The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-10-20
A Movement la the Right Direction.

A Movement in the Right Dirsction.
Nh EDITOR: It 10 30 seldom that
our people are able to commend any
action OF the Radical party in this
State. that they should be ready to 40.
knowledge, at any time, any evidence
which they may see Of a desiro on their
par! to give fair play to the Taxpayers
and property holders of the State. The
greatest burden and injustice under
which onr people have groancd, has
been the wanton manner in which the
assessments OF property for taxation
have been made. Tue class who pay
nineteen-twentieths of all the taxes Of
the Stale lave been excluded from any
voice in fixing the valuation Of pro-
perty. While jealously holding on 10
every political right which could posi-
bly, be clai me ed for them ,elves, the do.
minant party have practically denied
to the Conservative party all protec-
ton to property. Personal rights
have heen extended and enforced; pro-
perty rights have been ignored aud
trampled on. The writer has eeen,
therefore, with great satisfaction. an
evidence of purpose TO correct this
intolerable wrong in the action OF the
Executive Committee of tho Radical
party, yesterday. in nominnting mem
bers Of the State Board of Equaliza-
tion.
1t appears that these nominations
were wholly overlooked by the State
Convention OF both parties, and no no.
limitations were made. Hence, it be.
came the duty Of the State Executive
Committee to supply the omission.
The law, as found on page 754. of the
Acts 1S73-'74. provides for estate
Board of Equalization" to consist OF
ono member from each Congressional
District OF the State, to be elected at
the general election, every fourth
year. This board has power to add to.
or deduct from, the aggregate valua-
ton OF real property in every County,
SO as to reducs the same TO its true
value in money, aud, also, to do the
same in the case of any town. city or
village in any County. 4 complete
check is thus established upon the
reckless over valuation Of real property
in this State.
Good laws are, however. powcrlcss
unless they are properly administered
by competent aud faithful hands. and
this board has hitherto been Of little,
if any, value to the tax payers OF our
State. On yesterday, the Radical State
Executive COMMITTEES placed in nomi-
nation for these most important posi-
tions the following weli-known tax.
payers and property holders: In the
First Congressional District, B. D.
Townsend, Of Darlington; in the Sc.
cond, W. B. Smith. Of Charleston; in
the Third, W. D. Mars, OF Abbeville;
in the Fourth, George W. Melton, of
Chester; and in the Fifth, Samuel J.
Lee, OF Aiken. The four frst-named
gentlemen are Conservatives. The re-
naming members of the Board will be
the Governor, Comptroller @ en- eral
and Secretary Of State, making eight
members in all-four Conservatives
and four Radicals.
This is q move in the right direo-
tion-a tardy but welcome acknow-
ledgment of the right Of the governed
to voice in fixing the burden Of taxa.
ton. The writer is the more ready to
commend such action because it is un.
pected. and il gives the best assurance
he has yet had, that the property
holders Of the State will be protected
from ruinous assessments.
One WHO IS INTERESTED.