The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-03-31
Taxation w1thho.t Representation.

The revelations OF the South Carolina:
press upon the subject of debt and taxation
are attracting general attention in the North'
and must do much good in convincing the
people at large that the. troubles in this !.
State are not caused by any hostility to the
Federal Government, nor even by the dis
oualihcations of the Fourteenth constitutions
al amendment 1t is now pretty we'll un-
sderstood that the one great source OF evil is
,eorrnptlegislation, and the enormous taxa
.tion which is hlching the last dollar from the
pockets Of the people. Upon this point, that
temperate and cautious paper, the Baltimore
Sun, speaks as follows: -
':Now, a thorough examination of the state
of thjags in South Carolina will satisfy any one
thai is NOT eEen~ the. odious- political griev-
aisees inflicted upon the people of which the
whites so much complain, as the corrupt and
unjust State legislation unprecedented in We
nality and, oppressiyeness, by which the last
dellar, has been flched from the pockets of the
people, and millions added to the debt of the
State, amidst corruption and dishonesty. 1t
is,nos so much taxation without representa-
tion,' contrary as that Is to every principle OF
Republicanism and sentiment of justice, as
That taxation is exercised in the widest ex-
travagance, and to fill the pockets of adyen.
trrers. It's true. that. the Governor, as well
as some Of his friends NOW having interest at
stake, has exerted himself latterly in checking
somewhat the satprnalia Of corrupt expendl-
ture., But it Is rather late. With O.. reduced
price of cotton this year, leaving the planters
unable Il. do more than pay expenses, and
subject besides to thieving and depredations
upon their farms 10 an extent never known
before, they; are called upon to pay tares so
enormous thqt they amount to downright con-
.ascat,on,. Under such horrible and intolera-
BILE rule, threatening the ,property-holder
with the sale of al they have for taxes, 1t .is
not wonderful that there is excitement among
the people. 1t has no further political signif-
canoe than that many wA0. thus suffer are
poH0rless to help themselves by reason Of dis.
franGhisement; but, under the circumstances,
it s8l.the. ercase7nsat aohich> simple robbery
a,palee,as.s The burthen of the whole press Of
the state,is the terrific. taxation and the reck-
less waste. Thelr political disabilities seem
to be. a matter of subordinate consideration,
except that by reason Of them they are power
less victims. gislatiye robbery and plunder.
There Is 30 doubt that onthls subject their ex-
ASPIRATION is great, as it would be anywhere,
even in New England, il thus dsspoiled of Its
property. In South Carolina and In other South
erp States, one Of the chief obstacles TO p real
reconstruction is the, wanton exercise of State
legislation by Irresponsible adventurers, and
their mslign influence upon the more igno.
rant membership of the legislative bodies for
their own personal emolument and aggran-
dizemeRt This ID the prolific fountain of evil,
and its disastrous results can only be avoided
,ohel, the Intelligence and vsrtue of any commit
rity are. permitted to control its o,Dn affairs"