University of South Carolina Libraries
' ? ' ' = " >" =?== - " ' - ^ . r^h. . g^co.hjd to !&t)riruttnrc, gortiaJfarg, gomtsfir drtonomy, flotite J'ilcraturf, |Jolilicr>, and the Current flcics of the gag. .-V ' . ? '"- ' " * * VOL. XVIf.?New Series. UNION 0. II., SOUTII CA1I0LINA, DECEMBER 3, 1SSG. NUMBER 48. GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE. Ci KX I'LK.M EN OK T1IK <i HN Kit A I. AssKM1U.v : In the performance of the duty imposed by tiie Constitution upon the Coventor, 'to j;ive to the Ccncral Assembly information of tho condition of the State, and recommend for th.ir consideration eueli measures as he shall juda'o ueccssary or expedient.' 1 have the honor to transmit the following Message : ItKl'OHT OK THE t'O.Ml'TROM.KU < iKN'KUAL. 1 I invite your careful atlent*. u to the full lieport of the Comptroller Ceueral. From this lloport you will obtaiu full state ments concerning the public debt; tho revenues of the State; the amount collected on account of ph ?-phato royalty; the receipts and expenditures of the government lor tho ' last fiscal year, and the estimated expenses for the present G.-cal year. The debt of tho Slate is classified as fob low.-: ! Brown Consols, n'l valid ... $3,277,7fi3 27 Green Consuls 8*0,071 11 1 Of wliicli ??d.'j 1.::7-*J.? . under the judgment of < the Courts is invalid : ; Leaving a valid Consul dvbt of ...Sorli'S.OdM Oeficiencjr bonds and Storks t-'iO.'.ntS 2D | Agricultural College scrip l'.'l,8U0 DO fundable interest, estimate I validity '.'2,lid Id ! l'o*t bolium bon is, ?2d'.l,721.7S. > To be fundi d at fifty per cent 104,800 80 t Ante bolluni bon N, SODS.,2'.?.80. I To be funded at fifty per cent lo 1,304 04 , Total 8.;,022,11 1 .">7 ! Of the class of bonus last mentioned, 820,033 55 worn funded during the last year, lor which 'Joiisoi bonds and stock ' were issued. Of Green Consols >00.297.75?containing 852,037.05 of invalidhy? were exchanged 1 for JJrown Consuls. This shows that the holders of those ! botids at least re diy. 'hat tliey need not ox- ' pect any further rein I Ir ni the Courts, and that these invalid claims against the State ' will not bo recojni/.ed. I :t this connection : 11,., i' ...il..- I I ... . I I lICNUi.ll i:?aKU1?lll 1111 |M M~ taut suggestion : As our Consul liunds : will mature in .-even years, it is of the utmost importance that all oi them.il possi- ' ble, be funded ami put in proper shape be- ' lore that time; ami it will he tor the State J to adopt some measure which, will force the funding of these old b nd.?. N. ^withstand- I ing the very large amount in existence, not ( more than an average oi from sixteen to 1 twenty thousand dollars arc funded annu ' ally, uusM^rc is no reason to believe that ' there wilff^rany improvement in this respect unless some action is taken to hasten 1 it. Kvtry ' pp rtuui.y, and every indue.- 1 incut has lu en / von to the hoi ! rs of these securities to exc.iiange them for recognized j bonds, and the only reason that can he as- i ' signe v;' y this has not. lmeii d <ne, is the ' roluetanee to accept the .settlement offered by the Stat?, ami to have eliminated that i portion which the Courts have declared in-' valid. | 1 It is therefore suggested that an Act lie passed providing that the period in which these bonds ami certificates of stock may be surrendered and exchanged be limited to October .'11. after which they shall be funded only umh r special Act of the j General Assemble. . This delicieticy bonds :iu 1 stock will ma- j : fare in July, 1SS8. A - nrranirf.iiients mu t ; lie made by the legislature in 1887 In meet I these h iidi at matu.ity. and as it will he | i in port:', lit at thai linn t . i.: ve full inl'oriua-j ti<in mi that subject, I recommend that you ; t ike iicliou i) iw( preparatory t > the redempx lion of these bond-. ^ - "" j i:" i. oil of the State i; inuv stood. ami i notion.c should he done by which it may | be imp aired. AS.st>6MKN T Of fltOIT.IlTV ? MU.I.KCTION or T,\XI:S. 'The t'oiisii: utinii provides : Atmu.r. 1. Section All property subj l to taxation .-hail If taxed in pro-| per;i'?ii to itS \ d . Airlift.;: ?*eriinii Ail t xisiipon | prnp.'j ly i ;i or ] . :. 11, sli t 1 he paid up- 1 on the actual \ du el' the property taxed, 1 as the same shad ho use Tfaiued by till as"- j hesst.o nt load'.; lor tlie purpose of laying such tax. A Ttri.i: 1). Section 1 The (jcm-ril! A.-Semhl'. h-.il III ?v i<!i- hv la'.V I " a it n i - ; 1 1 ' 1 or 111 Mid ivju ii l it'' i'i as- .-. mi-lit and tax . ntii'ii. an i si.ail pit rciil<o .-U' li regulations ami ;>': '!! s.eari" a ju<t villi itiou I*?r taxation all jiinjiortv, i|n:I'm !)til and pos>ssory. i!xc pt inin< s and tiiiiiiii^ claims;. (].< pi uce< ds <d' which a'mi shall bo taxed ' and No except iii<; such property a.? may he exempli I by law lor inutiieip il. education- ! a', li'et ?iy. ei* uti(it*, religion* or charitable ! pnrp"m s. It will he c i * I' d ti.it a va.-t um'tint o{ pi' pcily. loth taal Mid pels. nal. that h-.s not, h( en e.v mj ted hum t- xation by l ite, i. i- ii;t I.ithetto 'centiilmti i it share j to tIk eXpi !i.m: id its protect! i:. The amount oi'] i r.*( mil pr ) r'y that his escaped taxatinii, 111 the sh ip" ol' 'iiimeys, credit*. ii.% ( > t it i nls in I. 'ii ! s, sii ek . joint ? . i*.,ii.i nil's , r i,t]i !\ : Ii ; fi t linen .'.'iii.id '!' ii ('< i H: 11* I'o. i' ; < I *?l. in i 1? i - : j "i: i< r I Ss:j, : fin- v 11 >i iti'ii ' 11 j < zt < ur I ' '. ? l-iIL vc-\ f.ir ii? : t nf r. ji j ; m ill iff.' tin -i el ii:i 1 valim < C rly in lit > t:i; i*. : i.<1 i i ifiih'y (!i uit v.iii-iikm 1 it :v;ic.--it* t.. i 11;.-'ii t\v ;i.ir<i? ?i' dial j value. 1 i' i> ?i't< t'l il . I! \ ;: III:-1 ii l ol i! j : ; i . ') i ) ! ? ri.ifil. <>, </ t<> //., m.t ; Cl I!' Iil:l.<fh i i /"''/* filth l/,( /i;i' /,<(./, * til ii//, !:i ! ? >ii> ;< i : t! r i f 1 iinls () i ?l< fi.it will ;ait ?!j? :nt" tin In i'Vit] ( '| Mi III \ in I . 'l V : ? 11 ;< t 111 I'itlliM v..r .tit, < r li. if i in r i 'ill ii tlirm ami I i.c i*t;ilr ii: If. 1 I: .Vc im.jin \ < r_) (if" 11 I > liml in' lii a:i i n! cadi I ouiiiy in siii'Xa'i' in nfil" ' i'i i. i \ riiinji i; iti;: tin- iMiiii,* I ! ml i. Hit m ?1, tin' 1.1 lai ! '"i' i 1 ni i' liti ilriy, ! J.nW. nr. i have !> rii umil I' t ul>tain any ' solar as the Comities arc; concerned. * * * Taking the w hole ; State, the most reliable authority, which i< Mills,estiuiates the land surface at between thirty and thirty-one thousand square miles, equal to something over uiueteen millhi-. ol acres. Comparing this with t ?e return for ISSit, it will be seen that there are at least 2,000,00(1 acres which are not taxed." J I'pou the property that is assessed, the j taxes are uot %luhi upon the value of the j property to.ml' as required by the Constitution; nor is the assessment thereupon uniform ami njual as therein prescribed. We omit the tabic which appears in the tliessa.'C- as the fiillnwiin* svnnniii .if if O-/ ? o ~j ?w. .v, , cover* all the important mat tor iu it, that would bo of interest to our readers.? 10i?, fl.MUS. The column shows the average valu" <>t lauds per aero in the several Counties "I the State as assessed for taxation for the fiscal year 1885..SC, from which it appears that the assessments vary from 87.DS nor acre in Charleston County to 80.03 per acre in Horry County. The second column exhibits a comparison between the actual value ol laud iu the several Counties (as ascertained by averaging the values of the land that was sol.l, and tlie value thereof us assessed for tax a- < tion for the same fiscal year, from which it appears that the percentage uf valuation to selling price varies from 107 per ceut. i:s \ liamptou Couuty to -Hi per cent in H recti- i villi' and llorry Counties, and !."> per c ?nt ; in Spartanburg County. The third column shows the average t value of horses as assessed lor taxation in the several Counties for the same ti.-oul year, from which it appears that the assessments vary from 877.53 iu Hampton :ounty to 8-111.71 in Laurens County. It is dillieult to believe that the aver.tg iclual value of horses in the 8'tate is ; -mail as is thus indicated ? it is impossible l to believe that their average *ac u il* valueis is thus made to appear. In !ii lil : ioo to -il I of* icli i.-Ii <. I -i.lu.iii'it.. I < ~ - ""-'I"" I ire the provisions of the law, the payment l if the taxes that arc laid lor the support >1 the (Joverument cannot be enforced. The amount of taxes unpaid upon personal property actually assessed lor taxation itannot be ascertained. This amount is i represented by nulla bonna executions in lite offices of the various County Treasurers. The amount of unpaid taxes nport j land assessed for taxatiou a j peat.- on tii j forfeited land records. In hi; tvpi si for | 1SS.~> to the Sinking Fund ComtnisMou. tin* j Secretary of.State says: "My l ist annual' Report shows that the past (isc-i! ycir ; w,..- commenced with b.")G,L;.>2 act.-sot' ..ni j mi the lorleited laud records ol this office. I valued for taxation at 82,0011,211 1. and due I the State 8311),SGG. This bei.tir inetva-ed j hy the forfeitures reported to this ?.Hi. (rmj j October .'11, 1881, to October 111, l8ro"?, ! amounting to 10."),oil I acres, valued for tax- j ation at 81>T.").'JOB, and iluo the State 8.">l?,- I 7">0, aggregating 9G1,G2G acres, at a val- ! uation of 82,879,291), and due tlie S ate j ?11(17.GIG.' j i l'rein all of which 1 conclude that ex- i ' istiug provisions of the law, for the :is.-r| tuent ol'property and the collection of taxes ! are injuriously defective in three essential i particulars : ! ' i ?-?.# 'All nrnnnrtv siiliinnr. I., l.iYritimi' : 1 is i>at assessed. Second. 'A uniform and equal r..to of 1 ass< ssnient and taxation* is no;. laid. Third. The payment of tin* taxes can:. .! bo enforced. 1 have thus endeavored to expose tV , leading delects in the present system. in s order to concentrate your ?tt< nt: t.nl in order to facilitate the efl >rt, thai i am sat isl'icd you will make, to provide an suleqn 1 remedy. It is an important and di'i u'" question. : nd is worthy of your, piti-nt ! , intelligent consideration, The ;.t tent ion ol the people has been directed to the mees-i- t ty of legislative action in this mailer, an-! . they look forward with high expect n. v i the r> suits of your deliberations looking t > its solution: and I entertain the ! eltci" ;! their hopes f>r wise and wholesome .or. incuts will he realized In tny judgment, the liist and s? onuu defects above suggested can in a ) irr measure he remedied l?v judicious am n . nu'iits to Sections two huudteil ami l-.'i: three and two hundred I li. ( four t 'Z"t I) of the (icneral S'afti s. whir ; pre-erihe the powers and duties, i -1 < ?.*;iv iy. of township Hoards of Av?. sso; , : : (V'jiity Hoards of Kqnali/.ali'.m Section L!.~h> should he amended so . > t ^ enlarge the powers and ir:ere?s?t' ? risibilities with the Township 11... ! A *>esst?rs. These Hoards, itC I . prisons of discretion. intclligene ami t eerily. being acquainted w ii h t t . ! . and I ituiliar wiih the propeity oftlnii speetive township can inor: readov i ..... ,i..i. >t. i , .' prop a ty in tin; townships than e.n (' unity llo.inl or the County A<i iii r. Kvery owner, silent ur oilier p . hose duty it is t'? return pr"op i'v ! i i - x alioli, should snake tin- return i i j>? r- . ami sh iuld in per.s >n >i11 tho iili ; iniic! In Iki undo. The Au<lit>>r -! "i! I ! nillin i i/.nd t<? propound liny iliij'ill i. -. l!i.. \\i"i! l enable Itiin to ohlmi full m l imm re!urns u|" nil proper')-. re.il : :i<1 | i?l tiny description, t!) it is Mlhj '<'t t < i t i? ? i II vin,' prepared a list < 1" :i'?i ] r 5 : . . il l > nships, llie I < \vii-1.ip lh aid sh i. . ikju.h iI i" :i>st> eaeli ami ev< ry ] i'-'l n its neiu ii e\eh niirealue V illi In :i>>e.?>iinr I .mi- o:?-: I < !' t i\viis ami vili'iiie.s, t!m v->lu < : pi'-ee. tr.iet or p it ei l ^"i.oil-1 ! ? ; - :: wlnde. ami wi'li >ut mmi i e* i?i?*:i I ion of its c .ii. f! e iiiinrov iij Ui it. ?i ilie value <1 eoi'ti^u . 1 'I lie building*, improveiiieiils ami uii;< ill.i elr.v.- 't ii! i ii ive n.i s. pirate <u imlivkluni \nluatioii, but tn?: estiui lit I value* i f the iire pioc . tract or parcel. ju*t a< i' \?t?-il<I pass from vou;b>r ! > vou?leo, should !io its ii-iehscil vaV.ati n t' : taxation. iJeloro out. : it?e upon the oischarue i their duti -. tho members ?T the Township Hoards, i:? i ii oil ! > tu! it;;; the i r'fh prescribed i r 'lircrs In the* (' oMituti ?u, and the ?>uo with respect to duJii:-', should be rnpiirod to tale : ail ?> i.ii isii'ly an I iun-i't iliy t ? assess, ace ?r<itui* to i actual va'" \ ich pi-ice, tract, or pi i > oi'litni in !. : sp. ciivc town hip ; an 1, up n the i *t o of their duti- s. ~I..# i i take a:i t nth that. according to t\ Jr know! Jen i formation ami belief there is no property in their t wu.ship i' t i onitlle 1 I' :u ill ir a.-s-'ssiinra'. If a t t pr perty in the r , I he j 1'ivv.: I.ip- i i so: vol :>? it. actual v.iln , , there wj.i I liothitii; i'*r tie* l" nifty | ilo uii to ij!? in/.': in* !is-?e*s::ienl wii. la: j loir in a l i V.-mrhout tin: Slate. an 1 j ih ? I will ' 'unil'i;an ; 1 ij? ?! ivitJ.i.i ti. i . buetif, oft' e!' 'i' ' There;:, i. . . .1, n. reijui.vl I y ' "it. 1 ..> i . fli.tll lay bvf'll'o I lie ' ty ! il-anl l! . ' i i:. 1 f |In* rial | . > ( 'y 1. 1 1. ' . . Iiitu, with s 1 i v I' T .... ii.t r j it'Io'l .u 1 i.,' :;jri I' 1 mly; llu-y l.? uM hour gibvanctw. Thu i i.: 'IV, ll:> 10 1 I lie tin' ri-!.t I' ; r I ; lie J iv.is' 'Iimv.Js t 1 lii* 1' utile i:i,l fl ..il I ha t Ity Heir ii ! ; llie (" iei..!,:!j 1,; . :i.-.v ivi, :If" !. a.I 1 ty i i. ?'.? '..it' le 1 relative in s iclt , ' 1 :rin uuc 1"> r I lie .- ! tut i? j- ! .' !. ; \ i; lloni'ib of Axtessors, I lie s. Iter- ' v. .I .1. 1 It e\ -nipt li-om or I ! t is1 ': ; :i in' |iiil>l e 'Inly. ; it is ... it) tl! illitl'j* I Ly I!l ' :u . ; f. 1 1 eio'i' 1 lit* a 1 I i .1 - ; l'iI ;!' 1:: f i/. I lie Sll.lt!, I "- I h?-% . 'a. . I c | ai I .-1 'i -in.. 1 i r tlieni, ! f . lilt '.I. '.1 is w ill v k .'11 .1: tlieni I 'l" I'.e it : : 1 .-I. 1 ' ' ' \ | I. - e I lltll will I:. II- li'.t i.l. Ill I . I I IV.11 III -lllli'.iltit ill t fill J : i< t V- I ; ,0 1 ; Slate aiul t'outii.v, that will ivult: I i\ in, i.i ! In; 1.11 ' 11 pt 11 1 lie r i.i. . . 1 1 | \iul.inr lii1 ?. inly i:. 1 p .0 I u, 1.1 il.e .1 . 1 1 ; jCi 11 ! iiii. ;*iv jien','1 nit I. I iliinl. 1 1:1: 1 in-ciinri'if.s, a! ei: ??ii'i noi it'iii 1: 1:1 itl'iei. imi.t ..I*ox.i-1 lilt; i. w il! Ili'tt'i !"/ 1 1 In-ilvti lii -in elfci .i\V. ::i?ily 11c*- ..I'.iit ymi. .?* u.i t .- | i '. I-:. 1 .1 i? i-i" .'tij I! inee of 1 he > '.;< v^ , 11:111 -, 1.? :c 1:" vvi 111 .1.', the law |ut,\ 1 ." i iie Imuivl of ivjiiii.i. uica -.m-.l i 'i.: >,"il- . () ' ! ..i11 1 ir i 11! 11'j >:i. ;i inn 11.e '' ( I relit r (ieiicrul -tlrut wliom >1 ' i * ' : I i" j 111:1 i 1 lie I : ; ; 1. -say.-: .... t 1 i/.v'ii. ii:t i'N{. 1 ifiice is 1 ii.-ti liie ..." .i-t.'l a liv. i .a : nit ' . .ii 'lively with* 11; ant -1 . It'll: I V:.' : V Ii in . : 1. ll.i-a I 'a I hi! iti.'. 1 Jiof in 1 .jiriii/. thu value ol tea i ? - ( I.nC : lite ? itiil.f*. ilii'.v have 1. 1 !lll'll)t||i.il< Willi I 0" IT US t .1 lilO l'? . II i V .' . 'l j i"ti *1 .nil'; v. .ii u! ell i iii 1! il.'if.'i'iit u.i- 1 ii .1, ai i .' 11, . lit 1 ! ' 1 1 f'. .1 n:; ' 11 -o t s\ hick i . -i. no' nl'l.-il i . . , 1 .. ..a sit. : 11 . .:i i I'.mM i . i - : i I i ix i liosi .. . i .i I mil twirl; . . i'iio omi oijuotici lt:?it '? : ! lluil l<ui*ilo' . tho work vl'llio s'tiuo Homal I?'*"! i i ' ! i I . \ ..i tlsll* . Y .Vy hill 0 . i i ; J_*ii?;. 1-:;C ? without l.iul;ii.'{ ar.y )! . i . , i*h..ii ;is in the msmwi.u' i vi ; jj1,it . rust iito Stat- at each i.loosing i.tcr u;n l'.i t'jinl tioil US.' I r. in ;n;s to die u usi<loi uioa oi the >! > , loicct it! i '.o itrr-.i.t t.?x. la r. ?to \.luc ta ill- , ri of o'llVttlOio 'in. Vti') tciv, ii'a iy. i a lilies in this ??:atv : have j ill v \-"l li.o : <1 judicial it.vi tl^. ! ... . in t:ii* j> . : r'.ilur la i il'lci a> not j vo . i" i ? | - mil i ai'tiiiii'i. lil toll wcil lit !?; ii'i'.ni.'. Y | lioo.v on . i- ic , :;:i\'liiat out of a' 1 ! jlic I iiouvtiul o.'.'i 'os iftliii .lodcripl. a, v 'i iaivc fuiii' i i heir way into I he A|i|H*iliue it., ul i': - ' uiitry, ii ii twcniy of lliotn li oc ! . a I f'tani lo It.- ! i! it'l l ivjiila;-.' 'I'sic faint. Ii.iM t!io lit!i- to !i? i t i . it i of a jujv .*. p.. i thrrrfoiv not nIV;-ion ! ; '.a.- , jtiirj .-v. iatoi; lo 1 litile i r.ll (!io adit > I hilt powe; ! vrt Vctert in Iy < .tpl! ' w. its..I f. : i ':.;vi- ; '. v. i ii: ii -1 |' .. ... imi i'io cot.. t i 0 1 l.y 1 ;t. , . r a -t i lnwi 1. is: ?vi'ion l.'i? ' . m jivily rceorm 1 ; 1 t' mil r Tl i :.iili i i. ;n? ,\ I. II, ,r l:: ; \ : (i l. I . , I r . ' ! * !? . . . IV .. t 1U ' 'l I..C I'.ll.iU , i.it . . *!... : . t!. 1.1;" ^ i mi . j . i. t\. ?* i::: sii.'l l.? : I iii v ' I i*i|i m i : : >' ' . !.;v ci.ii TV: .i- ? ' ) '*1 . i-iir < I. I = i 1..1I f.ii- I' i i. | n\ IMI-I:t i !" i : f i ... i' -jt ) \ ill-.' tllllll..' v ui' i i :: c.-ii" ;"i; ' v i i. . ! i i l' -.ui:. c fiifM . 1.1*:'' V' ill! 1 i . 'tii , :ii!' I r.ji.lt-r . i ... i ; : il. : . ; ii.ti. ! . . < * : ' I '.'i I- 1 :i ' I . ! I*? * i: i ' ' ..lit", J'l i' iVi , i ' , ii:t ! i .'I iii* i i i f :. .. . I : ' 11 ' I t' I . , ' I i .it tii ! >:?lu I !? . . >ii. . '!<' ! i ; It." 1 t .."v r !| in i ' v . v l v : i : . -: n. :m I ivi'. .iiii.il.: i : i v? ... . : . ii int.. . !?.,: , ; : :iii. 1 III '.liii.ii I'll : ?M ii; .ii ii. i In' . I >f !.i'. ' I I il' 11 * "! I 1.1 ii i: it. : . * \ i . i \ i "i . . ii. . I'liiv."'. I i Ii.; " : ,.!. i : ifil i i'-i rtT !i . i ' i : ?>ri i i -I 1 ' i ..' i >i.. j. ..i > .i ..i . i . . .. K i . li I it'll !: !. J.l.l 1 V t ; > - ti f . : j s . ; MI l ii'iiiit >'M..- i :i'I . ni-ti t. . : y i i| <?i . i < i i i i'. i v i . .ui .i _ . i > . I . . I ' / in: I ?. i i> it' !. > '1 ' i t'l ! I, \\ .. It I ? I. . .'.in .III 1 . 1 v >\ ' .. a;I I ? . 'i l.t? l->- -!?}- * ' \f< ? ' in . . t .\( l- Hi . I. ... . ' . ; i ' : . ... n j . ..! ! T. . X a I II! ; , t|j>l , :.i . ? < : I II 1 i ;il . f : 1! . -t Tl'-i. i i : i .( . i . ii.: . :... I . : in " ' ' ;. !*. ? ?!":: (. . t . : .. i. mi t ; : . . . : i-l' ill ii I. . i i < i i : l. ill til.' I jil. oi .. a* ."'la v ]>cl re and ?ihoc iluuilct's Soliloquy \v \vi is:11 the law ft delay has becu a b word ;?i. i r?proadi. a source of anxiety ai ; uuhapiMiii'>s. a cause >1' tucutal distre ! and litiMieia! disaster, and an obstruction , the do--.; patent of the science of lat Kules !: v atid statutes should accoi ' with i > intiii n sense, aud should resul ! v. '"*n pnt in practice, in rapid, but m ; h -ty or ill-couisdcred, settlement < i i toiiftio disputes. i i > ? ?>" is inseparable front, if not iudispei sable l". the patient and orderly aduiiuistr; j I > .'t ofju-tico; but when the delay bccouti i ti >us 'that the business community It: h i rein t int to res-H-t l t the Courts I cure lite enforcement of eoutracts, at ! Lieu ai\? driven to methods of nrijusliuci ' without tlie aid of Court.-,' suspicion I arous al, cither tlint evil inheres in ll ; ~y-ti nt it: operation, or that the method < i;-. adt titii-ir itiun i> defective. Judge Iv.-rshaw said, in addressing tli titan I .Jury, at :i laic term of Court i (I i??? btiree : 'I have frequently, in ui : ti.s to the 11 rand .Juries, taken oec; i r ? eoiiinieiit on the fact that we, i tilt Car-:';.1.1, very probably have tl t expensive .-yste.n of dispensing ju tie: in the iv?.rM/ \o i'uatiaui uttal eltinuo in the systoi , . . ... -iv..... . ..i .? ? A|-IUJn I UVW.1i7lUj VV 1-IIVtU OUI .. id inijil reuicnt. A few changes i t'.i - i:. . "I .ij"n??inctihi* l?u iuess in Coui ea'.ly I .rili'.iic dispatch ami irroa11 r ox f "Cii^cs. ! i 11.0 State there; are thirty-four CuUi . 'l'hroo tonus in each C'nuntv itivo \ and two 'opening days in tli i lie loss ol one-half of < ;ioli Jir is lint loss annually throughout tl i.f iifty-nno v.oikiug days, or tw . i s, time suilioient to hold an avorao riisi of the Courts of an entire Circui if i - tie to say, that one-hall, on an avo .o' . >! one day in every term is consume a taring witnesses in upou Court wha ai to to- il'y before the < Irani! Jury. Tiiis ? ' . y uaeeesviry. A (1 rami Jury tire . i. i a their own information, or tin 0 riv. d Ir ?:n other s >urees, make a presen i . > wiiicli a hill may bo prop iml an .a....tied by tlie pr >s euting i llieor. Wli . j i. a iitiesses,accompanied by the < Iran ;;i . t > into Court to he sworn by tli ' It was tint until 1S7G (?SV?< . .* :.o, G S. (' that the Supreli decided that 'witnesses examine . re a tlram! Jury upon a biil ol indie 1 run t he sworn in open Court.' a ti. !i previously thereto such had bee ... jtic'ico. i r .v umend the pu-sage of an Ae'. a ' 1 :e - < ">:ie in several States, ;:utli ?ri i > ti e Foreman of the <?ri:id Jury. < ! n -man j>r-> tun., in the ah. en (I 1 r :? i*; to a luiiuister liie oat!i to ail wi u s--. i a bu t'Xam.iied by the <? : i ?J ur J J 'W .-ii iil t'no time ho emplJ no a tti'd in swearing witnesses '( i svc >iiiMicim (lie ivsixraiio : <>i toe sua .. vy j ruoess jmisd c! i ? ? of the Circu ..it? with such modifi'Titi 'Sis as to f r i or oecduro. as nny be n ocessnry to coi it t.) the system of practice mow pr \.';ing. The Circuit Judge should I u o ri/.e 1 to take up the summary nroce ii.b'.r during tiio sitting L.f the court i >> <! ui:*. Thus, while the (J rand Jury eucng (1 in the examination of bills. '.I will he employed i'i hean't : ii t Clodding cases on the summai oroeess docket. The costs in sue sis should he rcduccJ. Instead of ?i'2 equivalent to $8f? 71. as proscribed in t! ,\c 1703, the circuit Judgo <-h< "id 1 ; i i/id to hear sunt determine witnout j . . unless ueinai dm! by either part ti r certain lastiictions to he prescribe v.! acli uis at law involving nut mo ;h.vi i wo hundred dollars, including appea i . svi 1 actions IVo.n Trial Justice Court hy the time of the adjournment it. >f S.'??ion-\ a 1 argii proporti m i- ? w.I! have been transacted. authority in the State urgent t t in ('lis class of can*es no appc a. i I* uiliUVf'l to tin* tMiprotne cm: i' 1 } ! \vc sin.ill 1 have precede .. e i iiiic'i States cuuts? in which i ! ? t?> liin supremo taunt is a Ho we r - involving a (!?institutional t|iiosti> : e.-e- involving !o s I Kan live, lliitusai Tnis Wciii (I <;reat!y relieve ti .1 *? ii| >11 tlii* supreme c<itu t, ai : in iiltpauts iniii*ii ?11 i?iy *<d 1 c ijiicsiinii i Miinui' Inr )'' e ill in' n. i hill &!i>iii! i he revised :n a i. |' ? .aiiy so : s t . limit *ho mi: i. |up which uiiiy 1m: tax ' i "I !i iicr t 11 r- Masters and IKioiv. : i >i nit iu! Miur.' id'l!ic (U iay, ai !)- . li. it at incident to the a ii n i justice in the State is t . . 1 ; i \sti in. ?; ' t.< ii l>as nctiveil a greater sha in." leii'i hi, and up i ii i (lu 'sti a : it i" diversity ' I* ?pi11i >11 :!i'i iii - system is detective; t .1 v all s up u the sii.'^'-stieii el l i J.i- I:i>t Annual Me.--uo t>? the * 1 V- inMv, (I pVciiI'T 'I'll wipI ait. -,.i- it t ' tliis imp >rtat>t mat! - .'."iii' Iriil Ju.-i.ice wit I i ' r.'li**v*?> t!.o iieuit court --i hi-. If,- p: ivi ii..;( itil'er in which : tly nil mists ? u!<l . ii. .in ; at i -'i. ill e -t, lin- i iiI ' Til ; mi ! > which it \va< il -i. i. : j.: li i- j i -per. ili ref.no, il t uiii .1 Illio c a -i in' iii'Mi os i . ii ! '\ m m.' v. -1| ii n.ii Mi'liin i ! i (.i I III ; III ?t !y lu Jl'lVO relief I t I . .i > i.. . --i M-. v.lii!" ; rovi'lin^ I'.>r i i tr; ii ! ; i""(t- < 1. ir.'i I Willi orii .1: I tn' is piiiil.-Uiu?"it t.f iii v :ii " ' nvief. ' It ( \V i l.;o ]i q c-.'JJo-t t liiMI)?"lV< < i . by which 11?iy is: v In* no.' nn; lit lire iii' (!-(..Iili-iini nt us" mui court-, oT an iiicro:i.-e m the number as circuit .Juices. Careful consideration of y- this subject induces mo to believe tliat the id latter mode is best suited to our wants.' ss I concur in the judgment of Governor to Thompson, and endorse the reasous assigned v. by hitn. that the establishment of County d Courts will not remedy the evil complained It, of; but I do not think an increase of the jt number of Judicial Circuits is necessary or jf advisable. An inferior court of some description is indispensable. The present ii- system is better and cheaper than county a- courts.; but the presout system should bo ss modified in important features, is The supreme court has decided tint lo the eouit of Common Picas has concurrent id jurisdiction, under the constitution, in civil at cases cog:. !?to before Justices of th<r is Peace ; which being the case, the civil juric isdietioti of trial justices may be permitted if to remain, as parties may now, at their option, proceed cither in the trial justice 10 court or in the eonuion pleas, in lti? the criminal jurisdiction of trial iy justices that imposes gtcat annoyance upon a- the p oj.l ;i i great expense upon the iu counties . l-'rom tin report of the Cotupic troller general for the last fiscal year, it ap s- pears tu:il the amount in thirty-one coun lies (three counties were omitted. no roil turns having Wen m ule,) paid to trial jusb tioo are! their con-tallies w is S-Ili'1,7-00 11 ?"cij i d t SI ISO. 11) lor ivieli v niuty rt 'i'lie I li'v of tins expense was iucurre 1 in y (lie i ive-:i::ation of petit larcenies and simple assaults, i- 1'ndcr no ciroiiui-t.mces should a trial a justice l ave jurisdiction in c-tsrs id'larceny, ic 1'or no c iurt of less d'unity than a court of st record should bo authorized to deprive a ic citiz m of two of tli most highly valued o franchise* of eiti/.eusiiip, to wit ; the rii^tit ;o of voting and tli ; riuht of testifyiti" in t. con t. i- Nor would the justice of the country d seriously stiller, if tile uutnber of simple ;e assaults investigated by trial justices should i.- lie tfieatly diminished; f-r a number of f. these prosecutions arc instituted fur some it otiier purpose than the punis nrmt of a t- public, wronjr, or tlie vindication of the d public ju.-licc. iy In my judgment iiiucli of tlie trouble id now experienced on account of the tri ll ic justice system wili be relieved by dividing f< liic trial justices into dudieial and Ministoie tial ju. tieos, both shuuld have civil juris <1 diction as now prex-iihcd by law. t- 'J*l? to p'?i?u! 1 be (iiio jmiicial trial junior ?- lur o ch o ui.ny. to located at the court n lu.u.~t ; lie should b-.: j)ii>l a reasonable .salary, and .should not b: aboWed COstS oils fees in criminal Mfvs 1 > slmmd have crieii i si jurisdiction as iim provided by r law, excepting ce of j t it larceny; lie ic -ltoui l be rcijuiri"' Varan I determine i- ail iit-es set:i to (.. .. >y the Miui-terial )' Trial J u-dieo. w Ministerial Trial Justices in criminal matters .should have the jurisdiction only i- ol' 'I'ommittiuj; Magistrate* that is to say, it they .should have authority to issue wariii ranis, eiuso arrests to be made, investigate - oiFouses, and commit, or bind over J "or trial; c- if upon investigation they find the matter >e to b ; without the jurisdiction of the court s-s of Sos?i' us, tlu-y should ho required to 'd forward the reord to the judicial trial justs tice. 'i'itiM can lie accomplished the parte poses of a county court without incurring A the exivaiM! incident thereto. ry This is the most important subject, ami \ h I c iiiiuictid if to your attention, in the conh. fnb. nt. assurance that i: will receive the U! careful consideration which its importance -ic demands, and that tin proper remedies will a be prov ide 1 lor those evils which are now Y the cause of ureal ami ju.- t complaint. It may not he iirelevant in this fcinecu' ti'in to i !Vr to th expense incurred anfilially iiy tno counties in tie- tr.iii.-por.ition 1>- of e nvi'-t to the p "litemiary ; iliocount d" o tree i ve tiny poi ti'ti el the inc.une derive 1 IVoui the lab if < f c niv r?s, and , .-liou.d ue.il" no put ! the spouse i ! d hveiy ! > tin: penitentiary. Ilesidc. ' the Sit* rint'i:d"iit. with its recti! iriy itit! nloy-al and i st'T'eu vl on il l force, can hi , , , very m i i nioiv cVe.ply e< i.'.ey prt aniers I to tie i'ei.iteiiti.ity tii.in can I he t-dioi ills. 1 aiipiiel to e i ii board of count v comjSl i * # t t i tni.-.-ioU -r.- io t': Slate I |- a -Intern nt ol id . , . . ..co.\'j use iiieun -d to t:\m.-p u-Jttij; pr;*I oik is t ' ib 1 Vniteutiury. i tlm* t.sc u t i.n i i at it i*' t i.tie cotiety d>li. r??I for A ' e ieh ml 4-vc: y e mvict ililiviied t- t'ne ur . . . ' 1 VliliCllt iaiv, auure_ 'ilia! til that C'llllV i, j jicuiy " 1. i'fi). .V careful exduiifo of the I/ '-.< . ' i-i.-t of iliivi ii.tr I'm..ii ( saiin. | I Co.i i'y r ii ' .ved t h .1 l io- | ?'Toner.- c >u!d iiavu , ' be i bdivio'.-d i"t si?i?2 S' l From at: nilitlur * >ii n > y dm e \ | ii- - t It us incaritd ,j. j am i?t.d to - I'l ot) f !' e ;cii cent ift ; and |u, I in : no: in-r 4* oi. ty .-.;i.i ; <p n-e amounted | to ol .iij lor i noli convict. i h:> is a i e|-, : v.i'ti ni.ii tax-avi-. and siiould b u, I ion died. ; 1 i. uirn :id t i p - i .< ' i ::si act i< |,(. I 4|iiii iti_ I he .. i k - o. to: i ?*t I's, upon lit ., : atlj ui mm lit '.lie 4* nu t- I tm.-.-buis. j notify t he Sup. rint 1 .: > film IV nit. ti Jliuryofihc number f persons sentenced i to iu.l : i.o i ' io the IV-mtentiar\, and m > , . - ' . , reqiiumi: :ii >np i::?i intent to provi.b ' ' ' ? I i.n i Ik ; ir HI n >1!;u: :i. ' | j |:I \ r.M'i: I.KMI .' < IIiit. i?>r I I'inj :-i: j.l I-IIU' i ' i;|i I >1 1111 t i ilo 1 I !! ?* > in l> \| i.-; n-vri 1 i i . ii! i iic ?'iieinl I, I i i < I l.i'c I i - wiiii'ii mu.^i liii.-'i I!i ,j VlilililV ' :.! I- I I'll Sui'iji, l -III'I , III. lo|- Aol : Mill*. I .. I. i>.'_', Ik Ivln'K' Ii..' ' '' . Si-Ve Ir<. i !i Si ii . . r r.- ^ii'iiaiitvi- of iln In* I...ii.'.- i tin. Who i.: 1 < I' i Ia?.:i !, ilirrvii* I I v 1.0 11". \.** . .i1 " l. i >, .in I 11vi* I i K |(1. .-'lie i'riii-n i i' i i i*i ii .-in ilio -ciiii mil i ii | ;-'y fnii'l. : i ;..; ; ui} mil tlie < i * . i i ' it-1* lit: iiCl.(! In levy .ui ti.l >i* I us ..vi i! i.?\ i i ii t ti I. . I vii'ii-.* i-- i... ml ilio o in'v . i 1 ?* i ro i Hirvr* lu i "o. vo t .. nil in * ji**iiii : ! ?> Ii! i i , i f i s . I ; flit f; I.I 01. In! f! II J? I In' . I , ful i ' 1:1 <it lioriv; _* in .1 I f 1 vi iii vv liicii 1. ti'l. i 1 Ii ui li.'.'ii In 1 I-.* !i- ii r .1 I in.1.if ii ?:. > 11!i*.*l ij Ik ifli' Vi *' ' t .<* S 10 i.i' flu- |i iv I., iii . i 1 i in 1 . r 1. i>l U' U, \v Iii ill orir iiiiCvl 111 a bol I ui Uiuj't ?v ilif late Republican Government to practice a gross fraud upon the people of South Carolina. Rut results more important to the wel -hciu? of the State than this pecuniary relief will follow from the principles odabtished in tho decision. 1 feel it to be my duty to present these fac a to the attention of the General Assembly, and I invite consideration of the justice of ui.tMug suit ible couipcusation to too Attorney General an I bis distinguished associates for these very valuable professional services of which the State has received the benefit. tii k ruin.tr sntooi.s. The annual report of the Superintendent of education shows continued progress in the remarkable development of the public school system. Not withstanding tho depression -uutu rally cottserju -tit upon several successive years of uuremunerative crops, thepe has been evident improvement in all the main features of the work, except in the average length of the session. which is the same as the previous year. The enrollment of pupils in the public schools nmouutc'l ( > 1S:?,0GG, an increase of ">, 0l.'i over the previous year. The average attendance reached I'dG.GOG, an increase of 4.GOG. This incroiso, both in enrollment and in :?ttcmlaiicc, being wholly nmong the white pupils, clearly indicates that the white citi/ens of tlie State are taking more interest in the tch ols than ever before. Through the combined inlluetice of exam inatiotis an I Normal Institute instruction, the effective power and professional pri le of the teachers have been much stimulated and improved No better evidence of this is nve hd than ilie fact showu in the report that u !wiihstaiiding their meagre salaries, and without compulsion, 1,1'iS of the teachers were willing to give up their vacation and.incur the expenses of travel and board in order l<> attend tlie instructions given ut the ft tie or cniiniy institutes during the past Summer. 'The agency which the l'eahody Ivlueatim Fund has had in ihe great work of popular education in litis Slate, and the spontane >ui enlargement fits liberality for the ensuing year, will, I trust, receive from your honorable bodici some formal expression of grateful rcc uiiioii. The injuriuus etfects upon the public schools of the low valuation of property Ibr taxation, is a matter deserving your serious consideration, it Appears that, if nil the taxes are c'Heeled this year, there will he, nevertheless, in cuiisrtjucueti of i e Iuce i valuations u delicieiicy of at ienst $11 ,'HJO in the schotd fund. The County apportionment of the Sch ml Fund as now re(|ii:re 1 by law lobe made hi advance of the iisi'mg of property and of the collection of taxes, introduces much confusion in the financial alhtir.- of the schools, and entails great hardships tip >n the tcaehtrs. Some remedial measures are demanded here, and 1 iespe-1fuliy commend the matter to your earnest attention. For reasons given at some length in his report, the Hupei inter, lent recommends ilie repei of \ct No. lit, approved December l.j. 1 sSh, rcliting t^jlie exaiuination of touchers.' tiii: Inst!11 Hon urn tiik luvcation or tub lif.AF AMI Ill.MIl AMI TIIK lll.INIl. The thirty-eighth Annual lieport of this lust itutioii, vvuli the letter of transmittal of ilie Hoard of t'onunissioners, will bo laid before J mi. The rep u t shows an enrollment of 01 pupils duting ilie year, an increase of 0 ovcrthe year preceding. >ntw$tl)st:iiidiiig this increase, there remains of the appropriation forthc niaintriiao o of the institution an expended balance of > l.'J-Vi'.S'i. This shows thai the Superin( i' ii f itfiti'tl rif ('nmiitliiuinnot'fl lioea n.L niiiiisicrc I their trust faithfully ami economically. To uicetthe contingency of still further increase in the enrollment of pupils, the usual appropriation should he tniule, notwithstanding the balauco on hatul, that is to say ; For supp- rt F.i'.J.ts t) U't> For repairs to buildings and grounds ' (?ti O't For insurance upon buildings < t) Total sl'J.bhd O i ri.utix cni.i.Eot:. This institutiou, located at Orangeburg, was founded in I.mI'.i, and is intended for the higher education of the colored youth of both sexes. The faculty is composed often teachers, an 1 the annual attendance of the sUnlents exceeds four hundred. There tire five courses of study, mid during the In ! five years i Intro 1 :ivo iter it fn v-i'oiir graduates from the normal, and fifteen from the college department. S -ital attention is given to prictlc il inlucIries, schools i f fanning, carpentry, printing ' uu 1 domestic n nioiiiv ;iic e taMi: lie I an I are i in succc--fill operation. '1 In s a departments are being develope 1 as rapidly ami as tin rough!) n> the dinitel n.e .n.-i i n their support will allow. The instil .t.on d?**i i ves the < ntiutic I support of the <!ci;:al As "etishly. Tin: mii.itallv alui'l mv. The !!ep >rt of i ho I'.oa I <T \i itors. to I i snhtnitte I for y .Mir cotisideration. nil! furuirh in wr. ric <y i oi mo o[)>'r ill lis 01 iiii> illSUI 11?!i*i,i .luring the year. 1 The scho'nHio yii.r 1 opciH* 1 with: iif.iciiciary t'luK-if! I'ny (' ..let." t i , T- : i <>(al I i l?i?tni>- * ?? i'..r ilHicit my in >!u iii.< 1 t ii imralily i!i-t'n irjual > (.l , iii :tc I i Ko!ii:iiin Academy T .i .1 117 The c!i"' ?stic yen- 1>S<? S7 oj'i'tn'il with : lt< iii ti?iur\ ('a l .t' > 1 I'ay c i'lcH 7ii) Ti.tal H(>: tiiu . tintj arc old ct let-' : i ! 'iiik'isiru'9 ' ' ?' | I :i V ; lie rniiti ? licfirficintiu- I1' liver iiitH - j> iv -? Tulril ... ! 1 J I .0'.' final in z i-l.ist of Iv '? wa> (in- l.i-t silifv iii- i i'ii)'i?>iu;7.aiioii of Iim ,\t'n Icioy. Ii i c(ni?i*>(c.| of iim ij-fivi! Iii* or Ii oi.tr ir* iti'l h) 101* 11 }' iy ' 'i ci I c nii.^ 'Ii?* ii)^:11iiti >11 i*i i: < i i.i i I ii, j Iii 'I >cicucc iiior.ni;') .|y ;iv<| o ?r1 i I, mi 1 i in I Hi I \\i:h the li-s.-'iiis ol .?ic i . i ii 11* i ii ... i alii * .! iT-ipc-t, iifsc tV"iin^ jt-ir. itilurti an- a vr?:n 11 il?- ? < >111 r llni I i >11 lo I h ; c I./mi. iliij' of 111ft Si tic. M <i i i tin- . 11>ivnlif Iv i f;cii 'lirir l iv mi Iioj riiiii:^ i ; firm1 ; h I ii-?*iill life, mi I lin ir fiitm.- w./i \ i: !i? i v.iiioni f lIn- Siali? i.i ilift j.r?-p-?i ilnm >! * inn Jlivi'U i I". 0111 l?> lli-viiai'ili! lilv.l' li'l i i v. . of tl-.?*-e lienviivi iry i in .; . <>'i a c n i of i ||i??r i*ipilient <i i ili'i.-1' >nwi'P" j hi i i?y in* llv.ir I of \ . i s I > ilio ii??-!ini u ol iiiiiv* ii ! <' Ac i ii inic Im'iiiI -iii'w.n:. - j '"! I'l iVi^ioli i i la i v I Inn "il. !iv In . it Y I nit-lf :.I|I| In- I . , liir I I ' I l !i. : I,.oil. I'I.' I'V.i vol"' in *' I Ii'- |i ' !' .ii* .Ii ?f i lie < ill iiiy I. i v. Ii.j.i .ii y . He, ici civr I lif'ir il|<Ji lillil'lii i:i ' i i Ac.floiii.V. To' in I in- II i.i of Vi?iioH w.ii. ! not v i ken, iii-I i. ill ui'l.on :|iu t'ft'l.-lH ?ul.| it ' 11 i\V i . i fv.l" til- III.' lef I i?m til" < -. li .? ' :.! IJ w I.: I itiievi tiic (wo y'v?uiij( jj. iiilviiii.-ii ti'uiu i.ij