The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-10-29

form, quoted here, I had the honor of
introducing four of the most important,
namely: 1.-THE law to levy a specific
tax, "the law to regulate the number
Of attaches, - ''the law to regulate the
public printing, y ''the law to regulate the
disbursement of public funds. u As be-
fore stated, | assisted as member of the
committee on ways and means, in prepar-
ing and passing the ''bll to reduce the
volume of the public debit" Here the
republican party points with pride in its
pIatfrom to seven measures of reform,
passed in the last two years, most of which
[ introduced. [ hold that this is proof
conclusive that / have done my duty, for
here is positive evidence that I intro
duced and assisted in the passage of many
measures Of genuine reform.
FENCE LAW.
At the earnest solicitations of many of
the most reliable citizens of our county l
introduced this measure. I should have
done this if [ had been opposed to it;
for it is the duty of a representative of
the people to represent all interests, and
not his own feelings or ideas. 1t could
have been passed easily without allowing
a vote on it, but | preferred to let the
voice of the county settle the question at
the ballot box. It is matter that in
tcrests you all, so I leave it with you, and
by your judgment and decision | shall
stand, recognizing the fact that it is the
voice of the people, which is all powerful,
and must be obeyed. Having endeavored
to convince you that | redeemed the
pledges made you two years ago, and
that [ had the party pledged by their
platform to legislate in such manner as to
secure the reform laid down in my plat
form, I shall now give you my views in
reference to other matters Of great i'm
portance.
If elected I shall advocate the enact
ment of law giving the clerk Of the
court, sheriff and probate judge a Just
and liberal salary, and that all their fees
be returned to the county; further, that
it shall be made their duty to assess the
property and collect the taxes; thereby
abolishing the Office Of auditor and treas
urer, with saving to the state of at
least seventy-fve thousand dollars per
annum. Failing in this, | shall advocate
the election of these two officers by the
people.
The office of school commissioner can
not be abolished without amending the
constitution, which is impracticable; never
theless, | shall advocate that his salary be
reduced to five hundred dollars per annum.
I shall advocate law to abolish the office
e Iol1
paid for his services is that much money
thrown away, as the jury can be drawn
otherwise
I shall advocate the election of our
trial justices by the people failing to
secure this for the State, [ shall ask that
in Anderson we be allowed this privilege.
| shall also favor law requiring one for
each township, and that he be required to
reside in that township. I favor a law to
have all taxes for s tate purposes levied
specifically and directly on the county,
through the county commissioners; in this
way we will avoid the necessity of levying
deficiency tax every year, as the county
commissioners would, by adopting this
plan, be compelled to forward the full
amount levied on the counties. 1t would
also secure every dollar due from the
State to the various officers and institu-
tions supported by the State. will illus
trate the system:
Levy for legislative expenses on
Anderson county. say..........S4, 10000
Levy for interest of public debt
on Anderson county, say. 100000
Levy for public printing on
Anderson county, say.......,." 100000
Levy for salaries and contingent
expenses of state government,
........".................. 5,OOO.OU
Levy for support of charitable
and penal institutions. 100000
Adopt this plan of levying dieectly on
the countless making it specific proper
tionally, according to the amount Of taxa
bic property in each county, and legisa-
tive extravaganza and peculation is over
with in this state, and especially the
heavy deficiency tax that is often levied.
[ ask the support Of
MY WHITE FELLOw-CITlZENs,
believing that | can fully represent your
interests. and if elected, will do SO faith