The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-02-26
The Tax-PaYers Convention.

The Tax-Payers5 Convention.
This body assembled:in Columbia on Tues;
daysl7th ST February, and remained in session
four days. Every County was represented,
either by the former delegates or fresh acees-
.sioasS to their numbers. The members evinced
calm, rssoIute determination to do all in their
power for therelief of the overburdened people,
and to leave no stone unturned whereby the
welfare and prosperity of the State might be
advanced. The grievances Of the taxpayers
were duly considered, and the most prudent
and discreet measures were inaugurated to pro-
vide remedies for existing evils. The work
carved out involves the support and co-opera-
ton of the honest people of South Carolina,
and upon them mainly depends the success of
proposed schemes for the ameioration of our
condition. Every fair-minded and unpreju-
diced citizen will sustain the action of the
Convention in ,deYising practical methods for
graphing with the difficulties by which We are
surrounded, and none will deny that its coun-
sells were guided by prudence and tempered
with moderation. The actual results of the
Convention may be briefly stated as follows:
1. The adoption of memorial to Congress,
setting forth the onerous burdens and general
mismanagement of the present State govern
ment, and invoking the interposition of that
body to afford some redress and relief, if with
in its scope and power.
2. The arrangement Of o plan for the promo
tion and encouragement of white immigration,
which provides for the establishment of an
immigration bureau, under the direction of
State Commissioner, with sub commissioner
for each County. The bureau is to be suppor-
ted by voluntary contributions from the citi-
zens of the State, who are in favor of white
immigration, and the State Commissioner is
specially charged with establishment of agen-
cies in New York and other places. Maj. F.
Melchers, of Charleston, was unanimously
elected State Commissioner of immigration.
and the delegations from the various Counties
were authorized to elect Sub Commissioner
for their respective Counties.
8. The recommendation for the formation
of Tax Unions in every County, with view
to prosecute cases of fraud and malpractice by
public officers, to better secure sslf-protection,
and to relieve the people from the burdens and
humiliations imposed upon both races and all
parties. All tax-paying citizens, white and
black, are eligible for membership in these
Tax Ul;ons. A small per censage of the taxes
annually collected is required of each member
to carry out the purposes of the organization
The Executive Committee is charged with the
duty of maturing plan of organization, and
the delegates from each County were appointed
to carry out the plan and effect the organiza-
ton.
4. The appointment of committees to present
certain matters to the Legislature, requesting
that body to amend, simplify and abridge the
tax laws of the State, so as to secure fair and
equal assessment Of property, and enable any
citizen whose property has been unequally as
sessed to apply for redress to the Courts before
he is forced to pay the tax. Also, TO request
the enforcement of the constitutional provision
requiring a registration OF voters Tor each e;ec-
tion; to secure the passage of a law providing
fer proportional or minority representation by
adopting the cumulative system of voting, and
to enforce thas provision of the Constitution
which gives the election of Justices of the
Peace and Constables to the people.
5. The adoption of an address to the people
of the State, which contains stirring appeal
to the good citizens to stand by the homes of
their childhood, and expend their energies,
labor and means in rehabi!itating the old State,
with confident and hepefnl assurance that
sooner or later we will achieve career of
prosperity utterly unprecedented in our history.
This address eloquently advocates an approval
and hearty support of the action Of the Con-
vention, and fttingly commends to the people
the noble work of duty and patriotism now
incumbent upon them.
Shn