Orangeburg times. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1872-1875, 1874-10-08
rcosIMUNICArED.l.

* ,..1,i Js~ 'y6 go > II
mass Iof the property hold in, and
around Orangeburg ore 50 unlike their
fellew tai axpayers elsewhere in South
Carolinaa 3 While tae best citizens in
other parts Of Che State are organizing
for united effort against the public
thieves, they are lying like snails in
their shells doing nothing, and appa-
rently profoundly indifferent to the
threatened ruin, as we'll of themselves,
as of all others, except the vampires
who are fatleningup upon our life blood.
This extraordinary supineness is SO
irreconciiable sith5the intelligence,
and public spirit they usually exhibit,
that it is difficult to account for it,
without rcfecting upon both. Let us
iuok into this matter. ';1,i! 81 /. /.
1t cannot arise from any opposition
to the objects of Tux Unions, for these
must beapproyed by every honest man.
1t cannot arise from a belief that
lax Unions can do no good, for every
man of the least common sense must
see, that without concert of action in
those opposed 70 oppressive taxation,
nothing can be done, and that there
can be no such concert, without organ
zation: And besides shis, are they wiser
than NIL their fellow taxpayers through
out South Carolina : Organization on
the plan of the Tax Unions has been
urged upon us by q Body representing
all parts of the State, and containing
many of its wisest men, identified with
us in interest, who, after full conference
with each other, and mature consider
alton ofthe object, urge it upon us.
Do those who manifest such indiffer-
ence to this appeal, seel"a better way?"
Ifso, why have they not recommended
it to their fellow sufferers? Is it the
part of patriotism, or even of wise
regard Tor selfinterest lin the long rum
to remain shut up, like SO many box
terrapins, at a crisis like the present Z
I'VE cannot believe, therefore, that they
see any better way.
It cannot arise from any fear of be-
coming involved in trausactions, which
may be held TO be reasonable. Surely
not; for Tax Unions are not reyolu.
tionary organizations. They propose
to work by means within the law, and
ifthey exhaust those means without
avail, they will have accomplished
much in proving that fact, to the peo-
pie of the United States. This is too
plain for misrapprel,aasion on that
score: 10 .tii a: Il & I: ~.
What then can be the cause of the
apathy exhibitedf Surely itcannot be
fear of the triaing assessment pro.
posed. lis too small for such a sup
position. The Constitution itself for
bids thatit shall exceed 2 per cent
not 2 per cent on property, but 2.per
cent on the general tax paid the State.
So that ifa man owns property enough
to pay the State tax of S1OO, he can
not be assessed by the Tax Umon,fo
more than two dollars, and this is as
high as it can so, but it may be actu.
ally much less. This is too small o
burden to account for the holding of
we see.
Can this standing off result from a
fear that the Tax Union may call
upon citizens to refuse to pay taxes,
and that in the case ofsome, this would
result in an interruption of business,
as in the case of the merchant whose
store might be closed-but this is a
remedy which will never be resorted
to, for the simple reason, that as the
State can and will sell personal prop.
erty for taxes on land, and personal
property will find purchasers, the
whole reason for refusing to pay-the
leaving the Government without funds
fails, and the remedy will be worth
less. we say therefore, it will never
be resorted to; but even if it should be
attempted, any member of The Union
whom it would injure, could refuse to
adopt it, and at the same time avoid