The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-11-20
COLUMBIA s 6.
Tnhlsaay Mornin nov. %. 1873.
Reckless; Tsxasion.

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proposed by the Committee of Ways
and<Meanar strikes ms as enormous. in
the circumstances of the State at this
time. The minority report of tho COM
nittee. which passed its first reading in
the House yesterday, in making levies
for specific purposes. and keeping each
separate and apart, to be applied only
to its legitimate and prescribed objects.
is better. Otherwise, it is equally OBJ
jeotionsble. These bills call for about
50. 500, 900. sum large enough to carry
on the affairs Of Ave suoh States as this.
We do not perceive anywhere the slight
est regard for the distressed condition
OF the people, or the faintest tendency
towards economy in the management Of
onr political affairs. Leaving aside, for
the present, the question of the exor-
bitant amount about to be levied, there
are some contradictions and discrepan-
cies in the proposed bill which are
worthy of notice. This bill has sec-
tion which levies three mills for County
purposes. Besides this. there are joint
resolutions to raise special tax of three
or four mills in nearly all the Counties
Of the State. Take it at an average of
three mills, and the two will swell the
amount to be appropriated in tho Coun-
ties to . most extravagant sum. What
Is 1t forp Experience has demonstrated
that the larger the amount intended for
improvements, &c., in the Countins. the
fewer and smaller they ore.
Again. The bill requires that the
taxes shall be paid in gold and silver
coin. United States currercy, national
bank notes and bills receivable. The
bills OF the Bank of the State. which so
frightened the Legislative soul when the
decision Of the court which made them
good for all dues to the State was an
nounced. seem to have lost their terrors.
Perhaps it is now supposed that the de-
oision only affects the case of the rela-
tors which came before the Supreme
Court. 's
Again. The extra printing bill, which
appropriates $226, 900 to the Republican
Printing Company. and which has
passed one body, and been favotably re-
ported on and received its first reading
In the, other, has clause which pro.
vides that certificates Of indebtedness,
receivable for taxes, shall be issued in
payment of the claim. There is oon-
Aiot Of legislation in this matter. Bills
OF the Bank of the State and certificates
OfTindebtsdness are good for taxes, but
mp provision is made in the supply bill
to,absorb them. Besides, VIC ind no.
where in the bill any provision which
hooks to meeting the interest on the
public debt, although there is oas of
two mile for this purpose in the bill to
reduce the volume of the public debt.
And to crown the absurdity of the mca-
sure, it lenves ont in the cold the float
ing debt, making no mention of it what.
ever. KIN
The bill is evidently crude and un-
satisfactory; It is put forth before any
proper estimate lof' the expenses of the
State Government has been made, and
before the amount Of taxable property
has been asoertaincd. It is liable to be
thwarted insthe way we have shown,
and to be brought into conflict with
other measures which have been adopt
ed. It does not follow any honest effort
to reduce expenses. It goes upon the
superstition: that tho poor, half. ia mishcd
State of South Carolina should have u
magnificent establishment, costly and
luxurious government. It utterly
ignores the straitened circumstances,
the actual destitntion of the people.
Such legislation as this in such times Ms
these demonstrates. that the General
Assembly ia every day growing moro in
competent to discharge it's proper duty.
Corruption and profigacy still run their
fatal and giddy rounds.
In speech delivered at the emanci-
patton celebration in Hartford, Connec.
ticut, last summer. Congressman Rainey
enunoiated o policy which the Legisla.
tnrA NOM naoroo hook ~,