The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1886-11-30
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

sense and practical observations, we
have never known it to be excelled.
The message is rather long for publica-
ton. but in this article VIC propose to
call attention to some of the salient
points contained in it.
OF course, the first thing which en-
cages the attention of the Governor is
in relation to tho finances of the State.
He embodies in his message the report
Of the Comptroller General, which shows
the valid Indebtedness of the State to be
something over $6,5o0,o00.
The collection Of taxes next engages
his attention, and he shows from the en-
tire area Of the State and the number of
acres returned for taxation, there must
be at least 100000 acres which IRE not
taxed. He then shows by a very plain
table that a "unlform and equal rate of
assessment and taxation is not laid"
Lands by this table vary in assessment
from $7.9s per acre in Charleston county,
to 50. SO in Horny. He then shows that
there is o material difference between
the actual selling price and the assessed
value Of. land, varying from 1O7 per
cent. in Hampton county, to As per cent.
In Spartanburg. From the report Of the
\Sinking Fund Commission we learn
What there arc on the forfeited land re-
lords 961,626 acres Of land, valued at
&879,2 99. To remedy these defects
IGovernor recommends that section
pf the General Statute be amended
- to enlarge the powers and increase
the responsibilities Of the Township
Boards Of Assessors, contending rightly
we think, that these Boards being &C.
auainted with the residents and familiar
with the property Of their respective
townships. can more readily and accu-
, sately determine the actual value Of the
property in their respective. townships
than can the County Board or the County
Auditor He recommends that every
owner or agent whose duty it is to re-
turn property. be required to do so in
person aud upon oath. That Township
Boards be required upon oath to assess
lands at its actual ex%changeable value.
That appeals he regulated as now-that
is. from tho Township Boards TO the
County Boards, and from the latter to
tho Comptroller General. That mem
hers of these Boards he not excused
from jury duty, but paid such a sum per
diem. for q limited time, as will compen-
safe them for the work done. These
changes in the Law as it now exists would
render unnecessary a State Board Of
Equalization. The Governor also recon-
mends, that 40 lands be sold for the non
payment Of taxes. except by authority
Of a decree of Court:
Among tile Recommendations made
.cepcerninG the administration Of justice,
the Governor wisely suggests that much
valuable time could be saved to the
courts by the passage Of a law giving
the foreman Of the grand jury power to
swear prosecuting witnesses. He also
reeo,pq ends the fec bill be revised so as
to limit tho number Of days for which
costs may be taxed. for references be-
fore Masters and rcferecs.
The Governor then takes up the Trial
Justice system. and after remarking on
its many defects, suggests that the diff
cultios may be bridged by dividing the
Trial Justices into two classes-judicial
and mipisterial-both having civil juris-
Hction as now prescribed by law. On
this subject be says:
1TheEe should be one judicial Trial
Justice for each county, to be located at
the Court Hoose; be should be paid a
~ressonabie salary, and should not be al
loSed costs or fees in criminal cases; he
Should have criminal Jurisdiction as now
provided by lay, excepting cases Of
petit larceny; he should be required to
thear and determine ell cases sent to
him by the Ministerial Trial Justices.
ministerial Trial Justices in criminal
matters shonld have the jurisdiction only
Of Hommit6ng Magistrates;' that is to
say, they should have authority to issue
!, xssrapts, arrests to DO made, i'm
ssaBgate o~ffenses. and commit, or hind
oscs for trial; II upon investigation they
And the matter to be without the jurisdic-
donofsbe Court Of Sessions, they should
he required TO forward the record to the
judicial Prial Justice. Thus can be ac-
camplisned the purposes Of = County