The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-01-11
S. G
Sun lay Morning. January IL, 1874.


de7olves upon US as o journalist, we
have, in the last few days, urged upon
the Executive and Comptroller, who
have, it is snid. the power to remove the
time when the penalty will attach to
those who fail to pay their taxes, to late
date. We have here state of things
which imperiously calls for some suck
interposition. From bungling, design
or accident. the time within which taxes
may be received is restricted to jus. one
week. That is not enough. It ought
at least to be two weeks. For legisla-
tors and officials, it is positive pleasure
to dig down into the pockets of the peo.
pie; for ta1-gatherers, it is an easy busi-
ness to stand behind counter smiling,
while the hard hand of the toiling citi-
zen fumbles for the wherewithal to dis
charge the sum whicl, lie pays for the
protection (so-calledl of government.
But for the taxpayer. it is q disgusting
business. When he buys his coffee, his
bacon and his other necessaries, he
knows what he is doing. He gets
4uid pro quo. When he pays school
master for the instruction of his son, he
feols satisfied that he has expended his
hard earnings in a way which may
bring rich return. But when he pays
tribute to such government as We have
in South Carolinn. he knows that he
does not receive proper consideration
for it; he knows that what has taxed his
brain, his hand and his resources, and
brings stint upon his family. ia contri-
buted to those who have not O particle
OF claim on him, who are despicable in
character, imbeciie in any purpose, de-
sire or capacity for his good. or the
good of the country, and, in fact, little
better than public robbers and pur-
loiners. IT to the odium of the tax
itself, to the conviction that it is to sup
port and keep up set Of follows, who
ore regarded as special providence of
evil, to be prayed away, or otherwise
peacefully removed upon the first op-
portunity, be added conditions in its
payment, which are hard and insulting,
the cup becomes full, and forbearance
in dashing it to pieces ceases to be vir-
tue. If tho time OF tax collection is to
be extended, as we arc sure it must and
ought to be. it should be done prompt
ly. 1t is due to taxpayers not TO keep
them in uncertainty and uncasincss any
longer.
We have also advised those who have
certificates Of indebtedness to present
thom for taxes, and then to mako them
selves easy. When they have done
that, they havo performed their part of
the contract which has been tncitIy en-
tered into betwe on them and the State
administration. We do not thiuk they
risk anything. The penalty cannot,
and certainly should not, be enforced
for non.paymcnt. when the money pro-
vided for payment has been enjoincd by
Judge. No man can be expected to
have both certificates and greenbacks
wherewith to discharge his taxes. We
do not conceive it to bo matter in
which one should show any unusual
alacrity. 1t would be very we'll to pause
little and think twice whnt he is doing.
We understand this to be tho purpose
OF q gentleman of considerable means,
honestly acquired, who has acted hith-
erto with the Republican party. He
has the discernment TO perceive that
things arc going to tho dogs, and lie is
conscious that his tax payment will not
benefit the State particle lie has re-
solved, therefore, not to be in hurry.
So with prominent Eadical. who, now
that ho hns largo stake il the city,
(how gained we do not say,l has con-
cluded it to be best not to pay his tnxes
until compelled. He regards the Co
vernment as in dssolving condition.
and openly proclaims that it will bo the
best thing that conld happen to starve
it out. We montion those things
casually. They are significant facts.
They strongly contrast the spirit which