The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-02-12
Deficiencies.

Deficiencies.
Representative Mackey, of Charleston, says
the Columbia Union, of the 9Th instant, made
some good points in his speech yesterday upon
the appropriation bill. We have frequently
called the attention of the Legislature TO the
fact that every year the appropriations largely
exceed the tax levies, and thus Deficiencies are
created. This should be checked at once, for
it is an evil of the gravest character, and one
that is constantly increasing. 1t is an easy
thing to vote away public money, but it is not
so easy matter to put money in the public
treasury. Every appropriation should be cut
down to the lowest possible point consistent
with the public good, and not one dollar should
be appropriated beyond the amount collected
from the tax levies. Better that the appropri-
ations should fall thousands of dollars below
the amount collected than one dollar above it.
It is these constantly growing Deficiencies that
are running the Republican party in this State
There is no better time to put the brakes on
than now. We give below Mr.. Mackey's re-
marks:
Mr.. Mackey desired the bill printed, and
| therefore favored postponement, and believed
all we'll thinking men would take this view !;
| the ways and means committee had reported
the same unfavorably, yet certain members
without the bar of the House desired the bill
| passed; they had the opportunity of seeing
the bill; for one he was heartily tired of hasty
legislation upon such important measures; it
was ruinous to the party, and indecent to rush
it through pellmell just because it provided for
the paying of the members just as if it was
the last grab at the treasury and as if every
thing depended upon their own pay, with no
desire to pause moment to see how much
money was appropriated. He was informed
that the appropriations provided for in this
bill were largely in excess of the tax levy for
whole of the contingent accounts and printing
bills will be paid, and many of the members
will 90 home with their pay certificates in their
pockets, entirely dependent upon the next
Legislature and deficiency tax. Some seem
to think that as they please they can appro-
pirate the peoples money for themselves, and
when any question arises as to their own pay,
they forget their responsibility. The taxes
were almost beyond endurance, and could not
be withstood much longer. Mr.. Mackey re-
piled to an interruption by a member from
Sumter-in substance-that he did not desire
to be interrupted by any such, who had little
idea of their responsibility as legislators, and
who paid nothing into the treasury, but sought
to get all that they could out of it. Such men
brought odium upon the party, and this eztray.
agant legislation was forcing the party of the
North to cut loose from that of the South
The National Republican party had already
abandoned Texas to its fate. Again, they
| a. &c
isiana, because they could not carry any such
load. Soon they would cut loose from the par
ty in South Carolina if it did not reform. The
enormous expenditures for public printing and
legislative expenses in this State, had lost the
Republican party thousands of votes in the
North. States that were year ago Republi
can by immense majorities, have since become
Democratic Even President Grant thought
it was time to unload. And it is time to un
load-time to stop this extrayagant and reck
less legislation, if we want to save the Repub
lican party of this State; if we want to bt
successful in the next election. But unless WE
are more careful, defeat will certainly overtake
u.s. The party cannot stand too much. We
have levied the heaviest taxes that we dare
levy, or that the Republican party can stand
In the early part Of the session, while many Of
the members were absent, and before they had
time to properly consider the matter, DILL
appropriating large amounts for printing was
rushed through. Already the House has seen
the evil effects of its hasty and reckless action
in this matter, and now when it is too late
they are repenting To-day members are try
ing the same game. They want to rush an
appropriation bill through, reported upon
unfavorably by the committee on ways and
means, and even before it is printed. Let the
bill be printed, and let US see what is the
amount of money to be appropriated. Under
no circumstances must it be more than the
amount collected Without the printed bill
we are acting blindly; we cannot tell for what
purposes the money is being appropriated. In
fact, some do not seem even to care as long as
they can get their own pay. In conclusion, he
hoped the House would act judiciously, and
allow the bill to be printed and discussed
Let us at least have the manhood and honesty
to thoroughly consider the question.