Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-10-30
nISTRICT AFFAIRS.

full attention.
From Mr.. IvYs Report we ascertain that the
Catawba Tribe within the bonds Of the Indian
Land now number but seventy souls; and that
they have frequently indicated their desire to re-
move to the Indian Territory in the West, and, as
several of their number have already done, unite
with the Choctaw ':nation" Wemust express the
hope that the proper measures will he taken to ef-
feet this end Those WHO are acquainted with
their present habit of life know that the little
remnant of this tribe are gradually yet surely
wearing away, and that unless they arc permitted
to escape the influences which now environ them
and regain that liberty for which alone they arc
fitted and which can only be found in the wilds OF
the West, few years will be sufficient to work
their utter extinction. Apart from the consdera-
ton that we have for a long period had the usu-
fruct of their lands, without an adequate remnn-
Grafton, we have abundant reason to regard the
Catawba Indians with especial kindness; and every
inducement which can arise from many and valued
services and constant friendship deyolyes it up
on US to adopt whatever measures may conduce
to their happiness and permanent prosperity. II
q larger fund than that annually set apart for
their support be necessary to defray the expenses
of their removal we trust that our members to the
Legislature will make application for special ap-
preparation.
1t appears from the Report Of the Commission
10, for
year 1855 was 33 per cent upon the General tax
equal to the sum of 1876 05; and that this a.
mount has been expended. An examination Of
the account will inform the reader of the manner
and of the objects of this expenditure. We are
not acquainted with the circumstances which in
particular instances have controlled the Board in
their appropriations, and we must therefore rre-
sumo that the objects have in every case been such
as to demand public charity. We have the gene
ral impression, however, and it is our duty to e1-
press it, that the unifol mly large fund annually
assessed might be expended go as better to pro-
mote the ends in view. In Chester District and
perhaps elsewhere, the annual assessment does
not exceed ls per cent, and that too where we
haye every reason to believe the number Of pau
pers really deserving charity is not less than in
our District. At any rate. the excess with us Is
not sufficient. We think, TO account for the differ
ence in the rate of assessment. For this e1emp-
ton the people of Chester arc rather indebted to
the far-seeng policy Of their successive Boards,
which has been such as 10 make the Poor estab-
lishment bear the burden, in great part, of its own
expenses. The District owns plantation Of good
land. upon which number of comfortable cabins
have been erected, aud which is furnished with
negroes, stock and farming implements sufficient
for cultivation. In many instances the paupers
have thus been made to contribute to their own
support, and il is not impossible that in some
cases the Board has derived a revenue from pau
per labor. By such management the rate Of as
sessment has been gradually diminished; and with
proper care the people of Chester District may in
few years be entirely relieved of taxation for
the support of the Poor, and at the same time
their paupers be provided for comfortably and
even handsomely.
But, the reader is ready to remark, we too have
a "Poor House." Certainly, and a very poor
house it is-utterly unfit for the habitation OF as
decent man as has been, and ought to be, placed
in charge of the Poor. There are some three or
four cabins on the premises, which may be more
comfortable than they look to be- The establish
ment really seems to be in utter dilapidation
BY iniudicious management the land has been
worn ont, and is to, use q common phrase, scarcely
cable to sprout peas" A few miserable.looking
paupers are kept there, but, We arc obliged to
think, very unprohtably as we'll as uncharitably.
The peoples money is certainly not expended as it
should be upon the Poor House, the land is not
reclaimed, the houses are rotting away, and the
entire concern has become dead weight upon the
public purse. The example of our neghboring
District proves that this state of things in the
suit of mismanagement.
This mismanagemcnt is due in great
measure, we think, to the policy of the Board
in scattering large portion of it resources here
and there through the District. 1t might be made
a question whether it is cheaper and hetter to
board the paupers amongst their kindred and
friends. than in poor-house establishment. In
solitary instances it may be the imperative duty
of the Commissioners to adopt such a course; but
as general rule the policy of our Board has long
since been fixed, and ought to be rigidly observed.
If it be better to scatter the paupers through the
District, be it so; but let them all be Charmed out"
and let us be relieved of the dead weight of the
poor-house concern. On the other hand, if the
poor-house system be preferable, let the paupers
be collected together upon the premises, and the
public money so expended upon the establishment
as to contribute substantially and prohtably to
their support and comfort. We have not room
now, and it is not our aim, to discuss the question
as to the best plan to be pursued. We only de-
sire to call public attention to the fact that the
amount of assessments, instead of diminishing is
increasing; and to point to the ''screw loose"
which we think must account for the alarming
phenomenon.
The people at large are at fault in this matter,
and we cannot help wishing that they might be
made to pay for their inattention even more ex-
horbitantly. If ever any people deserved to be
taxed, the denizens of York District bear near
resemblance to them. We are now actually with
out properly elected Board Of Commissioners of
the Poor, simply because the mass of voters did
not feel sufficient interest in the matter to induce
them to cast their ballots! If a member of the
Legislature imprudently votes away the public