New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-05-03
A CRY FROM SOUTH CAROLINA.

To The Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: AS an illustration of the absolute necessity of
reform, let me trespass few minutes on your time
to show our desperate condition. Since the CON-
mencement Of the fiscal year, in October last near
two millions of dollars have been collected from
these impoverished and unrepresented taxpayers of
South Carolina. This thing has been going on, more
and more oppresvely from the day of reconstruction
to the present debt of six millions has grown to
twenty, while the taxes have been increased from
six hundred thousand dollars per annum, before the
war; over two millions since the Inauguration of the
Reconstructed Government and there is not single
improvement to show for it. Men who came here with
out means rolling in wealth, depressing and badger
ing the people. Ignorance and vice, bribery and cor
rupOn, vulgarty and tyranny, rule the hour, and so
great is the weight Of oppression which brushes cur
people, the bravest do not dare to utter re-
monstrance dragons ride into the State hunting Ku-
Klux and no citizen is safe, for willing witnesses and
packed ures. instructed and trained by partisan
Judge and prosecuting officer, ready to convict.
Only few days ago. it is reported III the papers, an in
offensive shot to death, while fishing IN the
river by party OF dragon KuKIux hunters This is the
use made of the U.s. army in South Carolina TO break
into houses at the dead OF night drag from their beds to
Jail unsuspectng citizens brighten women and children,
and break up labor. Poland and Ireland have always
excited the sympathy of the American people, but the
more nolerable suffering Of the people OF this their
sister State appeals 10 them In vain.
What is our condition to-day after this taxation, which
will end in confscaLiOni Those who cannot pay their
taxes by June will have their lands fall that lefD sold,
and the law authorizing the sale promises warranty
title purchaser If there be no bidder the land
will be bid in for the State to be resod in time The State
cannot wait the poor tax but will take away
his land, and sell It TO Spectator or partisan on
credit-a repetition of 1.-THE Land Commission swindle.
Ensor the physician OF the lunatic asylum publish
card In which he says that the State Treasurer re-
fusing pay the appropriation for the support OF the
fortunate insane their friends and counties. having
for the deaf and dumb will be closed the
The superintendent OF Public Schools for the counties,
that the schools must be closed as this state
their support for the want Of funds. The
prisoners in jail The sheriff of this county has not had
his paid since January, and his Jail is crowded.
1t also announced that the approximation Tor the sup
port OF the cOnvicts in the penentiary Will not be paid,
and if the superintendent cannot make 1t sesupport,
ing institution the prisoners must starve or DC turned
loose Oh society. The highways roads, and bridges
all in dilapidated condition and yet large sums
paid on this account Peace officers, magstrates,
constabes school teachers all arc turned away from
the Treasury with the same snsTer " Not in Funds
men, and walk from 20 to 40 miles TO court have to sub
init to runous discount to get their Payos cashed
people Impoverished that they find II dnicut 10 feed
Is there no need for reformi Does not this condition
appeal to the good and benevolent OF all parties and
every State Our last nope Is III lne IhclhidI COb-
resolution of despair" This corrupt Government
in that In yo and have nO SO
fearessy and manfuly exposed, not stopping TO ask
whether they be Republican Democratic, must DO re-
formed sefgovernment is q failure The corrupt men
who have heretofore controlled public affairs In Washing
ton and NewYork delight In the enorntes practlced IN
the South. Whyf Because they hope, that this dis
grace to civilization" will divert public attention from
themselves. But II such men you, and the strong
laboring with you, will be true to the great and
righteous cause OF REFORM the Constitution will be saved
from these assassn the States from these robbers and
the OF civil liberty once more have chance TO shed
Its benign influences over this downtr0dden people, and
90 hold out hope TO the oppressed OF the world III
fail now, to whom shall We look for succOrl
make apology for this wall OF despair there too
much suffering ali around To me To be ashamed OF
ii, and doubt not, that every good and true
South Carolina synpathizes with verify believe,
II the Cincinnati movement be wise and harmonious,
redeem this State rescue IL from the thieves who
have pndered it, make good and useful citizens of the
Freedmen, and commence new career OF prosperity
and intellectual performance that will not DC unworthy
OF our past history. Yours, A. T.. A.
Bav,noeH o. H. 8. o., 22d April, 1877,