The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1882-12-14

. ''ohi thS lUcuSslSGS.
Excellent graded schools already il
existence In this State attest the practi
cah!!'T OF the plan ssh;oh suggest. /
iscer:ain that for some years the resources
OF this State will not be equal TO the de
mands which will be made for education
al facilities. In this connection woult
orlng to your attention the efforts which
tor several years past have been made BY
friends of popular education to secur,
from Congress appropriations from th,
puoiic treasury III aid Of the public
schools of the Southern States.
/ Popular education is one of those mat
ters OF domestic policy which can bes
oe controlled by the State Governments
but the right of the General Government,
10 contribute TO the aid OF State schoo
system" has the sanction of usage Older
than the Federal Constitution and which
has been followed through q long and
unbroken line of precedents in the histo
ry Of this country.
Grants of land amounting in value "a
many millions Of dollars have been made
from time TO time in aid of education in
newly settled States and Territories. Ii
experience has shown that ii is the policy
aud the duty of the General Government
to aid in ditiusing the means of educa.
ton in the newly settled portion of the
Union, 1t cannot be less n matter of duty
or OF sound public policy for the Geuer.
al government to assist in preventing H.
llteracy III those States which, by the ex.
tension of the elective franchise, have
been compelled to bear burdens beyond
.neir capacity. Federal aid. il 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 igno.
rance, and who, in a few years, will en-.
Joy all the rights and upon whom will
devolve all the duties of American citi.
zens. Appropriations from the Federal
treasury should be made on the basis Of
lllitcrary, and the expenditure Of such
appropriations should be carefully guard.
ed, but all aid granted should be used in
maIntsining the public school systems
already in operation.
would earnestly recommend that such
action be taken mt the present session of
the General Assembly as will bring to
the attention of Congress the need for
prompt and liberal appropriations in aid
OF education in this State. The relations
OF education to other public interests, ~
all times fundamental, are especially i'm.
portant in our present condition. BY no
other means than by promoting the gen.
eral diffusion of knowledge can we avert
the evils with which illiterate suffrage
threatens free institutions.
The annual message Of Governor Ha.
good gives you full information Of our
public affairs.
do not deem il necessary at this time
to make specific recommendations on
subjects of general legislation, but 1
should fail in my duty it did not state
my Views in regard to matter of vital
Importance TO our welfare in the present
and to our prosperity in the future. /
refer 10 the management of the finances
of the State, and especially TO The neces-
sity Tor making proper provision for the
payment of the interest on the State
debt. AS you are aware, the debt of the
State is Sc, 6,57l 1925, bearing interest at 6
per cent. The interest is promptly met
as it becomes due and is paid in Colum-
bia, Charleston and New York.
Before the war the financial standing
of South Carolina WAS the just pride OF
the State. Under the admirable man.
agement Of our public finances for the
last six years, the credit Of the State has
been restored, and her securities now sell
above par. 1t is matter Of sound policy
as we'll as Of public duty To maintain the
credit Of the Stute. This can be in no
way better done than by providing tor
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 rs to relieve 1t from ell
uncertainty will facilitate greatly the re-
funding on favorable terms of the State
debt, when that debt natures, as il soon
will do. feel assured that my views on
this subject will meet with your hearty
concurrence.
There is perhaps no subject of general
legislation demanding your attention
which more concerts the prosperity OF
our people than the regulation of railroads
SO sB to prevent unjust discrimination.
The railroads are The highways of trade
and of travel, and both directly ard in.
directly they bring to the State much of
the capital which is essential to the full
development of our resources. All leg
islation which would impair their useful
ness or obstruct their development should
be avoided, while at the same time care
should be taken to prevent discrimina-
tions which are unjust to any portion of
our people, or which tend to hinder pro-
gress by diverting trade from our COM
mercial centres. This subject il one of
great Importance 10 the interests Of the
State. l am sure it will receive, as it
deserves, your careful consideration.
The projection of the rights Of the peo.
pie on the one band, and of the railroads
on the other, will require the exercise OF
wise craftsmanship and of broad, liber-
al and just policy.
The improved condition of our public
affairs furnishes the strongest proof that
the pledges of reform made during the
memorable political campaign of 1876
have been fulfilled, and that The promises
then given have been kept. These re-
suits have been accomplished through
the restoration of the State government
to the bands Of that class of our citizens
who by experience, knowledge and train
ing 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 politi-
cal party which wrested the control of
public affairs from those who through q
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, it is nevertheless true
that some Of the laws now upsn our
Statute books have caused much dissatis.
faction among certain classes of our citi-
.oo, That tho Jicoot 10 "a fiOn doea mt