Orangeburg news and times. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1875-1877, 1877-05-12

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Gentlemen Of the Senate and House Of
Representatives
eIt is proper that I should, before
entering into discussion of tho grave
questions which will come before YOU,
give the reasons that impclled me to
call the General Assembly together
at time SO unusual and inconvcnient
to It's members. recognize and
appreciate fully the great personal
sacrifice demanded of the members by
the call which brings them here; hut
the critical condition Of public affairs
anil the welfare Of the State made il
imperative that should invoke TIL.
a'd Of the legislative branch of the
government to assist in the great work
o. reform before us, and felt conf
dent that the patriotism Of those CON.
prising this branch of the State
government would inspire them to
meet chccrfully all sacrifices required
for the interest Of the State. Your
presence proves thnt have not been
disappointed in this hope, and |
cherish the additional hope thar you
will forget the animosi lies engcndered
ny political strife, rise superior to the
petty considerations Of partizanship
and, devoting yourselves with pntri
otlc zeal TO the service Of your State,
That you willst'ive earnestly to restore
its lost prosperity, 10 revive its wasted
industries, to reform all abuses in its
government, and to promote peace,
harmony, goodwill and Justice
among all classes and parties. To the
accomplishment Of these noble aims I
pledge my. constant, unwcaried ana
earnest cilnrtS, and in this patrio,ic
work invoke your MD. gentlemen of
Inc Senate and House of Representa-
tiv"s, not alone as members Of The
.5.nsn Asssmly, IT, 4utas y. trig1s
- s. ;S;;
lie nf:s.;nalous condition ,f affairs
du'lng lie raSt few months, while it
las cnlailc'l the necessity Of co,vcn-
'ng he General Assembly, hns pre-
cln'ed me from laying bcf re this
body such full aud accurate ininruna.
ton as is desirable, or making precise
and definite recommendation o,, par
tlculnr measures which will demand
your attention. Circumstances with
which you are all familiar have pre-
vented my access to the books and
records Of the various departments of
the State government; and hence
can neither speak authoritaively Of
he exact financial condition OF the
state, nor make such particular sur.
ges''ons ns, under the ordinary con,li
ton Of public matters, it would have
been my pleasure, no less thnn my
duty, to have done. Atprescnt can,
only call your attention il general
terms to f>w subjects which re ,uilc
Immediate action on your part; un,l |
must ask for your indulgence if nm
unable tn do more han IT, in Iicnte
the broad md ccnprclcnsiy. prin.
ciples which, III my judgment, can
give peace, stability and COOL govern
nicnt to our State 10 tile wisdom
and patriotism Of the General AS
sembly is committed the grave duty
OF bringing back to our people these
incstimable blessings. The merit Of
success will belong to you, gentlemen,
If you succeed; and to you will the
responsibility attach if :he hopes Of
your constituents are disappointed.
The frs. as it is the most important
subject to which your attention is in
vited, is that Of the financial condition
Of the State. 1t is needless for me to
say that this condition is deplerablc;
'or it is shown by nm empty treasury
and ruined credit, by stagnation in
commercial circles and depression in
agricultural enterprises, by public and
personal poverty as widespread rs
lamentable. All efforts to bring
about n Letter state Of affairs will
prove unavailing until The finance of