The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1871-04-27

year in which they are levied. The impor-
tance of making this change will be apparent
| to every Thoughtful man. 1t is well known that
a large portion of the citizens of the State do
not pay taxes, and that they are improvident
in the expenditure of money. Usually the
product of their years industry comes to them
during the months of November and December.
Were the tax books then opened, it is my i'm
preston that this class of the people would pay
their taxes, and thus add to the income of the
State, whereas, if the time is postponed to the
middle of January or the first of February, as
hitherto, as a general rule they would pay moth
ing. In short, I believe we shall be enabled by
this change, to collect two hundred thousand
dollars which, under the former arrangement,
could not be collected at all And can see
no hardship that will be caused by the change,
for it leaves the privilege the same as at pres
ent of defelring the addition of penalty for
non-payment if it is thought eSpedient to do
SO. Instead of depressing the taxpayer, there
fore, it is in one sense blessing to the people,
for it opens the door to those who have the
means and are disposed to pay, during the fall
while it is still at the discretion of Executive
to extend the time of the general taxpayer W no
pays large amount, without subjecting him to
the prescribed penalty. Indeed, am free to
say that the taxpayers may rest well assured
there will be no more cause of complaint on
that score in the future than there has been in
the past; for in every instance within my re-
collection, where an application has been made,
the time of collection has been extended with
| out the addition of the penalty.
| @. While that is a comforting assurance,
Governor, is it not nevertheless true that the
assessments of values have been greatly exag-
gerated, and that property is frequently taxed
for two or three times its real worth?
The Governor. That may be true in some
instances, but am certain it is not the rule.
In all cases of excessive assessment, where an
application has been made, the matter has been
considered, and an abatement ordered, if the
circumstances justified such course.
DO THE PEOPLE PAY?
@. Up to the present time, have the taxes
generally been paid promptly?
The Governor. I must confess that l have
been surprised at the extraordinary disposition
manifested by the people in the payment of
their taxes Even at this moment, while there
is apparently so much ill-feeling concerning
the expenditure of public moneys, citizens in
all parts of the State are meeting the demands
of the tax collector with a unanimity and
promptness which not only deserves the highest
praise, but faYorably illustrates their character
as law-abiding people. / cannot blame them
for desiring to know how these moneys are ex-
pended, and, so far as lies in my power, l shall
always afford to the public the information on
this and other subjects to which it is entitled.
THE STERLING FUND BILL.
@. So much has been said about the sterling
| fund bill, Governor, that would like to hear
your version of the matter.
The Governor. Well, it is simply this The
bill was conceived chiefly by creditors of the
State-parties interested in the stocks and bonds
that are past due, and are soon to become due.
Every business man knows full we'll that it is
impossible for the State, by direct taxation, to
take up these bonds. 1t was therefore believed
| to be- good policy to create a sterling loan,
which could be negotiated by the proper par
change for the Old And when there was in
| corporated in the law provision which barred
even the possibility of adding dollar to the
State debt at any time in the future without a
two-thirds vote of the people, it offered in my
| judgment, sufficient guarantee to the pur-
chaser of the new bonds, that he would he pro-
tectsd against new liabilities. Under these cir
cumstances, / favored the measure and the best
financial men of the State agreed with me,
with. only difference of opinion concerning
details. Some gentlemen Of high reputation
| thought and expressed the belief that trustees
| ought to be appointed by law, who should be
charged with the negotiation of this. To this
I had no personal objection. On the contrary,
was anxious to see any plan adopted that
would engender confidence in the honesty of
the negotiations to be made: 1t appears, how
ever, that the Legislature differed from these
gentlemen and myself in regard to the matter,
and when the bill passed, the appointment of
the agent YVES left to certain officers of the State
government, including the Executive, and to
the Executive was committed the duty of
signing the bonds before they could possibly be
put upon the market The bill was signed and
approved with the firm belief that sufficient
check was thus putupon any disposition -ifsuch
existed-to give the negotiation of the bonds
into the hands of irresponsible men, who would
not insure that credit for the State which
| was desirable. In other words, to the Exocu-
tive was left the power of refusing, absolutely,
to permit any bonds to go upon the market un-
less they shall go through the hands of trust
worthy and competent representative OF the
State.
@. Do you mean to say that you, as an in
dividlal, can control the issue of these bonds
in the event of dishonest agent being ap-
pointed?
The Governor. Yes, sir, most emphatically,
for do not intend to sign bond unless the
banking house selected is one entitled to the full
lest confidence of the people. There is no power
on earth that can compel me to do otherwise.
@. Suppose that after the selection of a
banking house, and the issue of bonds duly
signed, the financial board should determine to
make change and select party who agrees to
carry out their own plans7
The Governor. In the first place, no honest
banker would surrender his claim upon the
bonds for any such purpose; and, in the second
place, they would have to be bold and desper-
ate men who attempted to tamper with the
State credit for their own dishonest purposes.
@. If I may be permitted to ask, who is
your nominee as a banker, for the especial man
agement of this fund?
The Governor l have no nominee at pres
ent bat he will be man who will inspire con-