, the keeping of all appropriations
within the limits of the funds actually
provided for by taxation ; fourth, the
immediate and large reduction of the
scale of all public expenditures fifth,
the equitable adjustment of the float
ing Indebtedness of the State upon
plan embracing the most rigid scrutiny,
hy impartial agencies, of all claims, and
the gradual payment by taxation of
the valid claims; sixth, the inaexible
observance of exact good faith respect
ing the public debt"
The total value of real property is
s9O,O95,4O7 That of personal pro-
perty s46,79l,006, in which is in
cluded considerable amount of per-
sonal property which has hitherto
escaped taxation. The North Eastern
and part of the South Carolina Rail-
road property is now likewise subjected
to taxation. The Legislative expenses
for the fiscal year are sl50,000; the
previous year sl90,OO0, and the Gov
ernor thinks s120,O00 should cover
the expenses Of the present year. The
public printing has been reduced du-
ring the past year from the annual
average of slSl, ,2o9 during the three
preceding years to $4,000 per year.
A fair and honest competition in the
bidding is recommended. In speak
ing of the Bank and Trust Co., the
Governor gives US but little comfort as
to the value of its assets; he recon-
mends' settlement Of the floating in
debtedness, and that county commits
sioners make specific levies for all
leading objects of expenditure as is
now done by the State; the establish
ment of County High Schools is again
submitted to the consideration of the
Legislature. The Normal School is
reported as in satisfactory condition.
The suspension of the school for the
Deaf, Dumb and Blind at Spartan
burg IS called an act of educational
retrogession and its resumption is re-
commended. The Lunatic Asylum
needs more liberal support, which,
with proper retrenchments in other
expenses of the State, could be met
without increased taxation. Great i'm
provements have been made in the
management of the Penitentiary, and
the Governor finds its financial condi-
tion satisfactory; he recommends
reduction of the Penitentiary appro-
priations to 10000, which he deems
sufficient with the proper employ of
convict labor. He insists that law
be passed to carry into execution the
constitutional provision for the election
Of Justices of the Peace and for the
registration of voters. It is recon-
mended that an appropriation be made
to aid the State Agricultural and Me-
chanical Society that the Palmetto
Monument be repaired; ; that Judges
of high character and sufficient legal
learning be elected, and that the State
be represented at the Centennial Cele-
bration. From the showing made it
appears that matters are improving
apace, and if the Legislature will fol.
low the advice given in the Governors
concluding remarks better time is
not far off,
"The work and spirit" he says,
(which l commended to you year ago,
I commend with increased earnestness
to you now-the work Of correcting
abuses and restoring good admiuistra-
tion-the spirit of integrity and fdel-
ity towards those whose trusts We hold.
Some gratifying results have been
reached, but the future has heavier
tasks than those already achieved. I
might urge these things upon my
political associates as essential to the
life and success of their political party,
for so they are; but choose to urge
them upon the common, unassailable
ground of the public welfare. He
will be blind politician who is not
also patriot. The truly wise public
man in this State to-day will labor and
pray for the peace and honor of South
Carolina; for the increase of official
integrity ; for the confirmation to every
citizen of all civil and political rights;
for the establishment of a government
which shall protect all and Cypress
none."
A Valuable Medical Treatise.
The edit;on for 1915 of the star1ino Medical