The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1883-12-06
GEO. e, gAcEsaNEF:, B. cRoMER, EDITORS.
NEWBERRY, S. C.
THURSDAY DEC. 6, 1888.
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
Governor Thompson's message to
the General Assembly, is q well
written document of considerable
length.
He first treats Of the State f.
nances and shows that we have
every reason for congratulating
ourselves. He shows that the pub
lie debt is being gradually dimin-
ished, while there has been graft
fying increase in the valuation Of
taxable property. He says that
under our present tax laws the
burden of taxation is made to weigh
unequally-that the present system
of assessment is cumbersome and
not suited to our people. He sug.
gestes that a commission be ap-
pointed to report at the next session
of the General Assembly a well
matured scheme for the assessment
and taxation of property. The
amount of property returned for
taxation in 1882 was $145,442,292 );
the amount returned for 1888 is:
$150,6O9,SO4.
His review of the condition of
public education in the State is
thorough, and he thinks the need
for public schools is pressing
one. He suggests that such appro-
pristions should be made as will in
crease the efficiency and promote
the development of the State Uni
versity and the Military Academy.
He suggests that each county
should bear the expenses of its
insane paupers in the Lunatic Asy-
lum, and that those lunatics who
are not entitled to charity should
pay for their own maintenance.
He thinks that the Penitentiary
should be enlarged so that the con-
yicts may be worked under the i'm
mediate supervision of the officers
of that institution. He condemns
the practice of leasing eonyicts to
contractors. He says that, while
the Penitentiary has become rev.
enue producing, it is designed TO
prevent and punish crime, not to
swell the public revenue.
He says the present militia force
is sufficiently large, for all purposes
but its more thorough organization
and discipline and increased eff
cheney are greatly to be desired.
The new schedule adopted by the
Railroad Commission has not been
in operation long enough to enable
him to offer suggestions as to the
modification of the laws.
He thinks that proper steps
should be taken to make credita-
bic display of the resources of our
State at the Cotton Centennial Ex-
position in New Orleans, in Decem-
Der 1SS4-and thinks that the ex-
hibition should be made through the
departments of agriculture.
While the completion of the State
House must be left to the future,
he suggests that the roof should be
SO repaired and constructed as to
prevent injury to the walls.
He thinks the State should defend
her officers in the election trials,
and earnestly recommends that the
expenses of the political prisoners
be paid by the State.
He closes by calling attention to
the encouraging progress which has
been made in the last few years in
the development OF manufactures
and improved methods OF agricul-
ture in our State. The improved
financial condition of our people is
seen in the fact that at the close of
the last fiscal year, the amount of
taxes collected, exceeded by $126,.
939,35 the amount collected for the
preceding year on the same levy.
WET AND DRY.