Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1885-01-08

comptroller General OF tne Stale tnat Slicn coHl
pany has paid up capital of two hundred and
fifty thousand dollars, one hundred thousand
dollars of which must be invested in United
States Government Bonds, and deposited with
the proper officer Of the State by which such
company was chartered for the protection of
it's policy holders, and to pay, for the use of
the State an admission fee of fifty dollars and
an annual tax of two dollars for each agent en-
ployed in this State.
The Tax Act provides for levy of 5! mills for
State purposes, and the two mill COnstltu-
tional school tax. The levy for York county for
all purposes is ii 40 mills, made upas follows:
81 mills State tax; = mills school tax; y mills
county tax, and 40 mills Railroad tax. The
time for collection of taxes without penalty is
extended to the 10th of November, instead OF the
10th of October, as heretofore.
AS you have already published statement OF
the amounts appropriated for the different ae
partments Of the Government, | will mention
only few of the appropriations that excited
discussion and opposition. The appropriation OF
fourteen thousand dollars for the support OF the
Militia, aroused very strong opposition. but
finally passed the Senate by majority of one
vote, on the ground that it was an useless en-
penditure, that the State needs no armed police
| force, that on the eve of the accession OF the
| Democratic party to the control of the National
| Government, we had more reasons than ever TO
expect an uninterrupted peace and the establish
| ment of more kindly relations than ever be-
| tween the races, and it strikes me as sad COM
mentary on the gratitude Of our State that
dollars to her Militia in time Of peace, she re-,
| fused to give the small pittance Of two hundred
dollars to each Of the two blind veterans in
| York, who lost their eyesight by gunshot
| wounds in the service of the State in the late
war. Is it true that Republics are ungrateful?
| The appropriations to the South Carolina Uni
versity, which includes the Charleston Citadel,
was opposed on the ground that we were giving
disproportionately large share OF the funds
devoted to the objects of free public education to
| the higher institutions of learning.
| have been at some pains to make a careful
calculation of what York county pays in taxes
| for the support Of the University. In round
numbers, our county pays for this purpose,
| fifteen hundred dollars, sum sufficient TO run a
six months free school in each OF the ten town
ships in York county every year. For the sup
port of the Charleston Citadel, our county pays
seven hundred and fifty dollars, a sum sIfhclent
| to run a three months free-school in each town
ship. In other Words she pays for the education
of two benefciaries from York county in the
Citadel, sum sufficient to give free tuition to
two hundred children nearly four months IN
every year. was struck with the apathy, If not
| indifference on the part of a majority OF the
members Of the Legislature, to the proper ad-
vancement and development OF our free com
mon school system. We must all realize the
fact that from no other source than an efficient
| free common school system, can we look 1or
| that genuine diffusion of knowledge and growth
| of general intelligence among the masses OF the
people which we all know to be so vitality
prosperity ofany people.
The appropriation of fifteen thousand dollars
of the earnings Of the penitentiary to the Col.
umbia canal was opposed on the ground that
it was not legitimate subject of State aid
and by others, that it was a project in when
| no sane man of business Judgment would put
his own money, and as agents OF the people
we should not eXpend the money OF the state
in speculative enterprises which our judgment
| does not approve.
"An Act to facilitate the giving of bonds re-
| uuired by law .
This is intended to enable public officers, with
out going to the trouble of soliciting the aid OF
their friends, to give bonds. Under this law, a
man who is elected to an office can apply to a
surety company to supply his bond and pay the
| company Il premium, as for any other insurance
The law requires that such surety companies
shall have paid up capital OF two hundred ana
| fifty thousand dollars.
"An Act to authorize Trial Justices to enforce
Agricultural Liens in certain cases"
| BY this Act Trial Justices have jurisdiction IN
the enforcement Of liens where the amount does
not exceed one hundred dollars.
peal the lien law bill to provide for an enume-
ration of the inhabitants of the State; bill t.
repeal the Factory exemption law.
| The most important measure that was cOntlIl'
ued to the next session of the Legislature is g
bill to provide a more uniform assessment Of
property in this State for taxation. The une,
| dual operations of the present system was eX-
| blamed in your paper during the session Of the
Legislature. This measure was postponed to the
next session in order that it might be fully digest
ed by the members. The present system is sc
imperfect and unequal, that it is to be hoped that
some better plan will be adopted.
If was not so busily engaged, might have
given yOu more satisfactory synopsis but you
will have to take it as it is. Respectfully,
| JOHN &. BLACK.