The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-03-08
s. c..
Friiay Morning, March 8. 1872.
City Bond Bill.

tuo phEt Oh Tue 60uat0s tuHt tulh tllA6Au-
GUS bill is likely not to receive the sane
ton OF that branch of the General As
sembly. An effort was made, by parties
interested in the scheme, to call up the
bill from the calendar. on Monday. which
met with signal defeat. There is no
knowing, however. what reliance can be
placed on such action. It may be only
q ruse to divert attention, or some OF the
supporters of the bill may have only de-
signed to postpone its consideration
until near the close of the session-to
which time it is the custom to defer
most of the public swindles. The i'm
mediate proximity of adjournment then
outs off all discussion, and many mem
bers who would otherwise oppose cor
rupt legislation. are persuaded to concur
in it in order to prevent waste OF time
and secure the passage OF some partiou-
lar bill in which they are more warmly
interested. We trust that this may not
prove the case with this bill, to plunder
the property-holders and enrich few
sooundrels at the expense OF the true in.
forests of all classes of our people. Co.
lumbia is comparatively free of debt,
and, in consequence, she is making rapid
advances in increase Of population and
material development. Our healthful
and delightful climate, beauty of looa-
tion, central position in the State, unu-
auol ro;lroo1 ooopoof;o,, an1 foo;1;k;o,
and the encouraging prospect of having
our great water power developed at an
early day, all tend to give great i'm
pulse to our growth and prosperity.
The many advantages of our city are
coming to be known and appreciated,
and, Notwithstanding the paralyzing in
huences of corrupt and extravagant
State Government, there has been q
steady growth of business activity and
success since 1865.
Before the war the establishment and
successful operation of the various seats
OF learning here, the presence and inAn-
ence OF distinguished men of learning
and culture, the general wealth and re-
inement of our citizens, and our then
comparatively few commercial facilities,
gave prominence to literary tastes and
ideas. Columbia was not noted for any
very great business enterprise. We have
now entered upon q new sphere of e1-
istence, as it were. We are seeking to
become, and fast becoming. a business
community. Necessity has brought this
change upon us to great extent, but it
is not without its charms and advantages.
The scholars studio is more inviting to
some. but in stirring. active, busy life
there is more happiness for the masses.
Such is'ou destiny. at least. Columbia
must be place of business, or nothing.
1t has every element of success. and
will. undoubtedly. become, ere many
years. large manufacturing centre.
The greatest obstacle that can be thrown
in the path of our progress, will be mis-
management of our city finances, suoh
as has characterized the transactions of
the city government last year. This
OVuu p1il DCAOIo Luo O6uAGo Will 6QAOlo
them to effect fully their dishonest and
ruinous schemes. It will Mt one fell
blow almost double the city debt, and
must make corresponding increase in
the burden Of taxation and depreciation
of property. The measure is unneces-
sary; will invite fraud; is gross in
justice to the Taxpayers: in short, is no.
thing more nor less than ON effort to get
the legislative sanction to q palpable
swindle. More than that, there is not
citizen of Columbia, except suoh as OK
pect to share III the spoils. directly or in
directly. who is not bitterly opposed to
the measure. That should insure its
defeat in the Senate, if majority OF that
body have any sense of duty to tho peo-
pie whom they claim to represent.
There is to be within month an cleo.
tion for municipal officers. Why not
submit the question to tho people then?
Are the present Council, rather than the
people whose property is affected by the
issue OF bonds. the proper parties to
decide matter of such grave impor-
tance?
D.