Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1859-09-17
Taxes.

Iaxee.
This subject is one of the first magnitude.
and, what may appear strange at the first
mention, is less discussed than any other.
The reason is not so clear, though one there
must be. 1t may be in the unpopuarity
which attaches to change or increase of the
taxes. Supposing this to be the reason, its
tallacy is apparent. No man, in his sober
senses, will advocate an increased tax with
out there is q necessity for it, Then, with
or without the necessity of high or low tax,
comes the question: How is this tax to be
levied and collected? Why it should not be
thoroughly discussed is strange, passing
strange, to us. Each and every one is scri-
ously concerned in the matter, and our opin-
ion is that it should be freely and fully dis
cussed. Discussion evocs truth and gives n
healthy tone to public opinion. Let the truth,
therefore, prevail--it is the safeguard of our
rights and liberties.
We have thus introduced the subject for
the purpose of giving our views upon it, and
determining for ourselves, ifpossiblc, what is
the proper course in relation thereto And
first: The necessity for tax There can
be but one opinion as to this point, for no
country has been so fortunate rs to be en-
tircly exempt from the necessities of taxation.
Then the question recurs: How are the ne
cessary taxes of the country to be assessed,
and how paid or collected? Our idea is that
radical change should be made in the laws
oil this State in relation to the subject There
10 an tU I
Now, lands and negroes bear the burdens of
government. Let the law be so amended
or changed that every man shall render IN q
fair valuation of his estate, real and person
al, to the tax gatherer, and let him pay snch
aper cent rs the law may fix-et the ad ca.
loren principle govern. As the law now
stands, there arc persons possessed of money
and notes at interest, without other property.
who do not pay cent Of taxes. Is this right?
They enjoy the benefit of the laws, are pro-
tected IN the enjoyment Of their rights and
liberties, without contributing, as others arc
obliged to do, to the support of the govern
mcnt under which we live. There is neither
justice nor fairness in any such law
There is one other point in this connection.
There are persons in this and every other
country almost entirely destitute of proper
ty. Are they to be excluded from any par
ticipation in public affairs on this account ?
Certainly not and should they not help to
bear the burdens of their government? We
think so; and, for this purpose, poll or 9th
er tax should be levied OH all. rich and poor
alike, and added to the free school or district
fund, to be expended in our midst, for the
benefit Of the poor or free school purposes
What reasonable objection can he urged to
shis? 1t will not do to say that the poor
man is destitute of patriotism or love of coun.
try simply because he is poor. lie would in.
dignantly Spurn the insinuation. More ID
there man in all the land that is not able
to pay Tux of 81 or less per annum? espe.
cially when it is to expended here, where lie
must share the benefits arising from it. 1t
would be too unreasonable. There is q broad
er ground, however, upon which we put it.
it is just and right. Every man living in a
free country, enjoying It's rights and priyi!c-
ges, should contribute something towards
Its support and maintenance.
These arc our views, hastily thrown togeth-
er: they are not doubtless acceptable to ov-
ry one, but, if acted on, must be beneficial to
the public at large. Demagogues may find in
them hobby, and we warn the people to be.
ware of such characters. The poor mans
friend is not the politician or Office seeker.
hn Vii Al