The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-09-03
GOVERNMENT OF TOWNS AND VILLAGES.

| GOVERNMENT OF TOWNS AND VILLAGES
After some experience in the legislation Of
this State, in order to simplify and save ex-
pense it has occurred me that it would be good
policy, to have general uniform law for the
government Of all towns and villages in the
State granting certain rights, powers and priv
ileges, and prohibiting others. l will mention
few Of the most important, viz:
The privilege of retailing spirituous and malt
liquors, should be submitted to the qualified
voters at each town election.
No town or village should be authorized to
issue bonds, without the question is first sub.
mitted to the vote Of the taxpayers of said
town or village, and authorized by a majority
vote.
Personal property should be taxed the same
as real estate, as provided by the Constitution.
No tax should be levied, beyond 80 cts. on
the $4,000 of property, except to pay interest
on bonded debt, or extraordinary purposes,
such as Fire Engine, Hook and Ladder Co., and
then only by majority vote of the taxpayers
of said town.
PUBLIC wEIGHER.
There should be public weigher of produce
for each town and village, where more than
1000 bales of cotton are annually sold, who
should be sworn officer, and placed under
bond for the faithful performance of his duties
said officer to be elected by the voters of the
county. The party producing and selling,
should certainly have voice as to who should
be the weigher, especially, when they pay for
the weighing and out number the buyers by a
majority of at least one hundred to one.
All officers appointed by the Council, or
elected by the people, to be under sufficient
bond. Council should publish quarterly re-
ports of all moneys received and paid out.
Each town or village, containing one thou
sand inhabitants, should be compelled to pur-
chase at least one Fire Engine.
That hereafter all acts of Incorporation should
only be granted by the Circuit Judge, and re-
commended by the Grand Jury, and on the
petition Of a majority of the citizens Of any
town or village.
The Legislature during its last session, en-
acted wise and oeneticient law, regulating
the sale ofspirituous liquors. By its provision
it is almost impossible for an unworthy person
to obtain license. 1t also wisely provides,
that no licenses shall be granted outside of any
incorporated city, village or town, without the
this can and will be eyaded if acts Of incorpo-
cal towns and villages In this way we would
have licenses to sell spirituous liquors at al
most every cross road, thereby demoralizing
the youth and labor of our country. Hence,
the necessity of the application being made in
the county before the judge and jury for acts
of incorporation as indicated above.
SPECIFIC TAX LEVY FOR STATE AND coUN-
TIES
introduced this system of levying taxes fol
the maintenance of our State government du.
ring the special session of the General Assem-
bly, and secured its passage, thereby preventing
the misapplication and s1uandering of the peo-
pes money After seeing the beneficial results
accruing from this system, l unhesitatingly ad
vocate the same system for the counties.
PUBLIC PRINTING.
| This has been the greatest fraud ever perpetra.
ted on people, and no man who has been con-
nected with it, directly or indirectly, should be
reelected to any position. l hold it to be the
duty of the Republican party to keep the ap
preparation for this purpose within fifty thou
sand dollars, as provided by law.
CONCLUSION.
Doubtless many persons will ask why I did
not advocate and secure the passage of the
above measures whilst number of the Legis
| ature. For their information I will state that
introduced several important measures look.
ing to reform and retrenchment, and with the
assistance of the Anderson delegation and other
members, succeeded in securing the passage ot
some of the most important, which have now
become laws, and are as asimportant to the future
good of the State as any have mentioned. II
| had introduced too many bills 1 would have
failed in securing the passage of any. I also
had to devote great portion of my time to the
defeat of many fraudulent measures that came
up for our consideration where the State was
interested from thousands to millions.
At the proper tme will suggest certain
measures requiring legislation relating to the
local interests of the county.
I hope to be able during the canvass, to con
vince my friends and enemies that did al
that could have been done for the people, un
der the circumstances, and will lay before yor
full account of my stewardship, and am anx
ious and willing to be judged by my record.
Respectfully, ~