The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1883-07-06

threshing machine in the country. All
these contribute so the convenience and
wealth of the communities in which they are
operated, in as great degree in proportion
to the amount invested as do the special
pets of our legislature. IF exemptions are
to be made for the sake of encouraging in
vestments in useful enterprises, for the
reason that such enterprises increase
the value Of property, where would
they stop Z Would We not be forced by
such precedent as this to exempt every
mans laud upon which good good house
was built, or new ground cleared, or
worn out field reclaimed Where would
exemptions end ? Who would pay the
'taxcs? From such premise the eonclu-
sion is n :ccssarily absurd
1t is Glass legislation To say that in.
vestmcnts in these enterprises mcy be made
by anybody, the poor as well as the rich,
does not avoid the charge, for whoovo. does
invest in them, whether rich o. poor, be-
comes at once one of the favored class, and
the balance of the people, whether rich or
poor, are compelled to pay their taxes. 1t
would be just as reasonable and as lcg,l,
and we think as wise, if the legislature
would exempt from taxation the land of
every farmer who increases the value OF
his farm by skill and industry, or the
property Of every man who builds new gin
house, or a new mill. Why discriminate in
favor Of cott,n, iron, woolen aud paper fac
tories Whence their royal right to exclu-
sive privileges aud peculiar protection !?
l do not wish to be understood as oppos-
ing the establishment of cotton, or other
manufactures. 1 believe they are Of ines
timable benefit to the country, and would
go as far as any one to promote their
prosperity, either by individual effort, or
by Legitimate constitutional legislation, but
Can see no reason why the Legislature
sho aid protect an already prosperous class
at the expens, IF those who have not the
means or the opportunity of making such
investments.
The democratic party are pledged to OPP
pose protective tariff. The argument is
that such tariff builds up the fortunes
of the few at the expense Of the mary. 1t
is an unjust discrimination in favor of q
few manufacturers, and against the great
mass of consumers who u'Gst pay the pro-
tective duty. In what does the act in
question differ from protective tariff? The
people pay the taxes which these corpora
tions are exempt from aging. In fact this
law operates as an additional protection to
the tariff established by the United States,
so that South Carolina manufacturer Of
cotton, iron, or paper, may congratulate
himself that he is the favorite of both the
State and National governments, and of
both the great political parties. The re-
publlcans protectect him at Washington and
the Democrats at Columbia.
If mistake not the signs of the times, the
people are beginning to understand their
rights in these matters. They have been
made the subjects of Legislative oppression
long enough and bclive will soon demand
the repeal Of this and every other law
which pampers moueyed power, from the
hard earnings of the honest laborer. have
no objection to the accumulation of capital
to any extent, by fair ndiegitimato means,
but it becomes dangerous when acquir-
ed at the expense of others. or when used
for purposes of oppression.
1t can never be right, in free country,
where each individual is entitled to equal
rights and privileges, TO SO legisate that one
is requiredto bear the burdens of aao:her.
1t can never be right to openly violate, or
cunningly evade the fundamental principles
Of republican government, as declared iu
the constitution for the sake Of temporary
expediency. Let us stick to the old con-
stitutional landmark. Every departure
Is dangcrous.-EDN Ii. Bono, in tie
Spartan.
THOROUGH VENTILATI oN-Ifit is essen
iial that court houses, school houses and
n. hnr nnhlio hn;l l;,,,s b. ,Io.o.-Ll. 49,.