The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1885-01-08

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the exemption. There are ten times
more foreign capital TO day in this State
invested In railroads than In factories
but I dare say, my friends would not nd.
vocate their exemption. It is hero that
the hideous form of protection is seen
Inc very same principle that arrays the
democracy OF this country against the
republican party, aud yet, in the Demo.
cratic state OF South Carolina, while with
our lips we are denolncing the protective
system, We are allowing this law to re.
main on our books, which savors of the
strictest protection. Beautiful consist
ency!
Be the benefits of the exemption wha,
they may, there is question at the bot.
tom OF this matter, that outweighs all
others In Importance. 1t is the charac.
ter OF the means to be used in bringing
about the results. I might accomplish
much good at your County Poor House
with a thousand dollars. by feeding and
clothing the poor-yet this would not
make it right for me to rob Bank IN get
the money. Can this exemption stand
the test in the light of the Constitution
OF this State, which each of us have
sworn to support2 If not, then It ia O
solemn duty to oppose it, however bene.
hcial the results may be. In legislation,
the end can never Justify the means.
But, Mr.. Speaker, the friends of the
exemption have undertaken to ignore the
constitutional objection, by saying that
the Legislature is no judicial body, and
that the law now on the books ia for the
construction of the courts An ingen.
ious evasion, subterfugo! Not being
able to meet II, they evade 1t, and here
to>day we defy them TO answer it. Has
the Constitutional objection passed be.
yond the consideration of this House ?
iassert, that when bill is introduced to
repeal an existing law, the law is revived
In all its bearings, and its merits are
brought before the House as If it was an
original question. am still more sur.
prised at some who intimate that We can
with ithpunity, ignore the Constitution
altogether in this matter. This must
arise from q misappreheusion of it's char.
acter. Mr.. Story tells US, that q Con.
stitution is barrier between the people
end those who would usurp power.
That it is limit fixed, within which
those who exercise ;ne Legislative,
judicial and executive functions Of the
government, must operate. We perform
then the highest duty we owe our con.
stituency, when We preserve intact the
fundamental! law of the land, and com.
ply with the oaths that are required of us
as members of this House. With this
view OF the Constitution before us, it is
necessary to read only cne or two sec>
tions OF it 10 determine our duty.
call your attention To the imperative
language of Section II, Article 12: "Inc
property Of corporations no,D eristing or
hereafter created, shalt be subject to tara.
t.on, except in cases otherwise provided
Tor in this Constitution" Section v.
Article 8, prescribes what property is
exempt, viz: such az schools and the
property of penal and charitable ipstitu.
tlons. The Constitution does not exempt
FACTORIES, bnt on the contrary provides
for an equal and uniform rate Of taxation
on all other property not exempt.
Can anything be more expresa or
mandatory than the sectious quoted
Therefore having no authority In the
Constitution for this exemption, are we
TO usurp the power to do sol To pre.
vent usuTpation OF power, Section w,
powers not herein delegated remain ,cith
the people," They have never delegated
to us the power to exempt Factories
from taxation, and they alone possess Il.
Until they in the exercise of their re.
served rights amend the Constitution
allowing this exemption, I cap never
give my vote or influence to the existence
OF such law. Mr.. Speaker, these are
my views after much serious thought and
meditation. am not opposed to Fac
tories, Or to the material progress of nv
native State. Not that I do not love
them, but that love compliance with
my sense of duty to the Constitution
more. This bill will not effect existing
Factories. 1t is right for the State to
maintain good faith with them. do
hope it will pass and the Exemption Law
be repealed. The advocates Of the ex.
emption remind me of a man trying to
cap muttering volcano. Sooner or
later 1t will berepealed. Firmly believe
that the people will rise in their inGig.
nation, and with the power they possess,
will wipe from the Statute Books of this
State this law, which sayors 60 strongly
Of strict protection, and every letter of
said:: e staring Tita ;siiuss;Ss ana dis.
elimination, and which has not the
slightest foundation in the Constitution
Of this State. ii59 20 8 SO
The exemption was killed In the
House by an overwhelming vote. The
oldest and most distinguished Lawyers Of
the House, endorsing the CoDstitutionai
objections raised, voted for its repeal.
In the Senate 1t liked one vote Of being
repealed II. G. 8.
% y = w g.