The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1872-08-14
Interest on the Debt.

Comptroller General Neag'c has ad-
lrcssed letter to Governor Scott, IN
which he urges him to force the State
auditors to make q new taX-levy, fox
lie payment Of the interest on tic pub
ic debt. He recitcs the provisions OF
he Constitution, and Of the several Acts
If the Legislature, which direct all all
aual levy for this purpose, and demands
that he do his duty in enforcing the
avs. 1t is said that an effort will be
made to collect this tax BY the middle
of September; and, estimating the debt
at $lG,0O9,OoO, it will require tax OF
seven mills on the dollar to realize the
interest of over million of dollars,
which is due. This proposed tax-levy
seems to be only a part of the general
plan to bolster up the finances of the
State at the expense of the taxpayers.
Mr.. Neaglc thus concludes:
If the opposition party in this State
we're placed in power tomorrow, they
would make hot haste to pay every ohli-
cation Of South Carolina, and would
soon place her credit above suspicion.
! The executive department has all the
/ power that they could have, and why
not act? The debt of this State is little
| less than sixteen millions Of dollars, the
| annual interest q little less than one
| million, and the State is abundantly
able to pay. Now, sir, have this tax
levied and allow the people chance to
| meet their obligations. They pay their
taxes as promptly and as we'll as it is
possible for any people in tie world to
do under their difficulties, and I feel
sure that they are more than willing to
do it. Of course, the partisan press will
say ugly things and blew hard, but an
old veteran of an hundred battles should
not quake before the blank shots Of the
politician. They have advised the peo-
pie against paying their taxes when
they were muGder than they are now,
| but their advice went unhecded, and
they are sorry and ashamed that they
ever acted so badly. I regret the neces-
sity of levying 50 heavy an amount OF
taxes as will be required, but many of
the abuses of the past can be prevented
in the future, by the Legislature making
specific levies for the various purposes
OF the government, and levyiiig only
the amount necessary for such specific
object; then it will be impossible for
any power to divert them from their
proper. channels. Had this been done
in the past much trouble would have
been avoided, and if sufficient taxes had
been levied to defray the expenses O!
the State, even if they were unnecessa-
rily extravagant and heavy, it would
have left the State debt ut one-half 0.
what it is now. But We have the pres
ent and future to deal with, not the
past; and ! propose now and hereafter
to lend ny political i.t!Ucncc, if any
have, to the construction Of a State gov
ernnent that will promptly enforce tho
laws"
1t will be seen that he extends an un-
expected compliment to the Taxpayers
of the State. Their shortcomings have
been tie theme of constant abuse, and
have been always held up as the primary
cause of the present embarrassed condi-
ton of the State finances, but now,
when the people are to be stimulated to
fresh eXertions in the payment Of the
heavy load of taxation, the Comptroller
resorts to terms of honied compliment
Governor Scott too, has addressed a
letter to Henry Clews g. Co., in which lie
says:
"An application was made at the ses-
sion OF the Legislature of 1S7O-'7l to
pay the interest on the public debt fall
ing due January, April, July and Octo-
Der of the Year 1872. But in conse,
quence of 10 levy of taxes being made
for the payment Of legislative expenses
of the last session, which We're unusual.
ly large, as you will perceive 10y refer.
ence to the enclosed statement made by
the S ate treasurer to Judge Willard, oi
the Supreme Court, the money was di-
vertcd from the payment Of interest tc
meet the payment Of Legislative eX.
penses, and expenses incidental, thereby
leaving the State treasurer without funds
to- meet the decreased interest, or even
current expenses. Therefore, unless q
special levy of taxes is made under the
law authorizing the issue of bonds, and
collected immediately, as has been urged
by many, who believe it to be for the
best interests of the State, l. am com.
:! pellcd to state that no interest can posi-.
bly, be paid before January, 1873, as g
levy under the law is now being made
which will be collected between the 20tll
of November and 18th Of January next
andsct apart for that especial purpose u
So that all things seem to presage al
; early raid upon the pockets of the tax
payers.