The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-07-26

citizens OF Cokesbury on the 18th inst,
upon the subject of Tax Uaicne. The
purpose and scope OF these organiza-
tions were we'll presented in his terse
and concise way. They are in no
way political in aim or object, and
there is no reason Why every good and
honest man in the State, white and
black, should not join them and make
them strong to dictate ':the reduction
OF taxation and the honest appropria-
ton and expenditure OF the public
funds" We have the opportunity
now to unite in resisting she systema-
tic pillags to which we have been sab.
jec'ed for years, and it will be our
own fault if we do not, by requiring it
to observe just limit. bring the
mockery OF government which op-
presses us to terms. We commend to
the acceptance Of our citizens the
sober, well.considered words OF Mr.
Burt upon this subject. "The ooca-
sion." he said.
sis one OF the most vital i1portance
to the country, and of deep Interest to
all. Every honest man, white or CO.
lored, has al individual interest in the
organization Of Tax Unions. Those
who are dishonest and prefer theft
have no business here. Those who
believe in political power to oppress
the poor, that they may fatten on the
spoils OF Office, are not wanted here.
Every honest man must enter his re-
monstrance in language not to be mis-
understood. These Tax Unions are
the Legitimate offspring of the Tax
Payers Convention which assembled
In Columbia some time ago. He com
mended to oil what was said and done
by that body, composed of men of
h,gh responsibility and tax payers.
Somo had been disposed to deride and
ridicule the action of that convention
at the time, but [ do not suppose that
any who read the signs of the times
will doubt that tremendous conse-
Quences were the result OF that meet
ing.
'The great evils complained Of by
the press, these Tux Unions seek to
correct and reform. Is there any man
outside Of an asylum in favor of high
taxes, unless ne received good part
himself? The amount yearly paid for
taxes you know, and yet it has been
said that it is not higher than in other
Suites. This is untrue. Although it
may appear 80, still the false assess.
ments OF property more than doubles
the taxes. A poor woman who paid
S3 tax in 1871, paid for the same in
1872 S18. How is the equalization Of
taxes by the County Boards done?
They simply take the average, by add
ing the highest and lowe assessments
together, and then strike an average,
without any regard as to the value of
the land. The taxes are Daonstrous.
In only nineteen of tho thirty-two
Counties in South Carolina, 146 square
miles of land have been sold for State
and County taxes. and 537 square
miles of land have been forfeited to
the State at tax sales during the cur
rent year. Can any one, in view of
this fact, be 30 blind as not to see his
fate in the future? Is there any one
who does not find the bnrthen increas.
ing every year, and that the people are
| PooLCA 1uaH Nv any Llu6 SluCb LQ6
WARP I know, with regret, that our
people have Withdrawn from public
affairs. l see but few in attendance at
public meetings or at our County
courts that were formerly sure to be
present. 1t is said they nre at home,
working hard to make money. This
is blind policy and will surely fail in
the end. II taxation increases, the
lands wearing out, want and dcstitu-
tion will surely ovcrtake the agricul-
tural element, because they can't bear
the taxation. We must do something
to arrest this state of things. The
man who is willing 10 submit to II is
not worthy the name of freeman; I've
ought to be slave to some despot,
aud slave he will surely be. To make
M effort to avert such calamity is to
form these Tax Unions. The people
in the up-country have not moved in
this matter as they should do, aud
trust the one formed here to-day will
set the ball rolling until each County
is fully organized.
"These Tax Unions are not cxclu-
sively for white men, but all who de-
sire to enjoy the proceeds of their la
Dor under m honest government. Co
lored men ought by all mems to join.
l intend to observe how many carpet
baggers will join. How many South.
ern mon who now act with the present
in power will jOin? I affirm TINT no