The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-10-12

ROOMS OF THE STATE Dem. EX. Con-,
COLUMBIA, s. c., October 4, 1876.
In answer to inquiries Oh State debt
and education We reply that on tho points
made the question had already been an-
swered by the Democratic vo.e in the
Legislature; but To remove all doubt, be
il aHti
Resoired, That the Democratic party
will give its support TO the adoption of
the proposed amendment OF the constitu.
tion, 10 wit:
"That section 5, article 10, be amended
so as to read rs follows
SECTION s.. The Boards of County
Commissioners OF the several counties
shall levy al annual tax of not less than
two mills on the dollar upon all the tax.
able property in their respective counties,
which levies shall not be increased unless
10y special enanctmcnt Of the General
Assembly for the support of public
schools in their respective counties,
which tax shall be collected at the same
time and by the same officers ns other
taxes for the same year, and shall be
held in the county treasures of the re.
spective counties, and paid out exclu-
sively for the support of public schools
rs provided by law. There shall bc as
sessed on all taxable polls in the State
an annual tax Of one dollar on each poll, /,
the proceeds of which tax shall be ap.
piled solely to educational purposes i:
Trorided, That no person shall ever be
deprived of the right of suffrage for the
non payment Of said tax. No other poll
or capitation tax shall be levied in the
State, nor shall the amount assessed on
each poll exceed the limit given in this
section. The school tax shall be distri-
buted among the several ,chool districts
of the counties, in proportion TO the re.
speetive number of pupils attending the
public schools. No religious sect or
sects shall have exclusive right to or
control of nny part of the school funds
of the State, nor shall sectarian princi.
pies be taught in the public schools.
"That the question Of adopting this
amendment shall be submitted to the
electors as follows: Those in favor of
the amendment shall deposit ballot
with tho following words written or
printed thereon Constitutional amend
ment-Yes. Those opposed 20 the said
amendment shall cast ballot with the
following words written or printed there
on: Constitutional nmcndment-No.'" -"
Resolved, That the State debt having
been practically adjusted by the consoli-
dation act, 22d December, 1878, and
most of the creditors having come in
Under the nct, nc consider the adjust
ment as final, and pledge the party to
abide by it.
The Columbia Register makes the an.
ncxed comments in approval of the posi-
tions assumed by the Executive Commit
| tee:
| The action of the State Democratic
Executive COMMITTEES. in defining the no.
sition of the Democracy upon these I'm
portant topics Of public interest will
command the approval Of all right. think
ing men in the State. These are vital
questions of practical and immediate
moment, and when it was attempted by
our political opponents to impress the
Ignorant and unwary with sinister views
as to the opinions and purposes of the
Democratic party in South Carolina, il
was meet and proper that the false sug.
gestlons of these arrant oemagogucs Ot
promptly exposed. The Executive Com,
mittee tersely and vigorously place tho
Democratic party upon the record, which
will silence the insinunting cavilings oi
unscrupnlous enemies and give to oul
speakers an authoritative expression tc
meet the issue SO frequently attempted to
be made in the campaign rs to the
silence of the Democratic platform upon
these points. Ordinarily, it would be
sufficient answer to refer TO the declara-
tions and pledges OF our candidates
%hosc character and position as public
men arc sufficient guarantee that all
they promise will be fulfilled, and ouI
own gallant chieflain has repeatedly de-
| \, Al.
| popular education. But the proposed
amendment. to the State constitution is
to be voted upon by the people ut the
coming election, and it was importnu,
tia: here should be positive express
the position occupied by the Democracy
npon this special provision for the main
tenance and support of the public school.
in the future. The poisonous sugges
tions of Radical orators and writers thai
we have an ulteri0r design upon the edu
cational system of the State, looking te
an indiscriminate abrogation of the
entire systen., hare been squareiy met by
this action Of the Executive Committee
The proposed amendment will correct
abuses in the system, and was supported
almost unanimously by the Democrat,
members Of the Legislature. II will only
change the constitution in two pasticu
lars, namely, the levy of certain sun
every year for the support of free schools
and the retention of the funds in the
treasures of the several counties. The
amount fixed is two mills per annum fol
the public schools which will be ampl,
sufficient when honestly disbursed tC
keep open the schools the greater portion
| Of the year. and thereby improve. yer,
largely the present system for the benefi
the poorer classes. The present clause
an the constitution requires the money
raised for educational purposes by Stat,
levy t. be sent to the State treasury fo
| apportiOnment and disbursement, ant
the history of these funds for the las
eight years proves ccuclusively that thi
plan enables dishonest officials to deplet
the amounts, under the doctrine of "ad
dition, division and silence" before th
return is made to the county officers
The election and appointment of trust
worthy officers throughout the State vii
insure faithful disbursement of tn
schocl f:::ii3s e. ..sst....s.;o puI Iposvs, an,
the coming victory of the Democrats vii
give point and effect to the propose,
amendment to the constitution, reassur
ing the hearts Of the poorer classes of ou
population, white and colnrad, .bat tn
boon of education 10 10 become reality
not an unmitigated farce, rs has been tn
case III many counties under the benig
administration Of the carpet -baggcr.
The settlement of the public indebted
ness does not SO generally concern tn
masses, except in the matter Of taxation
But we do not hesitate 20 pronounce th