The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1876-05-18
Railroad Taxes.

oftho County, who have not paid
their Railroad tax, has boon issued by
the County Treasurer, and placed in
the hands of deputies for collection.
1t seems, from the best information
wo can gather, that they do not pro-
pose to make clean sweep, but are
only serving tho executions on GER
tain individuals in each neighborhood.
Why, this course is pursued, we aro
not able to say, unless it is to stir up
each noighborhood and SEQ what they
are going to do about it. The people
arc at loss to know whether to pay
up or resist furthor, and several have
como to us for advice. OF course, we
are unable to advise thom legally, and
would suggest that thoy havo q mass
meeting altar early day, and como to
somo understanding rs to what course
should bo pursued. If further rosiss
tanco is contemplated, it should be
united and determined, and no timo
should be lost in employing tho best
legal talent in tho State. If no furth-
or resistance should be determined
upon, thon tho sooner we pay up and
stop all litigation, tho better it will
bo for oil parties concerned. This is
a subject of vast Importance to tho
Taxpayers of the County, and an in~
torchange of views would do no harm.
Two cases heretofore appealed to the
Supreme Court of the United States,
havo boon dismissed by that tribunal,
for the want of jurisdiction, the
amounts involved not being large
enough, the law limiting appeals to
sums of fvo thousand dollars
and upwards. In this instance
it is truo, the amounts aggregated
moro than five thousand dollars, but
tho cases wore separate, one action
being brought by the Richmond and
Danville Railroad Company, and the
othor by tho Bank of Commerce of
Richmond, Va.-ncithor Of tho judg-
monts separately amounted to the
required sum, and the cases were
therefore dismissed by the court. The
court refused TO dismiss one case, and
will hear il on its morits when it is
reached on tho docket. Of course,
this will sottlo tho whole question,
but how to get rid of the present ex-
coutions is question, not yet solved.
We therefore think, mass meeting
could not do any harm, and might
possibly Go much good. lYo merely
make the suggestion and leave the
matter with the Taxpayers To dotcr>
minc for themselves.
Since writing tho above, wo have
been permitted TO make the following
extract from private lcLtcr Of Col
Norton's, to gentleman in this place.
We also, in connection with it, pub
ish lcttor of Mr., Earlc's, published
in the Grecnvillo Nows, to tho Treas
urcr of this County. Col. Norton is
tho Attorney for the County, and
Mr. Earlo for the bond holders. 1t will
be seen that both sides are sanguino
OF ultimate success.
Col. Norton says:
"Let the people stand firm in thoir
refusal to pay the Railroad tax. The
case undcr which the tax has been
lowed has not boon dismissed, but
the court refused to dismiss it, and
Hon. w. W. Boycc writes me will be
heard on its merits when reached on
tho docket"
Mr.. Earle writes as follows to the
County Treasurer.
GREENvILLE, S, C., May 10, 1876.
Mr. w. A. Lesley, County Treasurer
OF Pickcns:
"My Dear Sir: l presume that by
this time the people Of your County are
fully aware that the Supreme Court
of the United States has dismissed
the appeals Tor writs of error takon
upon the judgments obtained last De-
ccmbcr, upon the coupons duo Jan.
|, 1875. And [ hold those good tax
payers who signed the supcrscdcas,
bonds hnvo anticipated tho result,
and provided in advance the means
TO meet their obligation 80 patriot
cally assumed 1t would have been
wiser to have carried out in good faith
tho proposition to settle the entire
matLcr bV Davinp 81 500 n veor for