Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1880-12-09

but now thero is no reason why tho cou-
pons Of tho Brown cousols should not thus
be received. 1t is also advisable as to this
class of consols, that the operation of the
law requiring interest to bo paid iu New
York as we'll as at the State Treasury should
be resumed, but it is not practicable to pay
interest to tho holders of Groen consos
elsewher- than at the Stute Treasury until
after The conversion of their securities Tho
suggestions made would promote the con-
venoncc of tho taxpayer, and no doubt
hasten reduction Of the consol bonds and
stock to uniform character. 1t is also
desirable, as to both conso and deficiency
stocks, to adopt the plan of the United
Stutes Government with regard to it's
registered bonds and stocks-upon tho
holder furnishing the Treasury with his
post Office address, the interest due is for.
warded by check upon each January and
July. The punctual payment of interest
and every accommodation and facility givon
in it's collection enhances the valuo of tho
security. Already under the management
of the State finances for the last four years
its bonds have risen in the market from
twenty eight cents on tho dollar to par.
The financial status of our State was once
its prouaest boast. If VIC place it on the
high plane it occupied before the iato civil
war and keep it there, our securities will rank
with any government securities upon
the market; and when the debt natures as
It will soon do, it can be refunded ut n
much lower rate of interest. A wiso md
prudent policy will keep this end steadily
in view; and then with the increased taxa
II Ia, oil 1phI I,t,
turning prosperity will bring, what is now
"a burthcn may become all inappreciablo
weight to be borne or discharged with
equal facility.
ELECTION LAWS.
The third section of the eighth article Of
tho Constitution of this State, adopted
twelve years ago, declares that "it shall be
the duty of the General Assembly to pro-
vide, from time to time, for the registration
OF al! electors" This positive mandate
OF the Constitution has not yet been obcyed.
1t is ono Of tho most obvious means of
securing tho purity of tho ballot box; und
the failure to provide it was Justly urgcd
in complaint against those who controlled
the State Government for tho eight years
lollowing the adoption Of the Constitution.
Amid the numerous matters claiming the
attention of the General Assembly, and
with the shortened sessions since that time,
10 registration law has been enacted. In
my judgment the discharge of this impcra-
tive duty should no longer be delayed
Indeed, in many particulars, our election
laws, as thoy now stand, are defective, aud
their revision is one of the most important
subjects which demand your attention.
EDUCATION.
Oar public school system demands and
should receive the most careful attention in
order that its development may meet tho
necessities Of cur condition. Tho States of
this Union which to day stand first in pop.
ulaton, wealth and political influence arc
those in which, through efficient public
school systems, knowledge is most widely
diifuscd among tho people The social and
political restoration Of our State, and tho
development, to tho fullest cxlcnt, of our
natural resources, will surely follow upon
the establishment of an educational system
which will reach down to tho child of the
humtlest man, without regard to race or
color, and qualify him for tho duties Of
future citizenship.
the property in Charleston, known as5tho
Citadel, is still in possession of tho Uui.cd
States Government. 1t is Of great mpor.
tanoc to our educational Interests that it be
restored and devoted, as formerly, to the
purpose OF a State Military Academy.
Part of the interest Of tho fund donated
by Congress for tho maintenance of institu-
,ious for instruction iu agriculture and tho
mechanic arts has been applied for some
years to tho higher education of the colorcd
youth of the State in connection with CuGin
University. The South Carolina College of
Agriculture and Mechanic Arts for the spe-
cial education If tho white youth Of the
State in this connection was opened in Octo.
Der last, and 10 also supported by tho inter
est Of this fund. These institutions deserve,
as am sure they will receive, the fostering
care of tho General Assembly.
The Constitution of the State makes it
tho duty of the General Assembly to pro
vide for tho maintenance of tho South
Carolina University. 1t is not, perhaps,
within our power to renew its sphere of
usefulness at this time, but tho direction Of
the Constitution should be obeyed at as
carly a day rs practicable. a university of
hiRhcf Sfauo, WoihlnS III haFUopY WIN Tue
excellent colleges now in operation in the
State, would havo tho effect of stimulating
education ip tho public schools and would
complete our educational system.
MATERIAL PROGRESS.
Daring the two months of tho recent po-
litical canvass, it was my fortune to pass
through every county in the State except
one. Devoted for the greater part of my life