The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1866-08-29
The Relief Question.

Our correspondent, "Pro Bono" favors us in
this paper with several schemes for the "reliei
Of debtors" We like his present manner OF
treating the subject much Better than that oil
former communications on the same side, even
though his plans may be faacious for the
people who are not already convinced, will
sooner arrive at.the truth Of this problem and
shape their course accordingly.
One plan is to equalize tle losses sustained
by the people of the State by system Of tax.
alton, which he sets forth in detail. 1t is not
liable, so far as We see, to constitutional Difficult.
ties; but involves a tax, so gigantic in it, pro,
portions that taxpayers will te apt to. pause
before asserting to it. 1t would be tax, com.
pared with which, the dog tax, the poll tax,
and all other taxes, State and Federal combin,
ed, now imposed, is not n circumstance.
We have no statistiss before us, and have
no: Thought much Of the proposition; but We
believe it would be safe to assume that the
losses which resulted from the war to the citi.
zens Of this State, will amount to considerably
more than an Of the remaining propert, IN the
State, if sold, would pay for. The losses incurr
ed were principally in slave property To equal.
ize these losses, therefore, by taxation, would
result in all Of the remaining property in the
country falling into the hands Of the former
Shareholders.
say nothing Of the palpablc injustice Of
this measure, it would render more persons
homeless, and cause far greater suffering to the
country than the collection Of debts will entail.
1t might benefit great many debtors, but It
would certainly beggar great many more of
all classes, debtors and creditors. The remedy
proposed, is in our judgment far worse than
the disease.
The next plan proposed Ito tax suits TO the
extent OF one half Of the claim sued upon) ia
no palpably in violation Of Art l, 10 Sec. OF
the Constitution of the Uniied States, that a
discussion of It is wholly unnecessary.
We have seen nothing in all that has been
published on this subject to change the opinion,
expressed by us when this question began to
agitate the public mind : that the relief sought
by debtors, in the way of lindrauces to suits,
or scaling Of debts, cannOe lawfully be obtain ed
without an amendment to the Constitution OF
the United States. And we believe that a
contrary opinion is founded, either upon wan,
Of information, or desire to wilfuy nisead
the people. The remedy which we suggested d
several weeks ago is the only feasible and prac.
ticable measure--forbearancc concession and
compromise. The agitation Of this question
serves bat TO invite aud hasten the very condi.
tion of things apprehended. by inducing in
creditors loss OF confidence in the intentions
OF debtors to pay TO the extent Of their ab,li.
tiee, destroying credit, driving capital from The
country and preventing arrangements between
debtor and creditor. We see no disposition
on the part OF creditors to press collections In
cases where indulgence would be proper, and
we venture TO predict that there will be no un.
due haste and severity manifested by them, un.
less induced by the indiscreet scton OF debtors
themselves. An honest and healthy public
sentiment will always regulate the arm of tbs
lar in this matter.
The Legislature Of the State, II Is thought
is about to meet in extra Session, and it is sop.
posed that this question will he prominen N,
one before that body. The people are cismor
Gus for some action, and Legislators may not be
able to resist the strong pressure of public sen
,ment, They occupy a position Of fearful re
sponsibility, and upon their action Ia the prem
Uses wall depend the fatare prosperity Of thi,