The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-12-12
Tho Deficiency Tax.


Tho Deficiency Tax.
In the House Of Representatives, yes
terday, the consideration OF the clause OF
the report OF the Committee OF Ways
and Means levying q tax OF five mills. to
cover deficiencies, was resumed. Mr..
Orittenden, of Greenville. favored the
levy, with the proviso that the per diem
and mileage of members should lie in.
cluded in the deficiencies, and liquidated
amongst the first claims to be presented.
General W. b. Wallace, member from
Union County, spoke with point and
effect, showing and disolaiming factious
opposition. He knew that taxes are
necessary; but as discreet legislators,
they had not the requisite data upon
which to determine the amount that
should be raised. He had no purpose to
embarrass the present administration,
but stood ready to aid it to the extent OF
his power, according to his own discre-
ton. South Carolina needs friends,
capital and the vigorous application of
muscle, and he wished heartily that they
could be procured. It was capital
error in her recent legislation to pass
bills without having explicit and suffi-
cient information. Excessive taxation is
robbery. Levy just what may be neces-
sary, but no more. Preliminary to this,
correct estimates must be used. Correct
information can only be procured from
official statements. In examining the
figures in the Governors message, and
presented to the House by the Chairman
of the Committee Of Ways and Means,
we find 100000 put down for public
printing. "a circular placed upon their
tables few days since. by publishing
house, cantained in the list OF publica,
tions 5000 copies of the .ku Klux trials.
The printers had no more right to pub
lish them than the New Testament. The
Constitution provides for certain publi-
cations. They are specifically men
toned, and such as are not mentioned
are necessarily excluded. The House Of
Representatives can go no further than
to exercise the power OF attorney for the
State. It can do no more. If man
makes contract with the House Which
it is not authorized to make, he cannot
claim its fulfilment. There are no means
really OF knowing the amount actually
due. Again, several volumes OF statutes
are mentioned. The printing OF these
is wholly unauthorized. Anything of
that sort must come under the head of
extraordinary expenses, and be provided
for as such. Furthermore, We have the
item of bills receivable. Are they legiti-
mate expenses? What are they, and
what do they represent? Mr.. Wallace
was ready to provide for all rightful de-
iciencies. But let us first ascertain
them correctly, and in that way get q
satisfactory basis upon which levy of
tax may be made to provide for them.
MIR. Meetze, of Lexington, followed in
good speech, sustaining the same posi-
ton substantially as Gen. Wallace. He
showed the difference between the pub
lilo and private property. A legislator,
as man, might do what he dared not
venture to do in his legislative or repre-
sentative capacity. He could not use
the same freedom with the peoples mo-
ney as with his own. He considered the
matter OF the public debt. and the neces.
sity of providing for she payment of in
tercst on it. It, too, was an underlined
sum. All these matters should be fully
reported upon, and presented in tangible
shape, before they could legislate in any
satisfactory way upon them. There
was fire outside and fight on the
floor, and we could not catch the full
drift OF Mr.. Meetze's remarks, owing to
The noise and confusion.I