The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1874-01-28
ThC Tuypay erS Convention.

The Nows and Courier speaks ps
. follows about the work before the
Taxpayers Convention.
|. The first and most pressing gricv.
ance of the people is tho iDordinato
taxation 10 which they arc sub jectcd
1T cannot be expected that the Con.
vention will reduce the tax; but it
may DO able to secure, directly or in .
directly, an extension of the timo al.
lowed for payment, and even h re-
mission of the penalty imposed on
those who are in arrears. But tho
tax of 1874 is not tho only tax that
tho people will have to pay. The
very fact that it is too late to prevent
the imposition Of tho present tax,
and may be too lato to prevent its col.
lection, is sound and potent reason
why steps should be taken to prevent
like calamity in the years to com o.
This immediate preparation for
future danger, instead of sleeping
soundly until knavish hands are nj gain
in the public collers, is certainly
something practical.
-. I"V SohFclelou Cau, ana no
doubt will, issue an address to tho
American people, and present me.
mortal to Congress. Whatever Com.
mittcc may be entrusted with the
plain unvarnishcd story Of our wrongs
should be prepared to knock at tho
doors of the National Capitol until
these arc opened to them. The ad-
dross and memorial will at least,
strengthen public opinion in our favor
they may do much moro, as will here
after bo shown. For years littlo or
no confidence was 'rcposed in tho
statements of Southern Conservatives
but the ear of the North is gained,
aud the truth prevails at last. And
with American public opinion unro-
servcdly onI their side, the honest
Carolinians can make successful anv
proper action they may take aguinst
the Rings.
3. The Convention can pro(itably
take into consideration tho conduct
of tho Radicals in issuing six millions
OF fraudulent bonds; their cnrontory
III repudiating those bonds, without
attempting to he Id to account the ad-
vonturers who unlawfully issued
thcm ;thcir impudcnt attempt to con
'iiSoato onc-half of tho capital sum of
the bonds and stocks thoy declare to
DO legal, which neforious transaction
they hold up to admiration as ga re.
duotion of tho debit" which reflects
credit upon their party.
q. And tho next blow to bo l:iiy-
cred is at tho thieves themselves.
The evidence needed to convict them
Is on tho record. The Convention
can find mon who arc bold enough, as
well rs sagacious enough, to conduct
the prosecution, and sufficient money
can bo had to pay the costs of court.
When ono the leaders is on tho road
to the penitentiary, tho petty vii.
luins, will save their own hides by
turning upon their quondam COM
panions.
8. The Convention ought, also, to
present to Congrcsf tho facts connect.
cd with tho election Of John j. Pat
torson to the United States Senate
Such prescntment will give any in.
dependent senator like Gordon of
Georgia, Thurman of Ohio, or Schurz
of Missouri, m opportunity of dc.
mandlng an investigation, which can.
not be denied, and the result of any
full and impartial inquiry will bo the
ignominious expulsion Of tho subtle
pennsylvaniau.
q. The Convention will also consid.
or the important question of organic
Dg, through its delegations, leagues
OF taxpayers in every county, whiel,
Leagues can be made the active pro.
motcrs of immigration, as we'll as the
means of giving the people unity and
strength in whatever may now o.
hereafter be undertaken for tho good
of the State.
~ Tho subjects for dcliberation which
at,this time, wo have barely skotoh ed
out, arc all practical and any ono OF
them, wisely and vigorously deal,
with, will encourage tho people, and
IN demoralizing tho Rings conduco to
tho restoration, in South Carolina
of purity and frugality in tho con.
duct of public affairs. But tho value
of the Convention will bo determined ID
by tho character Of tho delegates
Wc, therefore, beg the Taxpayers
everywhere to be careful to select
energetic and liberal minded citizens
whose audacity in carrying sout .th.
determinations Of tho Convention
will equal their wisdom IN counci
and their constant prudence before
tho time for action has begun. Thi
answers the second question which 81
many persons ask.
We have shown, then, that tho CON
vehtion can do something "practi
call and wo have suggested the
means to be taken for making TIM,
body what tho groaning masses mos,