The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-12-05
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
ADVICE FROM A MAN WHO AL
WAYS KEEPS HIS WORD.

ADVICE FROM A MAN WHO AL
WAYS KEEPS Ills WORD.
Our Pledges Must be Kept.-"Repu.
dIation Would Bring Inevitable Dis
aster'-.An Annual Tax to Liqui-
date the Public Debt--Free Schools
for Each Race..Two Universities.
P~enitentIary Directors Should be
Elected by the LesisIature.-The
Remittai of Back Taxes for More
than One Year Recommended.
Other Topics of Interest.
COLUMBIA, November 8.-The Governors
message was presentedand read, in the Senate
and House OF Representatives, At l:30 P. VI.
to-day. The message is us follows:
The Message.
Gentlemen Of the Senate and House Of Repre-
SentdttrcS:
In discharging the duty OF addressing the
Constitution, 1t seems cminently appropriate
that l should begin by congratulnting its
members upon the suspicious circumstances
under which they rC-aSSemble.
The past wear has been n memorable one.
Twelve months ago we witnessed a condition
Of things which threatened the existence Of
republican institutions under ourancient sys-
tenn Unconstitutional government. The whole
country was convulsed by a national political
contest. which assumed such portentous
shape that every patriot dreaded, as Its fear
full result, civil war. Amid the throes and
the perils of this convulsion, the government
Of which you constitute q part was placed,
in power by the people Of the State. Encom-'
passed by dangers as novel rs they were start
Ina tvn tNnlyn oil IL, x,ntt, 20 I f"a xIn t-Ix
to guide us which experience alone can give.
The representatives Of the people, chosen as
their rulers, were called on to fulfill rs high
duties and to assume rs grave responsibilities
rs have ever been imposed on men. No hu-
man wisdom could have brought us safely
through the danger that beset US on all sides,
and we should reverently give thanks to Him
Our State is rehabiIitated; peace prevails
throughout our borders; the laws are impair
TALLY enforced and fully respected; good will
animosities of the past; health blesses our
people. and the labors of our huSbandmen
have been crowned with abundant harvests.
We surely have cause for profound gratitude
for the blessings which have been so lavishly
bestowed upon us; but while it becomes us to
acknowledge these gratefully, we should bear
in mind that their continuance depends on
the condition OF our proving worthy Of them.
X D MADE DURING II IVA
The first step in this direction is for us to
observe, In perfect good faith, the pledges
made during the canvass which resulted In
our success. Upon this point l feel well as
surcd that the conservative and thoughtful
people of the State are thoroughly united, and
accord with them. With impartial Justice in
the administration Of the laws, with the rec
o%gnition OF the perfect equality of all citizens
under those laws, with the assurance OF pro-
lection to all In their rights OF person and
property, and with just, liberal and whole
some legislation, we may look, with assured
confidence, to an era OF peace and prosperity
IN our state. This contamination SO ardent.
ly desired by every patriot, Is to be brought
about mainly by the labors OF the General As
sembly, and l rely confidently on the wisdom
the discretion and the patriotism which will
direct and shape the ensuing legislation.
will depend, In q large measure. the future
destiny of the State. will demand YOU atten-
ton, and will receive, 1 am sure, your most
earnest consideration.
H FINANCIAL CONDITION OF THE STATE.
First in Importance Is the financial condi-
ton Of the State, for, until this Is satisfactory
ly settled, all hopes Of returning prosperity
will prove delusive.
The credit Of the State must be restored to,
and maintained at. its ancient high charac-
ter, before we can make good our promises OF
reform, or con expect her to take the proud
position she once held. and to which 1t should
to restore her. This object can. l feel con-
WINGED, be accomplished by this General As
sembly, without Imposing upon our impov-
eriShed people M OncrOuS burden. AS q COM
It's last session to consider this subject, 1t
would be premature, II not indelicate,, in me
to make any specific recommendations in ad-
vance of their report, and l venture now only
to express the hope that under no cfrcumstan-
ccs will repudiation, direct or indirect, be
countenanccd. Reputation uou(d bring ineti-
tabte disaster and wontd entail indciible disgrace.
The public debt cnn surely be SO adjusted that,
while the welfare Of tho Stnfn Is carefully
guarded, the rights of creditors shall not be
violated or impaired. The very fact that Il
State can exercise powers In questions of ~.
nature against which no remedy exists should
make It's Legislature doubly careful of the in--
tercsts Of creditors whose sole protection Is In
the honor Of their debtors. An ardent desire
to see the credit Of the State maintained and
her faith untarnished Is my sole reason for
that they Will meet the approval OF the LegiS-
lature and OF the patriotic people Of the State.
I leave this vital matter to you, who are the
proper custodians OF the welfare and the hon
or OF this Commonwealth.
THE OF THE DEBT.
In connection with the public debt, I ven
ture to make q suggestion for your cOnsidcra-
ton. Unless some provision is made TO meet
the obligations OF the State when they fall
due, we shall be subjected to great embarraSs-
ment, and perhaps loss, as the State will be
forced TO issue new bonds In order to TAX up
the outstanding ones. This system of Dor.
rowing to pay our debts will hamper our pco-
pie and may impair the credit OF the Stnte.
There are grave objections toa sinking fund,
the strongest Of which Is that it may be d.
vcrted, under emergencies. from Its legiti-
mate purpose. TO guard against this cOntin-
eency, and at the SAME time 10 provide for tho
gradual payment Of the public debt, | advise
that Il special annual tax OF onc-half mill be
levied, tho proceeds OF which shall be placed
in the hands Of treasurer OF the State, who
shall be directed to buy in the bonds OF the
State annually to the extent OF the fund so
raised. 1t will be seen how profitable to the
State such u plan would be while the bonds
has been indicated could, ut the present time,
retire bonds to the amount OF one hundred
thousand dollars, realizing TO the state u prof
II of twenty-five or thirty per cent. The pub.
while the burden OF paying 1t In this manner
would fall lightly on the taxpayers. I merely
suggest such a system, leaving It's practicable
!ty and its details to the wisdom and eXpe.
dence Of the General Assembly.
FREE CHooL
Another subject Of vital consequence to our
material prosperity, to which I beg to call ut
tention, Is thai of the free schools. Th
superintendent OF education, in his annual re.
port, gives not only the result OF his labors
during the past year, but mukeS suggestions
worthy OF your grave consideration. Owing
to circumstances with which you arc familiar,
the facilities for the education Of our people
have not been, as yet, what we desired and
SNiSStSu liSah w ~ We " " y
that among the pledges Of reform made py us
there Is none to which we are more solenlnly
committed than that Of placing within the
reach OF all classes the means Of education.
! earnestly invoke your favorable action on
this subject, and l trust that you will be able
TO mature some system which, while benefit
Ing the scholars. will secure prompt pay
after discharging their duties faithfully, now
hold claims against the State, which would at
once he paid. I recommend the ratification
OF the constitutional amendment regarding
the tax to support free schools. adopted by the
voters at the last election. From the fund
which will thus be provided, together with
those arising from the poll tax, our schools
can be put on q footing OF usefulness.
The late professors OF the University were
not paid In full when that institution was
closed, and / suggest that provision be made
to pay the claims held by them. My atten-
ton Inns been called TO the fact that there are
also portions Of the salaries Of Professors Rey-
nolds, Rivers and the late DR.. LaBorde, OF the
old faculty still unpaid, and 1t appears to me
eminentIy proper that whatever mounts
may be due to these gentlemen, or their rep
resentatives, should be paid. These claims
can be examined by q committee appointed
by the Legislature, and q report embracing
the facts can be submitted to that body for its
final action. The daughters OF Professor Lat
BOrde request ne to transmit to the General
Assembly u memorial on this subject, and /
1t to your favorable consideration.
H UNIVERSITY.
The action OF the General Assembly Mt the
the University as II school for the white youth
OF the State, and the establishment OF q SINH
lar Institution for the black. This plan strikes
me as wise and well-conSidered and l recon-