The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1897-02-10
Look out for q Deficiency.
COLUMBIA, Feoluary 4

ZULU MbSAS E0D1 uH.y Z.
One of the most important matters yet
presented to the General Assembly Is the
special message OF Governor Ellerbe,
which reads as follows:
Gentlemen of the General Assembly {:
After thorough investigation I find that
the finances Of the State are not in very
favorable condition, and deem it my
duty to call your attention to the follow
ing facts:
There was in the State Treasury :
on January 26, 1S97.."........ S4l3, ,95S 81
Balance due State from dispen-
9 ...sary, on general account........ $4,000 90
Insurance license fees (estima-
teQl lU,UUU W.
Fees scretary of States Office. 5000 90
UncoEeeted taxes (estimated). $1,000 90
Making. ............... $500, 1858 "a
The above includes all the revenues Of
/. the State available for current expenses
for the fiscal year 1897. Estimating the
current expenses of the State Govern
ment at $50, 900 per month, for ten months,
beginning January l, 1897, and ending
November l, 1897, we have:
Current expenses.... $500, 900 90
Legislative expenses (estima.
tedl 4o,OUU w
Special appropriation for mill
tia luUUU w
PenSlOnS..... OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES 1OU,UUU UU
Interest on public debt, July L. 5000 90
Public printing ng....................... 10000 90
Miscellaneous. s......................... 10000 90
Total. .s64O, 900 90
Making deficiency in the general fund
of S34,041 &C unprovided for. I have
counted the expenses to November l, be-
cause the books are not opened for the
collection of taxes until October Is, and
the State Treasurer will not receive re-
mittances from the county treasurers be-
fore November l. We estimate the cur
rent expenses at $4,000 per month on the
basis Of last years appropriations. OF
course, if any of the appropriations be in
creased, or additional ones are made for
special purposes, the deficiency will be
increased in portion.
The trustees of the Winthrop Normal
and Industrial College have asked for an
additional appropriation Of $4,000 to
build another dormitory. They now
have room for 240 students, while tho at
tendance at the College is 403, one hum
dred and siXty-three having to board in
the town. It would be infinitely better
for all the students to board in the Col
lege, and If we knew that the attendance
would remain as large as it is now you
would take no risk in making the appro-
priation But as we can have no guaran-
tee of this after the ephsmeral favor,
which generally bubbles up around
new college subsidies, we may have here
as we had at Clemson, a decrease in the
number of students. When Clemson
College was first opened many boys out
of curiosity, and without serious pur-
pose, rushed in and there was not suffi-
cient room to accommodate them, but af-
ter running year or two the attendance,
as might have been expected, dwindled
down to normal numbers and the dor
mitory is large enough for present uses.
Should you decide to build another
dornitory for Winthrop would respect
fully suggest, owing TO the unfsvorable
condition ofthe States finances and the f.
naucial condition OF our people, that you
have all the brick necessary for the con-
struction OF the dormitory made. by the
conyicts OF the Penitentiary. This could
be done in the summer after the crops on
the State farm have been "laid by" and
before harvesting time begins. You could
then at the next session OF the General
Assem- bly, make small appropriation to
have the work completed.
The deficiency that I have called your
attention to should be provided for and
the question for you to decide is whether
it should be done by increasing the levy
or by increasing by some other means
the revenue of the State. This can be
done by a graduated income tax and
graduated license tax. Every Legislator
should be comm ended for his efforts to
give the people low rate Of taxation, but
It is unwise and unbusiness like to levy
tax insufficient to meet the current ex-
penses OF the Government and thereby
incur debt I believe in the principle
Of paying as you go.
In my opinion there is extravaganza in
the management of county affairs which
should be thoroughly investigated: The
County Government Act is objected to by
many on the ground that it is too cum
bersome, and that the work of the chain
gang costs more than it is worth. would
recommend that you examine these mat
ters thoroughly before making any radi-
cal changes in the law.
w. II. ELLERBg, Governor.