Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-01-04
THE LEGITIMATE STATE GOVERNMENT.

By notice published elsewhere in this paper,
it will be seen that the people of York county
are requested to assemble in public meeting
at the Court House, on Monday next, the
9th instant, ito adopt such peaceable meas
ures as may be regarded as proper and effect
i've, to secure the full recognition and necessa-
ry maintenance of the government of South
Carolina, to be administered by Wade Hamp-
ton, the legally elected and duly qualified
Governor of said State"
Among other questions which will come be-
fore the meeting, will be the expectancy and
propriety, on the part of the people, Of ex-
tending to the Hampton government the SUBJ
stantial aid and encouragement necessary to
enable the legally elected Governor to dis
charge the duties of Chief Executive of the
State without pecuniary embarrassment in
the different departments of the government
requiring funds to meet current expenses.
Besides the Judicial and other departments Of
the government, which must be sustained, the
charitable and penal institutions of the State
are now without funds. To prevent them
from being closed-to prevent the convicts
from being turned loose upon the people, and
to provide the afflicted inmates of the Lunatic
Asylum with shelter and proper treatment
it is necessary that money should be prompt
ly provided. In the present anomalous and
unprecedented condition of affairs in this
State, the duty of the people is plain. They
voted for Wade Hampton and believe him
to be the duly elected Governor of the State.
Such being the fact, it is incumbent upon the
people to sustain him in that position by
every peaceable and lawful means within their
power.
The taxpayers are called upon by the Con-
stitutional House of Representatives to pay a
portion of their taxes-suficient for the sup
port and maintenance of the Executive, legis-
lative and judicial departments of the Gov
ernment-for the collection of which, means
are provided in the resolutions. To meet the
present emergency, it is only desired that
each tax payer pay one quarter of the State
and county tax, exclusive of any special tax,
paid by such person on the assessment for the
year 1875. For such sum q recei pit will be
given, which receipt will be received as pay
ment of that much of the regular tax when
collected under the proper act. To such an
arrangement there is no special objection to
urge; and while the resolutions are not man.
datory, a ready compliance with them will
be one of the most effective methods of solv-
ing the problem of the political difficulties
now environing the State and paralyzing the
industries of the people.
In psrsuing this course, the people will be
guilty of no illegal or criminal act. They
will only be voluntarily aiding and support.
ing the Government of their choice, the Exc
cutive officer of which they believe to have
been elected to that position. They need not
fear that their money thus paid to the Hamp.
ton Government will be stolen or improperly
applied though in advocating this voluntary
payment or contribution, we will not with
hold the fact that should the efforts of Hamp-
ton to maintain himself as Governor fail, and
Chamberlain eventually succeed in bis usur-
patton, the amount paid by each taxpayer
will be lost to him in any collections made
under the Chamberlain government. Yet,
under these circumstances, we reiterate that
it is the duty of the people to rally to the
support the Hampton government, showing
their faith by their works. If they do not
feel able to pay the treasurer appointed by
Governor Hampton the amount asked for in
the resolutions of the Constitutional House,
let them pay what amount they conveniently
can. 1t is the duty of all who voted for
Hampton and who believe him to have been
fairly elected, to respond to this call, bring
ing to his aid the necessary encouragement
to ensure the triumph Of home rule and hon
est government, the principles so earnestly
contended for in the late campaign. In 9th
er words, let those who advocate Hampton't
government, come forward and prove to what
extent they endorse and uphold it, by con
tributing of their means for its maintenance
The opinion is generally entertained and
expressed by legal minds in the State, thai
the tax levy of the Bayonet House and Sen
ate is unconstitutional, illegal and void and
cannot be enforced by the Pretender Cham
berlain. Few there are who will incur the
risk of loss by making payment at his behest
Let there be full attendance Of the people
on Monday next and free expression o.
opinion ON this and other questions that will
come up for discussion and action.
Since the above was written and put in type