Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-12-14
M}istellaueuus &eadin9.
GOV. THOMPSON'S INAUGURAL.

GOV. THOMPSON'S INAUGURAL.
The following is the address of Governor
Thompson, delivered on the occasion of his in
auguration
Senators and Representatives In obedience
to the voice of the people of the State, as ex-
pressed in the recent election, appear before
you to assume the duties of Governor of South
Carolina. The same voice which has called
me to this office has called you to positions of
trust, which impose upon you duties and re-
sponsibilities not less important than thuse
which belong to the Chief Executive of the
State.
The welfare and prosperity of South Carroll
ma, now and in the future, will depend in
large measure, upon the manner in which we
meet the requirements of our several positions.
We come to the control of the affairs of the
State at a fortunate time and under favorable
circumstances.
The results of the recent elections in several
of the States of this Union are full of promise,
as indicating resolve on the part of the peO-
pie, to secure more rigid adherence to those
great principles upon which Republican insti-
| tutions must rest, and a desire for restora-
| tion of those practices which marked the ad-
ministration of government in the early days
of this Republic. l refer to the results of these
Elections, not as the triumph of a political
party, but as the evidences of a popular revolt
against abuses of the power Of government.
| How far the changes in public opinion thus
expressed shall be permanent, will depend upon
The manner in which those who have been
called to positions of trust shall make use OF
the power committed to them.
Strict economy in the conduct of govern
ment; reduction of taxation of every kind to
the lowest point consistent with the efficient
administration of government a judlclous
tariff wise, equal and just laws impartialy
administered the prevention of oppressive
monopolies home rule, which, under the Con-
stitution of the United States, shall preserve
| the State Governments in their proper spheres
while it maintains the General Government in
it's proper sphere; popular education as the
only safeguard Ct free institutions the sacred
preservation of the public credit, Federal and
State; a civil service reform which shall re-
gard public offices as public trusts to be exer-
rised for the benefit of the people, and not for
.arty purposes, and which shall make merit
the test for appointment to and retention in
otiice-these are some, at least, of the demands
which the people make of their chosen public
servants. Let US see to it that South Carroll
| na contributes her share to the pure admins
tration of public affairs by keeping her State
Government true to the principles which
formed the political creed of the founders OF
the Republic.
To those States of this Union which but
lately have suffered the raVages of war, and
have borne the trials of reconstruction, thest
elections give reason to hope that the time will
soon come when political parties, no longer di-
vided by geographical lines, shall consider the
great questions of public policy which concern
the welfare and progress Of the whole country.
With the removal Of sectional questions from
public affairs, we may look with confidence foI
that more perfect Union which shall establish
Justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide
for the common defense, promote the general
welfare, and secure the blessings Of liberty to
ourselves and our posterty."
The condition Of affairs within our own
State is full of encouragement and hope. Dur
ing the year now drawing to close the people
have been spared the ravages of pestilence ;
rich harvests have blessed the husbandman,
and all of our industrial pursuits have felt the
uuickening influences of order, Of quiet and Of
good government. In all portions of the State
are to be seen on every hand abundant evi-
dences of the thrift and prosperity, which are
greater now than at any previous time since
the close of the late civil war. Improved
methods of culture have already produced re-
suits which give assurance of the rapid and
steady development of our chief industrial in
terest. Recent experience has shown that the
prOductiveness Of our cotton lands can he
greatly increased, and that our genial climate
and fertile soil are especially adapted to the
raising of the diversified crops which reward
the labor of the skilled husbandman.
While the development of the other resources
of the State has not kept pace with the i'm
provements in agriculture, it is gratifying to
know that attention is being directed to our
great facilities for manufactures, and to the
vast stores of wealth which abound in our for
ests, in our streams and in our mineral depOs-
! its. Skilled labor is necessary to secure the
full development Of our material resources.
All means should be used which will attract
thrifty and intelligent immigrants to our bor
| ders.
Our educational advancement is closely al
lied to our material progress. If we regard
only material prosperity, nothing is more cer-
| tain than that it is best promoted by the diffu-
sion of knowledge. Popular education is not
more necessary to the maintenance of free gov
ernment than it is to the full development of
those resources from which spring wealth and
prosperity.
The foundation of our public school system
is now securely laid, but much remains to be
! done to complete the work. Through the wise
! uDeCdllty Ol GUe ldSG CeilcIdi Assembly, pIO-
vision was made for the extension of the
course of study in the South Carolina College,
and for the reopenng of the State Military
Academy. The restoration to their former
usefulness of these State institutions OF learn-
ing will stimulate the growth OF our public
school system and lead to the establishment of
good secondary schools, which must form the
connecting link between higher and elemental
ry education. The course Of study in most OF
the public schools is now too restricted to offer
opportunities for preparation to the young men
| who desire to avail themselves of the benefits
of the liberal training afforded in the State in
stitutions and in the excellent colleges in op-
Grafton in different parts of the State.
The want of good secondary schools is
pressing one, but it can be supplied without
material alteration in our public school system
by the establishment in every county Of one or
more graded or high schools. The additional
funds necessary to maintain such schools can
be supplied by small local tax leves, or by
/ voluntary contributions, as may be preferred