The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-07-06
SCOTS raiss.les And IND Scores ''raks..

s1AEOCl1fE hhEL1.
COLUMBIA, S. O., July 4, 1859.
Aessrs. Stenhouse. Diecks and Gibson,
Taxpayers.
GENTLEMEN: I have received your note
in relation to taxes, and after 4consnlta.
tion with my Privy Counsellors-Dr.
Neagle, of York County; Mr.. Heart, for
merly of the Charleston Mercury; Mr..
Reuben Tomlinson, of Philadelphia, and
Messrs. Beverly Nash, s. B. Thompson
and William Simons. local citizens of
color-I am prepared to give You reply.
The fact of the matter is, I am glad of
the opportunity to say something upon
the subject of your communication, and
il your note was gotten up under the
auspices of the Assistant County Trea-
surer, the brother of my friend the dis
tinguished Senator, must acknowledge
my indebtedness 20 him for the oppor-
tunity given me. whilst, at the same
time. must disclaim any agency in the
carrying ont Of n programme which hap
pens to suit my purposes
IL the first place, You have dore we'll
to refer the matter to this Department,
and particularly to its present chief. My
record in the past, the high regard have
for the taxpayers of the State, my we'll
known views as to the necessity at this
juncture of economy and retrenchmept,
the absorbing interest l take in this
State, all afford the amplest guarantee Of
my disposition to consider your COM
plant rs favorably us possible.
regret, gentlemen, exceedingly to
have to say that, in my opinion, and also
in that of Adjutnnt- General Elliott, W.
j. Whipper, ESQ, and Tim Hurley, you
have no jnst grounds of complaint. 1t
is true that the taxes in South Carolina
have been largely increased, and that
they are imposed upon an Impoverished
and struggling people. It is true that,
"albeit unused to the melting mood" 1
weep when I think of what my people
here in South Carolina have Ind to en-
dure.
But this you must bear in mind
l. You have been rebels in the worst
sense of the word, and as such, taxation
in its heaviest form is mild substitute
for the penalty which might, with emil
ncnt propriety,, have been imposed upon
you. 81. @
2. You must recollect that the new
officers of the State must not only be
paid, but n balance provided for the
stealage and pickings and contingencies
which have become essential elements in
the policy.of the great Republican party
of the Union.
3. You must have forgotten that the
State bonds and stocks, new and old, in
which the fnanciers of our party have
so largely invested, must be upheld and
maintained in all their integrity in the
markets of New York and elsewhere.
4. You must remember, furthermore,
that my needy brothers from the North
are not all yet provided for. IJe must
hare money. On this point-rerbum sat-
1 am convinced that, upon reflection,
you will, as good citizens aud loyal Union
men, accept the situation and regard
these taxes as but patriotic contribu-
ton to the interests of our old State.
In the language of that great man now
at the head of affairs at Washington:
"Let us have peace" LET all the people
of the State abstain from political ex-
element and devote themselves to indus
trial activity. In this way will they be
able to pay all the taxes that the negro
and carpet-bagger, Il use the term with
pride may deem it proper to impose. and
thus add to the glory of our common
country.
You ask for q mode OF redress. Let
me remind you of what the great Presi-
dent Grant suggested, towit: That tie
best mode Of 1eningrid of obnoxious la,rs
is to haze them st,'ingently executed. Hence,
my advice to oil the eomplainants
and pay your taxes. TO the Roman it
was sweet and honorable to die for his
country. To the Carolinian let it be
sweeter and more honorable to live and
pay his taxes. 1 have spoken. L'Etai,
c'eStmoi. With great regard. am, yours
respectfully,
Not r. K. SCOTT, of Ohio,
Governor of South Carolina.