The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1886-05-07

1885, G......-.........-....... S "a $40
Lnnatic Asylum 1850, paupers
| S525; in 1885, 6. ................. S % 600
| fenrentlary, in lSSo-'6.......... q 800
Superintendent of Education,
| 1000 O........ q 200
1t will be seen from the above that the
general expenses Of the State Government
are about the same now as in 1850, not
withstanding the great additional cxpen-
ses OF the Asylum and Penitentiary and
that salaries arc actually less, although two
additional Offices have boen added.
1t may be said that tho State was rich
then and very poor, now which am compell-
ed to admit. But we have now population
of million, all endowed with tho rights Of
citizenship, while then about three-fourths
of this number seldom came Under State
laws, being controlled and cared for by
their owners, but who now crowd the jails,
the Penitentiary and Asylum. Taking all
things into consideration it is surprising
that the general expenses exceed by so little
those of1S50. Then the interest on the pub
lie debt was paid out of the profits of tho
State Bank; now tho Phosphate royalty
yield not quite half the amount of interest.
the balance having to be provided for by
taxation.
We must remember too that during tho
radical reign the public debt was largely
increased; that the interest was often left
unpaid, that they managed to gobble up
one years taxes entirely, incurring also in
addition to this, an enormous Aeating
debt in every County, most of which has
now been paid. That by the persistent eff
fort of the law officers of tho State, she
has been at last relieved from the Blue
Ridge swindle, and thus narrowly escaped
being Saddled with another load ofS1 ,SOO,-
600; and that another suit has just been
gained against Corbin & Stone for S24, 900,
illegally held. In addition to this the
Agricultural Department has succeeded,
Il in. suits for recovering royalty aud props
crty for the State, amounting to some
three or four hundred thousand dollars.
The State taxes being imposed by the
Legislature, and those of the Counties
mainly by the residents therein, it may be
as we'll to enquire how and by whom the
enormous taxes necessary to support all the
Railroads, with thousands of miles. run.
ming from West to South, all the thousands
of employees, andthe profits of other thou
sands Of people through whose hand come
our corn, meal, bacon, -four, horses, hay
and almost everything we eat, are levid and
collected. There has been no law passed
to compel the payment of these expenses
but they certainly are collected even more
more vigorously than either State or county
taxes, and fall with crushing weight on
farmers, because they ought to raise tho
very things they buy and pay freight on
for hundreds of miles.
The Convention called on April Goth
is ostenslbly in the interests of farmers, bnt
like many others, can't see how they can
be much beueitted by meeting for day
| VI WV az VIC oauiC tiuiC NUulu DC very
glad to hope such may be the result and
would respectfully offer few suggestions
and remarks.
In the first place would ask if the let
ters preceding the CALL and the call it
self, can be admitted to possess that can
dor, fairness and veracity that such Sc
) rions subject requires? Did not the ear
lier ones denounco everybody in the shape
of officers, State and county, Legislators
is being robbers, oppressors,' &C.? Will
an tho 'cal' it is admitted that an 'insan
system of farming'.is the cause of our pov
erty, which is, | think, the truest part i,
r the document.
: With cotton at Sic, and from presen
!, indica tions there is little hope of its bein;
= much higher, how can farmer in this, O
: any State raise it, and pay taxes on thous
aud miles of railroad, over which his cor
: bacon, meal, -four &C., are hauled? Can b
afford to have his horses and mules raise,
for him, and pay for them ont of loss
Can not each farmer come to sensible con
t clusion on these points, and carry out sucl
= to successful results? Can a convention
't convince farmers that il is better.to plan
J. smaller areas of cotton, raise hogs, horses
}; four. COLD, &C., and live at home, and ca
) it. enforce the practice of such course
even with hundreds of 'Resoutions?' If
,; can, then it would pay to have one ever
L week! -.
Surely, farmers know that loss &c D