Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1866-04-20
WRITTEN ron 4un Abbrv1IIs m i {fanss., s.

WRITTEN FoR THE ABBEy1LLE PRsss. =! :.
Mn. EDIroR: a letter from acbrresPondent--
Phoenix p. O.-rcquests reply through the
t.Pressto theifollo@ing enquify: In substance,
the enquiry Isl, SsX ~; =
"Can tax payers betcompelled. or are they
bound to pay State taxes While Federat*mili-
tary rule exists amongst usfN i..E
answer, without hesitation, in the affirma-
tive. So FAR as j know the Federal authorities
have not interfered, nor are they inclined to
Interferein euch CAGES, to hinder the collection
of taxes. On tho contrary, we might we'll ex-
pect from the anxiety Of the Federal Exeou::
tive to restore the State Governments, that
its action, il any, would be to support a-law
upon which all government reste. Our own
law is clear. There is nothing in it 10 prevent
Tax Collectors from assessing and collecting
taxes as heretofore; and if need be, enforcing
payment by tax execution. The payment Of
taxes is obviously proper as duty; nay more.
it is necessity. If one tax payer refuses and
cannot be compelled to pay his tax then may
others and all. do the like. A general and
euccessfrl refusal TO pay taxes would be as des.
tructivc to government as If it were over.
thrown by force The various departments of
government. would from sheer inanition, give
mp the ghost--the administration of laws
would cease, and civil society would be speed
lily resolved into its elements. Surely no think
ing man wishes to return to the primitive
days Of acorns, leavesnnd hollow trees.
Probably the idea of refusing TO pay taxes
WAS suggested by the Stay Law; but when the
end proposed to be attained by this law is con-
sidcred, it will be found to afford no eoun,cn.
ance to n refusal to pay taxes. will take this
opportnnity-though departure from the
question-to exprcss some views regarding
THE STAY LAW.
To the leaders Of public opinion in times
past-men of profound statesmanshi ip-has
succeeded a body of plodding Legislators whose
duty it has been TO clear away and repair AS
best they can, the wreck suffered under the pi
lotnge of the foImer. 1t may we'll be suppo-
sed that these men will be guided not only by
conditions that ought to be. but also by things
as they are. 1t was manifest to them that
Banks, Insurance Companies, Savings Compa-
MES, and all institutions of public nature
having for their end the making or safe keep
ing Of money, were broken and bankrupt
Lands and individual securities alone remained,
the latter resting upon land for payment. 1t
was equally manifest that unless industry was
restored-in other words. the land cultivated
the prosperity Of the country was gone. The
crease this industry. To secure for time the
land, to their owners or occupants with the
fruits Of their labor seemed the readiest way
SO accomplish this purpose. 1t is true debtors
are under moral obligation to labor and pay
their dcbts; but. generally speaking, no mere
man. since the fall. will labor for an entire year
to accumulate money ar property TO be swept
away by creditor at the close Of it. Legisla-
tors looked at men not only in the glass of
moral philosophy, but exhibited in the light
of experience. Mutual trust was much sha
ken-sauvc gui pe,t the order Of the day; and
there is no ierocity like that of fear. No in
dulgence was to be expected from "A delayed
exasperatel creditor. pursued in turn by his
creditor. In all probability. without the en-
nctment of the Stay Law, suits would have
been instituted in numbers unequalled in for
mer times. with the disadvantage of inability
to pay. What farmer would plant laboriously,
cultivate. and gather crop with tho knowl.
which would keep pace with the growing crop.
and in the end, swallow both crop and laud7
Interference between creditor and debtor is
not a favorite subject of legislation, and
though such is the effect of the Stay Law, the
purpose Of the enactment was to encourage
tie agricultural industry Of the country.
think the late enactment is wise. and it's work
ing thus far has been useful and bene6cent.
w no can believe that with a thousand writs
returned to Abbeville Spring Term. 1865. aud
me depression consequent upon the upcer-
tGinty of reaping the results of labor, 80 much
land would be in cultivation as nowf and if
many accounts are to be trusted the quantity
of land planted will nearly equal tha. of for
mer and happier days-
But let no one suppose that reputation Of
debts will follow the Stay Low. The Legisla.
ture at the last session expressed. without dis
sent, firm opinion against such On nct.-
There is little doubt but that at the next ses
scn Of the Legislature the Jaw will be much
modified; and at successive terms be repealed
in part. or altogether. ns the coalition Of the
country will permit.
Very respectfully,