Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-12-04

proper protection and proper security de.
mand. It is also important to enable the
Board to meet the responsibility which their
relation to this institution imposes upon them
and which is expected at their hands.
There will be found attached to this Mes
sage short communication from the Rev.
VIM. Martin, of this city, bringing to my at
tention the destitute condition Of the inmates
of the Penitentiary in religious point OF
view. It is hereto appended, because it pre-
sents the necessities Of the institution on that
subject as fully and within as short a compass
as can be done, and under the hope that, pre-
sented in this way, it will more certainly at
tract attention and receive OF vow hands the
needful egg;isfad0n.
LUNATIC ASYLUM.
The report of the Regents will give you
all the information necessary in reference to
this noble institution: Its work and design
is of character which meets the warm SYM
pathy of each and every one, and its man.
agement, both general and in all its details,
seems to be as near perfect as can be accom-
plished, and I most cordially commend it to
your continued fostering care.
HOMESTEAD.
The Constitution, Section 80, Article 2, af-
ter providing for homestead in the lands
of debtor, goes en- to say: "To secure the
full enjoyment of said homestead exemption
to the person entitled thereto as the head of
any family, the personal property Of such per.
son of the following character, to wit, house.
hold furniture, beds and bedding, family
library, arms, CARTS wagons, farming imple.
ments, tools, neat cattle, work animals, swine,
goats and sheep, not to exceed the value in
the aggregate of FIVE hundred dollars, shall
be exempt as the homestead" DC.
The legislature in 1872, by Act, extended
this exemption to other personal property be-
sides that mentioned in the Constitution, en-
bracing corn, cotton, provisions and other nee.
essary articles, as matter of justice to those
who were not entitled to the exemptions under
the Constitution, not owning land and the per.
sonal property therein mentioned.
The Supreme Court has recently decided
that this Act is unconstitutional, and that,
therefore, the parties intended to be protected
thereby, cannot claim its benefits. The law,
as thus adjudged, works unequally, and while
one class Of unfortunate debtors is protected,
another may bedestroyed. There is no renle-
dy, however, except by an amendment Of the
Constitution. II, in your judgment, the evil
is of sufficient magnitude as to render this nee
essary, l would suggest that the proper steps
be taken at this session, by the passage of Q
joint resolution, looking to such amendment.
And it should be remembered that the party
now in power is not responsible for this evil,
but it results from the want Of proper foresight
and care in framing the Constitution.
CONTINGENT FUND.
The contingent fund, appropriated for the
use of the Governor, during the last fiscal
year, was $4,000; of this sum $2,170.34 has
been expended, leaving balance of 81, ,829. .46.
There may be one or two claims still standing
against this fund and inasmuch as, under
the present law on this subject, the funds of
ment of claims of preceding year, I recon-
mend that out of this balance ! may be per-
mitted to pay these claims when presented.
There are also one or two small claims charge
able to the contingent fund of my predecessor,
which were left unpaid, and which ought to
be paid, and part of this balance might be
used for this purpose if authorized.
EXECUTIVE MANsION.
The Executive Mansion and grounds need
some repairs, improvements, and certain FIX
lures for the preservation Of the property and
for its more comfortable habitation. i recon-
mend that small appropriation Of $500 or
$500 be made for this purpose, to be expend-
ed, or 80 much as may be necessary, under the
supervision of the Secretary of State.
CONCLUSION. g
If this General Assembly would promptly
pass the supply and appropriation Acts, ex.
tend the stock law to such counties as may re-
quire and demand it, mature wiser and more
judicious road system, provide better means
for the comfortable support of the poor of
each county, cut up, root and branch, the
practice of carrying concealed weapons, es-
tablish bureau Of agricultural, mineralogic-
al and geological statistics, foster and encour-
age the labors of the Fish Commissioner,
provide for the other matters herein above
suggested, and lay the foundations of the
State University broad and deep, SO that as
time rolls on story after story can be built
thereon, as the educational wants Of the peo-
ple may demand, until it could stand forth
amid the educational structures of the world,
grand and majestic in all its proportions, it
might then adjourn. And leaving the rest to
the people themselves, it would adjourn with
the pleasing assurance, on the part of its MEM
bers, that generations yet unborn would rise
up and call them blessed.
W. D. SIMPSON, Governor.