The tribune. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1875-02-03
Tax Titles No. B.

Mr.. Editor:
1t has been the writer's purpose to set
forth the truth that glanng injustice has
been done the holders of Army and Navy
titles under the recentlegislatlon on our
South Carolina Land muddle. The course
adopted is simply robbing Peter to pay
Paul
However ft and desirable may be the
policy of restoring as much territory as
possible to the old time Southern owners,
1t should not be carried cut at the ex-
pense Of the loyal parties who in good
faith purchased these very lands on tAs
tncitation Of Government, and who in
most cases paid down in cash the full
value of the lands purchased. The con-
tract between Government and purchas-
ers was duly expressed and printed in
black and white, and under it the latter
were entitled both in law and in equity
to foreclosure under the mortgage, and
TO any collateral benefits therefrom re-
sulting. Had the promised sales in fore
closure been promptly held at the time of
default, buyers and occupants of this
class of property would have been able to
protect Themselves by bidding it in at its
market value. But no, this reasonable
and guaranteed privilege was denied
them, and an era of do-nothingism was
inaugurated. Uncertainty reigned and
the result followed which might have
been foreseen, namely: these estates, own
erless and often tenantless, went from
bad to worse until cultivation ceased,
fences and buildings melted away, until
they now present nought but picture of
neglect, desolation and decay; in many
instances scarcely worth the taking back
by their old time owners. It is certain
moreover that this state of things must
continue to exist as long as Government
shall fail to apply to the disease its proper
remedy, viz; comprehensive act, just to
interests and providing for an immediate
settlement Of all the various points in
volved.
We are now brought to the considera-
tion of the question; what ought Gov
eminent to do for the relief of Army and
Navy purchasers. We have seen that the
United States officials charged with the
duty Of executing the Direct Tax Act in
South Carolina held out certain induce
ments in connection with the land sales.
which inducements have proved to be a
dead letter. Stating this fact q little
more foFcibly, we say boldly that Govern
ment was in those transactions guilty of
obtaining money on false pretences. guilty
in fact Of swindling its loyal citizens. It
ought therefore to make the same kind
and degree of reparation to the injured
parties as the law would prescribe for q
private individual guilty Of the same
offence. The offending individuals would
be forced to. restore the appropriate ed
money with interest, and IS Goveinmcnt
cannot now carry out its original contract
it must perforce authorize repayment With
interest Of all monies received for Army
and Navy titles, as the only measure OF
rsporGtion now left to it.
1t is probable that in this matter of
repayment discrimination should be
made between buyers of improped Beau
fort property, as dwelling houses, storos.
&C., and buyers Of plantation and other
unimproved property, Cd 1t is well known
that buyers of Beaufort property in most
cases were able " make such use of their