The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1884-08-14
To the Voter, of Anderson County.


accepted the nomination, I feel it my duty
to withdraw from the canvass for a seat
in the House of Representatives. To my
many friends I regret to make this an
nouncement, and hope at some future time
to serve them, should majority of my
fellow-citizens desire it. In accepting the
nomination I desired only to represent
such interests as had in common with
my countrymen. These interests en-
brace the taxation of property and the
education Of our children. 1t takes more
than half our State taxes to pay the in
terest on our public debt. To reduce this
interest is Of paramount Importance in
order to reduce taxes. To this end it
will require wholesome legislation in the
administration Of The government. This
would give confidence to capitalists, and
enable us to reduce the interest on the
debt from six 70, perhaps, four per cent,
saving of one-third Of the taxes for this
object. A large portion of this debt ma
tul es in 1888, and the remainder in 1893,
and to replace this debt at low rate of
interest should engage our Legislature in
shaping legislation.
Any increase of the public debt, or
weakening the resources of the State,
would defeat, in a measure, the desired
object. This will have to be met at the
next session of the General Assembly.
Spartanburg, and seven other Counties,
have involved themselves largely in
bonded debts to build railroads, and now
desire the State to come to their aid to
relieve them from their embarrassments.
The movement is being led in Spartan
burg, and when once begun will be taken
up by all.
Once establish the precedent of the
State assuming, either directly or indi-
rectly, the burden of these debts, impos-
ed as they are by the reckless voting Of
taxes for railroad purposes, we may
never hope to reduce the present rate Of
interest; and the present rate of taxation.
A Constitutional Amendment is now on
the way to prevent the Counties from
creating any debt exceeding eight per
cent of its taxable property. II it is
wrong to exceed eight per cent, it is
wrong to exceed FIVE. This proposition
for the State to assume the County debts,
and all kindred measures, should be met
by the Legislature with firmness, so as
to plant the credit of the State on foot
ing with that of our sister State of Geor
gia, and place our debt at four per cent,
as Georgia has. Then, and not before,
may we begin to look for relief from high
taxes, WEIGH is demanded from all quar-
ters of the State.
The State having already taken its
stand on education, she will not likely
take any step backward. thought that
we might we'll have dispensed with the
Citadel Academy, leaving those who
were not satisfied with higher education
at the University to pay tNcir own tuition
at Kings Mountain Military, or such
other like schools as they desired. The
stability of our government, the preser-
walton OF our institutions, and the hap
piness of our people depending upon the
intelligence Of its citizens, it seems to me
but right that those of its citizens who
are rich in this worlds goods, should
contribute Of their means to educate the
children of the State as small return
for the rights Of personal security, perso-
nal liberty, and private property guaran-
teed to them by the laws. My views on
this subject having been expressed in
private, am requested to furnish them
for publication, which do with diff
dence, as I seldom impose my views on
the public by expressing them in print.
They are submitted now only because Of
my withdrawal from the canvass, and the
request of those who have the right to
ask it. With this apology Isubmit them.
JOSEPH n. BROWN.