Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1858-12-15

Su3 per CenC' OF Lne enLlre tadea VI LUG St&te,
though possessing but 12i per cent Of tho entire
wealth. If it is supposed probable, therefore,
that in the prosecution Of this work. 1t may be
necessary to deiray the interest of $4,000 900
by taxation, Charleston would pay 2S1 per cent.
on this amount, (Sl20,O .....,,. .S28, 200
And all the rest of tho State ,,,..., 9l,SOO
$4,000
On 81, 100000, the estimated value of property
in Charleston. S2S,200 would be at the rate of
Gac. on every $l00; and for the rest of the
State, sol 800, on $2S0,00000O, would be at
the rate of BIC. OH every 800. A tax so in
considerable, in comparison with the promised
benefits Of this great work, as 10 be entirely
unworthy Of consideration.
This subject was largely discussed at the late
SenatoFial election in Edgefeld District. One
Of the candidates placed his opposition to this
enterprise distinctly on the ground of the taxes
to be borne by the large estates of Graniteville,
Kalmia and Yaucluse. But surely this must
have been done without sufficient examination.
This property owes its very existence to rail-
roads; and it would be small matter to con-
tribute a moderate tax to their support. 1t is
computed, believe, to he worth $400. 900 and
pays, it is said, into the State Treasury the cx~
tremcly moderate tax of $2O.44, and if it is
supposed that the State might eventually levy
tax for the interest Of the 100000, the share
to be contributed by this vast and valuable pro-
perty would be about SSH. One eighth of
one cent on every $l00! The rest Of the pro-
perly in the district pays sixteen times as much
as this, and even then, the taxes are so moder-
ate that it would be reproach to the intelli-
gence and loyalty of the people of that wealthy
district; to suppose they would hesitate about a
small addition, if it were necessary to carry out
great State enterprise. The value of lands in
the district is SIS ,G5l, 900, and uf negroes $l3,-
100000; together, nearly S20,0O0,0OO, upon
which the taxes paid amount to $SlG,UOO, or
about s cents on every 500. We ought not to
confound taxation without representation, which
is tyranny, with the scli-imposcd contributions
of free people for wise and useful purposes,
and shrink from both with equal adherence !;
nor suppose that we are always Oh the side Of
the people when we inyeigh against taxation.
The advocates; Of this road are far more devoted
to their interests, than those who oppose it from
fear Of debt or taxation; for the benefits OF
railroads are of universal diIusion-the most
humble travel with the same speed and comfort
us the most exalted; the lceblest efforts of in
dustry arc rewarded by means of cheap and
ready transportation to market. The bacon and
other bulky commodities, that constitute the
humble fare of the poor man, is brought to his
door at reduced cost, that will compensate
him ten times over for the pittancc Of tax lie
contributes The white population Of E'lgeiied,
under tie census of 1850, was G:252 The tax
paid by the district last year was $4,000; so
that, if equally distributed, it would amount to
$l.25 to every individual. II we admit, there
fore, that the interest on $2,0O0:OOO must be
provided by taxation, it would increase this tax
onc-fuurth, and every person in Edsrtied would
pay an average Of 81 ccnts-the rich more, the
poor less. Is there one true friend of the rco-
pie, who will deny that the advantages 10 be de-
rived from this uad, will abundantly repay this
lrilling tax? Can any one suppose that the
people would prefer to sec this noble work deS-
troycd, and all hopes of such communication
linally cxIi,euiShei, rather than make this fee
ble contribution to its support?
There arc those, again, who look with appre.
henson upon the creation of a public debt.
This is certainly IL cpmmendablc prudence; but
communities, like individuals, should also avoiG
the opposite extreme, and shun with equal alb
horrencc the avaricious passion that considers
the possession Of money as the sum Of human
happiness, and regards no object sufficiently no.
blc 10 be put in competition with it. The peo-
pie of South Carolina possess noble inheritance,
valued at moderate computation ut $3.50, ,OO0,-
900, and yielding an annual income OF not less
than $4,000 900. This splendid estate will
soon pass from our hands into those OF a pos
tcrity, who in the course Of nature will have
contributed nothing to its present value; why
should it bc deemed unreasonable 10 ncumber
it with a moderate. debt for the purpose of
more completely developing its resources? But
if it were possible for the State, in the consid-
Grafton of this question, to be governed by sell
fish and sorlid motives sue ought even then to
avail herself Of the present proposal, for the
worst consequences that can result to her will
be the acquisition of this noble and productive
work, under the mortgage she holds, for sum
far less than the cost Of constructing it. 1t
NAV be supposed that Charleston will derive the
chief benefit, but it is easy to prove that this
is an error,
The first report we have of the value Of lands
throughout the State, was in 1910, when they
were set down at $sl0,l 10000; in 1850 they
were returned, under the United States Census
at 49,, ,43l ,00O-bcing an increase of 700 pei
cent. In 1910. the value Of real estate in
Charleston was $6,GO00OO; in 1856, it was re-
turned at So, 500,00O-an increase of about
$50 per cent only.
If an augmentation of $70,O00000 in tue
value of land shall appear to be extravagant OF
impossible, our doubts will be dissipated by the
fact that there has been All equal accession o
wealth from the increase in tue number ant
value of negroes; for if VIC. go back to 1881
only, we shall find the number to have beer
100000 then, and now it is 800 600, an incrcas,
Of 100000 in number and $50, 900, 600 ip value