The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-11-21

Grand total. .$l7 ,926, ,809 90
These figures are taken from Governor
ScStts Card, and publication in TIE NEWS,
as to the taxes, eollated, suppose, from the
Legislative records. They omit, as you will
observe, every disputed item, and there Is no
escaping them. take it for granted, there.
fore, that the Governor and the party Journals
will not dispute that this Is the net amount
which these bad men, who have had con-
troll of the State for the last three years,
have drawn from an oppressed and impov-
erished people, to say nothing OF railroad
spollations and the issue Of bonds, charged IN
the papers.
Governor Scott promised the Taxpayers
Convention that the second tax ordered to be
collected this year, should not be called In be-
fore the lst of March, 1872. But there Is not
dollar in the treasury, and the exposure OF the
frauds practlced in New York, as to the bonds,
has so utterly Frustrated the credit Of the
there. Under this condition, 1t Is said, Gov
ernor Scott has determined to forfeit his
pledge for an extension Of time, and to require
the taxes to be paid promptly. The necessi-
ties of the State compel him to this course.
There is not dollar to carry on the State goT-
ernment; State officers, judges, jurles and con.
stables cannot be paid, unless the taxes be
collected, to say nothing of schoo- teachers
and other honest claimants. SO that the
whole machinery OF government must stop.
Now this, In my judgment, Is the very con-
&tion n,ost to be desired, because 1t will open
the eyes of the deluded supporters of these
MEN, to the character of the unworthy adven-
tprers who have so long deceived hem, rob.
be the State, and have 80 cruelty and shame
.'ully squandered the hard earnings Of this op-
pressed people.
In view Of our present mortifying and dis.
tre,ssed condition, renew my proposition Of
las. spring, not to pay the taxes. But as such
-ro 80 hn nor ont xr,ifh
unanImity and concert of design, it will be
necessary for the convention to meet and per-
feet the details, so that every taxpayer will
not only have Its moral support, but be in
structed as to the mode Of operation. Hence,
I address this note to you through the news
papers, In order to invite attention, elicit dis
cussion, and prepare the public mind for the
cheerful reception of any scheme that may be
this plan will work. The State government
is at dead Lick. It has not q dollar In the
treasury, and no credit In New York, or
any other financial centre. Money is ao-
solutaly necessary to carry IL on. money
cannot be had, except by collecting the
taxes. If the taxpayers, with unanimity, de-
termine not to pay the taxes, where are they
What will they do? What can they do? 40.
solutely nothing :! And 1t does seem 10 me, II
we put our heads together for patrlotlc pur-
pose, some legal process may be invented oy
which this whole sickening scheme OF fraud
and robbery will be exposed, and the eyes OF
the deluded victims of there people opened:
For let them SANDER US as they will, you and
I, and every gentleman STAKEHOLDER In the
South feel deep sympathy for these people.
Wewere born and raised with them; we In
herlted them; our children played with them;
and 1t Is our duty, our interest," as well as our
inclination, to save them. p,
lam aware tina: dreadful timidity oppresses
our people, not personal tear, for of that they
are Incapable, but the fear Of Grants cohorts,
the iail, under the provisions OF the Ku-Klux
bill, and the consequent want and distress to
their families. This Is the terrible nightmare
that weighs them down, and We are notthe only
people In history who have suffered 80 great a
Calamity. We must look this thing right full
in the face; the alternative presented To US Is
the confscdtion Of our lands, all that we have
LEFT. This involves the support of our wives