Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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'i%y.A .' fi?-** -'KV VOLUME X.-NUMBER 1541. CHARLESTON, TUESDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER 29, 1870. SIX DELLARS A YEAR. THE MESSAGE. GOVERNOR SCOTT AND THE STATE. COMMENTS ON THE PAST AND PLEDGES FOB THE FUTURE. L A TEMPERATE AND JUDICIOUS H DOCUMENT. [SPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE NEWS.] COLUMBIA, S. C., November 28. The message o? his Excellency, Governor Scott, was read in both Houses of the Legislature - this morning, and was referred ' o the appropri? ate committees. The message ls as follows : v Tike GoTcnior'B Message. Www-citizens of Ute Senate and of the House Of Representatives : Ia transmitting my annual message to the General Assembly, I take pleasure In cougratuiat i lng yon upon the gratifying evidences of material progress and improvement surrounding us, and the general ludtcatlons of the prevalence of peace and harmony within the State. Health and pros? perity have generally prevailed during the past yeajyUie earth has borne a most bounteous har? vest, and I am happy to ?say that; with out few exceptions, personal and political animosities, the eradication of which is necessi-Hy the work of time, are being gradurlly ameliorated, and a. very general desire is manifested, especially among the more thoughtful and responsible, to obliterate old animosities, and, by co-operation and harmony, to manifest the power of a united people, in a united purpose to r"ive their State prominence a d themselves respectability. The following statement exhibits the Indebted? ness and assets of the State on October 3lst, 1870: Funded debt of the State, Ootober 3isr, 1870, f7,eco,9;8 os Assets .held by the State on that date, $2,290,700. Leaving a balanc? of $5, 375,2:03 98. For a fall and detailed statement of the finan? cial condition of the State, I would respectfully refer you to the reports of the comptroller and trea-urer. THE SINKING FUND. From a report of the secretary of the commis? sioners of the sinking fund, it will be found th?t, of the unremnnerative property of the State, there has been disposed of 21,698 shares of Green? ville and Columbia Railroad stock, at two dollars and seventy-five oems per share, amounting to fifty-nine thousand six hundred and sixty-nine dollars and. fifty cents; two hundred and forty sharrs of South Carolina and Western Railroad stock, at forty-five, dol?an per share, amounting to ten thousand eight hundred dollars; building materials In the Statehouse yard, three thousand and fourteen dollars and. even ty cents; real es " tate, (four acres on Arsenal Hill, and one acre on Mam'street, in rear or Statehouse,) six thousand nlnlKhundred and sixty-five dollars; four thous? and shares of Cheraw and Coalfields Railroad Company stock, at .three dollars and seventy-five cents per share, fifteen thousand dollars. Amount realized, ninety-five thousand four hundred and forty, ni' e dollars and twenty cents. Expenditures : For Gae hundred thousand South Carolina bonds, eighty-one thousand nine hun? dred and thirty-seven dollars and' fifty cents; for commissions, advertisements, Ac, eight hundred and fifty-five dollars; total, eighty-two thousand seven hundred and ninety-two dollars ard fifty cents; balance on hand, twelve thousand su Uun dred and Ufr y six dollars and seventy cents. STATS DEPARTMENT. The report of the secretary of State presents an epitome of the labors of his department for the current year, ard gives a lively idea of the amount of labor transacted in the executive de? partments. In addition to the usual amount or work, the secretary in his present report has pre? pared a careful compilation of all the election re? turns, In tabular form,- presenting the names of all the parties voted for, and the Dumber of votes they received. TEX FXN1TENT1AET. ... The report of the commissioners of the peniten? tiary present s the affaira of that Institution ina highly favorable aspect, and it is folly borne ont by the annual report of the so per i n t enden t, which accompanies lt. since his last annual report, the superintendent has received in the instit mian two hundred and eighty persons. The number of in? mates at that date waa two hundred and ninety five. Whole number'during the year, five hun? dred ? nd seventy-five, of -which number there have been discharged by expiration of sentence tweor^-three; pardoned, two hundred and five; died, twenty four; escaped, six; insane, one. To? tal* two hundred and fifty-nine; leaving a balance of three hundred and sixteen In confine mem, of which three hundred and nine are males, and seven females. Such* as are -enumerated as pardoned, mainly con listed of those whose. terms were about to expire, and who were reoomeaded for their good behavior by the superintendent. By anticipating the expiration of their sentence the criminal gen-. era) ly avoids the deprivation of his civil rights, many Of which would be forfeited by their con? summation. The effect of this leniency is stated by Ute superintendent aa being most salutary In pro? moting good behavior among the convicts, and enabling hun from day to day to designate larrge numbers of the on vic ts for work as laborers, teamsters and mechanics without the presence of a guard outside the enclosure of the prison, and not one baa betrayed the confidence thoa reposed in them. The superintendent makes a variety of suggestion* for the extension and improvement of the Institution, winch are respecfuliy corn Bended to your favorable consideration. LUNATIC ASYLUM. I submit for your consideration the report of tke regents of the Lunatic Asylum, accompanied hy the annual reports of the superintendent and of the treasurer or the institution. The report of Dr. Ensor shows that at the commencement of , the year the number of patients was two hundred and thirty-two, to which was added ninety, making a total of three hundred and twenty-two under treatment during the year. Of this number thirty have been discharged, cured; sixteen have bees removed; thirty-one have died, and four have escaped, leaving In the Institution, at.this date, two hundred and forty-four pa-. tients, of, whom one hundred and twelve Are males, 0*3.4 one hundred and thirty two are females. The treasurer's statement shows that dorins the year the receipts and disbursements were as follows: Collectons, forty-one thous-and .and two dollars and fifty-two cents; appropria? tions, seven teen thousand five hundred and five dollars. Total, fifty-eight thousand five hundred ana Reven doran fifty-two cents. Disburse? ments: By deda i in lest annual report, one hun? dred and tl ny-r,> jr dollars and o'ghry-one cents; supplies, forty thousand nine hundred and ninety four dollars and twenty-nine cents; salaries and wages, fourteen thousand four hundred and eighty-two dollars and sixty-nine cents; repairs and improvements, two thousand three hundred and thirty six dollars and twenty-five cents; balance deposited, five hundred and thirty? nine dollars anl forty-eight cents. Total, fifty eight thousand five hundred and seven .dollars and fifty-two cents. Liabilities for sup? plies, eleven thousand eight hundred and thirty five dollars; Balarles and wages, three thousand one hundred and forty-three dollars ami fifi y cents; total, fourteen thousand nine hundred and .eventy-eight dollars and fifty ents. Assets due by county commissioners, twenty-thfe? thousand five hundred and nineteen dollars and twenty-six cents; pay of p .-nts regarded good, three thousand nine hundred and twenty-four ioliars a?fc ninety-three cents; State appropriai lons tu January 1st, 1871, als thousand and twenty-six dollars and ninety seven cents; extensions and re' pair s, t e a thousand dollars; t o tal, forty- three thous and four hundred and seventy-one dollars cents. The board of regents, in transraltt reports of the superintendent and or the tr of the institution, accompany them by t portant recommendations, 'viz: First. Ti beneficiaries should be maintained by th? instead of the several counties; and, seco extension of the present new building s enable ns to abandon the Inferior quarte I for patients. With regard to thc first recoi tion, lt has my thorough concurrence. The < I the present system ls to throw the entire e i of supporting the Asylum on a portion of th [ ties, while a considerable number is j in arrear or their payments as will be seen I table accompanying the treasurer's repoi appoiHoning the amount of the tax on i Bpective counties to the number or benet! accommodated ac the Asylum and eollec ? with the general tax, a more equitable e will be reached, and the Asylum saved rron I ral embarrassments to which lt is now With regard to the proposed exteuslon i Asylum, for which an appropriation of fort; sand dollars is asfced, I think its propr well as expediency are matters ol ' siderable doubt, lt will be reco that for more than twenty years suitableness of the present locality has b matter or discussion, while the want or adar ity or the buildings to their presert purpt generally admitted. In consequence of the Sciences, the South Carolina Lunatic As wblch at its establishment stood at the he similar institutions in this country, has en lost that proud pre-eminence, and now lamentably ia the rear. Among those who been most urgent for the abandonment c present site and buildings, are Dr. D. II. T vant, the ?iorrner. and Dr. J. W. Pt the rec. nt, superintendents of the tntlon, who unite in ' condemning for want of. space In the grounds ai suitableness In the buildings. To these ge men, who?e long connection with the Instit renders their opinion authoritative, may nc added those of Dr. J. F. Ensor, the present s Intendent, who says that on taking charge the Asylum, on August firth, he found lt fa hind the times In almost everything that ls considered neoessary In a well appointed asy Its buildings are not of proper capacity ur struction. No greater blunder was ever mai architecture than the plan upon* which gloomy. Incongruous pile was erected, most of the rooms are mere cells chlncks in the walli, dark and. illy v< lated, and those on the ground floor so damp unhealthy that lt would be, to say the least, greatest Inhumanity to require the patient occupy them. In corroboration of his own st ment, Dr. Ensor quotes Dr, Wilkins, commise er of insanity for the State of California, wi now making a tour of the United States and rope in quest of information touching the sub of Insanity and institutions for the insane, i spoke of our Asylum "as the furthest behind age of all . that he had visited in this count) with one exception. - With these coacurr remarks of medical men ? of the hlgti authority it may well be Inquired whether I consistent with policy or expediency to patch an old and generally condemned building, by pending a large additional amount of money lt, and thus perpetuate the institut i m In Its pr eut unfit locality, or to make the necessary Im Uga;ion as to whether a more suitable locat could not be selected, where ample grounds co' be secured, and suitable buildings erecfd fe moderate sum In addition to the price obtain for the present premises. I commend the subj to your careful and deliberate Investigation. QUARANTINE. The annual report of Dr. Robert Lebby, hea officer of the Port of Charleston, will be fou highly Interesting and satisfactory, as exempli lng beyond ail cavil the Important fact that wi an attentive and vigilant quarantine officer t City of Charleston may be considered perfect safe from the visits or tropical epidemics, whl have occasionally desolated her streets and pat ly zed ber commerce. Her exemption from pea ltntlat diseases, her general salubrity, her ace 8ibillty at all seasons, with her other signal i vantages and facilities, presenta brilliant furn to Charleston, which, if properly Improved, ca not fall to place her at the head of Southern se ports. Dr. Lebby. In hts report, makes a numb of suggestions and recommendations wblch a deservedly entitled to the highest respect, and a recommended to your favorable consideration AG RI C I'LTUKAL STATISTICS. The report of the commissioner of agricultur: statistics contains much valuable information 1 relation to the soil and productions or the Stat embracing the various crops and modes of cul ti v. tion, the value of the numerous fertilizers, tl culture of fruits and or the grape, and the formt tion of roads. I recommend that a liberal aj propriatlon be made to be distributed in pn mlums as prizes for excellence lo agriculture an the mechanic arts among the several counties, an the State fair at Columbia, with the understand lng that an equal amount, from private BJUTCB? be raised for the same purposes by tne State fal and county fairs respectively. PHOSPHATES. Attention is called to the elaborate and sugge; tire report of Professor Charles U. Shepard, Jr, Inspector of guano and fertilizers. It presents I a most forcible aspect the magnitude abd im port auce of this new field of enterprise and In dust ry, its rapid grow th and probable extension In tb*3 connection your attention may be useful ; given to the law of last sessl n, granting to cer tain parties therein named, the tight to dig ant mine In the navigable streams of the State io phosphate. Tne receipts thus far to the Statt from that company have been nineteen hundred and eighty-nine dollars. In my judgment, furthei legislation ls Imperatively required to protect th? Interest of the State In this matter. It Is belie vet that with a moderately efficient administration o: the affairs of this valuable property, a sum ma; be realized to the treasury sufficient to pay the Interest on the debt of the State or Its equivalen t The constitution provides for a uniform and equal rate of assessment and taxation, and that only the proceeds of mines and mining claims shall be assessed. The Inquiry may be suggested wheth ei the present mode of assessing the phosphate lauds ls the most advantageous to the State and equita? ble to the taxpayer, and whether some change ls not demanded, TBE LAND C0XHI33I0S Was undoubtedly one or the wisest and most beneficent pr* J ec ts ol the State, bnt, from the odium which has been brought upon it by charges freely made of peculation and personal purposes in its administration, the results have not been commensurate with tue sagacity and p illanthro phy of Its objects. About lix hundred thonsan d dollars have been expended, and thousands of acres of land have been purchased, but, up to this time, only a comparatively small portion or the lane* has been sold to actual settlers, and the tardiness or the commission should be a subject of investigation by the Legislature. This Investigation should be thorough and searching, by Intelligent and hon est men, who should examine rainy and fearlessly Into alleged abuses which have exalted wide? spread comment and denunciation. Desiring to investigate these alleged abuses myseir, I applied to an eminent law firm In this city, but was In? formed that owing to the Imperfect legislation which characterized the act, my power over the matter was very limited and questionable. What? ever abuses have characterized this agency and paralyzed its usefulness, are mainly traceable to Its organization, by wblch Its authority was delegated to ave commissioners, and by Its divided responsibility In constituting any three of them whose assent wai obtained, either individually or lu ; he aggregate, a quorum to decide all questions brought belora them. I will make no recommendation upon the subject of j modify lug tbe provisions, but would respectfully ' ask thu the Executive be relieved from bis share I or tne control and responsibility or the mi ment or its aflalrs, or which he is entitled, the law, to one-fifth, while, in public estlm he lt held responsible for all the and abnses connected with its supervision. He would take thc ll however, of suggesting the entire s< tion or the commissioner from politics, a . striding hin to the direction of its legli operations. Your attention ls called to th that from the money already received fro land sold, as well as those* which are to b: hereafter, there ls no provision made for its keeping other than the personal responslbll the commissioner, who has them under h elusive charge. Provision should also be ; for their deposit in some safe and re.=ponsit stltutlon, or they should be used for the pu of the redemption of the bonds Issued for the chase of lands. STATS LIBRARY. The report or t he librarian witnesses his ratigable zeal and Industry In the discharge duties and the preservation or th? properl trusted to him. * AUDITOR OF STATS. For information In this department, I wi 6pectruh>refer you to his very full and com report, and call jo fr attention to the Import of his recommendations. EDUCATION. Forthecperationsor the State soperlnter of education, daring the year, I refer you i report of that officer. MILITIA. The report of the adjutant and Inspector j ral is referred to for the operations and proi lugs of the military department or the 1 during the year. ' , TER STATE CONSTABULARY. The report or the chler constable presents a and satisfactory account of the proceedings expenditures of the body nuder his control lng the past year. Captain Hubbard, In the charge or his responsible and unpleasant du has acquitted himself creditably and efflclei Strong hopes were entertained that after the pira;lon or the late heated political cont?e would have been deemed advisable to dl-p< entirely with i he services or this rorce, and or* had been given looking to that result the first or November; but the unfortur and disgraceful ocenrrenes recently in the Cc ties of Laurens, Union, Spartanburg and N berry, in which outrages were perpetrated i valuable lives sacrificed, bave compelled the p ponement of that desirable result. Recent indi tlons, however, encourage the.hope that tne p' ponement will be bot temporary, and that police duties or the State will soon revert to local authorities. UfMo this time, no arres- s hi been made or the authors and participators tn recent murders and outrages, and, having tl long waited on the local adthorlties in vain, tivc measures are now In progress ror the arr or the criminals. TRIAL JUSTICES. Owing to the existing prejudices and (hedi cnltles of obtaining impartial decisions inl gated cases, the Executive has unfortur at been thrown almost exclusively upon the' me bera of one political party for his choice ?of tr justices, and in many cases persons without t requisite qualifications have been recommends It ls very important that this evil should be ct rected, and we may reasonably hope that In futt a wider field may be opened to select from amoi such of our citizens as are distinguished for th? Intelligence, impartiality and love of ji tice. In a prompt, equitable and economical a ministration of the laws depends.much or tl peace and harmony or the community by the o literation or canses of discord and the establis ment of friendly relations between Individual But essential modifications are necessary lu tl existing administration of Justice. Complain ?ra prevalent that lu many cases a spirit or lltlgi tion ls promoted and stimulated with a vie solely to personal acquisition, and lt ls asserte that not only Individuate appearing before Hies magistrates are charged extravagant rees, bi there is too mach reason to believe that In man cases the co3ts have been not only charged to tb parties, bat, In addition, have been charged an collected from the State. A correction or u abnses ls loudly demanded. There should t also an essential modification or the amouu of costs permitted to be charged, and the Stat thoroughly protected against the abuses or ui principled men holding these positions. The ei travogance ol the costs, at present, In cases tn fore a trial Justice are. In many Instances, a dc nial or justice, as In most or the cases taken bi fore these minor courts they are greater In amoun than the sum la litigation. The powers an the duty of the magistrate should be we defined, and the severest penalties Impose* for their violation. None should be held mor rigidly amenable to the law than those wh are chosen to admln'ster it. I would her remark that 1 must necessarily depend ver; much upoa the members of the Legislature ro the character and fitness of trial Justices, and am disposed to consider education as an essen tlal elemeat among them. This would not o nlj be proper In Itself, but wsuld afford an ad di tiona stimulus to Us acquisition. By making a kn owl edge of the elementary branches an indispensa ble requisite to appointments or to o nice, a mg her grade of service would be secured as well as s more efficient performance of Itt* COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. I would direct your attention to the laws de? fining the powers and duties of county commis? sioners, and their perversions and abnses. From the frequent complaints against, some of. the board?, lt would be imagined that they were devo? ted more to private acquisition than the faithful discharge of public trust. In neighboring States the office of county commissioner ls looked npon more as an honorary station, bestowed as a mark or confidence and trust In the judgment and business capacity of the In? dividual, rather than as a position of pecuniary emolument and except In the neigh? borhood of large cities, the compensation ls bit trivial, seldom amounting to more than from lirty te a hundred dol'ars per annum. Stringent laws arc required for the prevention and punish? ment of abuses, which will restrict expenditures within legitimate bounds, forbid all participation, direct or'lndlrect, In contracts for which propo? sals should be invariably ?r?vertised, restricting the amount of county orders Issued, BO*>strtaUng the county auditor the permanent clerk of the board, by whom all orders should be signed and Issued. 1R?8T DEPOSIT8. Since the Bank of the State ceased operations, there has been no suitable means of securely de? positing funds held by the courts. It ls of great Importance that provision shoald be made by law for the security of such funds, both for the preser? vation of a pure administration or that important branch or judicial Jurisdiction, and ror the protec? tion or Bultofs. Places ot security should be in? dicated and provision made ror the deposit of adequate pledges from parties authorized by law to become custodians of such funds ; and means should be provided for Increasing such securities from time to time, so as to afford sufficient pro? tection to all amounts so deposited; and the con? trol over such deposits while la the hands of suth depositories, should be further secured by allow? ing to the courts summary remedies against them, to the same extent as If they were the regularly appointed receivers of the courts. JURIES. The attention or the last General Assembly was called to the necessity of a change In the system or selecting Juries. As at present conducted, lt ls liable to be, and ls, perverted to great abuse, on account of the characer of the persons placed npon them. It is highly important that the jury box should be placed beyond the reach or politi? cal influence, or prostituted to the purposes of men who are themselves guilty of crime. It should be filled with our best and most reliable citizens. The appointment of a commissioner of juries has been trie i la some or oar sister and has beea found to work admirably. COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS In view of the frequent expenditures 1 nlshing the public buildings, and the irre bllity of the mode in which public money bnrsed therefor, I would recommend the di tfou of some officer who should have a st sion of the public buildings and grounds, i all expenditures for their furniture and im ment. THE BLUE RIDGE RAILROAD. I regret to iafornj you that but little pr has been recently made upon the Blue Ridg road. The liberal policy pursued by the Li ture was obstructed by parties prompted t sonal aggrandizement and political prej entering Into combination to throw obstac the way of negotiating the bonds, which pn ed their sale at the time, and before these di ties were overcome the war In Europe Inter and rendered their sale impracticable. I bi recommendations to make on the subject, the laws necessary are In existence; an therefore refsr- you to the annual report o president of the road for all the necessary mstion to an understanding of the details, extremely unfortunate that personal ambiti political rancor should be permitted to del Interfere with the progress and completion work of such vital transcendent importan the prosperity of the State and Its chief con cial city. EMIGRATION' AND LABOR. While I am willing and anxious by all 1 mate means to encourage and promote em tlon to this State of all peoples who are hon neons In customs andusuages with our own aro willing to labor, as well as those who bring imo it skin and capital, I cannot foregi expression of my opinion that the passage enforcement of stringent laws for the protei of life and property and the free and unrestrl expression of political opinions ta all that i cessary to accomplish that purpose in a! that presents so many attractions and adva ges to the emigrant and capitalist as ours. LABOR AND CAPITAL. There has been much discussion upon alleged scarcity of labor, and a variety of sch? bas been suggested for Its alleviation, but thus without practical result. The Importation of eignere, either Chr.stlau or Pagan, can worl inconsiderable influence, as these are as kei alive to the facilities of improving their co tlon as the native whom they attempt to i plant, and will dispose of their services to tl who will pay the highest prices for them. My < impression ls, that the present labor of the cc try, native and to the manner born, furnishes most economical, the most skilful and thc u emelent system of labor for the South, and c not advantageously be substituted by . other. A true appreciation of the mm dependence of capital and labor, and disposition to arrange amicably and coulta terms of agreement between them, would go to reconcile existing difficulties and remo* fruitful cause of dissension and Irritation amt our own people. Inducements might also be b out by which the ranks of tue productive cl may be largely recruited from those who are n producers, and whose complaint ls that they < get nothing to do; and also by granta of land tenants tn fee, the payments properly secar running over a long series of years to those w may settle In families. ? LANDLORD AND TENANT. Attention Is called to the necessity of a che and speedy remedy by which the owners of pn erty may repossess themselves of lt by a summ' magesterial process. While honest poverty IB i serving of our sympathy, and entitled to all leg mate protection, yet there ls too much reason believe that there are caaoa In which' the law perverted, which, by these vexatious resul compel landlords to enhance their rents and m: tate against the Interests of thejpubllc at large I APPRENTICES. The attention of the last General Assembly w called to the necessity and importance of a law regulate and define the relations and obligatio of employer and apprentice. An Intelligent ai Industrious workman has within himself the e ments of independence and respectability. ? art ls his capital of which he cannot be di ves te His labor ls always and everywhere in denian As illustrating the effect of idleness as the sour of crime, lt ls stated In the report of the prise association lately Issued, that of fourteen thoo and five hundred and ninety-six prisoners co fined in the penitentiaries of thirty States, in 187 more than ten thousand of that number, or ov seventy per cent., had never learned a trad This pregnant fact conveys a lesson of profonn Interest to those who have In charge the trainin of boys an? girls for the active duties of life. I: framing such a law as ls suggested, the amples security should be provided that the apprentie be protected Ironi cruelty and Injustice, and tha hesliould r?.c:lve an adequate amount of educa tlon. PRESERVATION OF O AUB AND PROPAGATION OF FIS! Many of the States of the Union have .enacte laws for the preservation of game by the prohib? tion of killing (hem during the breeding season AB the wanton and indiscriminate shooting o birds and game animals during the breeding sea son must result gradually In their extinction, am to the encouragement and multiplication of my riada of destructive insects, to the great lnjur* and destruction of vegetation^and the crops, ] would call your attention to the matter as worth; of your consideration. In this connection would also recommend the protection and encour agementof artificial fish-breeding, .by protecting thc owners of fish ponds from trespasses and de predations. A law was passed by the last Gene ral Assembly, authorizing the appointment o: eight fish commissioners-one for eaoh Judi ela', circuit-and denning the duties thereof These appointments were not made, for thc following reasons : It was found that comp?tent men could not be procured for the salary author lzed to be paid, and no greater results would have been attained by the selection of incompetent men than without any. It was thought best tc leave thc whole subject for additional legislation, lu the hope that lt would conform to the practice prevailing in those States which hare had most experience and success in fish culture, by appoint ing one person experienced In the business, and known as fish commissioner. Mr. Seth Greene, who has been BO prominently connected with the artificial propagation or migratory fish, has been during the past summer employed by the state ol New York in restocking the Hudson River with shad, and has been hatching from one hundred thousand to one hundred and fifty thousan.' daily. He states, in a published communication, that he can satisfy any person nth common sen .e that all the rivers on the coast can be stocked with shad so as to make them equally plentiful with the olden time. NATIONAL CEMETERY, ?C. A letter has been received from the Hon. M. w. Belknap, Secretary of War of the United States, in relation to the national cemeteries at Beaufort, Florence and Charleston, requesting that the Legislature of this state may pass an act la con? formity with a law of the Uulted States, entitled "An act to amend an act entitled an act to estab? lish and protect national cemeteries." Information has been received at this office, from Hon. W. B. Sbubrlck, or the Navy Depart? ment, that an appropriation was made Ju ly 20th, 1806, of fifteen thousand dollars for range lights on Sullivan's Island, Charleston harbor, and that lt ls necessary that an act should be passed ceding the jurisdiction of their sites to the United States, to which your attention ls respect? fully invited. There are a number of provisions in the consti? tution which require appropriate legislative ac? tion to carry them into effect, auoh as the ' provi? sion for divorce, the appointment of officers and employees of the Lun a tic Asylum, time and mau - ' ner of inaugurating the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, and electing Justices of the peace, Ac, to which I would respectfully call your attention. MISCELLANEOUS. Gentlemen of the General Assembly-Taxation ls thc vital power of all governments, and I In? voke your serious attention to the necessity of a strict economy in expenditure, so that no more taxe3 be levledthan ls consistent with an efflclent administration of the government Notwith? standing the constitutional provision for a uni? form and eqaal rate of assessment and taxatiqn, the taxes on real and personal property have become onerous, while railroads and other im? portant Interests are virtually exempt. There ls much room for retrenchment in the Balarles of county officers, and especially In that of school and county commissioners, whose compensation is greatly disproportionate to the trifling amount of duty performed by them. Having thus sub? mitted to you tbe condition of the State, and made those recommendations as to your legisla? tion which seemed to me Judicious, I might per? haps properly conclude this message; bat I can? not refrain from saying what I feel deeply. I am consolons that I have been r?vler:ed by a large maj irity of the citizens of th! ? State-a majority so large as to secure my ada .ilstratlos agalust any opposition of practical > J.sequence, and I tmst that my conduct In the future, as.la- the past, will show huw thoroughly I recognize the confidence which bas been vouchsafed io me but I cannot refuse to recognize the fact that a large body of those lu whose hands the wealth, th?-influence and the education of the State have, In former times, been entirely placed, and in whose hands, to a ver- considerable extent, they are still placed, have been opposed to the party of which I am the chosen representative, and are to? day apprehensive of the results of my adminis? tration. As far as I am Individually concerned, while I wish lt were otherwise, I will bear with patience the denunciation that I know proceeds from an enture misconstruction of my acta, my thoughts and my feelings. Hut If I know myself, that which I desire above all thing? ls the resto? ration of harmony to the dlstmbed opinion of this State, the recognition by all classes In the State of their mutual dependence and their com? mon Interest; and If I could close my term of office knowing that my efforts-had been successful in making all men feel once more that they have a common interest La the reputation and prosperity of th? State, I should rest content with myself and thankful to the God of Peace, who used me as His inst ument. I know how difficult this will be; but, In concludion, I will say that I will pledge myself to every legitimate effjrt for tbe accom? plishment of this desirable result, and will hail, as the best friend of the State and my adminis? tration, every and any man, supporter or antago? nist, who will aid me in any way to compass this perfect work of peace. (Signed.) ROB RT K. SCOTT, Governor. WASHINGTON G08SLP. j- WASHINGTON, November 28. The cornm!ssloner o? Internal revenue, In bis report, recommends toe ? discontinuance of the employment of spies and informers, and says the payment of moieties Is no longer necesary. He recommends the continuance of the plan of sur veylng distilleries npon the basis of the twenty eight boar fermenting period fol sweet mash. The continuation of the present rate of tax on spirits, aad the manner of collection, ls recom? mended, A uniform tax of sixteen or thirty-two cents a pound on grades and descriptions of J manufactured tobacco, ls recommended, tho manufacturer being left free to manipulate his tobacco as he pleases. A special tax upon deal? ers who sell raw leaf to consumers, is recom? mended. Tbe repeal of the tax on canned condi? ments and conserves, as Imported under the clause relating to canned meats In schedule C, ls recommended. Thc. quota of the Southern States for direct taxation anoints to over S5,ooo,ooo, of which over $2,500,000 remain uncol? lected. The quota of South Carolina to the direct tax ls $363,000; uncollected $140,000. GOLD AND BOND MARKET. NEW TORE, Nevember 28-Evening. The prospect of Boutwell employing much Idle gold In the treasury to reduce the debt was discussed In financial circles to-day. There ls a growing opinion In favor of the government using this gold If no move ls to be made towards specie payments, sixty-fours it; six ty ri ves 57; new 9X; sixty-sevens BJi; sixty-eight S 9 J,'; ten forties 6#. Virginias 64; new 62. Louisianas Tl; new 67; levee sixes 71; eights 89. Alabama eights lol ; fives 70. Georgia sixes 80; sevens ?1 %. South Carolinas 81; new 70*i. MILITARY USURPATION IN ALA? BAMA. MONTGOMERY, November. 28. Ex-Governor Smith and ex-Treasurer Bing? ham hold on to their offices, and are backed by the United States troops. Both Democrats and Radicals denounce the usurpation, and the Legis? lature bas appointed a committee to Inquire Into Its canse, and has determined to do nothing until the report or the committee ls received and acted on. _ _ _ ALL ABO.UT THB STATE. A Bloody Affray. The Abbeville Press gives the following ac? count of the killing of A. Q. Tolbert on Thursday, a week ago : It seems tbat a stock log had been sent by Thomas B. Tolbert to the mill of Joseph W. Cook to be sawed, which ror some reason had not been received. Cook came Into the field where the brothers were sowing wheat and demanded two dollars and rorty oenM, which Tolbert rernsed to p<y. An altercation arose, and Cook drew his revolver and discharged it twice at Thomas B. Tolbert, wounding htm seriously in the neok and shoulder and arm. The latter then escaped, and also a negro man who was with them. Ansel G. Tol? bert stood his ground and rece ved a mortal wound In the pit ot his stomach and also a blow on the top or his head. In the absence on account 01 sick? ness of the coroner, Mr. Kobert Jones, an Inquest waa held by R. R. Herapbtll Esq., and a verdict was rendered through the foreman of the Jury, Mr. G. L. Slbert. In H ccordance with the above facts, in contradiction or.varl>U3 false rumors, we would state, on the author** of th" acting coroner, that there was no political Issue Involved In the quand. Incendiarism. ? The barn-house of Mr. Henry Edens, about five miles below Bennetts-Ule, was burned down on last Tuesday night, containing 40.000 pounds of seed cotton. 4?O0 pounds or seed oats, about loo bushels or corn, and all the warms and other gearing, and oth-r valuable articles, all or which were totally destroyed. The fire ls supposed to be the act of an incendiary. Fire In Camden. The Camden Journal says that on Friday morn? ing last, about half-past 12 o'clock, the store or Mis. Scanlon, occupied by a colored man named Allison Hough, caught Are. The fire department were promptly on the gr und, but owlug to the headway the Ure had gained berore the alarm was given lt was Impossible to save the store and the one next to it, both wooden buildings, owned by Mrs. Seanlon, th? upper one oecuiied by Mr. John A Boswell. These and a kitchen attached were consumed, and the buildings belonging to the Bank or the State, occupied by Messrs. Shannon A Lining, attorneys at law, on the lower floor, and by .Mr. Barfield on the upper. This bond? ing was of brick, with Un roof, but the eaves were wooden, and in such close proximity to the other buildings that, notwith? standing the earnest efforts of the firemen, it was consumed. The store occupied by Mr. S. A. Ben? jamin was saved, although it was on fire at one time by the exertions of the Camden Indepen? dents principally. The buildings of Mrs. Scanlon were insured In the Richmond Fire Insurance Company for $1000, and that or the Bank or the State In the Liverpool, Loudon and Glebe Fire In? surance Company for $6000. The insurance on the first two houses expired at 12 M., on the day they were barned. Shooting Affray. On Wednesday of last week a shooting affray occurred at th? Kershaw House, Camden, between Mr. John A. Boswell and the proprietor, Mr John W. Rodgers. Mr. Boswell drew bis revolver and shot at Mr. Rodgers, the ball passing through his coat sleeve and grazing his arm. Mr. Rodgers was totally taken by surprise, but recovering, threw himself upon Mr. Boswell and took away bis pistol. The marshal of the town arrested Mr. Boswell, but he was Boon released. We under? stand that Mr. Rodgers declines to proeecate. THE E???G?R?TM. GOVERNOR SCOTT P ROCLA IM B PEACE. Lively Work In the Senate-Another Accident on the Greenville Railroad. [SPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE NEWS." COLUMBIA, November 28. Chamberlain has virtually withdrawn from the Senatorial contest. His Wends say that he will stand on his merits, and will not be seated by bribery.' For that reason his defeat ls certain. Governor Scott was Inaugurated in the House of Representatives, before both houses and the pub? lic, at l o'clock. He entered and advanced to the speaker's stand arm-in-arm with Whlttemore. The Lleutenant-Goveraor, with the remain? der of the committees, followed. Chief Jus? tice Hoses administered the oaths of of? fice. The ceremonies occupied but a few mo? ments. An amusing incident happened. The obaplatn prayed that, the blessing of God would rest upon the "Governor of oWo," bnt corrected himself. The Governor delivered his inaugural from manuscript. The address bears a resem? blance to the speech of acceptance before tho nominating convention. It says: "Many things were said last canvass which had bet? ter have been left unsaid." Scott promises to know no party or class. He makes no claim to have committed no mistakes. The charge of in compentency of appointees ls not entirely with? out truth ; but the fact was due to the exigencies of the public service which precluded a thorough Investigation into the character and fitness of persons recommended. It ls his intention to secure competence. He speaks of the political changes of the past two years and of accom? plished facts, also the European war and tho pro? gress of the State. Increased laterest and activ? ity are urged in educational matters. The ad? dress closed as follows: "There cannot be prosperity m the State unless there' is peace. There cannot be peace unless, there ls respect for "aw and for tho rights of all. No matter how objectionable to some of our fellow-citizens we may be who. make and administer the laws, or how hateful may be those who, from time to time, have had their Uvea and liberties imperilled, a little forbear? ance, a little of that good sense which we all claim as our heritage, will save ns from the dan? gers* which threaten the peace and prosperity of the State. A beneficent Providence, by unerr? ing signs, is pointing ont a pathway to a future ~of*" greatness. Let us walk in that path and, forgettlug as we may, all that is bitter In the past, strive earnestly to|bnlId up a Commonwealtlfwhlcb by its freedom, Intelligence and virtue, as weil as by its material wealth, shall add lustre to the nation of which lt ls a part. Lieu tenant-Go vernor Ransier, in a few words, announced his acceptance and readiness to qualify. The House m?t ai 12. P. B. Hedges and J H. Wallace, Syfax and Middleton, appeared and qualified. Whipper (a candidate) endeavored by resolution to have thc senatorial election held to-morrow. It waa resolved to hold lc on December 6th. The following concurrent resolution, by Wilkes, was* adopted. Resolved, That a Joint special committee of one from each congressional district, and one from the State at large on the part of the House, and j - on the part of the Senate, be appointed to ? thoroughly investigate the entire transactions of the land commission, from Its organization to the present time, with power to send for persona and papers. Montey desired a committee of one from each county, but Whipper opposed, aa the result would be the sh leid tn g of the land commissioner. Mr. Barker gave notice of a bill to regulate the hours of labor in lat) cotton factories in thia State. The House adjourned to meet to-morrow at 12 o'clock. The tenate met at 12 o'clock. The resolution for an Investigation of the Blue Ridge Railroad was received from the House, and, after much discussion, was referred to the committee on rail? roads. An effort waa made by Corbin, Whlttemore and others to go into an election of United skates sen? ator to-morrow. After mach discussion, lt was agreed to make Tuesday week the day. McIntyre Introduced the following resolutions : Whereas, It la a well understood faat that Messrs. Corbin and Leslie have manipulated affairs to auch an extent as to have themselves elected chairmen of one-half of the committees In the Senate; and whereas lt ts expedient to hasten legislation without a useless expenditure of time and money; therefore be it Resolved, That all the committees of tho Senate bo consolidated lnro one general committee, and that the Hon. C. P. Leslie be elected chairman and D. T. Corbin as committee, and the remainder of the senators be relieved from duty aa commit? teemen, and said senators are instructed to vote os dictated by the above-named committee. Whereas, Reports are in circulation that di? rectly implicates the State treasurer and others in a certain ninety thousand dollars land swindle, and whereas, reports of a like character, preju? dicial to the integrity of our land commissioners And State officers are pending; therefore, be lt Resolved, By the Senate, the House of Repre? sentatives concurring, That a committee of three on the part ol' the Senate, and-on the part of the Honse, be appointed, with power to investi? gate the accounts of Mr. Niles G. Parker and the land commissioners, and send for persona and papera. Hayes Introduced a resolution for investigating the affairs of the land commission. *? The resignation* of Rainey was presented and accepted. . Mr. Corbin presented the petition of the Union Bauk of Sonth Carolina, praying for an amend? ment of charter, so as to authorize and empower the bank to allow Interest on deposits at such rates and payable at auch times and in such man? ner aa may be deemed expedient Referred to the committee on incorporations. Mr. Corbin In? troduced a bill to amend and extend the chatter of the Union Bank of South Carolina. The Senate adjourned at 1:60. The mammoth senatorial caucus appointed to? night at the Statehouse was a failure. There was a large 'attendance and no speakers. The comptroller-general's, auditor's and other reports are out The case or Langston VB. the Sonth Carolina Railroad Company waa argued to-day before the Supreme Court, Hon. Henry Buist for plaintiff. Mr. Rutledge read the argument or General Con? ner for defendant. The case involves the ques? tion of the liability of the company to pay inter? est on ita past due coupon bones. The case of Creighton vs. Pringle will be heard tomorrow. A resolution will be introduced in the Senate, to-morrow, instructing the committee on elec? tions to inquire on what authority McIntyre holds his seat when he held the position or postmaster on the Monday succeeding the election, in viola* I tlon of the constitution. Maxwell's seat is con? tested on the same grounds. The Chesterfield protest was presented to-day. There was another accident on the Greenville Road to-day. An engine and two cars were smashed. Fireman killed. Particulars not learned. _ _ -The Emperor Napoleon remains in excellent health, writes the New York Herald's correspon? dent at wilhelmshohe, and loots more like a man or forty than of sixty yean, taking regular daily exercise In the open air. In all weathers, general? ly on foot. He bas been visited by Marshal Le boeuf, M. Cartier, Charles Bonaparte, Prince of Canino and other distinguished guests, and by an agent of Bismarck, who declares that the desti? nies of Europe and Its future peace are still in thc hands or Napoleon. "God only knows what King William would not give to see him again in? stalled lu power In the Tuileries. The very worst prank which he could now play Europe, would be a refusal of the Imperial Crown." He has been lniormed of the Orleanlat Intrigues, but his friends consider them hopeless. The Emperor declares the Russian Imbroglio '-the Nemesis of England." The.vlsit of the Empress only served to burden bia mind with deeper care on account or the melancholy statement of the Prince im? perial's health which she brought him. Both herself and the Prince axe about to visit the Em Serer, however, which would seem to indicate an improvement in the lad's health. M AT A WAK WU? KTOJLA. OMINOUS ACTION Ol' TSE BRITISH CABINET. THE GERMANS DEFE AT GARIBALDI-FRANCE CLAIMS A VICTORY. ( LONDON. November 2S-Midnight A Cabinet meeting was held here to-day, at Which it was determIneJ to consider Gortscha? koff's last dispatch as removing the question or Russia's demand from the sphere of diplomacy. ' The English Government has bought all the gunpowder cotton lu the market, and the price of lead has advanced to ?23 per ton. The Finance says that Immense supplies of arms and munitions of war have arrived at the Russian ports on the Black Sea. The Vienna Cabinet ls not unfavorable to" 8? conference on principle, but presses a settlement of preliminary questions. Dispatches from fpm stantlnoplesay that the Sultan and Grand Vizier show no alarm st the situation, as they count ba a peaceful solution of the difficulty. Tne War tn France. LONDON, November 28? Dispatches from Tours announce that a severe and general engagement ls progressing.. Tbe French aie victorious, lt is claimed, along the Loire,-and lt is reported the Germans are routed and retreating. LONDON, November 28-2:30. P, M. The following has Just been received: '???; * "TOUES, November 28-Forenoon. "A battle ocenrrod yesterday between Vlllerr and JaJeux, near Amiens, which lasted all day.-. The French maintained their position up to half-. past 4 In the afternoon, when the town or Villers: was abandoned before the superior forces and Ar? tillery of the Prussians. - The French were subsc - quently beaten at Boo ai, a few miles west of vil? lers, bot at Dury maintained their position until nlghtraU." The Paris Figaro Implores the French Govern.- - ment to make peace, the defence of Parts being impossible. - - The Tours journals of Saturday speaker the ex? traordinary activity of the-War Department. _ - - Torus, November 28. The repulse of the Prussians at Nea ville ls dan firmed. A powerful French movement from Le Mans compelled tbe Prussians moving from Alencon to fall back. ' ' Nsw TOBE, November 28. A Herald special from Versailles says the Forte Issy and Vjuore opened lire at 6 o'clock, on Satur? day. A Ri*ht sortie was expired. Tile K astern' Qnestlpn. LONDON, November SC -''.-The feeling in financial circles ls healthier. The fear of a rupture between Rv?t?f and England is gradually abating In all circles. The Times hopes the answer which goes to Gortschakoff to-day will be Arm and conciliatory. A protest from the Italian Government to Rus? sia goes forward to-day. Odo Russell dined yesterday with the King, and " afterwards had an interview with Bis marok, who, said, while adhering to the conference, and bar? l? g no concert with Rrisslar he was surprised at the action of Gortschakofl. Prussia, however,. declines Interference In the matter. The Times bas st. Petersburg dispatches which** note a more pacific tone, and a partial return of * commercial activity. It has been definitely set? tled that a meeting of the ministers of th? Powers interested in the Parla treaty occurs In England. in January. Bsa IAN, November 28.. NeW TorkTrlbnne special: At the outbreak of the present war, Gortsobakoff had several Inter? views with Klag William and Bismarck concern? ing the neutrality of Russia. Gortodurutoff de? manded tbe a cqolesen oe of Prussia to the aboli? tion of that part of tho Paris treaty which forbids a Russian fleet In the Black Sea. Bismarck atv cepted the proposition. Thia enabled Prussia to withdraw two corps from the Russian?, frontier. Gortschakoff, in addition, was pledge? to kee? Ans* ria from interfering. VERSAILLES, November 27. The settlement of the Black Sea question mar . be hoped for on the basis of a conference and the withdrawal of tbe Russian note. Constantinople" and St. Petersburg report Russia entirely placable* General European Sews? LONDON, November 28?. Jamas Stuart Wortley ls dead, aged os.. MADRID, November 28. The Counts of eheste and Coiarge have accept? ed amnesty and sworn allegiance. They have been restored to their cap tain-generalships. Hew Armistice Negotiations. LONDON, November 2fi. , A New Tork World special gives the following as the essential part of a government circular ot an Important character which has been addressed by the Count de Chemeaux, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Prance, at Tours, to the diplomatic agents of the Republic -serving at foreign court?. The minister says: With regard to the new efforts which are now. being prosecuted and made to effect an armis? tice, to far as we are concerned, being still faith? ful to our rights, we remain in the same disposi? tion as we did at the moment when' the fermer negotiations on :he same fubjeot were under? taken. We maintain as tbe basis of an armistice the right of rc vic tn si ling Paris and the holding of a general parliamentary election all over Francs. We have reason to believe that his Excellency Count Bismarck has an intention to tnggest to the neutral powers and to advance as an argu? ment against their acceptance a new propoaltibn - to the effect that the elections can be held with. ont an armistice. * ' ' SS? Tr*v The French Government h?s declared edraady that it could not accept this, but lt la of Import? an ce to the service that you should be tully ad-, vised of the reasons why the executive arrived at this decision thus : France ls for toe moment In arms over the whole territory, a portion of which is now occupied by the armies of an ene my. AU the able-bodied men of the French nation are in - the field, either scattered in the regiments or the regular army or mustered in separate corps, or as volunteers In the battalions ol the Francs-tlreors. In the world outside the ranks of the army; tb? French electors, or a very great portion of them at ie ist, are far from their homes and places, of regular residence. How, then, could a legal, peaceable election be possible according to the franchise which regulates a universal suffrage ? The Federal Government earnestly desires the election of a Parliamentary Constituent Assem? bly, the deliberations of which would contribute to smooth away our present difficulties and tend toward the attainment of a general pacification a result which lt has never ceased to be our ar? dent wish to realize. The government of na? tional defence In Paris has been unanimous In re? fuging the terms hitherto offered by Prussia, and we hope that the neutral powers, in their own in? terests as In ours, win come to the same conclu? sion and approve our course. NIGHT DISPATCHES. Defeat of Garibaldi. LONDON, November 287 The following details of an engagement be? tween the Prussians under Werder and the French under Garibaldi, near Pasque, have been received, the dispatch, being dated at Dijon yesterday after nooa: "The Garth aid Ians while on the march from Pasque, late Saturday afternoon, came sud? denly upon the outposts or German riflemen, which they attacked with great Impetuosity, and the Prussians were at first compelled to fall bask; - Reinforcements, however, coming up, the Gari baldlans were ha turn repulsed In great disorder, the soldiers la their flight throMng away their armB and knapsacks. The nett day (Sandayi): Werder took a circuit around Plombi?res, and: in this way overtook the French rear guard. Air other engagement then took place, In which the French lost seo killed and wounded, and the Prussians only 60. It is said that Menotti Gari? baldi bad 2000 men under him in thia engagement. By the capitulation of La Vert, aeveaty caa noa of all sorts fell int? the nanda of tbe Prussians. llOoniinuri on D>wQ\ Pagt.1