Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1890-07-03

. T.. u . .
you will find that every member of
the General Assembly is watchsul
of the State levy, but only those
from each county concern themselves
about the county taxes. In other
words, tho Representatives, from each
county and the County Commission
crs mako up tho levy from that
county and the Representatives from
othor counties pay no attention to it
whatever.
If these county expenditures were
made general upon the State, then
you would have greater watchful-
ness over county expenditures, and
with the change of the form of gov
crnmcnt less tax to support it. In
this way / think that at least five
hundred thousand dollars might be
saved to the people in taxation. If
by this change we can save this large
amount and an additional hundred
thousand by the reduction of the
rate Of interest paid on our public
debt from 8 to 4 per cent, tnen it is
necessary that the drift of this cam
paign should be changed and made
one of business and not one Of mere
tlippant criticism and slandcr. In
this campaign our people arc con-
fronted with this proposition, are we
to have a simple change of office
holders, or arc we to have with it q
reformed government? Unless there
is n real and substantial change in
the form and methods of admins
tcring the government, then SIM
pie change in the officers who admin
lister it is useless, except to give
others the privilege of Office.
In addition to these reasons for
reform in our government there are
others which are wcighty. With the
advent of this New England gov
crnmcnt idea South has como the
further idea that government is a
machine, which caci, interest Of tho
community may use to promote its
own private ends. Instead of being
an institution for the protection of
life, liberty and property, it is made
a machine to promote that interest
of the community which may have
the control of it. This idea has
taken strong hold Of the people
North and is getting a foot-hold
South, and the Congress and many
State Legislatures in the United
States are used for party and private
purposes. Is it not time for South
Carolinians to halt and think before
they let this doctrine take complete
possession of them? BY it our pco-
pie will become divided and that
interest which CONTROLS the most
money will be the most powerful.
The reforms which l think are
badly needed are rs follows:
lst. Such change in the levy,
collection and appropriation of taxes
as will make one body, to-wit The
General Assembly, entirely and solely
responsible for every cent Of taxa
ton taken from the people.
I'd. The payment of not large,
but moderate salaries to those only
whose whole time is devoted to the
service of the State and to those
who arc charged with the RESPONSE
bility Of disbursing public money.
Sd. The government of counties by
system of boards, similar to that
which prevailed prior to 1868.
If these changes could bc made n
large and substantial saving Of taxes
could be made and the burdens of
State, county and municipal taxes
lifted from the shoulders of our pco
pie.
The danger now in this State is
SO greatly need may be lost sight of
in the Eager pursuit Of Office for the
sake of the gains which may be got
ten from Office, and if this should be
so, this public agitation would be
useless.
1t should be so directed rs to gain
from it real and lasting benefit. If
not, and this new idea of government
is to be our guide for the future,
with all Of its expensive machinery,
then you may expect increase of
taxes, increase of Offices with the
increase Of wealth and population.
| am sorry that | could not go to
Walhalla and have the pleasure of
seeing my friends face to face again.
| have been required by new Act
Of the Legislature to go to every
County Court House and make set
Al. a a. 4 ~