The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-11-07
EpOI.JJNTBTK,s ES. e.
a:Fridsy Morning, November I. ls7s.
aiThs Coming storm.

cussed the financial condition-the reso
lutions OF Artson proposing that the
r ooleotion of taxes be- suspended, and
T that the Treasurer be authorized to issue
certificates Of indebtedness. being the
matter Immediately under consideration
Humbert, Of Darlington, came oul
hat-footed in favor of reputation ol
the whole debt. bank bills and oil. That
being done, he said, we could run oul
little State machine FOR from Ave to
eight mills tax on the dollar.
Mr.. Tim. Hurley next obtained the
floor, and delivered very good speech
indeed. dealing in hard facts and stern
figures, and bringing the lamentable
condition of the country into strong
view. He said that $4,000. 900, exolu-
sive Of interest, were necessary to run
the State Government on tho sohedule
which had been adopted-five times as
much, that is. as it required in old
times. After itemizing the different de-
ficits, he came to consider the tax which
would be needed to raise the required
amount, and showed that it could not
be done under the present assessment.
The value OF the personal property in
the State has shrunk $1,25O,OO We
had here state OF things unparalleled
in any other country. The difference
between the majority, who we're
consumers, and the minority, who
were producers and taxpayers, was
greater here than anywhere else.
The burden of tax falls upon less than
-one-fourth Of, the people. The pro-
yperty is not here to tax in the measure
which many desire, aad the tax falls
'wish.erushing' ng'wsightupon the few who
'havo it to pay. To 60 on, then, in the
same rninous way, we have either to in
crease valuation Of property or the
assessment, and one wae about equal
to the other. aud neither a feasible or
proper romedy.: The State expenses
have increased regularly every session
forty per cent. Why do these def
cienoies constantly turn upp The most
liberal appropriations, even in excess of
the amounts asked, are regularly voted,
but they always fall short. The praoti-
cal question had forced itself upon every
one, what guarantee is there that
money granted would be honestly ap-
piled to its proper uses? The universal
feeling is that the Republican admins
trations have been shamefully corrupt,
and it is dangerous to trust them any
longer. If officials proceed in the usual
way to levy tax OF $3,0O0,OO0, the
amount needed TO cover past def.
ciencies, and provide for the other ex-
penses on the usual scale. there will not
be dollar of it paid. The citizens will
and should refuse to stand it. And no
power can 60 into a mans house and COL
lect tax in excess of proper valuation
OF the property upon which it is laid.
He said that, for his part, he was neither
Republican nor Democrat, when it
comes to such question as this. Men
were obliged to take care of themselves.
He drew picture of universal corrup-
ton, the Legislature. Executive and
judiciary all having hands stained with
plunder. At this very moment we are
more indebted to the Supreme Court of
the State than to any other cause for
our pitiable condition. He didn't care
abont these fellows or fear their frowns.
When no mans property is safe, it is
time to be serious and in earnest. God
help South Cardinal she was il dire
distress. There wore schemes to be
brought here so extravagant that So, OOO,-
600 tax will only be drop in the
bucket. He knew OF one claim that
had been bought in Charleston for 1926
or 1926. which was to be presented here
at the valuation of $42O,OOO. Rascali-
ties innumerabie were on the tapis.
Under the circumstances. he was in
favorof le7ying no tax at all, but to
rely upon certificates OF indebtedness to
come in nscompetition with the bills
which were now To- be resurrected and
brought into circulation. There were
many expedients byswhich delav conId