Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1854-07-06
y ours, truly,
Enn TIE ADVERTISE

Mr.. EDITOR: observe from call' in a recent
number OF the AducrtiScr, that MANY YorEns"
are dcsirous Of ascertaning "whether or not the
Cand dates for the Legislature are in favor Of the
removal of the Toll Gate, erected by Messrs. JONES
& KENNEDY, at the cast end Of the Bridge across
The Savannah River'' at this place.
AS the NoTEHs have an indisputable right to
question Candidates, who seek their suffragcs, ON
any and all measures that are likely to affect either
general or local interests, do Iregard it the duty,
and it should be the pleasure OF the Candidate to
respond in an expression Of his views with frankncss
aud honesty and us | am one Of the asprans to
whom this call'' is addressed avail myself Of
the earliest opRp;unity afforded me, of replying in
brief to the interrogation of MANY EoTERs."
My views have never harmonised with the Act OF
the General Assembly, granting to Messrs JONES &
KENNEDY the power to collect toll ut this end of the
Augusta Bridge; nor can !, consistently with my
moral sense of right and justice, reconcile the prin
ciple or policy cngralted upon our Statute Book by
teaches me is the legitimate sphere Ct Legislation.
If understand the true object of Legislation, it is
for the enactment Of WISE judicous and polite laws
for the good aud safety of the commonwealth. Life,
man they are the three controlling elements of or
ganic law and civil Legislation, and no act which,
in its practical results endangers life, destroys iber-
ty dsrega"ds the right of property, can be other
wise than impoltic, unwise and unconstitutional.
Any law, having tendency directly or indirectly,
to levy an onerous and unnecessary tax upon the
people, is a oppressive in its operation, tyran-
GUS in principle, and subvcrsvc Of the true princi-
pies Of political ethics. And although Legislation
may be impaled with the rules Of established law,
and constitutional landmarks, yet when it is dcri-
mental to the public interests, and operates to the
general injury Of the people. justice and common
sense demand that all Objectionable features shall be
cxpunged from the Statute Book. And hold i: to
be high and solemn duty Of the Legislator, to
look first to the interests of his whole constituency
aud to reject all measures that conflict with the wise
od law maxim,-" Publicum bonum prirato est
prGfercndum," the public good is to be preferred
before private advantage.
Entertaining these views, it is enough for me here
to state to MANY VoTERs," and to the people Of
Edge6eld District, that am .unqualifcdly and un-
compromisingy opposed to the Act now Of force, by
virtue Of which Alessrs. JONES & KENNEDY arc col
lecting toll. And that am equally opposed to the
principle upon which the rights and the integrity Of
the State were sought to be preserved an pre-
pared, with what ability possess, to advocate any
measure that has for its object the abatement of the
existing evil, and if MANY VOTERS" should see
proper to cothe me with Legislative authority in
October next, shall employ all the means at my
command that have the sanction of truth, justice
and constitutional law, in the effort to have the
"Tol Gate' in question etectually removed, and the
public relieved from the burtben of an unjust and
unnecessary taxation
have no disposition TO oppose the rightful inter-
ests of Mcssrs JONES & KENNEDY or to prejudice
any claim Of theirs that does not conflict with the
public good nor would | knowingly do them in
Justice for entertain towards them both the highest
sentiments of esteem and regard. But l have dis
position to protect and guard, as far as my capacity
enables me, the rights and interests of the people,
and particularly Of the community that furnishes
Inc with home, with sustenanoc and friends.