The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1877-12-06

The Governors message, submitted
to tho two Houses yesterday, is brief
but clear and pointed document; char
acteristic of it's author, who never ar>
guos abstract questions to any extent,
but comes to the point at once. He
commences by congratulatlng the
members upon tue suspicious circum-
stances under which they reassemble,
and reviews briefly the history Of the
Inauguration of the present adminis>
tration, the difficulties and obstacles
overcome, and the salutary effects it's
course has had upon tho State. The
Governor urges euch course as will
restore tho credit of the State to it's
ancient high character, and denoun-
ces reprdiation in any form or guise.
He advocates q liberal support of the
FREQ schools, and recommends the
adoption of the constitutional amend-
mont, voted on by the people at the
last election, which requires the Coun-
ty Commissioners of each County to
levy and collect annually, for free
school purposes, not loss than two
mills. This, with the poll tax, it Is
estimated, will realize something near
$35O,OOO; but the propriety OF incor-
porating such provision in our con-
stitution is, TO my mind, a very grave
question, and somo who favored it last
winter have, after moro mature res
Election, mado up their mind to oppose
it, and it is very doubtful whether the
requisite two thirds vote can now be
secured for its ratification. There is !!
no disposition to impair the efficiency
Of the FREQ school system, if 1T has any;
but, to tho contrary, there is q gen
oral disposition to perfect and make
it more efficient, and should tho COM
amendment be defeated, q
liberal appropriation will be made for
the support of the free schools. The
Governor recommends the reopening
of the old University for tho benefit
of the whites, and the establishment
of similar institution for the colored
people. He recommends that, upon
the payment of last years. taxes, all
forfeited lands be restored TO their
proper owners, &C., &c. The message,
as whole, is unexccptionable and the
recommendations, with but tow ox>
coptions perhaps, wise and proper.
The resignation Of Assoc ato Justice
Wright, which is TO take effect on the
first day of Dccember, creates q va
oancy on the Supreme Bench, which
will have to be filed by tho present
Legislature. The candidates now in
the field are Col. A. G. Haskell, cx-
Gov. M. L. Bonham, Lieutenant Gov
ernor W. d. Simpson and Hon. w.
D. Porter. 1t is hard to tell who will
be the successful man; but at this time
I am of the opinion that Haskell has
the inside track.
For tho Circuit Judgeship, vice
Northrop, General Wallace has no op
position now, and the indications are
that he will be unanimously elected.
The most prominent candidates for
tho Speakership, when Wallace fs ell
ected Judge, are Mcssrs. Sheppard and
Orr, with the chances, 1 think, in fa~
vor Of Orr.
This being thanksgiving day, both
houses adjourned over from yesterday
until tomorrow. and to-day the men,
bers havo been amusing themselves as
thoir inclinations lead them. Some
havo gone to church, somo havo
lounged around their hotels, while
others have remained in their rooms
reading, writing, &c.
Legislation will hardly commence
in earnest before next week. 1 will
endeavor to keep you posted on oil
points of interest to our people.
D. F. B.