Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1877-06-07
LETTER FROM COLUMBIA.
COLUMBIA, June 4. 1877.

COLUMBIA, June 4, 1877.
10 tho Courier: 1t has been six weeks to day
since the General Assembly convened, and yet
we have passed no appropriation bill, the most
important work Of tho session. Tho features Of
this bill has involved so many of the interests
| OF tho State that It has elected great deal of
discussion The interest on the public dcbt,
the deficiencies of the past year and the bonanza
claims have all been lugsed into the discussion.
each having their advocates, either from interest
or policy.
The bill reported by the Ways and Means
Committee of the House only provided for the
interest on the bonded debt, excluding the de-
fcienocs and the bonanza claims. Upon this
subject tho members and Senat ors arc divided
into several classes. First, there arc those who
favor the interest clause of the bill with view
to establish our credit. in order to arrange soon
to buy up the bonanza claims, SC. Second,
there are those who desire to provide for def
ciencies and bonanza claims. Third, there are
those who do not wish TO make provision for
the payment of any of States Indebtedness al
the present session. Fourth, there are those
who desire 10 repudiate every olam or debt
against the State With this wide difference of
opinion the time Of the session has been wasted.
and asyct nothing definite has en- settled upon
The reasons why the committee reported their
bill providing for the payment Of the interest on
the bonded debt Of the State nre: First, because
our party has made peculiar pledges both in the
campaign before the election and in Carolina
Hall last winter to pay the interest rs soon as
possible. Second, because the consolidation act
of 1894 is regarded as practical adjustment
Of our bonded debt, the effect of the not being
the sam, as II the whole incurmcnt of debt by
tho Radicals had been rcpudiated and our debt
set at the same figures as it Was under Governor
Orr IN 1853. Third. because Of the peculiar
provisions Of the consolidation net itself, which
would endanger our government and run IL
aground, II the interest was not provided for.
and thus keep out tho coupons of the bonds,
which nre receivable for taxes. Fourth, because
Of desire to establish our credit, and redeem
as speedily as possible the many promises of
low taxation, which VIC have 80 abundantly
made. Fifth, because if no provision is made
ct this session Of the Legislature the accumula-
ton OF interest tho bonds will be so great that
at tho next session Of tho Legislature tho tax
Will necessarily have to be 80 high that our
people cannot benr it.
These are sonc Of the reasons that have
prompted the committee and the House in their
action upon this matter This is also the desire
OF the Governor and those who arc his advisers
and his councillors. 1t is desired, however, by
the House and the Governor that commission
shall DO appointed to scrutinize the bonds aud
nscertain'if they have bcen consolidated accord.
ing to- law, or If tho proper bonds hayo been.
consolidated. while here might give the
reason why the deficiencies and bonauza cluims
were not provided for in the bill This Is that
the character Of some Of the deficiencies and
the bonanEU claims arc such that they must be
thoroughly s'fted and oysrhauledj before psy-
rnent, and'for tho further reason that tax to
meet oil theae claims would be so enormous nd
to 'burdenour people with taxation that tfoy.
could not bear at this time. gg8 +. e
The bill' with the interest clause passed the
House rture that two weeks ago by an oyor-.
whelming majority tho vote being ~ to,l2s,
The Senators have been 80 divided that the Rd..
pdblicanshavS controlled thus far asai
Senator Gary leads tho opposition to Tho b,i.
/ Ws do not know his motives and tho motives or
the sehators fol1owihghim, bati its effeot Is, Is