Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1877-12-06

full duo at q time not only unusual but
unpropitious. In view of this fact, and
the additional one that in many cases the
proceeds of the crops had been expended
before the call for taxcs was issued, | re-
commend that you extend such measures of
relief to delinquent tax payers rs in your
discretion may seem proper Besides these
tax payers, (whose poverty has prevented
payment. Of the taxes Of tn, last fiscal year,)
there arc many ia the Suite who are in
arrears for sevcrh years past. In many
instances, tho lands Of these parties have
been forfeited and they arc thus deprived Of
their only means of livelihood. If you
could adopt such measures us would secure
the payment Of last years taxes, 10 the case
of these unfortunate citizens, relieving them
of past indebtedness on account Of taxes aud
restoring tho forfeited lands, it would be an
act not only Of humanity, but, l think, Of
wisdom. a new spirit Of hope would be
infused into our people aud they would
devote themselves to the task of repairing
their shattered fortunes with renewed zeal
and energy. In doing this, they would
necessarily increase the wealth of the State
aud promote its prosperity. Some of our
citizens have paid taxes TO officials who
claimed authority to collect under the late
administration, and, though that claim was
illegal, many of our colorcd population,
through ignorance and credulty, have been
made the victims it. These cases appeal
strongly to our sympathics, aud, in the
exercise Of liberal aud magnanimouS policy,
the General Assembly could we'll provide
that all who have so paid taxes shall be
entitled to credit for such payments.
Action Of this sort would show that we
prefer to be governed in matters of this
character by the rules Of equity rather than
by tho tcchncalties of the law.
Among the reforms which regard as
important is the ahrogation of the system,
which has obtained here to certain extent,
of special legislation. Great abuses occa
sionaIly spring from this mode of legislation,
aud it adds materially to tie legislative
expense. Most of the States have expert
aaoad tho i'll effects os Il, sHd in many OF
them it is prohibited by constitutional
cnactments. All legislation should be as
fara possible, general 10 its character,
placing all persons and all Interests on an
equal footing.
A communicable has beeu addressed to
me by hessrs. Calvo & Patton, in reference
to the public printing, which is herewith
transmitted for your consideration. The
request made by these gentlemen seems Il
very reasonable one, and hope that you
my find it cxpedicnt to grant it.
Associate Justice Wright, of tho Su
prcmc Bench, has rendered his resignation,
to tuke. effect Oh the first Of December next,
and have accepted it. n vacancy has oc
CURED also among the Circuit Judges, by
! the resignation of l.. Q. Northrop, Judge Of
tue Seventh Circuit.
The various committees appointed by the
General Assembly during its last session,
while discharging their responsible and ar
duous duties, found that no appropriation
had been made to defray their expenses,
aud took the responsibility Of advancing
to them, from my contingent fund such sums
as were necessary to, enable them to prose-
cute their labors. Ihis'outlny will explain
why tho amount charged against this fund
in the Comptroller Generals port is 50
large TO avoid tho recurrence of such u
condition of things, advise that there
should hereafter be Two contingent funds
one q State fund, to meet any dcman Is for
which no specific appropriation has been
made, but which have been authorized by
tho Legislature, aud the other the contin
gent fund proper Of the Governor. Should
this suggestion be adopted, $4,000 would
be amply sufficient for The latter.
Permit me, gentlemen of the General
Assembly, III CLOSING this communication,
to express the heartfelt hope that your de-
libcratious may be marked by harmony and
wisdom that your acts may rebound to your
own honor and to rlsc lgsting wnliarc Of our
State, md that you may live to see her
crowned with all the blessings witch can be
bestowed by merciful God on free, en-
lightcncd, prosperous and happy common.
s--.--