The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-04-17

Important Orders from Gen. sIclsles.
HEADo'Rs ID MILITARY DISTRICT,
CHARLESTON, April 12, 1867.
In reply to several communica-
tons dressed to these headquar-
ters, i'll reference to the proceedings
of the civil authorities of South Caro-
lima in the collection of taxes, the fol-
lowing letter of instruction from his
Excellency the Governor to the
Comptroller General is published for
the information of all concerned:
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT S. c.,
COLUMBIA, February 10, 1867.
Hon. S. l.. Leaphart, Comptroller
General.
SIR: Upon conference with seve-
raj of the Tax-Collectors, as well as
the Attorney General, am satisfied
that the enforcement of the Acts of
the General Assembly, according to
their technical import, will be very
oppressive to the poor, who are un-
able to pay their taxes and have no
property, and who, in such contin-
gency, are required to be arrested
and confined in jail until they do pay
the execution; and it will impose q
ruinous burthen on the State to pay
for dieting all who may be arrested.
When once placed in jail, there is no
power to release the delinquent until
the Legislature meets. In the pre-
sent Strengthened condition of the
finances of the State, it must be
avoided, and you are hereby directed
to issue a notice to the Sheriffs
of the several Districts, instructing
them not to arrest and put in Jail any
delinquent in tax execution, unless
such Sheriff, upon inquiry, shall be
satisfied that he or she is fraudulently
concealing property, or withholding
\ money belonging 10 him or her; and
&hat, in every case where he believes
be delinquent is unable, for want Of
|smeans, to pay, that the execution
shall be so endorsed, and no further
proceedings taken upon it. I have
the honor to be, very respectfully,
yours, &C., JAMES L.. ORR,
Governor.
The instructions Of the Governor
will be carefully observed by Sheriffs
and all other officers. Sheriffs or
. other officers charged with the execu-
tion of process for the collection of
taxes, will be required to report to
the commanding officer of the post in
which their duties are performed, the
names of all parties imprisoned for
the non-payment of taxes, the amount
of tax due, and the amount of costs
and fees, together with the evidence
showing "that he or she is fraudu-
lently concealing property or with
holding money belonging to him or
her."
Post commanders will see that the
requirements of this circular arc OBJ
served.
By command of Major General D.
/ E. Sickles. J. W. CLOUS,
Captain 3Sth Infantry,
A. d. G. and A. A. A. G.
HEADQ'Rs 2D MILITARY DISTRICT,
CHARLESTON, April II, 1857.
General Orders No. 10.
The general destitution prevailing
among the population of this mill
tary district cannot be relieved with
out affording means for the develop
ment of their industrial resources.
The nature and extent of the destitu-
ton demand extraordinary measures.
The people are borne down by q
heavy burden of debt; the crops of
grain and garden produce failed last
year; many families have been de-
prived of shelter; many more need
food and clothing; needful imple-
ments and auxiliaries of husbandry
y are very scarce; the laboring popula-
tion in numerous localities are threat
Aned with starvation, unless supplied
with food by the Government Of the
United States; the inability of a
large portion of the people to paw
taxes leaves the Local authorities
without adequate means of relief
8 and the gravity of tho situation is
Increased by the general disposition
{ shown by creditors to enforce, upon
an impoverished people, the imme-
4 diate collection of all claims.
To suffer all this to go on without
). restraint or remedy is to sacrifice the