The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1873-06-25
The debt of the county at present

The debt Of the county at present
is estimated, in round numbers, at
s26, 900, and it is supposed $4,000 will
ba requir, d for the bala:.ce OF the
wear; so that it is computed that the
county will owe on the first of next
January about.s34 900. The Legisla-
ture has already provided for a levy
of two mills, which, it is thought,
will yield about SD 600. After this
amount shall have been disbulsed,
the remaining outstanding debt will
be about $4,000. In view Of the
great Importance of being freed from
debt, the Grand Jury would respect
fully recommend that the Legislature
authorize the collection Of tax of
three mills, to be applied to the spe-
cifc purpose Of paying off the out
standing debt of the county. The
old debts once paid, and the credit of
the county restored, 4. levy of two
mills in future will be quite sufficient
for all county purposes Now, it is
plain that it is far preferable that the
people should be a little burdened
once, and thereby escape from the
meshes of financial embarrassment,
rather than suffer the old debts to re:
main unpaid and thus be hampered
more and more every year by the an
noyance Of increased and increasing
Indebtedness. There is no escape
from the payment of these old claims,
and, il, the judgment Of the Grand
Jury, the sooner it is brought about
the better. We find, upon examina-
ton, that the County Commissioners
have not drawn any drafts illegally
on the Treasury. -. .
The Grand Jury takes pleasure in
recording the success which has at
tend ID the effvr.s of his Honor, the
presiding Judge; in breaking up the
illicit traffic in Intoxicating liquors.
The Grand Jury is satisfied that the
|indiscriminate license to retail ardent
spirits has caused greater demoraliza-
tion and more widespread ruin than
all the other evils at work in the
world. They commend the County
Commissioners C fer. refusing all IL
conses, and rejoice at the announce
ment made that there is not now a
licensed grog shop in Abbeville
county outside of incorporated towns.
They wish there was no qualification
to the announcement, and that the
same could be said as to all ihcopo-
rated towns. The Grand Jury are
informed =, that some of the H.
censes granted in the town Of Ab-
beville are tavern licenses. They
observe two bar-rooms very near the
Court House, in small houses, which
houses stand alone, without appgr-
tenances, and seem to be very active
bar-rooms, but extremely sparingly
patronized as taverns. If the houses
referred to are taverns, it is the hum
BILE opinion of the Grand Jury that
very little effort is made by the pro-
prietors of these establishments to
secure that public patronage that is
naturally given to taverus as such:
There is no sign standing out in bold
relief. indicating tc the way-worn
traveller that here refreshment and
entertainment can be found for man
and stabling and provender furnished
for his horse. The merry. sound Of
the bell or gong. so grateful to the
ears of the hungry. does not peal
forth from these quarters, telling IN
unmistakeable tones that the meals are
now ready. The narrow confines of
the buildings referred to preclude the
possibility of such comfortable quar-
ters being found there, as the law
expects tavern.keeper to. provide.
Besides, tho Grand Jury have yet
to hear Of single instance where a
man has sought in these places tavern
accommodations. They are seriously
Impressed with the belief that they
are actually bar-rooms and in no pro-
per sense taverns.
In concluding thA hAprcsentment the
Grand July take pleasure in thanking
his Honor. Judge Cooke, and Solic-
itor Blythe. for their uniform and &C
customed courtesy towards them in
the discharge of their official duties.
All which is respectfully sub
mitted.
L. W WHITE,
Foreman.