The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-11-13
discharge of the great functions of govern
ment in the interest of all the people.

OF my party fealty. lCheers
value this expression of your confidence
the more highly, therefore, because having
dared on some occasions to oppose the wishes
of perhaps q majority of my own party, | seem
still here, in this centre of Influence of the
State, to have merited in their judgment the
approval of my fellow citizens OF both parties.
Fellow citizens no man will dispute that
our State needs reform in nearly every depart
ment of the public service. IT something has
already been done to stay the downward
course of things, it is but beginning of the
work The conditions of this problem are
inherently adverse. The progress will be
slow and gradual; yet, think all good citizens
may now feel that the time for better things
has begun.
THE CHANGES MOST NEEDED.
And what, fellow citizens, are those better
things? What are the changes in our present
condition which are most needed?
To my view, our first need is, what you
have already largely secured here in Charles
ton, cordial union, harmonious working
together, of both races in this State. The in
terests of our two races are Identical. What
helps the one helps the other.
Granted, as a common platform, equal and
impartial equality before the law, what is
d
between the two races? Absolutely nothing.
Our commercial, agricultural, manufac turing,
educational interests are the common con-
Germs of every man. If the merchant of
Charleston prospers under good government
and low taxes, the clerk az d the drayman who
serve him prosper. The prosperity of the
factor and the planter is the prosperity of the
laborer who tils the field.
The taxes that Cypress our lands or mer-
chandise, the extravaganza or misrule which
impoverish the property holders and drive
away capital, reach down and touch the hum
blest man, no matter what his pursuit, who
earns his bread in the sweat of his face.
There is, there can be, no separation of in
terest between classes or races, between rich
and poor, landed or landless, in any of those
matters which aft ct the general conditions of
society What is really good for the chief
capitalist of this city in matters of govern
ment, is good for all, however poor or
obscure.
A recognition of this fact, aud a complete
union of all who do recognize it, is the first
step in the march of this people towards true
and lasting prosperity. Applause Follow
ing such union should come the determine
ton to test all public measures and all public
men by the invariAble standard of their fit
ness and capacity to promote the common
good. Let us have no more of the delusion
that public office is valuable for its emolu-
ments. Let US have no more of the ether
delusion, that measures which promote the
interest of party only are the proper work of
our legislators. In State, in county, and in
city, We want higher standard OF public aim
and service.
REDUCTION OF TAXATION.
But, fellow citizens, all other demands at
the present moment are subordinate, merged
in two great demauds-frst, for great re-
duction of the burdens of taxation through
out the whole State; and, second, for an
honest expenditure of the public moneys for
public ends. loud Cheers
These constitute good government for South
Carolina to-day. These are the planks of the
platform of the party with which l propose
to march hereafter. These are the things
which will open the way to that restor alton
and reconstruction which South Carolina
most needs.
One special word respecting the great sub
ject of taxation. l undertake to say here to-
night that no people in the Union pay their
taxes with greater promptness and cheerful
ness than the people of South Carolina.
Such conduct entities the tax-paying people
of this State to have their voice heard on this
vital question of taxation. They ought to be
heard; they must be heard
say here tonight that this people ought
at once to be relieved of one-third of the
taxes which they have paid for the last six
years. say that this can be done without
the least detriment to any public interest. L
can sit down with any man or body Of men
who will look at the subject with ths desire to
do their duty, and ! can point out in detail,
specifically, item by item, the way in which
this can be done.
If the Legislature at its next session will
cooperate with me, l undertake to say that
all our State taxation can be reduced below
one per cent And now, who is there bold
enough to stand up here tonight and say that
this ought not to be done? No man, no man,
dare avow such purpose. [Long applause.
While hard times are pressing upon us,
while nearly every man who listens to me, or
lives in the State, is practicing economy,
why should this public extravaganza 60 on
1t is wrong that should be prevented. with
out delay and without question. And what
say of the State expenditures applies, be-
lieve, with equal truth to your county and
city expenditures. The time has come when
the pub ic necessities should limit our public
expenditures, and not the insatiate demands
OF individuals or combinations of individuals,
who climb into power to grow rich from the
public treasury.
HONESI lhE fObl4lt FUNDS
The second great demand, 1 have said, is
an honest and frugal expenditure OF the
funds which the people contribute for public
purposes. If our taxes could not be reduced,
the grievance would be far less if the people
could feel that the taxes went to support pub.
lie interests. If public improvements were
the result of heavy taxation, If our public in
slitutions showed the result of liberal and
bountiful support if our schools fourished
under the generous bounty of the State, we
should be able better to endure the burden.
But what shall any honest man say OF all these
great public concerns Who will show me
public Improvements? What is the condition
of our public institutions of charity or correc.
ton? What shall be said of our pubic
schools?
Our public moneys are largely wasted, and
that is worse even than the burden of taxa.
ton.
CHARLESTON CAN DO MUCH.
Fellow-citizens, these things must be re-
formed, and the public sentiment of Charles
ton can do much, very much, to make this
demand heard and obeyed. l call upon