The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-04-14


ereignties and Independencies. If the Dis
tricts and Parishes stood to the State, in the
same relation as the States to- the Federal
government then, there might be some JUS
tice and propriety in the principle. But
the State of South Carolina is a government
integral, and consolidated in its character
The State is bounded by North Carolina,
Georgia and the Atlantic Ocean. 1t is alone
divided into Parishes, and Districts, for Re-
preventative, judicial and other purposes,a and
for conveniences generally. But the Stale
as such, is one government-it is a ,chole.-
The State entrusts to, and imposes upon the
Districts and Parishes, the management of
many things within their limits, such as the
roads, bridges, the Poor, and other matters of
less Importance because these can more con-
veniently be attended to by the Dis
tricts, and, at the same time, the State
is relieved of so much extra government :;
but the education of the people, like the Ju-
dietary is of higher importance and becomes,
peculiarly, the subject of State protection
and State regard.
In the Consideration of the mode of dis.
tribution, we are not to look at the means by
which the fund is raised,-we are not to
look to the source from which it comes
we must not settle this question by the prin-
ciple: that as wealth pays the tax, therefore,
1t is just and equitable, that wealth should
receive its benefits. That is entirely n
different matter, and does not apply here.
To raise and collect taxes, is one thinp: and
to appropriate money from the Treasury
another. Taxes are raised, TO meet the
wants and necessities ofthe State; and when
collected, they become the property of the
State, and the subject of State control
they go into public Treasury, to be again
expended for any legitimate purpose. A
man who pays fifty dollars in taxes to the
State, after he has made the payment to the
Tax collector, has no more claim upon It
than any other citizen of the State
no more than the man who has paid I'm,
one dollar He hsss paid the c ,,T,,, so,,o..
as tax upon Ills property, and this Tax /,
but the price for its defence. TIL,
man, who pays fifty dollars us tax, ha.
more property at stake, his property is pro
tected, in amount, larger than the man, who
pays but one dollar, and, hence, his greater
Tax. He has paid, and done no more, thar
the just principles of Government REQUIRE O.
him, lfthe more wealthy furnish the means
the hardy yeomanry of the county stanC
ready to protect them in the enjoyment o.
their property, and to sustain and defend tn,
State. Fa
| When the State requires n military force
and call is made to arms, the levies are moi
then made, according to the pecuniary inter
ests, or ability of the Districts, and Parishes
not according TO membershipin In the House
not according TO Taxation and population
no, different rule then obtainss-all stand
alike, and bear the same relation to the
State; and every District and Parish m,ist
furnish its respective quota of men, accor
ding to ifS Sircmgih.-according to its ,ohib
population, the subjects of military duty. II
this principle be acknowledged in war, lei
it then be observed, and carried out in peace
and let the good as well as the ills, be shared
equally. at is a bad rule which does NOT
work both ways"
But LET US attempt to carry out the princi.
pie, that as wealth pays the taxes, therefore
the distribution is just, and where do we
end! In the first place we stop short, be-
cause the individuals who pay the Taxes
cannot possibly receive back benefits in pro-
portion to what they pay. A man may pay
n large Tax, md from the circumstance ofhis
living in District, or Parish, where Taxa
ton contributes but little to membership.
he will not receive corresponding benefit,
through the distributive share of his Dis
trict. There can be no rule to reach his
case, and to enable him TO receive back in
:" =. proportion 20 what he pays. And in the
next place, II we attempt to carry it out, in
the case Of the Parishes and District, the
consequence will be, that those Districts
and Parishes, which pay the largest Taxes,
should have all their public buildings, Court
Houses, Jails, &c, upon scale moro grand,
and in style, more costly,-should receive
more Of the services Of the Governor, ofthe
Judges, and of every other public officer, or
State sallaried functionary; in n word,
should receive back in some way or other
the additional sum which they pay, over and
above the other Districts and Parishes in
the State. This principle would be scarce
ly tolerated in South Carolina; yet it is, in
effect the same, as the one involved in the
present mode of distribution Of the Free
School Fund.
Apart from all considerations of justice,
equality, and wise State Policy, the Free
School System is Cin its practical operation) a
beneficiary institution, and as such, it merits
a more liberal policy, and more extended
philanthropy.
To sum up the argument, the present
system is defective in its organization, mas