The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-12-10

which the Jury to try the case 10 pruned bytne
counsel on each side, alternately striking out
one name after another, until only twelve re-
main.
Let us Know our Debts before we Fay
Them.
These are the four propositions pressed
upon the consideration OF the Conservative
nemocrats end Conservative Republicans,
in the State Legislature, as containing Inc
essential principles OF that reform and re-
trenchment, and that honest dealing with
the public, to which every member OF the
State Legislature Ia pledged l. That nc
tax for current expenses be levied until de-
tailed estimates of those expenses have
been submitted. 2. That In making the
levy the tax be made payable in two OF
more instruments. 8. That no tax for de.
11clencies be levied until the outstanding
claims have been submitted and audited.
4. That the tax for deficiencies, when levied,
shall not be made payable at the same time
as the tax for current expenses, and shall be
distributed over a period Of one year or more.
For the mere phraseology OF these PROPOSE.
tious we care nothing. The object is to
give the Legislature an Intelligent know
ledge OF what they are doing. and to show
the people why they are taxed. Upon this
general line it is expected that the Conser'
vstives will fight, II it takes them all the
summer.
Now. wha: information has 80 far been
given to the Legislature and to the people 7
Precious llttleI Governor Moses In his
message says that the deficiencies amount
to 81, 266, 1876; which huge amount includes
$500, 600 for schools, $3.50, 900 for notes OF
the treasurer, and 1926. 600 for. printing
claims. The Governor says that not more
than a third or one-balf OF the school de.
hclency may be required. Here, at once,.i Is
q striking example OF the necessity OF find
Ing out what the people owe, before a tax Is
levied to pay II. A deficiency OF $500, 600
for schools Is set down as a liability, and ine
the same breath the people are told that 1t
is believed that ..'not more than q third, or
"one-haR, OF the entire appropriation vas
sever contracted for on account Of services
"performed."~ We say then TO the men,
bers OF the Legislature, ''Do not levy q cent
sior school deficiencies until you know ex-
"acrly what the amount Of deficiency Is.
stCut of. the supplies, and the school COM
.smlssiouers will soon give the executive
Officers the needful information. Go on
s'paslpg, In the old blind way, and you will
.be paying for schools which were closed,
..and for teachers OF the Mooney and Leg
.'gett stripe" For treasurer's notes, or
bills payable, $3.50, 900 are said to be due.
The anots'' is not to be taken, 10 this crisis,
as conclusive evidence Of the validity Of the
claim 1t was easy to take fraudulent
claims, convert them into ''notes," and
then say, s'Oh, Mr.. Taxpayer, there's your
s'note. You can't go behind that" II the
members Of the Legislature mean reform,
they will go behind these ''notes," aud all
round them too. For State printing s325,ooO
are said to be due. The last General As
sembly was proaigately ~extravagaut in or
deriug printing to be done; but the printers
are not to blame. They did the work. We
presume that they did it at a fair price. II
SO, they ought to be paid. But the vague
ness aud looseness Of the published state
ment OF deficiencies Is such that it Is impos.
sible for any conscientious legislator to
pass them as they are. No detailed esti-
mate Of the requirements Of the current year,
as separate from deficiencies, has been sub.
mitted. 1t Is a fixed fact that unless the
expenses be cut down before the tax levy Is
made, there will be small chance OF cutting
them down at all. The rule would more
likely be to level up than to cut down. We
argue, therefore, that with the Information
before them the Legislature cannot properly
make any appropriations for deficiencies or
for current expenses.
TIE NEWS does not desire to embarrass
the government; nor does 1t encourage fac
tious opposition. The past liabilities OF the
State must be paid. That is due to the eredi-
tor. They must be paid In such way as will
prevent fraud and be easiest to the people.
That is due to the debtor.