Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-12-06
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
The message of Governor Hampton to the
General Assembly, now in session, will be
found in full on the first page of this issue
Like every state paper yet emsnating from
Governor Hampton, the message is terse
comprehensive, and abounding in practical
good sense.
He reminds the Legislature of the pledges
made during the canvass. and impresses upon
the members the fact that impartial justice in
the administration of the laws and the recogni
ton of the perfect equality of all citizens un'
der those laws, with the assurance of protec
ton to all in their rights of person and prop
erty-a consummation so ardently desired by
every patriots to be brought about mainly
by the labors of the General Assembly, and
he relies upon their wisdom, discretion and
patriotism in so shaping the ensuing legisla
ton.
The financial affairs of the State receive
his earnest attention, and he plainly says that
until our financial condition is satisfactorily
settled, all hopes of returning prosperity are
delusive The credit of the State must be re-
stored and maintained, while repudiatiou
would bring inevitable disaster and would en-
tail inevitable disgrace. Upon this point the
Governor speaks in no uncertain tones, and in
his recommendation to pay all the just and
bona fde Indebtedness of the State, be will be
sustained by every well-wisher ofthe common
wealth. The policy he recommends of buy
ing in the bonds of the State and retiring the
debt in this manner, instead of fcreating sink
ing fund for the purpose of meeting the States
obligations, will also commend itself as emf
nently wise and practicable
He considers the free schools a subject OF
vital consequence to the material prosperity
Of the State, and earnestly invokes favorable
action on the subject, whereby system may
be matured, which, while bene6ting the schol'
ars, will secure prompt payment to the teach
ers He recommends the ratification of the
constitutional amendment regarding the tax
to support free schools, adopted by the Vo'
ters at the last election. His recommenda.
ton to establish university for the colored
people, is a part of the educational system
promised by the Democratic party in the last
campaign, and in urging upon the Legisla-
ture the Importance of such an institution,
the Governor redeems his pledge, in which
the people generally will sustain him.
A portion of the message is devoted to the
State Penitentiary, and while be says the man.
agement of that institution during the past
year has been satisfactory, he makes some
recommendations in regard to its future man.
agement, as also the management of the Lu.
natic Asylum.
The Governors recommendations on the
subject of taxes and forfeited lands, if the
recommendations receive proper attention by
the Legislature, will prove boon to many
Door persons who have been unable hereto.
fore to meet their obligations to the State
and as the Governor suggests, "a new spirit
of hope would be infused into our people,
and they would devote themselves to the task
of renewing their shattered fortunes with re-
newed zeal and energy" while no class Of our
people would be injured by such an act Of
benignity.
The Governors recommendation of the alb
rogation of the system of special legislation,
which in late years has attained 10 certain
extent, will meet the views of the people, who,
in the language of the Governor, demand, that
"all legislation should be, as far as possible
general in its character, placing all persons
and all interests on an equal footing"
The other recommendations and suggestions
of the Governor, eminently wise and proper
for the present exigencies of our people. will
commend themselves upon perusal of the
message.