The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1877-05-04
GOV. HAMPTON'S MESSAGE.
STATE OF Souru CARoLIxA,
ExscurIyE DHpARrNENr
COLUMBIA, S. C. April %, 1877;

GenHcnen Of the Senate and House Of Representa-
Upes:
ltis proper that should, before entering in
TO discussion Of the grave questions which will
come before you, give the reasons that impelled
me to call the General Assembly together at =
time so unusual aud ncouv cnicnt to its membcrs.
recognize and appreciate fully the great per-
sonal sacrifice demanded Of the members by tho
call which brings them here; hut the critical
condition of public affairs and the welfare of
the State made it imperative that should iu-
woke the aid of the legislative branch Of the
government to assist in the great work Of reform.
before us, and felt confident that the patriot
ism of those comprising this branch Of the State
government would inspire them to mcct cheer
fully all the sacrifices required fop -tAsiaterssts
tof the Staee. Your presence proves That have
het In this hepe end 4 Sher;s
FisH Tho ditionaf hope f,ff you VIII forget tho
"nimositiss cngcndercd by political strife, rise
superior to the petty considerations of partisan
ship, and devoting yourselves with patriotic zeal
to the service of your State that you will strive
earnestly To restore its lost prosperity, to revive
Its wasted industries, to reform all abuses in its
government, and TO promote peace, harmony,
goodwill and justice among all classes and par
ties. 10 the accomplishment of these noble aims
pledge my constant, unwearicd and earnest cf-
forts; and in this patriotic work invoke your
aid, gentlemen of the Senate aud House of
Representatives, not alone members of the
Legislature, but rs patriots aRd Carolinians.
The anomalous condition of affairs during
the past few months, while il has entnilcd
the necessity of convcning tho General As
scmbly, has precluded me from laying: be-
fore this body such full and accurate infor-
nation as is desirable, or making precise
and definite recommendations on particular
measures which will demand your attention.
Circumstances with which you all familiar
have prevented my access to the books and re-
cords of the various departments of the State
government. and hCnCe / con neither sncnk MI
thoritatively of tho exact financial condition of
the State, nor make such particular suggestions
as under the ordinary condition Of public mat
ters, 1t would have been my pleasure, no less
than my duty, to have done. AT present can,
therefore, only call your attention in general
terms TO n few subjects which require immediate
action on your part, and must ask for your in
dulgence If am unable to do more than 10 in
dicatc the broad and comprehensive principles
which, in my judgment, can give peace, stabi-
ity ard good government to our State. To the
wisdom and patriotism Of the General Assembly
is committed the grave duty of bringing back
to our people these inestimable blessings. The
merit Of success will belong to you, gentlemen,
if you succeed aud to you will the RESPONSE
biliiy attach if the hopes Of your constituents
arc disappointed.
The first, MS il is the most important, subject
TO which your attention is invited, is that of tho
financial condition of the State. 1t is needless
Tor me to say that this condition is deplorabc,
for it is shown by an empty treasury and n ru-
lnSk credit; Ax s.agna!ien il, ,SSmYsEcial circles
public and Tcrs6hxl pSV0ksy y. ffeSd ~
lamcntnble.
All Efforts to bring about better state of nf-
fairs will prove unavailng until the finances Of
the State are put in healthy condition and the
credit of the State. established on the sound and
honorable footing they once occupied. But in
the meantime there is an imperative necessity
that the immediate needs Of the State should be
provided for; and in doing this the burden of
taxation should be made as sht rs possible, for
the resources of our people are well nigh ex-
hausted, and the season of the year at which the
tax - will be called for is most unfortunate
While it is the province Of the House of Repre-.
sentatives to fix the amoun, of taxes requisite TO
meet the demands of the State, and the time and
mode of their collection, / venture to offer some
suggestions on these points for the consideration
of the Legislature 1t is due alike to the honor
and the credit, well rs to its future prosperity
that there should be no question nor doubt rs TO
our determination to meet every honest obliga
ton Of the State fairly and faithfully but it is
equally our duty TO ascertain what nre its hon
est liabilities. The suspicious which attach TO q
portion Of the outstanding obligations Of the
State, and which, 10 n greater Iess v-.., af
feet the value Of ALL render it imperative that
these obligations, whether funded or not, should
be strictly scrutiuized, with view Of ascertain
ing which arc valid md which are not. There
Of interest on any Of the outstanding obligations
of the State, whether in the shape Of bonds or
otherwise, and also to the further funding of any
of the State debtedncss into the consolidated
bonds authorized TO bo issued under the net of
lS13 to reduce the volume of the public debt.
In order 10 effect this object in mode satis-
factory and equitable, alike to the State and to
the public credit, respectfully suggest the ap-
pointmcnt Of a commission, to consist of one
member from each House of the Legislature, the
Comptroller- General and the Treasurer Of the
State, and three citizens of financial ability, TO
whom the whole question of the financial condi-
ton of the State shall he referred, and under
whose directions thorough and complete inves-
tigaton Of the funded and floating ind cbt cdness
of the State shall be made; and who shall be
empowered to require registration before them,
Or before such officers rs mny be designated. Of
the consolidation bonds of the State. Obliga-
tions, the validity Of which shall be thus ascer-
aned shall be certified in such form as the
commission the Legislature may prescribe,
and the coupons Oh such bonds alone should be
receivable for taxes. The commission should
also be charged with the duty of reporting to
the General Assembly at its next regular session
the precise character of all obligations Of doubt
full validity, clearly fraudulent, with the spc-
cihc facts or testimony upon waich their conclu-
sions based. AS all the records and books
| showing the amount of consolidated bonds now
outstanding, with the nature Of the securities
on which they were issued, have been withheld
by the late officials, l am unable to state, with
any degree of accuracy, what portion Of the
public debt has been converted into consolidated
bonds and what portion remains to be funded.
But from the best sources of information before
me- estimate the amount yet 10 be funded as
about three million dollars; which, at the rate
established for funding, will require the issue
of 5 500, 900 Of consolidated bonds.
nd tbe oct oS 1879 tbeso bonIS hcor doia