Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1856-08-13
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COMM NICAT ION S.
For the Advertiser.
TO THE VOTERS OF EDGEFIELD DISTRICT.

For the hQVcTllacT
TO THE VOTERS OF EDGEFIELD DISTRICT.
Being candidate for the Legislature, regard it
duty to respond 10 all respectful calls for my opinions
on political questions of prominence or Of interest
Accordingly, will notice briefly The several inlsrro
ra,ories TO candidates, which frum time TO time have
appeared in The public prints Of the District
LIST. The division of Edgefsld District.
The best plan to effect this purpose, probably would
be 10 erase all the present District ine' and divide
The State anew into Districts Of twenty miles square
erecting Court House &C., near the centre OF each,
and having territorial representation IN the Senate
while in The lower House representation hased on
taxation and population. The expense attending the
execution of this project would perhaps render II I'M
practicable at this junciure.
Another scheme, and decidedly the most feasible
,roulJ be TO cut off the corners Of Edgeheld, and
uniting with portions Of the adjacent Districts, form
four or more Districts OF respectable size, leaving ouf
nr.,.nt Court House near the middle OF an area oi
,wsn,v or more miles square. The welfare OF ma
ior,y of the people of EJgeed would, unquestionnby
be promoted by the adoption Of this plan, on The par
of The Legislature.
Still another mode Of Division ha. been suggested
am ignorant Of the extent Of territry to be embraced
by the designated lines Of the number OF voter:
within them of the amount Of taxes paid there, and
the relative expenditures for public purposes-and
indeed Of the disposition whether favourable or NOT
of majority Of those interested. But as general
proE osilion, would respectfully decline TO commit
myself in advance the support Of The details Of any
measure. And in my judgment, he who would sub
init voluntarily The dens! Of all discretion in action
would lose if he ever possessed it, all freedom o
thought, and s unfit represent Republican people
favour an equitable Division of Edgefeld, because
think the District inconvenently large, and amply
populous and wealthy to justify partition In renson
and JUSTICE it could not have been designed to COMPEL
The people of the large upcounry Districts, whatever
in the Of time might he The total Of population,
and whatever their accumulation Of wealth, 10 abide
forever by extensive boundaries, when oil their inter.
eSls and desires might require more cIrcumscrloed
limits. Ii the system is preserved for the sake Of
certain compromises between the two sections Of The
State e, there be adopted other compromises equally
potent 10 protec, The minority. regard for the rights
of minurities, is an important part OF the political
creed of South Carolna. nm prepared 10 entertain
aid TO mainsun any fair proposlun, looking TO the
assertion of the rights and lie protection of the inter-
est. Of the minority portion Of the Stale.
While the above expresses my honest convictions II
is due 10 candour 10 say, that in view Of The temper
ofa large par, Of the last Legislature, and of the
considerable and prospec,ively increasing Indebtedness
of the State, am quite sure tha, immediate success
will not attend The prosecution Of any scheme Of
Div,ion.
2nd. The Poll Tax.
This is an indiscrminate fixed tax upon each
citizen, liable 10 be modified by "ahs. hodied" or
voter" England tried il, off and on, for Three or
f,ar hundred years. hut abolished it finally in the
lfth Century, under William the Third. The policy
of such tai is considered questionable, by political
economists, in eIpeing from the BORDERS Of Slate,
the scurf of populaun. II is calculated also To drive
10 more liberal cummonweaihs, rome of The bone and
.inew of the land. And men--,rue men-who may
be of the poor, we'll uf the rich classes, are Of
vastly more importance than capital among The ele.
men,s which give power 10 Sratr. All Just ta1a"n
is based on net income that s The portion OF income,
beyond the demand for the neceaaries and comforts
Of life. Poverty has such income The petty
wages of lsbonr with very many serve but to supply
the commones, requisites for living Honesty, pru.
dence, industry, combined with intelligence. may
only provide for amiy,-the days sustennnce from
The day's work. Besides if imposed on voters, and
collected ut the ballot box it would inevitably lead to
bribery, corruption and consequent generalization.
Still, the necessity may occur for The imposition Of
the lax in ihs i. has already done in few other
States Of the Confsderacy. South Carolina has en-.
tered upon a system Of bounteous appropriations for
Rail Roads &c. and ten years hence, may owe fifteen
or twenty millions of money! To meet the interest
on this debit adding the necessary supplies for govern.
ment, would require largely increased tax on the
property now taxed while many articles exempted,
would be included in the tax bill, such as jewelry-
money at interest-carriages, etc. Ande poll tax
would be brought into requision 10 aid in sustaining
The credit OF the State. But Sufficient unto the day
s the evil thereof"
srd. The Electoral question.
On this subject, am rather indifferent. The e1is.
ing system has worked well. The Legislature has
never misrepresented tLs sentiment of the people in
foling for Presidential Electors. II, however, there
general desire, 10 recall the power conferred
he Legislature, am not unwilling to zee the expert.
nent of change tried, under bill judcioualy drawn.
4,h. The Presidential Election.
Under tho pre- sent phase Of public af1airs should
oi hesitate to vote for BUCHANAN and dBREcKENRIDaE
electors. The State indeed has no alternative, hence
his is not the period for mere complimentary votes.
In conclusion, will remark, that am not special
Slfy eaadidaIs. No political g6a.hIhsfa haSe insfS