The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1874-04-22
Columbia Board Of Trade Me.
mortal.

Ths Columbia Board Of Trade, at 4
meeting held on the 18th, adopted the
memorial copied below, which was eu-
dorsed by ninety Of the merchants of
that city, and sent Oh to the chairman
of the Sub Committee on the Judiciary
iu Washington. The memorial covers
the various grounds Of complaint in
plain, coucise manner, and it shows
that it WAS prepared by those who are
capable Of Judging whether there b.
reason for asking and expecting aid
from Congress or not:
COLUMBIA, S. c., Aplill3, 1874.
To tie Hon. Lymaa Tremaine.
Cha rntan Of SuJ- Commi'trc on the
judiciary, HouSe of Representatives.,
United States Congress, Washing
ton, D. g.: The undersigned: men-
bers of the Board OF Trade, citizeus
residing at Columbia. Suuth Carolina,
engaged iu commercial pursuit<,and not
in any manner identified with politics,
deem it our duty at this time to
endorse the efforts made by the COM
:uit,ce Of the Tax. payers Convention,
to procure from the Congress OF the
United States such Legislation as will
give to South Carolina and all her sis.
ter States an honest republican gov
ernmeut, by such enactments BY Con-
gress as will provide for the summary
punishment ofall couspirstors who have
or may in future. individually or col
lcctivcly, combine to detraud the pub
lie, whether the actors are members of
the Legislature or otherwise. Resld-
ing at the cupital Ct the State Of fSouth
Carolina, engaged in mercantile pur-
suil<, uud composed Of that class
Of citizens whose occupation brings
Us in constant contact with men OF all
shades Of politics, We hold the posi-
ton of neutrals between the old re-
giimc and the present State Govern
ment Of South Carolina. We are
witnesses of the fact that taxation Is
enormously increased; that the State
debt is increased to an extent be.
yond the ability of the taxpayers to
pay the interest; that property is as.
scssed and taxes levied OH valuations
much beyond the cash value Of the
property, and in direct conflict with
the Constitution of the State; that
combinations are formed by which
large amount Of the taxes, wrung
from the hard earnings of an impover-
ished people, are only used to enrich
the few ut the expense Of the many.
We are witnesses of the fact, that
members of the Legislature of South
Caroliua, and others connected with
the State Government on small salaries.
without any other osteusible employ
ment or means Of earning money, have
become wealthy, drive 6ne equlpages,
and spend many thousands per annum,
which caunot be shoxn to Je acquired
by their Legitimate occupations. This
state of affairs, if permitted to contln-
ue longer, will destroy. as j; has al
ready sspped, the prosperity Of the
State. We believe that the commit
tee now at Washington to represent
the Government of the State of South
Carolina, and to couateract the ctttrts
of the committee Of the Tax-Payers
Contention, ars interested in cpntlnu!-
ance of the present system, by which
the people are despolled: and have
more or less enriched themselves by
their connection with the Government
of our State, aud We regard their state
ments made to the President Of the
United States and others as not sus-
tanned by the facts of the case.
We are indifferent as to the politics
of our rulers. provided they are honest;
upd We are always ready to extend the
hand Of friendship 30 all @ho may
come amongst US to better their for
tunes by honest labor, regardless OF
their place of birth or private opinions.
As the committee before whom the |
taxpayers of this State are to receive
i hearing, We earnestly invoke your |!
aid to correct by Legislation the evils /
We complain Of, assuring you most
solemnly of our trqthfa!nsss, Aud |
as in duty bound, ye will ever pray: /