The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-04-23
COLUMBIA, S. c., April 13, 1874.

COLUMBIA, S. O., April IL, 1874.
To the Hon. Lyman IEemaine, Chairman Of
Sub Committee ON the Judiciary, House Of Repre-
sentatives, United States Congress, Washington,
d. c.: The undersigned members of the
Board of Trade, citizens residing at Columbia,
South Carolina, engaged in Commercial pur-
suits, and not in any manner identified with
politics, deem it our duty at this time to endorse
the efforts made by the committee of the Tax
Payers Convention, to procure from the Con-
gress of the United States such legislation as
will give to South Carolina and all her sister
States an honest republican government, by such
enactments by Congress as will provide tor the
summary punishment of all conspirators who
have or may in future, individually or col
lectiyely, combine to defraud the public,
whether the actors are members of the Leglsa-
ture or otherwise Residing at the capital ct
the State of South Carolina, engaged in mer-
cantlle pursuits, and composed OF that class OF
citizens whose occupation brings US IN constant
contact with men of all shades of politics, we
| hold the position of neutrals between the old
regime and the present State Government OF
South Carolina. We are witnesses of the fact
that taxation is enormously increased, that the
State debt increased to an extent beyond the
ability of the taxpayers to pay the interest;
that property is assessed and taxes levied on
valuations much beyond the cash value of the
property, and in direct conflict with the Con-
stitution of the State; that combinations are
formed by which large amount OF the taxes,
wrung from the hard earnings of an impoYer-
ished people, are only used to enrich the few at
the expense of the many. We are witnesses of
the fact, that members of the Legislature OF
South Carolina, and others connected with the
State Government on small salaries, without any
other ostensble employment or means OF earn-
ing money, have become wealthy, drive fine
equipages, and spend many thousands per an
mum, which cannot be shown to be acquired by
their legitimate occupations. This state of at
fairs, if permitted to continue longer, will
destroy, as it has already sapped, the prosperity
of the State. We believe that the committee
now at Washington to represent the Govern
ment of the State of South Carolina, and to
counteract the efforts of the committee of the
Tax-paye Convention, are interested in the
continuance of the present system, by which
the people are dispoilcd, and have more or less
enriched themselves by their connection with
the Government of our State, and we regard
their statements made to the President of the
United States and others as not sustained by the
facts of the case.
We are Indifferent as to the politics of our
rulers, provided they are honest; and we are
always ready to extend the hand of friendship
to all who may come amongst us to better their
fortunes by honest labor, regardless Of their
place of birth or private opinions .t..5a4,i
AS the committee before whom the tax-pay-
ers of this State are to receive a hearing, we
earnestly invoke your aid to correct by legisa-
tion the evils we complain of, assuring you
most solemnly Of our truthfulness. And as in
duty bound, we will ever pray.