The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-02-27

CoMMrrTEn MEETING L1oENsE
b11h;-Satnrday morning, three commit
tees from Charleston and one from this
CITY assembled in the room of the
rlnance Committee OF the Senate, for
the purpose Of giving their views rela-
i've to the effect of the passage of the
measure known Us the General License
bill"
Mr.. Porter, acting as chairman of the
whole committee, stated, in substance,
in his argument, that the reasons why
the bill should not pass were set forth in
the memorial, and alluded particularly
TO the phosphate mining interests.
Equality of taxation, he held, was O lust
rule, and In strict accordance with the
Constitution of the State. No constitu-
tlon OF any State expressed this stronger
than thut Of this State, and it was much
better IN this respect than the former
one; it had one principle running
through it-equality of burden-whereas
the old did not. This principle is VIC.
lated by the provisions of tho license
bill; he did not say it was done inten-
tlonuiiy, but nevertheless it trespassed
upon the principles of the fundamental
law of the State. Under the present
law, the phosphate companies pay their
taxes Ill an equal manner, and 80 long as
THIS was likely to stand 80, they had no
cause OF complaint, even though they
might be onerous. except, perhaps, tha,
OF removing present officers, and putting
others In their places who wonld reduce
tho taxes. Tho proposed alteration
license-ls tax to raise revenue, and
therein lies the cause of complaint. It
makes these companies subject to illegal
discrimination, and makes the grievance
wo-iold-mary other companies are not
required to comply with it, Ono particu-
lar reason why these phosphate compa-
nles should not be Disseminated against,
Is because they are engaged i'll develop
ing wealth, mnch to the benefit of the
State. 1t had been long complained OF
ia the State, that wo were slow III this
respect and encouraging manufactures
ihe bill IL calculated to destroy all en-
deavors III this direction. Hundreds ot
laborers also depend upon the opera
lons OF these companies. and the bill
VIII operate to destroy tho companies.
ne dld not think what would be thr
effect of the passage il such bill hud
oeen properly calculated by the friends
of 1t. 1t would drive away the vast
amount OF capital from abroad that was
being Invested, and which now pays u
tax equally and fairly with others, under
tne df cul0rem principle. Doing this.
you require that the companies pay u
llcense-en additional tax; OF Que com
pany that has $3.50. 600 invested, SIT, 500.
why, tue mere statement of such IL
thinS ns that shows it perfectly mon
strons. After paying its fair proportion
VI taxation, 1t IL subjected to an adtli-
tional live per cent. The charter grants
the company license, and after investing
hundreds of thousands of dollars, you
turn now, and say the business shall not
Dc carried on unless an additional tax is
paid. 1t is not just; it is not right; it
fevoits against tho sense of justice.
MIR. Porter said, further, he supposed
the idea may be entertained that the
companies were making immense profits;
THIS was an entire misnpprehension. He
was authorized TO say that only one Of
them had paid any dividend at ull, and
durlng the past year none had paid any,
and 1t Is doubtful if they did this year;
1t would depend on circumstances, and
they were not in u condition to benr OK
haustlve taxation. They are engaged in
u struggle Tor success, md already one
has gone down after embarking $50, coo;
one 0f the best, i'll which there was the
most confidence, WAS unable to sell it's
stock at eighty cents. 1t shows that
they are not in that condition TO meet
the taxation proposed, unless you pro
pose to crush them out The enterprise
is fair thing for encouragement. The
moment additional burden Is put on fer
tuners, that moment you help the
ioreIgn manufacturer, who can come in
and we are unabls to compete with him.
God III his mercy hus laid this vast
amount of wealth at our door; can we
sny otherwise thnn that we are tritIing
with tho blessings ho Las given us, by
sending to others greater advantages?
LIE desired to present tho facts Which
should be tho ruling reason in this mat
ter, that no branch Of industry should
be subjected to great disc rimination, but
that every burden possible should be
lifted from their shoulders aud all obstn-
Giles removed, that material wealth NAV
be developed; then the Legislature. in.
deed, would be carrying out what il an
nounced Ill the fundamental law in rein
tion to taxes. He held, in his arru
ment. that if it was required a license
shoula be paid. it would be requiring