The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-08-13

ponent goes to Congress, he will 90 there
without my assistance, AS he always did
as for Puffer's chances, he had better 20
home to the mines. take a good wash and
plunge into the deepest shaft, and never
make his appearance on this earth again
Prepare for seat in Abaddon, as YOU
are more competent to fill that position
than q seat in Congress. From your
beggared friend, J. LARKIN.
MIR. EDITOR: Gov. Scott, in his letter
of August 6, to Messrs. Henry Clews &
Co., states ''thnt an appropriation was
made at the session Of the Legislature OF
l87O-71 to pay the interest on the public
debt, falling due Japuary, April. July
and October. 1872; but that, in conse-
quenoe of the expenses OF the last scs-
sion OF the Legislature being unusually
large, the money was diverted from the
payment of interest to meet the pay
ment OF legislative expenses and ex-
penses incidental, thereby leaving the
State Treasurer without means to meet
the interest, or even current expenses. I"
He further states, ''that no interest car
possibly be paid before January, 1873. as
levy under the law is now being made.
and will be collected between the Goth
November and 18th January next"
Taxpayers OF South Carolina, it is
time you would awaken to your unfortn-
nate conditson. You see that tax.
levied to pay the interest on the bonds.
which many contend were fraudulently
lssued.) bas been misappropriated- the
Governor uses the more modest term
''diuerted." The State Treasurer has
diuerted the funds from the legitimate
purpose for which they we're appropri.
ated, to meet the expenses of the Leeis.
lature for 1871-72. About $1,000, 600 of
the peoples hard-earned money diverted
to the support of the Legislature and
their friends, for their arduous services
for few months in 1871-72l Has it
come to this, that the Legislature can,
through their officers, absorb the taxes
collected for legitimate purposes? Can
the passage of q resolution requiring the
State Treasurer to pay the certificates of
the members and subordinatus OF the
General Assembly. authorize the issue Of
unlimited certificates, scattered broad.
cast over tho State, to parties who never
rendered an hours service therefor, JUS
thy the Treasurer to pay the same, in the
lace ot previous specific appropriations,
made Tor specific purposes? Are not the
officers issuing such fraudulent certii-
Gates guilty OF wilfully aud Intentionally
defrauding the State? Is not tho State
treasurer IN accessory, both before aud
after tho fact, in paying claims which his
position nnd knowledge enabled him to
know were fraudulent? Can any sane
man believe that 81 900, 900 was required
to pay the legitimate expenses of the
last session Of the Legislature?
taxpayers, you must act promptly
lake legal means to examine these le-
gislative pay bills. The great iniquity
and frauds perpetrated on you is mainly
condensed In the item of Legislative
expenses" An examination OF the items
will show how much of these expenses
should be entered to stave off impeach-
ment-how much to establish the I. O.
OF U. b., and to defray their expenscs-
how much to enrich the servants of the
public. who, on compensation of less
than Sl 900 per annum, live in fine
houses, drive costly equipages, and spend
from $4,000 to $40, 900 per annnm, with
out any other visible means of support.
$40. 900 formerly paid the Legislative
expenses for session; now over a mil
lion is expended. Is there no rcdresse
No mode of stopping tho frauds? Are
the taxpayers to be robbed by this in-
lqnltous course, pursued by these IN
power?
Aguin, I repeat, act promptly and
strike terror to the hearts OF the evil.
doers. The indictment of half dozen
will purge the State of the robbers who
are preying on the vituls of tho tux.
payers. A TAX PAYER.
Mr.. ". FL. Smith, an old citizen of