The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1874-01-29


Situation-PrOsecate the Thieves-An
Appeal TO Congress.
Correspondents of che N. Y. world.l
MARION, S. C., Jan. 9.-For several
years taxation in this State has been
regulated by irresponsible and un-
principied men placed in authority bv
voters who have no interest whatever
IN the property of the State. Many
of these voters are undoubtedly honest
dupes, but the majority having been
mentally and morally blinded by de-
signing demagegues are endeavoring
to force down values by high taxation
in order that acquisition of land may
be made easier.
Whether or not this has been con-
sidered a deserved punishment for
past sins, it must be admitted that no
people could have made greater ef-
forts, by concessions and otherwise,
to avoid an issue on this question. In
response to constant and exorbitant
demands they have poured their treas-s
uFe into scofers which are instantly
emptied by the magical touch of the
initiated. But, not2ith stsndihg the
best efforts of property oWn srs to
meet the demands of the tax-gat aerer,
last year there were 10000 acres of
land forfeited and sold because mon
ey could not be raised to meet the
taxes. A majority of the people of
South Carolina have been living since
the war literally from hand to mouth,
and consequently a short crop or a
monetary panic Is felt much more
sensibly here than in a community
where people are able to lay aside
something from year to year. The
people generally are without money,
and many of them have been unable
even to meet their liabilities for last
years crop.
In this condition of things a State
levy of Is mills is made This with
county taxes amounts in many parts
of the State to 20 mills and upwards.
This may not appear to be very op-t
pressive tax as carpet-bag taxation
goes but it could scarcely be paid at
this time even were property assessed,
as in mnny of the States it. is assessed,
below its market value. But every
species of property in this State is.
valued for purposes of taxation at
from two to seven times what it is
worth. A certain tract of land was
bought about q year ago for $4,000 a
short time before the assessm ents were
made. This was down on the tax
books at value of $31, 900. The
same land was sold before the taxes
were collected for S4s 900 aon q credit
OF one, two, aud three years. This
case is not an exception, but is illus
tfatiVe of the general rule. By such
measures a tax of Is mills becomes
equivalent to OF 5 per cent. of the
true market value of land. The enor-
n
of course be perfectly clear, and the
revenues arising from a moderate tax
would be utterly insufficient to supply
the demands of the General Assem-
bly,: so the deficiency is made up by
unreasonable assessments. In this
manner the people ofthe country have
to some extent been prevented from
seeing the full enormity of the rob-
berries which have been perpetrated
upon the people of this State under
the name of taxation. Some of the
negro orators declare that eonffscation
is the real object of this heavy taxa
ton, and unless some remedy is
speedily applied their diabolieal pur
pose will be accomplished. The as
sessments of the present year are in
all cases higher than they were last
year-in many cases they have been
doubled. s 8t't4s st14a5easl
If heavy taxes were necessary for
the support of an honest government,
the people would probably have no
right to complain. even ii their prop
erty were sacrificed. Tt isnot neces-
sary. however, to say anything con-
earning the corruption of the Admin
tistration of this State; the subject has
already been held up before the world
in every light of which it is capable.
| No attempt can be made to deny the
shameless venality of almost every
| member of the dominant party who
occupy positions of trust. Republi-
can Journals at the North tell as to
work out our own salvation and to
deliver ourselves from the hand of
1.-THE oppressof. The time may have
been when the intelligent citizens of
this State could have induced the me-
groes to place honest men in power,
but If there ever was such tifl it is
now past. The property holder cam
not obtain representation in the Cen
eral Assembly. Tt seems that no ap-
peal either to justice or mercy will be
entertained by our rulers. This cor
ruption and extravaganza will always
be, found where the tax levy is made
by those who have no interest in the
property from which it is to be col
lected. The. people are in, earnest.
! The burden cannot be borne, and the
issue against fraud must be speedily
and Fflatly made. a1issut4tt
The taxpayers insist, firstly, that
even on a fair valuation of property
the tax would be oncrous; secondly,
4 that the assessments are made in an
arbitrary and unjust manner, and not
with regard to the real value ofpfop-
erty; thirdly, that no interest is felt
in the property of the State by those
who legislate concerning it, and that
/ their policy is one of 3confiscation
lfourthly, that even if the taxes were
paid they would be extravagantly
and dishonesty disbursed; and last
ly, that the majority of the property
holders are utterly unable to pay what,
! is demanden from them. ansa
These are the issues which win be-
urged by the tax payers in ther ap-
preaching convention against the out
rageous tax levy recently deereed by
the Legislature. Various lines Of op-
position are proposed. among which
| is that suggested by C6lopel Lathefs
tofa combination among the property
owners, for the purpose of prosecuting
dishonest officials to the bitter end
wherever and whenever they may be
found. BY others an appeal to Con-
gress is thought to be the only measure
giving any promise of relief What
the result will be time only can re-
veal, but whatever is done must be
done quickly.
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81 q
THE action of the President in rela-
ton to the recent election in Texas
shades still more darkly his interfer-
ence In the affairs of Louisiana. An
election carried forward in strict ac-
eordance with law which had been