Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1888-08-15

bill for the refunding of taxes to citizens of
Charleston. York county now pays taxes
on more land than is contained in her area.
The State government now costs annually
over two millions of dollars, and while
the taxes ought to be less, with the compo-
sition of the Legislature as heretofore, it
cannot be. The balance of power is un-
justly held by the lower part of the State.
A census should have been taken in 1875.
A census bill would give the up-country
the power to which she is justly entitled.
You then would control the State, when
she would be as proud as any State in the
Union. We have the soil, the climate and
all the natural resources which few others
possess.
There are other measures that your in
terests require. l conceive that among
these is a repeal of the lien law; also, the 10
per cent. interest law. The two keep the
farmer constantly in debt. The first speech
I made in the House was in favor of the
repeal of the 10 per cent. interest law.
I have always fought the influence of
corporate powers in the States, and espe-
cially their power in our own State. In
1882 law was enacted having for its pur-
pose to hold railroads in check-the crea-
ting of the Railroad Commission. The
Railroad Commission has now become a
laughing stock, and the railroads do
not want it abolished. AS an attorney,
I have refused to act for railroads while
holding seat in the Legislature, pre-
ferring, in my Legislative capacity, to
act untrammeled. l shall always refuse to
act as counsel for such corporations while
I am your representative. The insidious
growth of the railroad power is continual
ly growing. Here question was asked
from the audience, "Did you not aid in
securing subscription of $4,000 by Ca
ts.wba township to the Three C's?"] Mr..
Wilson replied: AS to that subscription,
1 advocated subscription of only $50, 900,
and endeavored to secure the road on
subscription of that amount. We could
get the promise Of it only on a 900 sub
that subscription ?"] I voted for the SUBJ
scription. My only connection with secur-
ing that subscription was to 60 to the coun-
ty commissioners Office and see that by
its conditions the bonds should be proper
ly guarded, that the road should run
through the town, the depot be located in
the town, and that the road to Rock Hill
should be completed by the 1st of January,
1889. AS to the township bonds in aid OF
this railroad, should oppose the conver-
sion of them into county subscription.
While it would reduce the amount, l
should oppose it. The people of Catawba
township would oppose such proposition.
Should Judge Norton's decision in the
Ninety-Six and Greenwood townships case
from Abbeville county be sustained, the
township bonds of York county would be
worthless, and would not vote in the Leg
islature to make such bonds good. Ishould
also do all l could to preventa a county sub
scription.
Upon the reduction of taxes, if without
reducing the efficiency Of the government,
should you honor me with election to the
Senate, I shall always do all can to serve
you.
DR.. BLACK
Desired few words in explanation, rem
dered necessary by Mr.. Wilson's reference
to the railroad. He said that he had never
had any official connection with the Three
C's Railroad he never did and never
would while representative Of York in
the Legislature; nor would he do anything
to validate the bonds if invalidated by the
Supreme Court. He said he had never
done anything more for the railroad than
Mr.. Wilson did-general legislation. He
has no office or rempoyment under the rail-
road, nor never had any. Has never had
any connection with any railroad except
as director of the Georgia and Carolina
Midland-a local road-all of which was
owned by Edgefeld, Newberry and I'm
ion-only railroad on paper. tits unfair,
said he, to blame man for what he has
not done. He has never done, nor would
not do anything to mitigate against his
own people. The surest tests of a mans
fidelity is his acts while in official posi-
ton. Have I ever, as your Senator, done
anything against your interest? And
why should l do so now? As citizen of
Cherokee township, I tried to get the road
built through York county instead of Spar
tanburg and Union. 1 did this as a citi-
zen as Senator have done nothing.
BENJAMIN j. GOLD,
A candidate for the House of Represen-
tatives, was next introduced. Mr.. Gold
spoke on monopolists and their increasing
danger to the country, deprecating their
existence. On the question of the Agricul-
tural College, he said he was in favor of
our State and county government contrOll-
ing it if it could be managed on the same
business principles as private business is
conducted. He favored accepting the
Clemson bequest, adding to it the college
annex, if it could be done without increas-
ing taxation. He opposed making any
further appropriation to the Citadel. He
said there had been some comment as to
his nativity. He is native of North
Carolina, but has been citizen of this State
since 1876, and all his interests are identi-
fled with York county and South Carolina.
He also referred to the fact that he had
been a member of a regiment which at one
time was attached to Gregg's South Caro-
lima Brigade.
w. b. M'CAW
Was next introduced. He said he should
refer to acts and not words to prove his
professions in the Democratic fold. He
desired the peace, happiness and prosperi-
ty of the people, and as a representative
of the whole people, it would be his creed
to accord to every man equal rights, know
ing no class. He spoke of the dignity of
agriculture and the mutual dependence be-
tween farmers and the other professions.
AS representative, he woul d act imparti-
ally to all professions. South Carolina be-
ing an agricultural State, legislation should
tend to the interests of the farmers. All
persons recognize that agriculture is the
basis of all trades and professions. He
claimed that lawyers have ever been the
champions of labor and liberty, referring
in proof of this to history and to recent
events in South Carolina. lie argued that
legal legislators would not legislate in ia
vor of any measure that would impoverish
their constituents.
While he could not endorse the system
of higher education throughout all of its
ramfications, embraced in the Act of the
General Assembly reorganizing the Uni
versity of South Carolina, passed on the
22nd Of December, 1887, he did approve of
tenance of strictly literary university of
high grade at the capital. The State Con-
stitution requires that the General Assem-
bly, shall provide for the maintenance OF