The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1871-04-06

''D'' : GIL ''i' '''p j. B. KE;RsHAw.
Important Action of the Charleston
Chamber of Commerce.
The Chamber of Commerce held special
meeting at their hall in the city Of Charleston
on Thursday last. The meeting was called to
take into consideration the financial condition
Of the State, and was numerously attended by
the merchants and business men of the COM
mercial metropolis. Indeed, this body truly
represents the moneysd interests Of Charleston,
and is composed of men whose standing, in
tegrity and patriotism cannot be doubted or
impeached. Their action is grave and deliber-
ate and must create profound impression.
The meeting was called to order by Vice
President Samuel Y. Tupper, who briefly ad-
dressed the Chamber, and pointedly urged the
necessity of some measure to unite the conser-
vatism, intelligence and tax-paying portion OF
the State in a movement to check the rapacity
of corrupt officials and repair the evils now
upon us. He distinctly stated that the meeting
was composed of citizens who met IS mer-
chants and property holders, and not as poll
to complain of the tyranny of taxation with
out representation" His remarks were re-
ceived with hearty applause.
Wm. Ravenel Esq, said that he fully con-
Cured in the views of the Chairman of the
Chamber, and would submit preamble and
resolutions which, he hoped, would be found to
represent with propriety the sentiments of the
body. Mr. Ravenel then read the following
preamble and resolutions:
Whereas, Under the operation of the present
State Government, the majority of the property
holders and tax payers Of the State, from whom
the public revenue is mainly derived, are ex-
cluded from any power in the legislation of
the State, and from any practical influence in
the imposition of taxes and, sohereas, the mon
eys raised by taxation are improvidently and
corruptly used and expended by persons who
hold office under the State Government, and
the sums appropriated for alleged pubic uses
are excessive and extravagant; and, a0hereas,
the credit of the State has been pledged lille
gally, and it is now proposed to pledge the
credit of the State for further loans, by new
issue of bonds, which may be negotiated in the
market to persons who may take them, in ig-
norancc of the circumstances under which they
are issued Therefore,
1. RESOLVED, That we, property holders and
tax payers of the State, residing in the City of
Charleston, do hereby deem it our duty to de-
clare that the bonds heretofore issued without
legal sanction, and the so-called sterling loan,
or any other bonds or obligations hereafter is
sued purporting to be under, and by virtue of,
the authority OF the prcsentState Government,
will not be held binding on u.s. and that we
shall, in every manner and at all times, resist
the payment thereof, or the enforcement of any
tax to pay the same, by all legitimate means
within our power.
2. Resoiued That we deem it our duty to warn
all persons not to receive, by way of purchase,
loan or otherwise any bond or obligation here
after issued, purporting to bind the property or
pledge the credit of the State and that all such
bonds or obligations will be held by us to be
null and void, as having been issued in deroga-
ton of the rights of that portion of the people
of this State upon whom the public burdens
are made to rest
8. Resolced, That the tax payers of the State
are hereby requested to meet in their respective
counties for the consideration of this subject,
and the enormous tax levies of the current
year, and for the appointment of two delegates
to represent each county in State Convention,
to be held in Columbia on the second Tuesday
in May next, for the same purpose.
4. Resolued, That this State Convention of
Taxpayers be requested to confer with his Ex-
cellency, the Governor, on the dangerous fiscal
condition of the State and request his official
aid and cooperation in the investigation
of the accounts of the Comptroller and the
State Agent in New York, SO that the amount
and character of the bonded debt all other
liabilities of the State can be clearly stated with
view to such further action as may be necea-
sary for the protection of the public creditors
u ~ a.. Of ha oomnonpwoa
John Hanckel, ESQ.,, rose to second the reso-
lutions. They were, he said, no idle threat or
design to defeat the legitimate affairs of the
State. The people were law-abiding. They
had no protection in the matter. 1t was prin-
ciple of republican government that taxation
and representation go together In the past
year the people could not pay half their taxes,
and it was now proposed to make them four
fold. Repudiation was abhorent, but this was
not Reputation in its true sense, it was refusing
to paw for what was comforting benefit on
Others. and not on those to whom it belonged
VIM. NJ. Lawton, Esq, spoke against ini qul-
tous taxation, and said he had told the people
of Wall street, New York, that the people of
the State would not pay the bonds, passed by
bribery and corruption.
Theodore G. Barker, Esq., earnestly advoca-
ted the passage of the preamble and resolu-
tions, which had been carefully considered and
drawn. He desired that the expression of opin-
ion of the Chamber should go forth as its calm
and deliberate judgment.
The preamble and resolutions were then put,
and unanimously adopted. .,
On motion, it was resolved that copy OF the
preamble and resolutions bo sent to the Board
of Trade, and also be published in the papers
Simple Justice.
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