The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1877-06-07
Editorial Correspondence.


the Legislature. aThessSenate hos
struck out tho 9th section appyopiiat-
ing $27O,O0O to pay the interest on
the public debt and substituted 5000
for deficiencies. There has already
boon 80 much said on this subject that
it may seem unnecessary to discuss it
any furthor; but it is the great quest
ion upon which political issues will bc
raised in tho future, and the moro
light that can bo thrown upon it in
ordor for a proper understanding Of
all its features by tho people, the bets
tor it. will be. That the Democratic
party is pledged to stand by it's settle
mont, under tho funding act, except
such portions as may be asoertained
to bo fraudulent, no ono, / Ipresumo,
will question. During tho campaign,
whom the question was operating to
tho disadvantage of the Democratic
party, tho State Executive Committee,
by resolution, pledged tho party to
stand by it's settlement under tho
prov isions of the funding act. During
tho stormy days of last December,
when tho fortunes of tho party seomed
to DO hanging IN tho balance, tho
Wallace House unanimously pledged
tho State to the payment of the last
dollar of the legal funded debt. Those
who now advocate ropudiation seem
to have taken wide departure. But
this class of mon arc in q small minor.
ity in the Legislature, and tho differ
enoo, really, between those who favor
the 5th section of the Appropriation
Bill and those who oppose it is simply
this: Those who favor the appropria-
ton do 80 in order TO have the money
in the treasury to pay the interest o,
such portion of tho debt only which
after examination by a commission
shall have boon found to DO valid; il
othor words, they propose to havo tn
money on hand to pay the interest OIL
such of the bonds as are ascertaine'
to be valid and prevent the bon'
holders from presenting the coupon
for taxes, and thereby financially en-
barrass the government; and ,anothe
reason is that they desire to divid
the taxes (for this obligation will hav,
to bo mot at some time) and prevent
burdensome tax levy noxt year, whicl
may prove stumbling block in tn
road to tho success of the Democrat
party in the next election. Thos
who oppose the appropriation desir
to investigate first and then maxi
provisions to pay. This is substantly
the only difference between as. !
favor making the appropriation nov
for the reasons first above given
though see tho editor in charge O
tho SENTINEL, during my absence
differs with me, and has 80 places
himself (and apparently the paper) or
record. think am right, and tim
will demonstrate the correctness O
my position. / desire it distinctly
understood that / am not in favor OF
nor will over consent TO pay on,
dollar of the public debt which, aftc
thorough investigation, has the leas
taint of fraud about it. But / am il
favor of having tho money in tn,
Treasury TO pay the interest promply
on such portion of it as may be foun,
to be valid and Legitimate. AS tn
1st fJune is hero, when a portion o
the interest is due, and in order t,
provont prolongation Of tho session
the House may agree 10 the Senate
amendment and let the responsibility
of detrimont to the State, should any
occur, rest upon that body.
The fence law has been passed by
both Houses and tho question O
"fenco" or "no fence" will be submit.
ted to tho people. It is only to take Of
foot in such townships as may adop
it. The question of pay of the nom
bers has not yet boon settlcd. Th
Senate has fixed it at $500; 5000 TO
the regular session and 5000 for til
present extra session. By this ar
rangement, the Mackeyites will re-
ceive only 5000, (pay for this session