, 1877-04-27
THE SOUTH.
Gov. Hampton's Message to the
South Carolina Legislature.
His Plan for Improving tile States
Financial Conditions
Tho Establishment Of 0 Free.6chool
system Strongly Advocated.
Final Adjournment Of the Louisiana Ieg.
fslnture.
SOUTH CAROLINA.

MHssAGH OF COY. HAMPTON TO THE LEarBLA-
TuRE.
CoLuxntA, 8. C.. April 2G.--Clov. Hampton, in
his message 10 the Legislature, which convened to-
day. says:
cherish the hope that you will forget the ami
mostly engondcrcl by political stsifc, and rise su-
that devot,ua yoursc!yes with psir,otc zeal 10 tho
s.,,,~s ~ ,nr. ut.,a ~. LII ....ss .ssu ~ ~ ~.
ss..a IT, IT,. ;v sst ~ Wy. ..'e sat5 ~
try. reform all tho abuses in It's government, and
promote harmony, good will, and Justice among ali
cjas.c. md nsrties. Al, efforts Ia hin, nhons
better sh.e o. aaatrs VIII prove unav"ilns until
tho dasness Of the ssats are put In healthy con-
.an, md The credit Ct no st..e !. established on
sae .ouA0 "'o n'oo'4''7 ''o1ns "o'c" II onee oe'
enp'eds
future prosperity OF The gtste ths.,herc should bo
no ourstjup or douht a. 10 mr. ,,eterm,nat,nn IN
,,..t .x..s te,... aa,,.sus x".s..s,1,.
bnt 1t II equa|y our dnty 10 AscartAu what Rte iss
honest liabilities. The State obligations whether
funded q mot shenld % .sr'e.I, 'e'at!oi.ed viii
are not, This should bs condition precedent to
iig.ton, whothsr Ia The SHADE Of bonds or otbsr.
80 80 ~ ~ ~. ~ y. o.nu'
oo' au4 "t'o '" suv '"lthof A"nulnH VI aHy VI 1ne
thosisss 10 bo Issued under the act Of 1s73. to r.
anca thc vo1no,n At .hr ,,nhiio ach4 IN nrsar ~
oGsr. ehis ah.sa, 80. .,s.... ~
unse' 'o.. o9eGa ID mooo eat@s1aetoly
and eqnitao'o sl!ke 10 tho stats md to
tho public creditors, respectfully suggest
mambe, from nseb I1onsc The Comn,ro,1",. f.sn.
..osn. ms a,on' oesu ..ou.,s ~" eepstoHes oet~
cFai anu or tao state anu thfce cltzene,
unace whose directona tho complete Investigation
Of Tho funds and tho hoatng indabteduess Of tho
Stato shat! 10 made. Obligations, the yalidtty OF
which shall DO hsceftaincdt' shall DO certified 1t,
such form "a the Commission or Legislature may
prescribe; and the coupons Of snth bonia aluuo
Bhall b receivable for taxe6. The Commission
afoniu also bc charged with tho Guty Of teportjnv
to &le Gencsal Assembly, at tho next rexular
session. tbs precise character Of atl tho obligations
OF doubtful validity, OF clearly fraudulent with
tile specific facts or testimony upou which theIr
conclusions aru based; the records and books Of
tbc consolidated bonds outstanding with The m.
tire Of the aecnsite. being withheld by the stale
od1CialA. Am unable to state with nccirncy vhnt
poctkon Of tho public dcbt has boon con.
verted into consolidated bouda, and what portion
remains 70 be funded: bnt from tue brst
sourcen Of information before mo, estimate tbs
amount yet to b. funded st sbout 50, ooO. GOO.
which, nt tue rate established for funding will ro-
QuFr an Issue OF g. 600 GOO OF consolidated bonds
under the act OF l6i1. These bonds bear dato 1hn.
1874, and Tho actual tax provided h{ tho act for
tho payment OF the uteFcst on thu entire cunBn1l-
dated debt hRs baen regularly levied every year,
and ths amount une1pcndcd Tor Interest should
be in the Treasury TO meet tho post coupons of