Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-12-14

given much thought to this subject, and I can
suggest no plan to improve our educational
system which promises larger or more speedy
results than the foundation Of good secondary
schools throughout the State.
I call attention to this matter now, not to
recommend general legislation, but in order
that subject of such vital Importance as the
establishment of good graded schools may re-
ceive proper consideration from the represen-
tatives of the people and from the people them
selves.
Excellent graded schools already in existence
in this State attest the practicability of the
plan which l suggest. 1t is certain that for
some years the resources of this State will not
be equal to the demands which will be made
for educational facilities. In this connection
would bring to your attention the efforts
which for several years past have been made
by friends of popular education to secure from
Congress appropriations from the public treas
ury in aid Of the public schools of the Southern
States.
Popular education is one of those matters
of domestic policy which can best be controll-
ed by the State Governments, but the right
of the General Government to contribute to
the aid of State school systems has the sane
ton of usage older than the Federal Con-
stitution and which has been followed through
a long and nnbrOken line of precedents IN the
history of this country.
Grants of land amounting in value to many
millions Of dollars have been made from time
to time in aid of education in newly settled
States and Territories. If experience has
shown that it is the policy and duty of the
General Government to aid in diffusing the
means of education in the newly settled por-
tions of the. Union, it cannot be less matter
of duty or of sound public policy for the Cen
eral Government to assist in preventing IL
literacy in those States which, by the exten-
sion of the elective franchise, have been COM
PEELED to bear burdens beyond their capacity.
Federal aid, if granted literally and promptly,
would enable the Southern States to provide
the means of education for the large numbers
of their population who are growing up in
ignorance, and who, in few years, will enjoy
all the rights and upon whom will devolVe
all the duties Of American citizens. Appro-
priations from the Federal treasury should be
made on the basis of illiteracy, and the expen-
diture of such appropriations should be care
fully guarded, but aid granted should be used
in maintaining the public school systems al
ready in operation.
1 would earnestly recommend that such
action be taken at the present session of the
General Assembly as will bring to the eattention
of Congress the need for prompt and liberal
appropriations in aid of education in this
State. The relations Of education to other
public interests, at all times fundamental
are especially important in our present con-
dition. By no other means than by promot-
ing the general diffusion of knowledge can we
avert the evils with which illterate suffrage
threatens free Institutions
The annual message of Governor Hagood
gives you full information of our public affairs
do not deem it necessary at this time to
make specific recommendations on subjects OF
general legislation, but | should fail in my
duty if did not state my views in regard t"
"a matter of vital Importance to our welfare
in the present and to our prosperity in the
future. l refer to the management of the
finances of the State, and especially to the
necessity for making proper provision for the
payment of the interest on the State debt. AS
YOU are aware, the debt OF the State is s., ,571,-
600, bearing interest at per cent. The inter-
est is promptly met as it becomes due and
is paid in Columbia, Charleston and New
York.
Before the war the financial standing Of
South Carolina was the just pride of the State
Under the admirable management OF our
public finances for the past six years, the
credit of the State has been restored, and her
securities now sell above par. 1t is matter
of sound policy as well AS public duty to main-
tain the credit of the State. This can be III no
way better done than by providing for the
prompt and regular payment of the interest
on the State debt as it becomes due. Proper
provision for the payment Of the interest so
as to relieve it from all uncertainty will facil-
itate greatly the refunding on favorable terms
of the State debt, when the debt natures, as
it soon will do feel assured that my views
OH this subject will meet with your hearty
concurrence.
There is perhaps no subject of general legis-
lation demanding your attention which more
concerns the prosperity of our people than the
regulation of railroads so as to prevent unjust
discrimination. The railroads are the highways
of trade and travel, and both directly and in
directly they bring to the State much of the
capital which is essential to the full develop
lnent of our resources. All legislation which
would impair their usefulness or obstruct their
development should be avoided, while at the
same time care should be taken to prevent
determinations which are unjust to our peo-
pie, or which tend to hinder progress by di-
verting trade from our commercial centres
This subject is one Of great Importance to the
interests of the State. am sure it will re-
ceive, as it deserves, your careful consldera-
tion. The protection Of the rights Of the
people on the one hand, and of the railroads
on the other, will require the exercise of wise
craftsmanship and of broad, liberal and just
policy.
The improved condition of our public affairs
furnishes the strongest proof that the pledges
of reform made during the memorable polit-
ical campaign of 1876 have been fulfilled, and
that the promises then given have been kept.
These results have been accomplished through
Ct,So fr
the hands of that class of citizens who by eX-
perience, knowledge and training were fitted
for the responsibilities of self-government.
The maintenance of good government and the
preservation Of the liberties of our people
depend upon the continuance in power of the
political party which wrested the control Of
public affairs from those who through long
period of misrule had brought our State to the
verge of ruin and of anarchy. But while we
congratulate ourselves upon the evidences
of progress and prosperity which stand in
marked contrast to the condition of the State
during the ERA of reconstruction, 1t is never
theless true that some of the laws now upon
our Statute books have caused much dissatis-
faction among certain classes OF our citizens.
That the dissatisfaction does not extend to a
majority of our people is no reason why the
obnoxious legislation should not be modified
if such modification can be made without in
jury to the general welfare of the State. We
have pledged to all the people the just and i'm
partial administration of equal laws, and we
should respect the wishes of all classes so far
as it can be done without injury to the State
at large.
The people of the State rely upon your pa
triotism to give calm, a careful and re-
spectful consideration to all proper complaints
which may he brOupht before yOll and upOn
your wisdom to provide remedies for any
grievances which may exist.
enter upon the discharge of the duties of