Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1871-09-14
For the Advertiser.
Public Meeting.

Il
Pursuant to call, number of the citi-
zens of Graniteville met this day in the
Graniteville Academy.
The meeting having been called to or,
der, Mr.. JOHN KNOTT was chosen Chair
man and Mr.. JOHN A. PLATT Secretary.
The Chairman stated that the object of
the meeting was to consider the various
questions pertaining to the formation Of
the new County of Aiken more particu
larly the questions of taxes, and the ex-
penditures for the public buildings of the
| County.
Mr.. JAMES H, GILES submitted for
consideration the following Pream BILE
and Resolutions
The Legislature Of this State, at its last
session, passed an Act authorizing the
formation of new County out of por-
tions of Barnwell, Edgefeld and Lexing-
ton, to be called the County of Aiken.
The people of Graniteville and of other
portions of the country embraced in: the
proposed new County, were not consult
ed in regard to the measure, and the Act
was passed without their consent, if not
contrary to their wishes, and almost with
out their knowledge that such an Act
was at that time contemplated. But,
notwithstanding this, the people of Gran
iteville are disposed to acquiesce, and
will not oppose any reasonable expendi-
trHes of public money necessary to the
Il consummation of the Act.
They, however, deem it eminently
right and proper to express their opinion
that the Act is unconstitutional and SUBJ
versive of the rights of persons and prop
erty, in SO far as it confers upon body
irresponsible to the people the power to
tax persons and property without limi-
tation in the amount Of the tax. The
Legislature has no constitutional war
ranty for this transfer of the taxing pow
er; and, in the judgment of this meeting,
the Act should be so soamended as to bring
it within the limits Of the Constitution,
and to refer the amount of the tax and
the mode of raising it to the people, or to
Board of Commissioners, of their selec
ton. But being apprehensive that the
Act will not be amended in this particu-
lar, and that the present Board of Com
missioners will proceed to levy and col
lect taxes to an amount which, in the
present impoverished condition of the
country, would be oppressive, and be-
.yond the means of the people to pay,
this meeting considers it proper to de-
clare and adoptthe following resolutions
Resotved, That tis the sense of the peo.
pie of Graniteville, in primary meeting
assembled, that the amount of the tax to
beraised for the purpose eofconsummating
theAct of the Legislature authorizing
the formation of the new County Of
Aiken, should not exceed the sum Of
Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars.
Resolued, That this sum Of Twenty
five Thousand Dollars should be raised |
by direct levy upon persons and prop |
erty in two equal annual instalmentS, |
and not by the sale of bonds Of the Coun- |
ty.
Resoloed, That it is the sense of this |
meeting that the citizens of the town of |
Aiken should furnish suitable site for |
the public buildings free of cost to the
County.
The above Preamble and Resolutions
having been read and seconded, were
unanimously adopted.
On motion the Secretary was requested
to furnish copy of the proceedings of
the meeting for publication in the Edge
field -4drertiser. ~.
The meeting, on motiored, adjourned.
JOHN KNOTT, Chairman.
JOHN A. PLATT, Sec'y. .
gs- Aiken Journal please copy.