The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1872-12-19
The Deficiency Tax.

In the House of Representatives, yesterday,
the consideration of the clause of the report of
the Committee of Ways and Means levying a
tax of five mills, to cover Deficiencies, was re-
sumed Mr.. Crittenden, of Greenville, favored
the levy, with the proviso that the per diem
and mileage of members should be included in
the deficiencies, and liquidated amongst the
first claims to be presented. General W. ii.
Wallace, member from Union County, spoke
with point and effect showing and disclaiming
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 administra-
tion, but stood ready to aid it to the extent OF
his power, according to his own discretion.
South Carolina needs friends, capital and the
vigorous application of muscle, and ne wished
heartily that they could be procured. 1t was
capital error in the recent legislation to pass
bills without having explicit and sufficient in
formation. Excessive taxation is robbery
Levy just what may be necessary, but no more.
Preliminary to this, correct estimates must be
used. Correct information can only be pro-
cured from official statements. In examining
the figures in the Governors message, and pre-
sented to the House by the Chairman of the
Committee of Ways and Means, we find $780,
600 put down for public printing. A circular
placed upon their tables a few days since, by a
publishing house, contained in the list of pub
iications 5000 copies of the Ku Klux trials.
The printers had no more right to publish
them than the New Testament. The Constitu-
ton provides for certain publications. They
are specifically mentioned, and such as are not
mentioned are necessarily excluded The House
of Representatives can 60 no further than to
exercise the power of attorney for the State 1t
can do no more. If a man makes a contract
with the House which it is not authorized to
make, he cannot claim its fulflment. There
are no means really of knowing the amount ac-
tually DUE Again, several volumes of statutes
are mentioned. The printing of these is who'll
ly unauthorized. Anything of this 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
legitimate expenses? What are they, and
what do they represent? Mr.. Wallace was
ready to provide for all rightful deficiencies
But let US first ascertain them correctly, and in
that way get satisfactory basis upon which q
levy of tax may be made to provide for them.
Mr.. Meetze, of Lexington, followed in good
speech, sustaining the same position substan,
TALLY as Gen. Wallace. He showed the differ
ence between the public and private property
A legislator as man, might do what he dared
not venture to do in his legislative or represen.
tative capacity. He could not use the same
freedom with the peoples money as with his
own. He considered the matter of the public
debt, and the necessity of providing for the
payment of interest on it. 1t, too, was an un-
defined sum. All these matters should be fully
reported upon, and presented in tangible shape
before they could legislate in any satisfactory
way upon them.-Pheni 18th inst.