The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1871-04-27
The Inability of the People TO pay Taxes.

The Inability of the People to pay Taxes.
The Columbia Union has been re-publishing
the statements made by the different county
newspapers as to the proportion of taxes paid
for the year 1870, and as these reports are gen.
orally favorable, showing unusual promptness
ON the part of taxpayers, our cotemporary con-
cludes that the people are not only able, but
entirely willing to meet the exorbitant: de-
n1ands made by the present State government!
We quote from a recent number Of the Union !.
This should be considered the best of evil
dence that the people are not opposed to pay
ing their taxes. 1t is those who hope to make
political capital from the continued assertions
that the people" are terribly excited about
taxes, that are creating all the trouble. few
ambitious political demagogues will do more
harm to the State finances than anything which
may be done by the present State Government.
The people are becoming alive to this fact, and
realize, after all is done and said, that things
are not half as bad as they are made out to be.
If politicians would only keep quiet, there
would be no grumbling about taxes or anything
else.
On behalf of the people of Anderson, we
would correct the impression here sought to be
made, and earnestly protest against such con-
clusions. The dissatisfaction and grumbling
about taxes proceeds from the taxpayers alone,
and there has been no effort on the part of pol
iticians or any set of men to create this general
dissatisfaction. The payment of taxes for 1870
ef1ectually created the storm which has arisen
all over the State, and caused men to reflect
that this state of things could not be allowed
further, unless the taxpayers of the country
were willing to surrender everything to crafty
the insatiate demands of corrupt horde of
politicians
In all candor and fairness, we would assure
the editor of the Union that "the people" are
determined to check the rapacity and extraya-
gance of the present Legislature. And this
fact ought to sink deep into the minds of the
Radical leaders-the men of brains and intelli-
gence in that party. The sooner it is recog-
nized by them, and measures inaugurated to
bring about radical change in the conduct OF
our public affairs, the sooner will peace and con-
tentment be vouchsafed to our distrated State.
Do not be deceived by the fattering returns for
last year. Under clever electioneering trick,
the people were deceived to some extent by the
inadequate levy of the year previous, and pat-
ters quietly progressed in this respect until the
Legislature levied a much higher rate for last
year, and to cap the climax, then changed the
time for collecting taxes, SO as to replenish the
State Treasury much earlier, and give them an
opportunity of disbursing it much sooner, and
in the "usual manner" as the appropriation
bills declare. But the commonest mind sees
clearly through all these devices, now, and un-
less the Radical party is prepared to defy and
destroy every vestige of public opinion, the fu-
ture had best be carefully guarded.
On the score of inability, we are free to ad-
NIT that the people could meet these require
ments, but not without sacrifice, if there was
any necessity or if it brought compensating
benefit. But the wretched government, which
has fostered ignorance, corruption and shame
less villainny, is not SO regarded, and the people
are not disposed to support it, and will not, if
they can avoid it hereafter.