The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-01-23
ed to make thorough aud complete in

ed to make thorough and complete in.
vestigation OF the alleged errors and
irregularities in the assessment and
taxation Of property
The action taken in. Marion strikes us
as considerate, firm and judicious. It
alleges grievance in temperate Ian.
guage. it demonstrates it to be true and
to really exist, and it proposes remedy
that ought to bo effeotuai. It is wise in
two respects, that attract notice and will
win approval. It is not mere express.
sion of opinion, which is merely thrown
out and may be forgotten. Tho earnest
cooperation of the whole body OF the
citizens of the County is sought to be
secured in behalf of securing proper
accountability in those who hold the
local offices. These persons will in that
way learn that the eyes of the whole
community ere upon them. and will bo
less inclined, under those circumstances,
to neglect their duties, or to engage in
questionable practices Public spirit
will be kept up, interest in current af.
fairs will not die out under the impress
sion of the hopelessness or nselessness
OF doing anything. 4 sort OF despair
has taken hold of many communities,
under the impression that they are
powerless. This is, Of course, all wrong.
1t is every mans duty, even in the most
unfavorable and adverse circumstances,
to do his best, and submit to no wrong
that he can prevent or the force of
which he can break or lessen. In bring
ing the wrong of excessive assessments
directly to the attention OF the Legisla-
ture. in asking for present relief and
future protection, they propose to take
an unusual step, but one, we think,
eminently wise. Many Of the evils we
suffer to-day spring from our own want
Of spirit and effort to prevent them.
We could have done q great deal bet
ter than we have done on many occa-
sions. Manly argument, resistance and
remonstrance, when properly timed md
directed, seldom fail to effect some good
results. A powerful Conservative non
partisan voice, coming fresh from the
people, representing their wrongs, de-
manding their reparation, aud seeking
solution of the troubles of one class,
without purpose or meaning to add to
those Of another, would be listened to
with respect even in the South Cnrolina
General Assembly. We believe solemnly
that if our people had properly excrted
themselves and made proper appeals at
tho right moment, our State College
might have been saved from its present
degraded and useless condition. Those
who wished it we'll, who were anxious
that its usefulness should not be lost to
the State, and who. ut the same time,
were solioitous that the colored pesple
should have equal advantages OF educa-
ton, and perfectly willing to accord
them, and pay for them, too, were
stunned by the blows which lsvelled it
to the dust, in the adoption of fool.
ish, impracticable and destructive theo.
~. Had powerful body of good citi-
zens and oapabla men appeared before
the Legislature, and urged that this
great wrong be not done to both races
in the State, and demonstrated the in
evitable consequences to ensue from it
to it's prosperity, progress, enlighten-
ment and civilization, it might have
considered tho appeal. It was worth
the trial. So We think the people of
Marion arc working in tho right direc.
tion, when they bring the evils from
which they suffer directly before the
body which has inflicted them. There
may be some justice to be found there.
And as constant dropping wenrs away
stones, so continuous and conscientious
effort will at length tell upon our for
tunes and condition.
-S - <-N-----
The OWL flights Bill In North
Cuielinn.
On last Saturday, n long and excited
discussion took place in the House Of