The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1875-11-11
The. Tax Union.

The Abbeville Medium asks what has
become of the Tax Unions. The editor
thinks that if the organization had been
more thorough and its members more in
earnest, great good would have resulted
whereas they have sunk out of sight, and
have, in a majority of cases, failed to do
anything that was promised.
We think these inquiries and comments
timely and pertinent. The trouble with
the movement was that its leaders looked
only to political change to give relief in
the matter of bad administration. The
true mission Of the Tax Unions was to
attack abuses by creating public opin-
ion which would act as a check upon
corrupt, careless and imbecile- officials ;
by watching every expenditure; by ex-
posing rascality and bringing offending
officials to account, both before the bar of
public opinion and in the courts.
With small body of citizens, deter
mined, vigilant and intelligent, in every
court house town, who would devote
themselves to attending the meetings Of
their boards of county commissioners
and watching the business transacted,
one-half of the extravaganza and fraud
which loads them with debt would be
prevented. In nine cases out of ten
these meetings are now held virtually in
secret. In this county it is rare for any
one to be present except the commits
sioners and the clerk. It is the same
with meetings Of the city council. 1t is
the same with county commissioners and
town councils ii every part of the State.
The intelligent business men of COM
munity will toll and worry many hours
to make the money to pay taxes, but
they will not spare an hour a month to
watch how the money is spent.
Let no one say that such watchf1lness
would be time wasted. There is no ras-
cality, no stupidity, no carelessness proof
against publicity. 1t is all very well to
convict and punish derelict officials, but
to prevent their crimes or errors is far
better. :.
The Tax Unions of the State have gen
orally overlooked these plain duties, and
have contented themselves with endeav-
oring to organize votes enough to over
throw the dominant party, forgetting that
official negligence and crime belongs to
no party. They are common. to all.
Given unrestrained, unmatched power,
and sooner or later the extravaganza and
peculation will follow.
/. Notwithstanding misdirected effort,
and a too general apathy, the Tax Union
movement was of incalculable service to
the State. More than a hundred cases
of official misconduct have been brought
to light and punished, while it is simply
impossible to tell how much loss has been
prevented. And although the political
influence of the Unions have been direc-
ted against the Republican party, we be-
lieye the result has not been permanent
ly detrimental to it. Its majority is large,
and cannot be overcome unless it sets
itself in active opposition to the legiti-
mate nonpartisan objects of q Tax Union.
If its officials are guilty and are brought
to Justice the party is stronger by getting
rid of them. If the party is forced to
make better nominations by the activity
of its foes, then it is benefited in spite of
itself. Tile demand Of the time is for a
purer and more economical administra-
ton Of the laws, and we are in favor of
it, no matter through what instrumental
ity,, is brought about Union Herald,
Republicdn.