The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1875-03-18
General Assembly ia. M -sGorta to en-.

nUS fel9kN 10 oQS QpDllc expenditures
has not met my expectations. The
passage OF the Legislative sppropria-
ssoI act, the failure to cot down ap-
preparations to their lowest reasonable
limit In the general appropriation Act,
the defeat OF the bill reducing the
salaries Of public officers, and the
gasssge OF multitude of miscellaneous
claims, have rendered it impossible for
me to consent to adding another dol
lar to the weight OF taxation which
will now oppress the people OF the
State. In addition to what has been
specified. the passage already of Acts
for the levy Of special taxes in no less
than fourteen OF the Counties of the
State. these epeoial taxes ranging from
~ to y mills on the dollar, and the
prospects of the passage Of many more
similar Acts, is sufficient of itself to
make my approval Of the present mea-
sure an act, in my judgment. of un-
pardonable iujustioe 10 ali those whose
interests am sworn to protect.
The supply bill for the present fiscal
year has not yet reached me, but as it
passed the House of Representatives,
1t provided for taxes amounting to
eleven and seven-tenths mills on the
dollar for general State purposes
Adding to this, in most of the Coun-
ties. elk mills for regular and special
County taxes, and from one to three
mills for local school taxes, we have an
aggregate of taxation wholly without
precedent. as it is without Justification.
To all this are yet to be added the
taxes for town, village and municipal
fsr,n : -,
to more than all the taxes for all other
purposes. Nothing will induce me to
contribute to swell this already into
lerabls burden Of taxation. But if You
look at the character of the claims
covered by this Act, there is nothing
In general to commend to favor, and
scarcrly to federation. Included in the
vast macs, there are, doubtless, honest
aud just claims. There is no doubt,
moreover, that many of the present
holders Of these claims are suffering by
the delay in their payment. For al
such l have profound sympathy, and
would gladly do anything reasonable
to relieve them. But speaking gene.
rally of the vast majority OF these
claims. what are they, and what do
they represent? They are, for the most
part. the unpaid balance of the certifi-
Gates issued during the Lust four years,
under the gnise of Legislative expenses
of various kinds. That certificates for
Legislative expenses have been made
the cover for vast frauds, no man will
dispute. They are universally regarded
as the last eliminating evidences of a
prevailing system of corruption, which
has disgraced our State and offended
the nation. The State has already paid
on account of such claims. an nggre-
gate amount which, if 1 we're not fami-
liar with the facts, would puss the
bounds of belief.
Since the regular session of the Gen
eral Assembly for 1901. tho State
had paid prior to the present session,
on account of legislative expenaes, the
vast sum Of 81, ,66l. .000. According to
the registry already made by the Clerks
OF the Two Houses. under recent re-
solution of the General Assembly,
there are still outstanding claims OF
the GLASSES embraced by the present
Act to the amount of 1888, 900, of
which amount over $500, QUO consists
OF claims for Legislative expenses. Is
there never to be an end to the pny-
ment OF such expenses? Is the fact
that such claims are outstanding to bs
successfully pleaded in justification for
their payment. without regard TO the
present ability of our peopie?
speak. therefore, with accuracy ~
we'll III with justice when I say that
these claims, as Is whole, do not con-
ssituto an obligation which the State is
bound to recognize or liquidate until
her honest and valid indebtedness and
the annual expenses of her govern
ment have been fully met Certainly
they cannot, with my consent, be made
the OCCASION Of o levy of taxes in addi.
ton to the unprecedented amount
already levied for the present year.
But, If 1 could overlook all other
objections to the Act. there remains
one objection which would, under any
circumstances, forbid my approval OF
the Act. 1 mean the character rs u
whole OF the commission named in tho
Act. Upon this point I speak with
reluctance which all just men will up.
preciate; but l am public officer,
bound to discharge an imperative pub
lic duty. md, while speak with reluo.
tance, must speak with perfect plain.
ness. The commission named does
not, as whole, command my conf.
dence for the work assigned to it. I
nm e0uallv oonf3dank IL doao not a. ,