The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1877-05-04
IrRoN FIRST pAGE.1


VIC c9u''"ete 10 the State aud TO it's creditSrs. =
Saonot 100 earnestly urge upoh you the ne
'eess,y OF reducing the expenses Of ayery depart
'mea' OF the government to the moJk ksecouo mical
.eSs oonsistent'with the dignity and security of
'ne STATE 1ouavill fnd many offices which are
NOT only expensive but useless; . and esbers.
"oh' necess ry, can be we'll filled for sompen-
sa'ion much less han is now paid Ii is. nm
sure only necessary to invite your atteniiofS.o
'"'s saoJect to secure your wise ana cordial CO.
operation inSighteDing the burthens which have
20 greatH oppresssasthe energy and industry of
our people. But after the most rigid reduction.
'ns expenses OF government funds for the com
mon scnools, anu to meet the interest on the
p"oiic debt, must bc provided, and this can only
oe uone oy tax on the real and personal prop
Iy VI inc citlzcns. 1t is one of our gravcst
uiihcuties that we have come into control of the
government after the period at Which taxes can
most easily be paid. Ours is essentially an ag.
ricui'urai community; our products are harves-
te" IN the latter part of the year and sold in the
earlier aud the rule which has alu avs obtained
Tor calling for the taxes in January and Fcbru-
airy had It's origin not in the arbitrary will of the
Legislature, but was tho natural outeruwth of an
industrial system. The late political struggle
has been protracteI until the proceeds of the
past year crop have been exhausted, and the
present. crop Is not sufficiently advanced to en-
aoe inc farmer to realize anything upon it.
every available dollar of cash or OF credit in
thc growing crop, and the levy of u tax payable
at an early day would seriously embarrass not
only the agricultural but ovcry other interest of
the STATE. The money is not in the country it
could only DC raised from loans to the farmers
by bankers or merchants aud it is questionable @
coa'o DC raised even in this way. 1t, is
therefore, incumbent on you, while reducing the
tax TO its minimum, to arrange for its callec, ion
Mt such times and in such manner rs will tighten
inc ourthcns otthe people much as possible
a portion of the tax absolutely necessary could
nc called for in June, and the residue which
shouid be the larger portion, in October when
the proceeds of part at least of the crop will
DC available for the payment of taxes.
By the resolutions of the House of Reprcsen
tatives adopted at the last session, was author
lied to call for contribution not exceedng
twenty-five per cent of the amount of taxes lev
led last year. Under this authority call for
voluntary contribution of one-tcnth of the
amount OF the last tax was issued, and was re-
sponded to with alacrity and a patriotic zeal
most honorable to our people.
As an evidence Of their confidence in nv adj
ministration, this response was rs gratifying as
1t WAS unprecedented.
With view to the proper care and disburse-
ment of this fund, directed that all amounts
collected should be placed in the hands of Gen.
Johnson haSood, requesting him to serve as
ActinG omptrollcr-General and Treasurer; and
no appropriation has been made except upon his
check, countersigned by myself. His devotion
TO Tins work, his activity and his great financial
ability, have proved of incalculable assistance
TO me.
The net receipts from this contribution and
from Office fees amounted to Sl35, $3.50 4S: and
the disbursements, rs will appear by the books
of Gen. llagood's office, on account of the edu-
cational, penal and charitable institutions of the
State, and for the legislative, executive and ju-
diclal departments of the government, amount
to SG,GGl .O9-leaving n cash balance on hand
Of 500, 1889.
by the report Of the late Treasurer dated Oc-
tober 3ls., 1876, there were in the treasury at
that time S23S ,O2O.37; but what portion of this
amount is now on hand am not aware The
use oil these funds has been enjoined by the
courts, and the officials in whose charge they are
VIII doubtless account to the Legislature for
item.
In addition to the funds nan'ed, the phosphate
royalty should yield from thirty to forty thous.
al The eom%and d " Tie Stat Rse
heient, hope, to meet the demands of the
State until portion of the taxes is collected
While on the subject Of the finances | beg TO
call your notice to tic bills of the Bank of the
State, for this question presents difficult prob.
lem. There Is widespread belief that n con-
siderable amount of these bills will be found
missing from the treasury, having been re-issued
in place Of being Cancelled or DESTROYED Il is
well, therefore, ut this juncturc, to consider
whether or not these bills should be receivable
in payment of taxes. Before receiving them for
the taxes the most risi investigation should be
had, with view of ascGrtaining the amount for
which the State is clearly liable and what nor
ton IS tainted with fraud in order that suitable
provision may be made mt tho next session of
the Legislature for the redemption of the for
mer ana Tor The protection Of the State against
the latter.
fIn nrit, l. Il, I
tions OF the State demand, and doubtless will
receive, your careful consideration and YOUR fos
tcrlng care. Every dictate of enlighe ened I'm.
mahi' y, every precept CT sound policy, REQUIRE
That these institutions should be well regulated
rr"r",'y ""rp"''vt ""d ruly nanaged but this
should be done with strict regard to economy.
They should be made selfsupportiur ms far no |
possible; ana trust that some system may be |
devised by the Legislature which, while placino |
inc public institutions of the State on n secure
basis, viii relieve the people of large portion |
OF the heavy expense their maintenance now de.
nands. with proper legislation, the labor of
the convicts in the penitentiary could be made
profitable, and ask your attention to this sub.
Jcct. The management Of this institution. un-
der the present Superintendent, seems to me IN |
De Judicious; and he can, without doubt. give
such valuable information as would tend lo work |
out much.needcd reforms
The charitable institutions will likewise. I
nope, receive Mt your hands the attention TO
winch they are entitled. Reforms looking TO
reduction OF the expenses of supporting these
charities can be made without impairing their
hseiuiaess, and without forgetting The claims
mat the unfortunate inmates of these institutions
nave upon the charity of the State
In reference TO the lunatic asylum, recon-
mend the election appointment of a board of
'egents, composed Of citizens of this county. the
MEMBERS of which are not to receive any com
'ensation for their services. Motives of human. s
~ VIII prompt worthy and competent men to 7
Undertake this praiseworIhy duty, and they will '
hu an ample reward in its discharge. Tie ex- !