The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-08-09

menC, WHICH cOulu po tuoue III iooo u 90
twenty -four hours by The prompt acton OF
yourself, In forcing The State auditor 10 col
lect the tax for the payment of the interest cn
the public debt. 1 think 1t is incumbent on
the governor of the State to see that this part
ofthe law Is executed. { ~. ..9-,,.
I consider your action In approving the last
named act as the strongest evidence that you
could give in favor of the validity of tliis debt
Now, sir, there is one other consideration
which desire to present 10 your mind, and
that is, that an act of the Legislature, which
met your approval, required all insurance
com panies doing business In the State 10 ln-
vest largely In the bonds OF the State, ana
under that act there have been placed IN tnis s
office cne million dollars of State stocks and
bonds. 1t seems to me that there is double
obligation on the part of the State to these
companies, as they are connected largely with
the mercantile and banking Interests OF the
country. do think that this consideration
should move you.to at once proceed In q direc.
tion that seems so clearly pointed out Dy your
duty. If repudialion of the interest OF the
State debt is to take place, am anxious tnat
others should do it, and not the present aa-
ministration.
IF THE OPPOSITION PARTY IN THIS STATE
WE'RE PLACED IN POWER TOMORROW, THEY
WOULD MAKE HOT HASTE TO PAY EVERY oBLl-
CATION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, AND WOULD SOON
PLACE HER CREDIT ABOVE SUSPICION. Ine e4-
ecutive department has all the power Gnat
they could have, and why not act the dept
of this State Ia little less than sixteen mil
lions of dollars, the annual interest little
less than one million, and the State ls aoun-
dainty able to pay. Now, sir, have this TAX
levied and allow the people chance to meet
their obligations. THEY PAY THEIR TAXES AS
PROMPTLY AND AS WELL AS IT Is POSSIBLE FOR
ANY PEOPLE IN THE WORLD TO DO UNDER THEIR
DIFFICULTIES, and feel sure that hey are
more than willing 10 do 1t. Of course, the
partisan press will say ugly things aRd blow
hard, but an old veteran of an hundred battles
should not quake before the blank shots OF the
politician. THEY HAVE ADVISED THE PEOPLE
AGAINST PAYING THEIR TAXES WHEN THEY WERE
NADER THAN THEY ARE NOW, BUT THEIR AD-
VICE WENT UNBEEDED, AND THEY ARE SORRY
AND ASHAMED THAT THEY EVER ACTED so BADLY.
regret the necessity of levyDg 80 heavy an
amount of taxes as will be required, but many
of the abuses of the past can be prevented IN
the future, by the Legislature making SPECIFIC
levies for the various purposes OF the govern
ment, and levying only the amount necessary
for such specific object; then 1t will be lmpossl'
BILE 70: any power 10 divert them from their
proper channels Had this been done In the
past much trouble would have been avoided,
and il sufficient taxes had been levied to de-
troy the expenses Of the State, even If they
were unnecessarily extreyagant and heaVy, t
would have the left the State debt at one-half
of what 1t is now. But we have the present
and the future to deal with, not the past; and
propose now and hereafter 10 lend my politl-
cal influence, If any have, to the construe-
ton OF State government that will promptly
enforce the laws.
And now, sir, In conclusion, allow me to
express the hope that you will consider the
Importance OF this subject, and at once have
the laws executed. With an apology for this
intrusion, and very great respect, have the
honor to subscribe myself,
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. L. NEAGLE, ri.
Comptroller. General.