The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-05-02
THE COLLECTION OF TAXES.

Bile dollar of cash or Of credit, in the OH
troll of the farmer, is already applied to
the growing crop, and the levy of a tax
payable at an early day would seriously
embarrass not only the agricultural but
every other interest of the State. The
money is not in the country; it could on
ly be raised from loans to the farmers by
bankers or merchants 1t is questionable
if it could be raised even in this way. 1t
is, therefore, incumbent on you, while re-
ducing the tax to its minimum, to arrange
for its collection at such times and in such
manner as will tighten the burthens OF
the people as much as possible. A por-
ton of the tax absolutely necessary could
be called for in June, and the residue,
which should be the larger portion, in o.
tober, when the proceeds of a part at least
of the crop will be available for the pay
ment of taxes.
HI TEN PER CENT. CONTRIBUTION.
By the resolutions of the House of Rep
resentatives, adopted ut the last session, /
was authorized to call for a contribution
not exceeding twenty-five per cent. OF
the amount of the taxes levied last year.
Under this authority a call for a volunta-
nv contribution of One-tenth of the
amount of the last tax WAS issued, and
was responded to with IN alacrity and q
patriotic zeal most honorable to our peo-
pie.
AS an evidence of their confidence in
my administration, this response was as
gratifying as it was unprecedented.
With a view to the proper care and dis
bursement OF this fund, | directed that all
amounts collected should be placed in the
hands of Gen. johnson HagoOd, request
ing him to serve as Acting Comptroller
General and Treasurer; and no appropri-
alton has been made except upon his
votion to this work, his activity and his
great financial ability, have proved Of in
calculable assistance to me.
The net receipts from this contribution and
from office fees amounted to 8l35 yS39.tS and
the disbursements, rs Will appear by the
books Of Gen. Hagood's office: on account Of
the educational, penal and charitable insti-
tutions Of the State, and for the legislative,
executive and judicial departments OF the
government, amount TO 81, U1l .09-leaving u
cash balance on hand OF s1s.i.o:ss: ,,
October 3lSt, 1876, there were In the treasury
at that time s25S ,OD.37; but wha, portion OF
this amounts now on hand am not aware.
The use of these funds has been enjOined BY
the courts, and the officials In whose charge
they are will doubtless account to the Lesls-
lature for them.
In addition to the funds named. the phos-
ptldIS oyutGJ ohioAAe yaSto " S"
forty thousand dollars; and there will then
be quite q large amount W the command OF
the Legislatures; sufficient, I hope to meet the
demands Of the State until O portion OF the
taxes Is collected.
THE BILLS OF THE BANK OF THE STATE.
While on the subject of the finances, l beg
TO call your notice TO the bills OF the Bank OF
the State; for this question presents q diff
cult problem. There Is q widespread belief
that u considerable amount OF these bills VIII
been re-issueu In place OF being Cancelled or
destroyed. 1t Is we'll, therefore,, at this JUNG
ture, to consider whether or not these bills
should be receivable In payment OF taxes:
Before receiving them for the taxes, the most
rigid investigation should be had, with q
view Of aScertaining the amount for which
the state Is clearly liable. and what portion
provision may be made Mt the next session OF
the Legislature for the redemption OF the for
mer and for the protection OF the State
against the latter.
THE Bill INSTITUTIONS.
The penal, charitable and educational in
situations OF the State demand, nnd doubt
less will receive, your careful consideration
and your fostering care. Every dictate OF en-
lightened humanity. every precept OF SOUND
policy, reqniTe That no these ins'it% un1or,o sh1 "nd
ably managed but thlss hould be done with
a strict regard to economy. They should be
made self-supporting as far as possible and
i LEuSL LldL 6OIltC bS oLCilt lLlby VIC oOVloCo ~
the Legislature which, while placing the
public Institutions OF the Suite on q secure
basis, will relieve the people OF q large por-
ti0n Of de the heavy w sKPen nre6 5se' Ie %slnienap aSe
labor Of the %convicts In the penitentiary
could be made profitable, and l ask your ~
tention to this subject. The management OF
tendent. seems to me to be JuudicIous; and he
can, without doubt, give such valuable infor-
nation Us would tend to work out much.
needed reforms.
The charitable institutions will likewise, !
I hope, receive at your hands the attention TO
which they are entitled. Reforms looking to
q reduction Of the expenses OF supporting
Ing their usefulness, and without. forgetting
the claims that the unfortunate minutes OF
these institutions have upon the charity OF
the State.
II LUNATrC ASYLUM
In reference to the lunat asylum. I recon-
board Of regents, composed OF citizens Of this
county, the members Of which are not to re
ceive any compensation for their servir 10.
Motives Of humanity will prompt worth Y ano
worthy. duty, and they will find al amp 10 re-
ward In Its discharge. The expenses of this
institution, rs Of the penitentiary, have been
materially reduced within the last few
months: and, In accomplishing this end, the
superintendent has given me his ready and
efficient assistance. Thestwo other charlta-
BILE institutions which have been supported
since December by the funds placed in my
hands are the Institute for the Deaf and
Dumb and the Orphan Home for colored chill
dren. AS the latter Is q State charity, ! felt 1t
TO be my duty to supply its wants until suita-
islaiure; but 1 regard the outlay for Its main
tenance as unnecessarily large. It should be
reorganized 80 as TO make 1t conform to the
straitened condition OF our finances, lis far as
this can be done without defeating the objects
of lie creation. which In themselves are
praiseworthy.
H UNIVERSITY.
or the condition Of the University I am
unable to speak advisedly, as no communica-
ton from the authorities OF that institution
and no call for assistance hos been received
by myself until within the last few days,
when the Chairman OF the Faculty handed
me his report, which I herewith transmit.
While fully recognize the Importance OF
keeping up this institution, I am forced to
the conclusion that the benefits 1t bestOws,
under the present. system. are not common
surate with the expense 1t entails. To bring
1t up to a proper standard, 1t must undergo o
complete reorganization, mt ! earnestly ask
your attention to this subject Of vital conse-
quence.. Such action can be taken at present
as may be necessary TO meet the immediate
wants OF the University; and subsequent leg
%islation can, after mature deliberation. place
cupied.
FREE SCHOOLS.
Akin to this subject Is that OF free schools,
and l earnestly ask tnat you will use every
effort to establish such a system as will place
the means Of education within the reach Of
all classes in the State. The present sys-
tenn, IS 1t has been administered, Is O mere
mockery, under which the children have
been imperfectly taught. The teachers have
been swlndled out Of their pay and the mon
ey OF The people has been s9nandered. There
but they are rare. ! nav now before me q
teachers pay certificate" to which the board
OF school trustees, consisting OF three men,
bers, have each afn3ed his 7cross-mark" as
his signature. AS this paper is a striking H.
lustration OF the new system OF public educa.
ton inaugurated in the State. and is, besides.
. literary curiosity well worth preserving, 1t
is transmitted for inspection. While such q
disgrscefu! condition OF things Is allowed To
exist, we shall hope in vain to see the work OF
education prosper. The time may be too lin
tied at this session to enable you to perfect a
system which will meet the requirements OF
our whole people: but such legislation. can
be had as will secure TO the teachers fair CON-
pensation for services already rendered. and
will carry on public instruction until the
next regular session. We are bound alike BY
every. confederation OF true craftsmanship