Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-02-03

taken up and read by sections The first Sec
ton had been passed and the second was un-
der consideration, when the following message
from the Governor was received and read: f.
STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA 5,,.q
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER,
COLUMBIA, January q, 1875.
Hon. R. B. Elliott, Speaker House Of Repre'e''-
tdtiUeS:
SIZE: A copy of the annual appropriation bill,
as reported by the ways and means committee OF
the house of representatives, has been laid before
me for my consideration. 1t is suggestive OF
some considerations, which my sense OF ofi1cial
duty leads me to present at once to the general
assembly. -
Two striking facts appear from an examination
of the first and second sections Of the bill First.
That the appropriations made by the first section
reach an aggregate amount Of $l90, 800, while the
tax levied by the supply act to meet those appfo-
leaving deficiency Of seo, 500. Second. That the
appropriations made by the second section reach
an aggregate amount of $l79, 200, while the tax
levied by the supply act to meet those appropr-
ations will produce not more than $50, ,0oo ieay-
ing deficiency Of $49, 200. These two items OF
deficiency amount to $40, 600.
1t was foreseen when the supply act was ma
tured, and passed early in the present session,
that the reduction of the leves 80 as TO bring tine
entire amount to its present limit, would inevita-
bly, leave deficiency, result which 1 then great
ly deplored, but which seemed necessary In the
present impoverished condition Of the people OF,
the state.
An effort was made at the last session Of the
general assembly, to reduce the salaries OF pabiic
officers, which resulted in the passage by the
house Of representatives of bill which would, IN
my Judgment have accomplished good results.
That bill has been before the senate during the
present session and has not yet been disposed Of
gate amount of salaries now paid to + bile OIL
GERS will furnish the chief means Of preventing
the immense deficiencies which have pointed
out. The delay of the senate in acting upon this
measure must embarrass all our efforts TO prop
erly adjust our tax leyies and appropriations.
If bill reducing salaries shall pass the present
appropriations can of course be correspondingly
reduced. If such bill shall not pass, then the
appropriations, so far as salaries are concerned,
must remain as now reported, and our efforts TO,
points /, therefore, urge upon the generai rs
sembly the great importance Of promps acaon'
upon the salary bill in order that the amount OF
appropriations required may be known while the
Of the perfect practicability of large reduction
of salaries have no doubt CONSIDER IL COM
patible with the efficiency of our civil service
generally, demanded by the wants OF the people,
elected to our several offices. and especially by,
the present condition of the industries and sources
of revenue In the State. And In making such.
reductions 7 say explicitly that am IN favor Of
large reductions from the highest once 20 fhe
lowest, where the salaries are not protected by
the constitution. say let there be no fayorite-i
ism no partiality, at any point and In the case
of my own salary, though it is protected BY the
constitution from reduction during my present
term, i will voluntarily submit to as great q
reduction as may be made generally Ia other SAL
aries. A reduction by one-third of the present
salaries would not, in my judgment, be too great.
Such a reduction would at once remove almost
the entire amount OF deficiency arising under the
first section Of the appropriation act, aud would