The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-02-20

ttRilty anu IIauO III WHICH tue law IL
q administered.
The tax law of the State is cumbrous.
obscure and intricate. In order to oom-
lprehend it, ability of no common order
lis required. Its execution with justice
and impartiality is impossible. 1t is
administered by uppointees OF the
most frequently, from party considcra-
tions, with no regard TO qualifications
for Office, whose interests lie in tho iu-
crease of taxation, who arc in no sense
responsible 10 tho tax payers, and who
have no motive to protect these inter
Tests. The, assessments are ulnLo with
out method. without disorm mutton be-
tween tho productive and unproInctivn
property, and III many cases without
any knowledge of the property assessed,
very frequently in secret; and the law
seems to afford no other redress; Tor
fraud, mistake or partially III the ;.s.esa-
Tent, except the arbitrary will Uf The
Comptro!ler General.
I But, apart from nul above this. tie
increase in the burden of tnXltiun Is
owing directly and immediately to tho
extrhvngance, fraud and dishonesty
which prevail to such an extent among
the State and County Off ;ials. The
wastefnl expenditure of the prl..i.:
money by those highest in authority;
the pcculation openly pract:ccd; ,i:c
frauds perpe'rnted upon the state Trra-
sury by SO many Of the State and County
Officers; The abuse Of the authority uf
the Legislature; the jobs Of the many
Rugs Which hnnS around the body poll
tic, make such lnruutls upon the iina"ceS
of the State, that they cnnuot be tnet,
except by enormous taxation. All the
available asset. OF the Siuto have been
disposed of and wasted The credit Of
the State has been utterly ruined, and
tue ability Of Lhe taxpayers to pay Is
the only source whence the public plan
derers can draw their ill.gotten gains.
Corruption has SO deeply tainted nearly
all tho departments Of the goverL,ncnt.
That those officers who would hc honest
find themselves powerless n resisting it.
Extending through nearly every Cuun.
ty, supported by SO muuy who draw
from it their only resource, we reu,lily
recognize the chief aud present c .nsc Of
the evils which cypress the State, aud
which have brought the taxpayers of
the State to the limit Of endurance.
The remedy, in the opinion Of the
com mmittce, is within the reach OF the
tax payers.
Tie committee have full contilcnce
in the justice and in Tho ability of the
General Government. They entertain
tue confident expectation that the me
mortal OF this convention to the Con
sress OF the United States. und through
Congress TO the nation, will open to us
u way of deliverance.
/ But whilst the committee feel great
confidence in this opinion, they are also
deeply Impressed with the necessity for
action on the part Of the tax x.puyers
themselves. livery tirort to secure the
restoration or the enforcement of their
rights within the State and through the
machinery Of the State Government
shonld be exhausted. There must exist
thorough organization, and active, I'M
tiring ord disciplined effort. Vigilance,
| hrmness, perseverance,. must character
'ze,nnu control their conduct. -,
The committee respectfully recom-
mend the adoption Of the following re-.
solutions:
Resolred. That in this State, taxation
: has reached the last point of endurance;
and that the taxpayers cannot continue
to hear the excessive burdens imposed
! upon them.
r Reso!red. That the most efficient steps
be taken for organizing in every County,
township and precinct in the State u
Tax Payers Union, to membership in
which each taxpayer shall be eligible;
/. the object OF which shall be the reduc-
ton of taxation to the Legitimate amount
necessary for the administration of the
government and tho honest expenditure
/ Of the money rnised thereby.
!. Resolrea, That among It's duties, tue
) F"x-Payers' Union shall keep watch
upon the nets of the State md County
. officers; aud shall promote all proper
: legal measures for repressng and pun
ishing fraud, extravuganco aud NAL
! practice in my Of them.
:: ReSoloed. That this convention hereby
| request the General Assembly that they
p will amend, simplify and nbridge tho
/. tax laws Of the State; especially TINT
T they will so amend tho law rs to secure
$ II fair und equal assessment of property,
/ and to enable any citizen who has been
e iover assessed to apply to the courts for
+ redress before ho is forced to pny the
q tax.
CMr. Armistead Burt submitted the
e following memorial to the Congress oi
/. the United States, which was adopted
r 10 tie Senate and House Of Representa-.