The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1888-08-29
The Political Outlook.
ESu7ntg WGchn,an and So.thon- ]

The manifest unrest prevalent all over
the State is sufficient to cause serious ap-
prehension as to the situation two years
hence if not now. Tillmanism, as it IS
called, is less what it is named than an un-
formed protest against existing political
methods. The movement is now rapidly
crystalizing around extravagance in expen-
diture as centre, and the evident feeling
exists that these should be reduced. Just
on this point we would suggest as fact
that has been overlooked in the general
calculation as to the causes of an increase
in taxation, that it is largely due to the i'm
mense sums Of money voted by several OF
the counties to railroads. Eminently is
this the feet in Edgeield, Pickens, Green
Vile, Spartanburg and some other coun-
ties. The tax levied to pay the interest an
nually on the bonds voted in favor OF rail
roads, has in some cases more than doubled
the ordinary county tax levy for all pur.
poses, including the school tax, and the
increase in the value of real estate and gen.
eral taxable property has, as yet, been in
sufficient to meet public expectation, or
lower, appreciabiy, the rate Of taxation.
This is one thing to be considered in refer
ence to the general subject
But there is more Men desirous of Of
fee, will see in the existing situation an
opportunity 10 make their jack" and they
wiz head movement with most plausible
ground to support it. TO upset the present
regime and institute an era Of reform and
economy. To effect their ends, would they
hesitate to use such means as Will enable
them to manipulate the colored vote, II by
so doing they could ride into power? The
history Of politics warrants Us in doubling
if they would. But if this is done, what Is
there to prevent the colored voting element
from again looming up as an important po-
iical factor? They would then hold the
balance of power, end if organized, could
almost dictate their own terms; because
with the white vote no more solid but L.
auid, no more united but divided, the
shrewd former leaders of the old RepubI-
can party IN this State, would see and avail!
themselves Of the chance thus offered, and
We would have great trouble on our hands.
It IS undoubtedly 8 fact that our safety, po.
Etlcally, is dependent on our unity ano
soGdlty. Anything that tends to impair
that, is f-aught with danger and disaster to
our political future, in our judgment We
should consider whether in such case, It
is not .'better to bear the ills we have, than
fly to others We know not OFF," Whether it
would be better TOR us to endure the few
and minor ills Of the situation, and remain
united, than 70 divide and let IN the whole
brood of evils that would result therefrom !?
Our people should not suffer themselves to
forget these plain facts and possibilities
in their estimate Of the political outlook.
rTba,- bova O <Yroof 4 col of stake and they
cannot afford to quarrel it away. When, if
ever. such division occurs in our ranks,
the doer is then wide open to designing
demagogues and hungry Office seekers to
come in and foment the discord until what
was mere rift becomes a hopeless and i'm
passable guilt. Our gloomy forebodings we
nope will never naterlalize, bu. We fancy
we see already the signs Of coming trouble,
and wish to anticipate it. "Forewarned IS
forearmed." We should sometimes, If not
always, discuss issues, not men, and aspire
to be statesmen rather than successful poll
ticianS