University of South Carolina Libraries
MILLINERY. PRICES SEDUCED of. La , dies', Misses' and Children's BONHBT8, HATS. CAPS, RUITS, UNDEttWEAB. Fnr 1 Sets. Cloaks, Worsted Goods. Hair.Oorsets, Zephyr Worated and other articles too numo rone to mention; .also, Bazar Patterns. La?iea will please cull and see for themselves at Nov26 MRS C E. BEFD'R. (1IGARS! DIMS! CIGARS! THE friends, patrons and public at large are reapectmlly notified that in conse tpaenco of too largo demaud for my favorite brands of Cigaie, I have been compelled to opon another branch In the Columbia Hotel Rotunda. My Betail and Wholesale Department are kept in full force, to meet the demand All friends from the country are invited to Inspect our Faotory, at No. Its Main street, throe doors below the Wbeeler Houeo, sign of Indian Chief. Nov 10 Mi SULZBACPEK. GOVERNOR MOSES In changiug tbe Commissioners of Elec? tion, desorves tbe united thanks of every lover of peace. THE PROPRIETOR OF THE INDIAN QUEEN HEG Alt STOKE, in introducing the, FIVE CENT MANILLA, deserves tho commendation of every lover of the weed, as ON THE Day of election, the peoplo flock to tho polls, each to deposit their ballot for their favorite candidate, so do tho many consu? mers think to this popular resort to obtain this FAVORITE BEGAB. Lot it be under utood that we are not on tbe WAR PATH Against other dealers, we merely claim that the Begar offered by others Is lar IN? FERIOR to that sold by the INDIAN QUEEN CIGAR STORE, _Hov 1 105J Assembly Street. CAROLINA Lumber Manufacturing Co. JOHN C. MALLONEE, President. Thos. Bonjtell, Sec. and Treas. WHOLESALE and retail dealers in all kinds of Southern and Northern LUMBER, FLOORING, CEILING and other kinds of WORKED LUMBER mado u specialty; Shingles, Plastering Laths, Vegetable Boxes, Ac, Ao. Office and Works, Hor)beck's Wbarf.near North-east? ern Railroad, Charleston, S. C, and ?3 West Gervais afreet, Columbia. 8. O. E. MORRIS. Agent at Columbia, S. C. N.B.?Special arrangements have been made with tbo railroads for delivering lum? ber_ Nov 19 loin New Hooks, at Bryan's Bookstore. TCT?hKIMG to Win, a story for girls, Mistress of the Manne, by Dr. Holland, author of Arthur Bonnycastle, 51 50. A History of Germany, from the Earliest Times, bv Charlton Lewis, $2 30. Manual of Mythology, Greek, Roman, Norse, Hindoo, Egyptian and Ola German, by Murray, $2.25. Prairie and Forest, tbe Game of North America, with adventures in their pursuit, by Qillmore. tl 50. Health and Education, by Kingsley,} 1.7-'. Hogarth's complete woika, in throe vo? lumes. The Wild North Laud, by Major Butler, with plates, $2 50. History of Clubs and Clnb Life, London. Book of Wonder led Characters, with portraits. Tho Slang Dictionary, historical and anecdotal. Homes and Haunts of the British Poets, London, and other now hooks. Nov 1 CARRIAGES AND WAGONS. I HAVE now ?on hand a very ?hRUd.iomc as-e3i eortment of BUGGIES. ROCK AWAY-. BAROUCHES. CAKK1AGKS. HARNESS. WHIPS, Ac., Ac., il ny o'fi as well as ol Xorth+rn manu? facture, and of handsome style und finish. ALSO, A full stock of the leltbrdted MILLBURN 'VAGONS, which have given piioh universal satisfaction. My prices have been greatly ?educed, and all vehicles sold are irarra tiled for twelve ruontht, and any defect in work? manship or material will lie made good to i he purchaser or. SiVldiuo the Cvhb'le to my Carnage Manufactory. Nov 10 JOHN AGNEW. j07Main St., Next to Wheeler House. ks'i ,ni,isiikd IN 1*43, AND STILL IN THE FIELD. WITH A LARGE und well se? lected stock of ami cla?s FURNITURF, Parlor, Bed? room and Dining Room Bets, which will bo sold as low as any house in the eouatry lor cash. Nov 10 _M.U.BKRRY. aflL* * a be SJE WELER,-: Has oiiihaud a large stock ol fcroidand Silver Watches and Clocks, DIAMOND RINGS AND PINS, Vine Jewelry lti Whole and flu If Mela, Kilver lud Plated Ware, flonae-FurulsliIng Good*, K?nrj Uooda In Variety, Military Goods? Stork Complete. N.B. I have on band a large stock of ENGLISH GUNS, breech and mnz/.le load eg, and will sell at reduced prices. Wishing to red?.ce my whole stock, I will noil, until January next, all goods at re? duced pricee. WATCHES AND JEWELRY repaired in me best manner and warranted. Hoy 8 2m o Watches, Clocks, Jewelry, SILVER AND PLATED WARE, SPECTACLES, EYE-GLAS8E3, ETC. b IHAVE a large stock of the above on hand, and will sell them at the lowest cash pricet. Ail goods warranted as repre? sented. BW Watches, Clocks un? Jewelry re? paired and work warranted, GEO. BRUNS, Oct 27 Columbia Hotel Block. Bnbacribe for the Pbconix. "J BY J. A. SELBY. COL Ol *j a. n, it . The Laurel Street GROCERY ESTABLISHMENT T*3 now open to tbo pnb'i", ofTerin^ tlie L GUKATE8T INDUCEMENTS known to the trade. The proprietor is ho con 11 denlof the superior merits <>l hid gtiodsthat he asks no discrimination in his favor as compared with anything in this market; so that you can at once cne.oumue Southern industry, and at ttie same time directly servo your interest, by pnrcliSHin^ from this reliable house. Oflcrin? every reason? able facility to cuotomers, I beg an humble sharo of public patronage. Deel JO UN E. GYLKS, Agent. Governor ( IiiuiiIm i lulu's Inuugtll ill fkllow-ClTIZENH of the SrSATK AM) lloesK ok Kr.PiiESESTATiVKs: 1 bavo ap? peared before you tu-day, to asi-umo the oflice of Governor, and to stato my views of the action and policy on the part of onr Stalo Government which will best promote the pnbiic welfare. Our recent political canvass presents ono or two aspects which aro aignitlcant of the will of tho people. Tbo two partita wh'ch sought supremacy were equally emphatic in their demand for thn correction of existing abuses in the ad? ministration of our government, and both presented to tbo public tho H?mo platform of principles ami policy for the future con? duct of public, affairs. Tbo remarkable epentaclo was thus presented, among a people hitherto considered most widely divided in their political sympathies and aims, of au absolute identity of sentiment upon all tho questions which were present? ed to tho public by either party. It is true that a largo minority of our citizens did not take part iu either ol tho political rein? ventions which presented tho respective j candidates lor State omccrH, yet in the election wherein tho total number of votes cast was more than 12.?ti? greater than in any previous eleclion since 18f.K, onlv two parties appeared, both of which pro tossed to seek similar onds by similar moans. The result in that wo who have bet n elected to oflice, are united in tho general objects winch wa seek and tho gem r tl muthous by which those objects are to be reached. Without intending to over-state the extent to which our recent party combinations haw bound us in respect to our future action. I co igratulate all out people upon j tho substantial harmony of purpose which now prevail!). 1 take strength und hope (mm that fact. If we are honest in our professions, I cannot lind myself in an? tagonism to any member of the executive) or legislative departments ol our govern meut, except upon mallei's of detail iu >-Ar common pursuit cf the same ends. 1 reel boil ml to aay that, until experience shall correct me, I shtll rely f ir support, in the course which I intend to pursue, upon J those members of tho General Assembly! who wero opposed to mein thn recent po ] liiical contest as confidently as upon tlioiii! wno who favored my election. The puiu mount duty before us may bo stated to be| the practice and enforcement of economy ami honesty iu the administration of the government*. Fortunately our evils are chit lly evils of administration. Our State Constitution commands the undivided ap? proval of our people. The body of our statute law is behoved to be, in general, just and wise. Tho present demand is lor a faithful application and enforcement ol' the existing .Constitution ami laws; in a word, good administration. Wise states? manship aims at practical results, and concentrates its strength upon those mea? sures which are of prime importance . 1 must bo pardonod if t omit t'i catalogue all the matters cf publitt interest to which consideration must bo ejveu by the Gene? ral Assembly,and confine my attention! to those topics which appear to he most press? ing. Our earliest and most earnest attention should be directed to the subject of thu col? lection, appropriation und diphniiement of ho public funds. These matters are fund? amental. Gnr recent experience teaches us that a government cannot be strong In popular esteem which adopts unjust mo?es of taxation, imposes unnecessary taxes, ex? pends the proceed-' of taxation upon impro? per objects or in undue amounts, or perm its loose and reckless method* in the disburse? ment of public funds. Our present tax Bystem grows out of the provisions of the Constitution which are contained in Article I,Section HO, and Article IX.Section l.The leading features ol the system are an mi calomn valuation and a uniform and equal rate of assessment and taxation of all pro? perty, real, personal and possessory, with certain specified exceptions. Under exist? ing laws the tax-payer is required to make a statement, under oath, annually, to thu County Auditor, of all his | roperty subject to taxation, anil to value the same "at its truo value iu money," or "usual selling price." It is tho dnty of tbo County Audit? or to state opposite each tax-paver a name, in the return made by him, any amount which he beliuvoa ought to tie added to the valuation to be made by tho tax-payer, and to i>ivc notice of such recommendations to thu tax-pa >er-. The returns are then sub? mitted to a ( onnt v board of Equalization, composed of the County Auditor, Counts Treasurer and "three intelligent tax-pay iu(j citizens," to be appointed by the Cir? cuit .!uok<". This b??id ?li- FCqUirod >G equalize the valuation made by the tax? payer by raising tho valuation of such pro? perty as, in their judgment, has been re? turned below ita true value, and by reduc? ing the valuation of such as, in their judg? ment, has been returned above its true j value; but they are forbidden to reduce tho I aggregate value of the rual and personal property of tho Connty below t he aggregate value as returned by the County Auditor. Under the construction placed upon the law by tho present Comptroller-General, in which I concur, the aggregate valnation of personal property in any County ii abso? lutely fixed by tbo tax payers themselves. The County Board of Equalisation morely equalize tho valuations of any specific per? sonal property as compared with the ave? rage valuation of other .personal propertv of the County. A special Hoard of Equali? zation for the city of Charleston is pio vidud for with similar power-? and duties. The returns thus equalized stand, as to the valnation of personal property, as the basis for taxation; but the valuation of real property in tho several Counties are submitted to a State Board of Equalization, composed of one member from each Cou? rt reunion al District of the State, the Govern? or, Secretary of State and Comptroller General, whose duty it is to add to or de duct from the aggregate valuation ot the real property of each County, or or each Let our Just Censures *- ? UMBIA, S. 0., WEDNESDAY I- ?:... ? villain >\n -?>?- f..uncli .v.^.v? nuago .... -..j ^........., ........ an amount as in thoir judgmont will make the valuations represent the true value in monoy of the property. The rvlnrns thus equalized stand, as to valuations of real piopoity. as the basis lor taxation. A -special Board of Kanalisation is pro? vided for, eoin|>osedof tho State Treasurer. Secretary of Stuto, Comptroller-General ? and Attorney General, to equalize the j value of the property of railroad companies, ill a manner similar to that prescribed for the oilier Hoard.- of Kqntli/.ation. A right of apucal is also given from the Comity hoard of Kquali/.at ion to the Cumptrollur Gcnerai. who is authorized to ra.ku abate meiiiH in taxes in ?a??h of nrrom-oii* or iiii-gai assessments. The loading purposes ol a tax system, which rests upon Mi iiU ralovm. basis, Hlioubl bo, in the language of our Constitu? tion, to "secure a Just valuation for taxa? tion of all nroporty," and to provide sate, convenient and inexpensive nnthods for the collection of raxes. The/of valorem system being fixed b\ the Constitution, our atten? tion must be directed to the practical means ot carrying out ibiH system. Gravo<lis satiafactiou with our tax lawn has existed during the past six yearn. Tho most gene? ral and urgent complaint has heon that the valuatiunH placed upon tin- property of the Slate have been, to a large degree, capri? cious and excessive It has also boon be? lieved that excessive valuations havo boeti made in order to conceal the real extent of tho burden <>[ tax-tlion. Without attempt? ing to discuss the motives which prompted those who enforced the law,! express i he opinion Unit the valuations made previous to the present year, have bceu, to a great eztont, unjust and oppressive. Whatever tho causes, the result baa been that pro? perty has borne a valuation almost wholly arbitrary when different localities 01 sepa? rate pieces of similar property aro com? pared, and excessive- in amount, when tCHtud by any reasonable Standard of value. 1 seo no reason to icuard this injustice as >i legitimate result ol our present tax system On tho contrary, my most careful ex a mi n.-.i ion convinces mo that the ays tern will work out a just icsnlt if it can bo placed tu the hati'in of h?TUest and cbnipo I tent olllcers. Undoubtedly, lh? machinery j for making valuation* is somewhat compli? cated, if not intricate; but the system will I be eci n, 1 think, upon a fair examination, ! to he adapted, in all its features; to guard I ing the rights of the tax-payer, in rospt-cl j to a-sessmeiita, whenever it is admiuister ! cd by those who regard the inter? Mta of the I tax payers. During the past jear a m \v assessment of veal property, the fourth I since 1HG8, has been made. It is not yet possible lor inn to judge of its correctness, but I am assured by those who have been familiar with the work during its progress, tlist it aoproachos very nearly to tho true I vuluo ol the properly. I am further in I formed that the aggregate valuation of all j tho proper tv of the State under this itsse.-*-; j m.-nt will fall from S:10,?Hl.00t) to MO 000,000 ! bolow r lie aggregate (,f the prcvioos RsHei?s Intent. I havo confidence that much has j j been doun in this aeaesBDibUt to relieve the : injustice of former assessments, Lut 1 call I your attention to the subject an .joe of ? fundamentalimportation to ihn whole peo? ple. The people demand, and they have a j right to demand, that property shall bo valued for taxation at its t rue money value, ! as nearly us the imperfect ion of the human I judgment will permit. If tho present as s?>a*mcut docs notroacb thi-t standard, then it is our duty to adopt sitcb moaeiircs us will remove tho rcuiiitiing defects. 1 shall co-operate with the General Assembly in I any measures calculated Iq attain the end contemplated by our Const it ulion and laws ? a just valuation tor taxation of all pro? perty according to its true niouow value. In this conti? etinn I may remark, that so ftir as the working of our tax system ?1? potids upon faitbfnl oflicera appointed by tlio Governor, I intend to soo to it that no County shall have just cause of complaint. The appointment ?.f County AuditorH ami I County Treasurers now rests with the Go | vernor, subject to the confirmation of the Sonate. I commend to your careful couai deration the quest inn t?f making these of ! Ilccrs elective by tbo people of the several j I Comities. There are some arguments which might be urged in favor of either! I mode oT selection. Tho only test which I I shouhl be applied in determining the qnes-1 tiou is, which mode u ill with most ccrtai ty secure good oflicera and a failhlul enforce? ment of the laws'* My examination of the Act of the Gene? ral Assembly ol March 17, 1H7I, comtnoulv called tho "Taxation ami Assessment Act," ' leads mi> to recommend that a full lovisluii nt that Act bo made by some appropriate means by lbs Qcneral Assembly at this ses mini, in conjunction with the Comptroller- j General, in order to remove inconsistencies ami supply defects now apparent in the law 1 further recommend that the work of equalizing railroad property bo given to the i mi Ate Hoard of Equalization, provided for! by sectien Gl of the "Taxation and Assess- j Dient Act." I see no reason tor placing this ' power in the hands of a board composed j wholly ot HI it i o officers as at )>reseni; on the | contrary, I see many reasons fur giving to i the property of our tailroad companies all | tho protection afforded to other property, j Having secured a ju*t valuation for tax a.- | lion ?>l the property ot the State, our nut ' duiy v, ill be todetorniiuo tho rate per ci::; : of taxation necessary to support the go-: vernment. Upon this point tho Inflexible rule should be applisd of limiting the amount of taxes to the actual requirements of good government. It should especially be remembered that the people of tins Stat? j are not now able to contr.bulp Olio dollar ol taXeo ut-VOnu V.'uat tli? ?10dt rigid tvf.OiiOuiy will warrant. Probably there will ho very littlo dispute upon this goneral proposition. The work aud difllculty will consist ia ap? plying it. I deem it my duty, therefore, to proceed to point out the speciih: measures which will, in my judgment, tend to bring us nearer to a correct Tule of public ex? penditure. Tho General Assembly at the last regular session of 1873 71 adopted tho plan of making a specific levy of taxes for each object of public expenditure. I most earnestly urge that this plan be observed in the future. Its advantages are manifest and obvious. If tho legislative branch is to havo control of the public funds, no measure is so important (o that end as the making of specific levies. Assuming that tbe plan of specific lories will he continued, I proceed to iudicata curtain radical changes in the expenditure of public funds, which aro demanded bv a duo regard for honoaty and economy. Co? der tins bead I do not heaitate to charac? terize t'.o whole system of contingent funds which has recently sprung up, an wrong in firiu<Mple and mischievous and dumorali/ ?g in effeot. Daring the past aix years there haa been appropriated and paid fur contingent funds the astounding sum of 1370,832.74. I ventarb ? he opinion that the State would have received equal benefit from one-fifth of that sum, if expended with economy upon proper objects. In MORNING, DECEMBER 2, practice, a contingent fund is a euro of! money which a public oflicer is allowed to j draw and expend without tho usual no- < count ability. Homo governments deem ii j necessary lo entrust certain i Ulcer* with a ' hind commonly (tailed tho 'secret scrvicti" fund, which may be expended fbr objects! which might bo dufoated by publicity. I . eon fuss I am wholly unable to imagine any j such objects iu South Carolina. 1 think (be i people of this State should be able to truce ' , every dollar of the public fund- to the pre eise object on which it is expended. This !cannot be done under unv present system of contingent funds. I rec-miniond, there? fore, that the practiceo! appropriating con. lingc.nl funds to bei drawn and < xpended by different officers of tbo ''tale without the usual accountability I'orsuch expenditures. ' be wholly discontinued. 1 recommend, iu I nlaeeot that system, that distinct appro ptiationu be made for all public objects which ean bo anticipated or enumerated, and then, that n sm:.'l sum, not to exceed ti n or twelve thousand dollars, if ho much l.o necessary, be appropriated for eontui- j uent expenses, to bu paid in specified j amounts to the several uOicora who may I require it, upon the warrant of the Comp* troilsr-Ocneral, drawn upon vouchers to be tiled with thfi Comptroller General by the oflicors obtaining tho warrant. The records of tho expenditure of this fund will thus be plased with tho Comptroller-Gene- ( rul, where they will remain acccssiblu to ? the people, and liable at any time to exam- j inaiion and publication. Tho reduction of public expenses by this system will not be inconsiderable, while tbecain to i Piciul morality by the removal ot opportunity tor questionable u*ra of public funds will Le great. Another subject demanding our most prompt and energetic action I- there-due i ion of the oxpeiiHes of t be General Assem? bly. I cannot believe that any 'titVereiice of opinion will exist upon IIiis subject. The public within aud without the state have! united iu pronouncing lbecxpouditun.pl heretofore made for legislative oxpetiKuHau I intolerable abuse. Since lviiS six regular , and two spocial sessions of the General A.~ sembly have been held. '1 he total cost of ' th >so sessions ha* been 12,147,-130 H7 The average cost of each regular session has I been i.120,40.1 It!. Tho lowest cost of any i regular session was thatoflhe regular scs siou of 180H (SO, amount ug to i'.'li 00") 7.'; . and the highest cost wa.z that of the regn-1 lar session ot 1 sti 72, athouuiing to about' t(!1723l;lM. beeide? these amounts now! Hpeciliod, there arc outstanding of bills payable issued on acconnt of legislative ex-! penaca dnring the same period, il'J2.27<5 l?. i heue figures render comment supei litmus, j The problem i.-< to rcdttCO these expenses t>>; an economical limit. The t'.rs: aud most obvious measure of reform is the shorten-1 ing of the leugth of the icnsinus. 1 liml . th" average length of the regular ? etsions -nice 1S(.* has been 105 days, ii is clear that no public requirements ivilj warrant i.e.sbious ol such length iu the future. I kin aware that thin may lie regarded as a mat- , tor si) peculiarly within ih?i ?I. ? i? t 'ti the General Assembly ai- to make any re commendations ol mine impertinent. I'.tit j my couvie.lions of pub.: - duty upon this point are tooclear to allow me : .r anj cause to withhold tbo free 11..: es? .? n ot \ vitws. I cannot m u at pie; :.: any reason e!' a p\tb:ie natuie which cur. n pi ri u session ol more thau t;nil\ da;, a. 1: this General Assembly could jet the i . -iMph. ut a return to the former ir.lu in s;.kt<. of a liual ailjniirnnieiit before ti:-- Chris.'.hjaH holidays, I am contideni that ihej w-er.i l receive the heartiest approval ol all our people. I knnwoi im services whi ?:: eoitUI be rendered by remaining in r ssion a longer period, which would be heb! as valuable by our constituent!! ..-?!: >?xam ple of a return to rigid ? my :.. this respect. (tin- cause of j' , wh -h I feet bound to specify, has bi-Mi fh< nas.-?ot;? ot an inordinate number of special A?'.s ol iu Coi'ptnatiou. Whoever will exi.mtie tin Acts of the General Assembly ilurir:}: tin lari mx years, will be convinced ut tin waste of lime ariring from this cause. I'he remedy is obvious. I.tl a general ine.orpo 1'iitioii Ac! be passed, ?.. .c ? ihi present Acts be duly revise I and piitfi etcd, and then let all ordinal v appik*aii< i.s tor cor? porate powers be mutt- r.mb-i ihe provi? sions of such A<Mr. Tin seeoiiii mcAsiire ot retrenchment in legislative i rpmisi ? which I urge, is a reduction ??! it.i number of niih ordinale otlicers and atlaeliees nf the fie. i.era! Assembly. Upon this point I ,itu hap? py to speak in commendation of i.:; A?;t passed by the last General Assembly. Hvi that Act the total liutubel of sllboidiua! . otlicers aud atlaeliees in bot n hii.n.-h. s o| t he General Assembly is hmiti'l ?? lift} seven. ( ttiirt your attention will > e given lo thi<. sitbji el. and that it, upon iniitia tion.the number therein provided lor is l iund lobe the lowest numb*] i.i iisistetit . with the proper t ran Station o} bu->:uess, I ho law will remain lliidisturbi d. Tin- t bird j and most important means ol redlining legislative expenses willbe found iu ??Utting ' off the gross abuses whieh have heretofore oxi-ted und? r the name of contingent oi in eideii'.al legislative i speiiM-s t al : Unable to obtain a statement nt tlie pi ee.ne aineuui ! expeiided dnring the last six yea is under this bead I liud, liowev.'i, tl.at the ave- ? rage e-;piMeiiUii e at each nttnl.ii session since ltjCb, for attii'.-hees and ? iijtfiil oi iiik.'id?-utal expenses, has been about ij)^ - 411 i'.'i i>f thin amount 1 estimate that not less than fl'JJ,(10? have bueii exp.-n l.-d bu centiugeiil legislative expenses a: each re guiai session. If these ttgurex do ntu tea i. tln-ir own lesson, tti< i. aignmeni Wiuld l>e idle Let it be borne iii uiilid, aloo,^ that actual paymehta made. There remains . still a vast amount ol unpaid claims iu ihv . form of legislative pay certificates, esti? mated at not less than 1500,000 lu seeking a remedy for these startling grievances, I am convinced thai nothing is so essential' as the establishment of a proper system of accountability iu thepavuient of legislative expenses. Gur present system is wbollj anomalous, so far as I can learn fron, ex- , aininhig tho systems prevailing III other States, and is wholly at variance with tin general theory of our own State in the pay? ment of othor public expenses. The Comptroller-General '.r tin proper | auditing oflicer Ml the State. H t office i intended to bo the permanent depository! ol the written evidences of the expenditure of public fand?. The separaten o' the duty of auditing from that of paying do mauds against tho State is essential. The [ lequiretueut of proper evidences of the , character and validity ot every demand made against the State aud tho pieserva tion of those evidenoes for public inspec? tion, is also essential. In order to meet : these requirements. I recommend that all payments to be made on account o* legis? lative expenses be made by the State Trea? surer, npoti warrants drawn by the Comp? troller-General, for which the vouchers ahall be filed withthaGomptroller-Guneral. In the payment of member a, asfecrdluaU Event.' 1874 VOL. X?NO. 21G officers, attachces, Ac, tI:c only vouchi-j requiaita would he & duly certified list o 1 all persons who held these positions Tin , Comptroller-General liavirg satistiul bim-, selfofth' correctness ot the liste fand'hiri' by tlit* oil!: i> ol I In (Jt.isi r.il Assembly and tho authority of law tor their payment, vould then draw his warrants upon the Treasurer lor I he proper sums ol inoiioy in Hie payment of contingent expenses each branch ot .ho General Assembly would, by'vtmiuitteo or otherwise, mnki such audit as might 1 doomed necessary of such ncco'ints and order their payment I'lm vouchers thus accepted by l.linGeueral vssembly would be aeni t?? the office of the Comptroller-General, and there rem si fortvtr e: posed to the scrutiny of (lie pub lb:, und payment would he msdo by tin : reasr.rcr only on tho warrant ot Ihe Cdmplrnllci'-Gcucral. Let no oin imagine that I led any ills I runt of this General Assembly or ot jt<? - ore?; ling officers, but I know that noiliiug is so vital in such matters as a correct syateni. Wise laws are expressions of cor i eot rules of civil conduct. Tho bes' g-iarauty aqainet individual dishonesty in t.nancial transactions, is a system which has no open doors to deception or fraud I .gid accountability and constant expos uro to publicity, I venture to pronounce tho foremost requisites ol a good sy -tein tor the disbrusemcnt of public funds. 1 i ? succtfully and most earnestly urge Im? mediate attention to this subject. No? thing can execod it in importance. Con sideration fjr tho publi.5 good demands such action as will finally close tho doors to a recurrence of the reckless expendi? tures which havo attended our recent legis? lative sessions. I recommend that your earliest atten ' lion bo directed to ihn matter of the puolici piiuting. The system which has prevailed lor the past three years is utterly incapa? ble of defonoo oi excuse. Tho looseness ol j the system in theory is only equalled by its extravagance in practice. Under this ays-1 tout the Clerk of the Senate and the Clerk of the House ot representatives were em powered to contract for the public print inl? and the drafts or t rdcrs for the payment ol printing expenses were made payable upon the certificates of those officers alone, "out of auy moneys it: tho treasury noi otherwtso appropriated " No limit* was fixed to lho amouut for which the contracts should ho made. Under the system of making a general levy of taxes, no specific funds iu the treasury at any Bpacilttd time were considered us specifically appropri? ated. The n -nit was that under thi* sys lern .t wss in ib? power of the clerks of the two houses to draw on account of puh'ic priutliig to an uulimitcd extent upon the public funds, without reference to the suf li tieney ul i iiose funds tu meet i he dem >.in\ ui other appropriations, M> re r?i-ei:tly. however, the General Assembly hie made definite Appropriations t o p.ivriieiii ol pt inting accounts. A few statistic* will show how .-i ch a system Ii is resulted in pt -e. The - si ol the permanent and citri out print i ui: ?< ro 1?;s to the preseut tisiie was iv. 1 . ??, . .' The coat ol ad vei rising the statutes, that .-,<.: printing thcui in the newspapers loi the same period. u;is <i>r,j p.li; making :i total cost of il,10l ?O'.l *.'l. During the past three years the cost to the State of oerma m tit and ce.rinnt printing was 171.? '.?.!:? And the .- ?-: (if printing the laws iu ni w> papers for the same period was S17-1,<i'.M! &5; making a* total cost to the Stale ot JtH.S - i'/j'J.*??! Deducting froiii this last amount such items o! printing as may tie called ex tranrdiuary. including tho re-publication ot certain volunieso! t be Statutes at Lai go, the printing of the Kii K lux trial s, immigi atiou ieports,ta: duplicates und Supreme Court decisions, umouutitig Iu 1375 DISO, there re :.i tins j.r ilo> cost of printing for three years the sum ol i-M ; tJJ'.i *}?; or an average hii in;a! rust ot ii-i 20i> '.'*> I i f. -r no com? ment un these statistic-. I'he otilyappro? priate iu<|uiry is. how shall such result-In prevented hi-rcaftiei? Ianswi r,byextc-ruii nst ing thepi esiriil sy-tem, roc l and brauch, and substituting a .-u'c and economiculsys? tem. Su-di a syateiu i-un easily be pointed'' unt. Let advertiiem<-nl be made by ni di r o! the General A-<seti-Id> lor proposals loi doing the neci-seai.' public printing all l.inde lor IbeKtati '? : a tixe.l period spei-i- ' fying the variou- .?.o-is an ! amounts n| ' pi iu* ng n-qiisri ?'. w-j h Gie opt inti ot order- , iug nnire Worknt any r-pi cified kind at fixed , lutes und !? ir'.:;: a snilalde bond to ac j i-ompMiy each pti-poxiil, lor the laithtiiP, execution ol the w?.u i. according in the pio-1 i'..sa!.? Let 'lu re pt oposaIs be pit-sented't to the General Ass? itihly.ami lbs most ad-] VHi.tugeoii* one be accepted. In this way J the State.may remove i in- present ahitH - ' hi:-I si-i-nre an hoin s: and economieal h-- ( suit. In ibis connection, I call\<nir alti n , t.oii in Mi A( t passed l<> the last Oi-uei'ai t Assembly,i ntitle t "An Act in regulatetlie|l public printing." i" b> found at paye 7o7 1 ol tli?A?-iio! i-T" 7-i rhis Acr, dunlitb-ss,' Would have aec implished a good result ' but hu tip ine.iiliou of tin last fotii luiiajj if the first section. It is evident that n<? | proposal can ever be made under tins Act , slm-e the amouut ol work required to hi ; done (-an never be est iui at ml. Iflhelitor retened to were expunged from this Ant. it 1 would serve a*i an illustration of the 1 lem which 1 have recommended. ' I consider the c ist of advertising i?i i-oprinling the Acts ol the General Assem- , bly in the uewspupi rs of the Stale u , .\holly unnecessary nxpeuee, and I r.com- i uieiufthe t'.tal discontinuance o' t be prac- ? ?e-e It any Isws are enacted winch it is i i ni.ortanl should be puhlinheil ut once t->i ! tin in format i >n of the people, it will be ibe [ iuieiest ol the newspapers to publish thenr, sla - matter of public information* II this. is not done, a number of extra copies can ( be ordered by the General Assembly froiiiji the public printer at a trifling cost and in t sent to the Clerks ot Courts or other of--' ticers fot distribution. Another loform which 1 nige upon tin Ociieral Assembly, is the keeping of the , expenditures of tho Stale within its re- | eeipts Very little regard seems to have r been hitherto paid 10 this obvious reqnbe-ll inent ot good administration. The existing,; dt tico-n- ies. running back to lfCifl, ate elm*!" ply iuurmous. The deficiencies for theij fiscal year ending October 31, 1871, wen ' 1472 ?VJ 54. Tbs deficiencies for the tiaeal, year ending October 31, 1873, were t'AO H'28 l| of which about 14 K) OOU have been paid dur-ji ing the last fiscal year, leaving about f 100. k OOU still unpaid. The levy of taxes made|< the preeout year for payment of deficiencies! for the lass fiscal year, will not be sufficient j to pay more than one-half the amount ol, such deficiencies. The evils of such a prao-1 lice are serious. Tho amount of mounj i needed should first bo ascertained, and then < a levy should be made adequate to raise I ? hat amount. During the past year a das? ) of State obligations called "certifi^atea ol J indebtedneea" were iaaned, to the amonot t of ?31.990, and the state Treasurer wa>!t directed to make other iaauea of the eamel, obligations to the amount of about 1340,-< CK? I 1 Fortunately tbo light of the gen-rnl nwint'lj tOfli llhnriie such issues hiu> boon contested In nut- Siipresi ? court, Mill thencecurried, by writ of error, I?; lh?'h.. ? premscoillt of the United Hinte '? Where tin- CASCS ftfe now pendln?. Without dlsensslnv llie'cens'llullonsl question Involved. I feel cullrd ujion to eapit-ss'tr.'' hope thnt the general nsssmidy will not. under ?n> circumstances, resort nsnln to nnch an expedient. A . a time when the national government hi i-inb.im^W with Ihe irrent problem of restoring IIii- rational tui ? rency to a sound basis, lot not this Mnte further cum - plicate tho evils of nn Inconvertible paper medium ' / Ith?: introduction of nn?itbur pn(?or medium, which will 'necessarily circulate an money nt rate? greatly below litt iisr vnllio, hut which Iinh none of tbe qualitic-t w hlrh belong to money, In Us proper sense. To sap that the people hare tjlndly accepted the certificate-? [of indebtedness ihira not prove that It is either hono< - aids or honest tn tho Suite to Issue Ihoin. Another wide departure from correct ndiuinlstra tlon has obtained for several years past?the Issuiot.. of order*, certificates and warrants for the payment c | money from tho Ktuto treasury when nn fuods are en lianilioi- tlielr payment, i nin not prepnr<?:i to hj, that this prnetiee ear: be bnincJiutcly Inrbiddcii bj liw without too wrioua embarrassments to public ii - I crests, but I recommend the matter to the attention of th" general assembly. The evils of such n pine::-, ?regreat. It has alroiidy lieeti forhhldon in the ???* iil*nlstratioii of county a flairs ami an ? llor! should I mads to return to it correct pHictlC? In this rfespe? ? Th'-1 fl'eci of such a practice upon the credit of lb Mate is not essentiallydifferent from the case of u indivlibutl who should Issue chocks nj>nn u haul; win- - the bank held no hinds applicable In their pa. moat. An opinion prevails widely with tho public Hint t! titimher el pii'dln nillei r* ami tho aniintni id' snlarh ? now allowed by law sre greatly in excess ol the |it:' lie requirements. 1 am nut now prepared toexpn?? an n{iii)lon upon n subject which requires so nun ., ears and investigation in order to reach a correct r suit, 1 f nay reductions of rxpsimii can he niadeh; iibi*li*)iiiig ntllcca or rodlldnc salaries, i shall give in* tmsl hearty support to any plcn which will. acctu jilisll that end, und I recorhlliond thnt imtmdlatc at tenilon he directed to tbo matter. In this connc? t lau I cull nt ion it on in the necessity of requiring oonnly treasurers, nnd pcihnps coiinly auditors, to glyo Ixttiil directly to the county. At present tic bondsi?rtheseofficer* run t? ihe State alone. It i ipii-iiimed by Mime whether a suit cm bo inninlninC'' by Ihn county upon nurli a Iwnd; but however tha* may he. in ense or default whero the bond is adequate to nn er the wtioh? lose, there Is nt present no law fo: detcnnlnlnc in what way the tinsoouroil remainder t' loss (hull he apportion! ,1 between county snd Slate. It in plain that the nmnty f I" ' ? ? amply protect?.' hy Meqitste bonds for tho oi., and dishiirsemcn' <>f riiuuty funds. Nn subject will deserve gm vor nil on lion or wise :u lion than the public del.I of the State. At the las" scs?ion of the general assembly an art was passed en ? titled "An net to reduce the volume of the publ: debt, and to provide for the payment of the same.' FSy that act ?is statu treasurer wns authorized to issue in evchnnge for certain specified bonds an:' storks of the State then outstanding, together wit!; th* coupons end interest orders which should booorr-. dttSOn or before tho 1st of .January. HTl, new bore', nr stocks equal in am mnt to fifty per centum of th fare \ al ue ot Uie. bonds and stocks nnd coupons or ir ? tcrritorders presented for cxehnnee. The bond ntul stocks nnd coupons nnd interest orders the specified ss exchangeable amounted to f 11,490,033 ?!. Tha remainder ol tin. apparent lunded debt of th Sute. consisting of what are. known as "converslo: hnnitn." and amounting to f.*>,9fl5,(WP, was declared !? have iioen "put on tin- innrket without any authority of law," nnd to be "a'solutely nail and void." Th new bonds and stoeka authorized by this net wer*' required to "hear upon their face the declaration t..i" the payment of the Interest and the redemption o' the principle Is secured hy ihe levy or an annual t.v of two milis on the dollar upon the entire taxable' property of tho State, which declaration sbsll he con sldert'd a contract entered into between the Mate aie every holder of said bonds nnd stock?." It was.fu: tint provided that these new bonds and stocks sii'oul lanr six per cent. In irrest, payable seml-atinusJI}' i.' the Stale treasury anil In New Verk. the ilrst iv jTim to fall duo ,lnly I. IsT'l. and all coupons or intc: est orders upon said bonds or .-tool.- w.r.? made re - solvable '-in payment of nil tavi > due t! e Stale durilu. Ilisycnrin which ihev mature, except for lax U vir ' f.irtho public?chnids.** The faith, credit ami funds ?.r ti e Stale wires ? i'lntily piedzeil for "the punctual payment nf< the i. lero-t and tlnal redemption of the principal "f sti ' !?:.!'- and -t.M-k. and tor providing a surplus bind le. ti nt pni-j.li?.-." Provision wa? also trade for u ruin', tnhe kept scpnralu nnd apart from all other birds, . it tole applied, ilrst, to the niiniiidly aceruhiti ie tuiii er.la- ;o-w UuiiSs and stock.-: seco: A, :?? '.. vliri-r tit-1 iiient ol the principal of ihe ptil lied l?t !?> lite ikiirinal purehuie ??! lnuids and steck? i! Ihe liivv-l lawkot prlve. The net further eeiilr.Iin .1 prov|>*i t:s fira pufi] ? i i.' at! it- ?ew b.n.;. : . . an! pnoi.led heavy penalties for any derelieilf-ii?: ?hit} on t'i.- jiart < t any ?illicer Iii llie execution <?! la ? ' nr. The lending ffiitiires or this sein nie the r liictionoi' that part of Ih*'public debt which ?? !? eensbleroil valid to one-lcilf its par i slue, and tho n irtion of thai pa:! which was coiisi.t?-ri-?l lnvali-1 Tile !iet was passi d after lo:!?r de'ibet.itior. and \v:.s a :i ? time ? ! its passage, and Iris since been, the object of public iittcntioti and diseiis-ion ihroiiziiout tl .-lite. In the ii ccn! political i"ir. Vit?.?. ,f thUStat tilth parties especially pledged themselves to main ? I lilt this "seltii nielli i-l the public debt." So lar a- I have Ji ariui! tin sentiment oi the j eoplo ?#f tl . Statt*, th y ?vholly united in suppett of t! ? niia-tire.Pi ust. Un refoie. b- ic.-.o. d,-?? Kir ? legislative and p-ipular Itillticnee and netioii < . ? ?. . a-a tli, i! ttlefiietit. Jl'l ! ? en um! ti] . n v. hieh Hil? km asm : ?- ' r. riiliictb'ii or lohtn.e ot Ihe debt 1? the iiinbi.it i.f l!,.- S-:.:- Im j.ay Ihe debt i'l full. As I ? Ihe earl ?. Iiis i'.ebt whii'h i? wholly retcrloi'. i' i- held that i ?as Issil .! ?ittii in airhoi'.t) et law. and hfi.tv tlu it is not a l.gnl idili; illi n ul" the State lni.-i.ig th*' I've iDoath-since Ihis ret wn* pin ?? . i -r.ii.... I, the State . ?' - ..\ ??: *-.'.oi t?.IMl. i ?.. ?? ,t I- :..?> n.i J -i.-.-Js. ? live been i v.-haie.'i i!. When sb.- entire ?MliiUtC valid del.l shall have I.II eveb need. 111,. Kincip.il of ie:r public debt nil an.: t..f:..;v#,. tir.'.'/ 1 . M.tutal iitlcr--.?t uii ? !hi? aii.i.itiit ?III h l|o |o! I ?*. i..V annillllli levied to pav the i - lr.-c-l oi mi- del.l will stall times U-held :: liadi lies*, to pay all i: ' *ti ?1 whli-1 aeeri - ?? t m- lt? ?? Uilit'.s ami Mil. r .'lib I. I*i.I. win l eu- the e.-, il.ai.ve -:. it: i e etb .Med. " A :?..:' the Mat.nsMtutom. islilb..' -lainmi.i I-7". I>.| bid- mdv i net case el Ihe public debt ol In ?|s.:e ? % ".. h an ?'?'. the erialli ol Ihe Ml.ti by srtliii ,it\, .?? i!or.?ein< nl or otherwise, until the i,t estb.ti Mien ' ? i?.--bail have been Mil mitti'il lo lhe.,..,i1 li.il v i n c-o! the State at ti general Stati . !? cllor:. ai ! ich s-Imo tiiir.ls of the voters viitin-.? mi ll.l?i|ii.-s linii shai: belli ti.vor o| such increase. Ii i? belicr.-.! tat-pio. si..n will be uli i lleotiin! (.'iihid ;>4ai; ?? iiiv Initiier leer? ase ol tho public de bt. The ..iij.reiiit i Mii:t ol the Stale has decidid i i?; .tovi.-loii. -in ;, a- is contained in lln- present act. I ;? liie lev) - f ai nitniial lax. I> a c >sitrnet between ti: state hi;.' its creditor, and Is llipab'.e i! etilorceiin-u: l.j proi'c?s of law <iiii eted ngidn?! ti.- p- | ? ? uttita-l - ?i lb.-Stale; anil, t'lirilicruioic. tliiit sue!) a provision ?|.crate? i>t' it'i If not onl} a? a i.-v i oi the tav. but n. iti appropriation of the proceed* o! the lev y to U. ? |.iir|'Ori'S deML'iinted III the act. 1 lid. t this dccixii.n. liir provision !or nil aniiual lax n itiaiiis a | ??? inai.e.i; eiyaiid ap;.io|.riatIon, and t... tnrieer h gi-'aia-n i.? ii ecssary. irotii war tu ycrir, I? aeeoinpli?h the pn .i?e? -.1 tllCacl in X>? ? ? re-peel. Thi -e l no i - '.'?Iis ol lau . together w liie plov:. en W'hleli maLes all eiillpiin? of lnti re-1 orders i.pl !. hie lie? bouts ri'i'eivable for Isms during i:h- tcartti ?hieb they ue,lure, vivo lo the ticw Ih>!h!s nil ihe b j-i. al'i'uunrds which it is possible n. place aii.tind them 1 cariliol believe ti.ai im> pativ nor even snv tna. . rioheieatl.T ihev lo ililei'iHoe an )?'-. ecti.in '|o the ?rr.inpt dl-rhn; u-- of thi s.' io v\ obligations o| !,JL. Kate. '.in!'.1, i c. In ?. ii -e uinltci - is n i No*. i,i slfw urowth. lin e trampled on and criishi ?!. it rev lvcs with cxrevil ?iX slowness. t.hI lloiin?hct> oi ly iiioh r Ions and tco S i ore, If the experience of any Stale should ha* iiiprossed this h ssoti, surely it i? the cvpi rience or iwiilh I'arolina. It now becomes our iwramntioi duty ?i la!.i^- to restore our ruined State credit by Ihn onTj :;.r.pj.:.rv:.!.v left a prompt, U!'.h'>*i'?''n.'t -*a? ?ui Sciontlotis dlschnrifc of every ?ibllgnllon incurre.t inder Ihe law which authorize* the consolidation i-\ lie fiuUie debt. In this wnv we limy hope, little I, ittle, to win bark some part of thnt public credit, th ? usa of which is among the saddest calamities whico ins brtallen our State. I consider It my duty ?o csll nttention to the rvJa ions ef tho State to the bills or Ihe Sank of the Mate, Ity the charter of the bank these bits were nsdo n? - ?eivaMo for taxes and olher dues to tho State. Tl,. nsoivenevof the hink hsn rendered the llabflil? of he State'the chief ?innen t of value in these bill* riio Mate, by her proper olllrers, having r. .'ised to ro ?eivc Ihe hills in payment ot taxes, proceedings wer ?iad in our courts to compel the reception of the bill, ssueil priur to December 20, 18CC. which were tor ulnated in lsC> hy funding such bills in bonds of the Mad'. There then remained olltStanitln)! the I.IL. ssne.1 by the bsnk after Doooinbor 20. 1SC0. Th. Mate refiisiiig lo rccelVO these, hills, legal proceedings ?vore n^nln tsmm nnd continued tn tho courts of the itato. and finally iu the supremo court of tho L'altSil Mates. In those cases it wnv decided in October, 1&7K. hnt the bills In question were valid obligations wbbli he State was bound to receive for taxes under the iir.it .id embraced In the chsrtcr of the bank. 0?rlr.g o tlie embarrassed condition of tbe State at the time vhen thoso decisions were Anally rendered, the Sut? ins continued to refuse nil bills not specifically p, rolved in ins suits referred to. A largo number o' si-pvyers have, however, tendered tho Mils In pav ? nent of taxes, and upon the refusal of the tax officer* o receive them, bavo again resorted to the cour.e f, i he enfocoement of their eUltos. A large number oi lulls are now pending. Tbe collection of taxes la ither fundsrrorn thoso who have tendered theso bill4 i.f teen enjoined bdth by the State courU and tV