The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-11-24
How is it to be Done :

/Our contemporary, Ire COhTtef, uas e1'i'Su
yery hard to reduce into an Ineligible shape
the thousand and one rumors, relating to the
finances of the State, with which the air has
been thick since the New York World broke
its lance squarely on the shield OF the South
Carolina Ring We think that our neighbor
has, now and then, been over-ready to be-
| lieve implicitly the widest statements olsen
sational reporters, but it has worked dill
gently and patiently to get at the truth anu
to discover a remedy for the evils under
which the people labor. This, also, has been
the aim Of THE News, but we confess that
we are not able to see our way as clearly as
The Courier appears TO do. As the case
stands, we have found no immediate and
serviceable defensive measure which the peo-
pie can adopt, except the withholding Of
State and county taxes until the last day OF
the period during which, under the tax law,
they may, without penalty, be paid. This
suggestion has not had the support OF The
Courier, which paper, however, lays down
three propositions which, it thinks, will meet
all the requirements Of the situation. These
propositions are:
First To reject the fraud by refusing to pay
one single dollar Of principal or interest OF
these illegal issues.
Second To prevent, by application to in
junction by the courts, any further capacity
for mischief
Third. To bring the perpetrators to justice,
and subject them to the punishment which
they have invoked upon their own heads.
This is highly attractive programme. II
the people can get rid OF the fraudulent debt
already contracted, and can, besides, pre-
vent fraud in the future and bring every
knsvish official to justice, the measure OF
their content will be full. But how is 1t
to be done? The Courier may have dscoV-
cred some occult process by which its propo-
sitions may be changed into tangible facts.
To the public, however, in the absence OF
an explanation from those in the secret the
three propositions must appear vague or
impracticable. -s----.-,,--
In the first place, how is the fraud to be
rejected "by refusing 10 pay one single dol
'4ar OF principal and interest" OF the illegal
issues? The persons aggrieved are the taX-
payers or property-holders, and we do not
see how they cln prevent the payment OF
either interest or principal of any part OF
the debt. This lies within the control OF the
State Legislature, and that body has, hilh-
erto cared not button for the wishes OF the
taxpaying citizens The Legislature may
not make an appropriation for interest, but,
even so, their motive will be, not the pro-
lection OF the taxpayers, but the division,
amongst themselves and their friends, OF
the entire income OF the State. The pay
ment or non-payment Of the interest on the
debt depends upon the negro majority, and not
upon the white minority. And how will The
Courier reject, or repudiate, the illegal
issues? st can give formal notice, as The
NEWS has done, that the taxpayers, arhen
then come into poarer, will not recognize or
pay any fraudulent claim. This is proper
warning, but what does it amount to just at
this time? How does The Courier propose
to repudate-and when?
Nor do we see that there is anything
practical in the second proposition. The
danger OF further over-issues is very remote,
but il the Legislature, next week, authorize
an issue OF ten million Of dollars Of State
bonos how shall their issue be prevented?
As long as the Legislature does not violate
the organic law Of the State, its acts must
stand good with the public and in the courts.
Nor can any court, We presume, restrain
State Legislature from passingapy law, how
ever Infamous. II an unconstitutional act
be proposed, the remedy must be applied
after the enactment Of the law. A simple
proposition TO do an unconstitutional act Is
not violation OF the constitution. When q
law is passed, and not before, its validity can
be tested in the courts. And how could The
Courier, or the courts, prevent the Legislature
from issuing more bonds, if the issue were in
| accordance with the organic law OF the
State? Perhaps The Courier desires to enjoin
some State official. Very we'll. But who is
| it? And what is he TO be eDjoined from
doing? We confess that we are in the dark,
and we ask The Courier to show the public
and our poor selves how its second PROPOSE
tion is to be made something more efficient
than plausible generality.
The third proposition is just as hard to
fathom. We ask The Courier how are 'the
perpetrators" to be brought to justice? For
several weeks we have had Pelion upon
Ossa, in the shape Of reports CT fraud and
theft, but we have not obtained, it seems, a
single fact which might serve as warrant
for the arrest Of any suspected person. The
New York Times had, at its back, solid
array of figures. We have nothing positive
EXCEPT the famous card OF Messrs. Scott,
Parker and Dennis. Has The Courier any
thing more definite? If so, let US have it
out and do something that will show that
we are making headway in the fight with the
Ring.
We have discussed the propositions OF Tie
Courier, only for the purpose OF asking that
thoughtful paper 10 explain itself. We will
i.l-~ ALL hi