The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1890-07-10

made general upon the State, then
you would have greater watchfulneSs
over county expenditures, and with
the change Of the form of government
a less tax to support it. In this way I
think that at least five hundred thous-
and dollars might be saved to the peo-
pie in taxation. If by this change We
can save this large amount and an ad-
ditional hundred thousand by the re-
duction of the rate Of interest paid on
our public debt from 6 to 4 per cent,
then it is necessary that the drift of
this campaign should be changed and
made one Of business and not one of
mere tlippant criticism and slander.
In this campaign our people are con-
fronted with this proposition, are we
to have Il simple change of ofice-hold-
ers, or are We to have with it a re-
formed government? aUuless there is
4 real and substantial change in the
form aud methods of administering
the government, then a simple change
in the officers who administer il is USE
less, except to give others the privilege
of office.
In addition to these reasons for re-
form in our government there are
Others which are weighty. With the
advent Of this New England govern
ment idea South has come the further
idea that government is a machine,
which each Interest of the 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 machine to pro-
mote that interest of the community
which may have the control of it. This
idea has taken strong hold of the peo-
pie North and is getting 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 doc
trine take complete possession of them?
BY it our people will become divided
and that interest which controls the
the most money will be the most power
full.
The reforms which I think are badly
| needed are as follows:
lst. Such a change in the levy, col
lection and appropriation of taxes as
will make one body, to-wit: The Gen.
eral Assembly, entitled and solely re-
sponsible for every cent of taxation
taken from the people.
End. 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 are charged
with the responsibility 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 be made a
large and substantial saving of taxes
could be made and the burdens of
State, county and municipal taxes
lifted from the shoulders of our people.
The danger now in this State is that
these reforms which the people so
greatly need may be lost sight of in
the eager pursuit of office for the sake
of the gains which may be gotten from
office, and if this should be so, this
public agitation would be useless.
1t should be so directed as 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.
Respectfully,
J. S. WERNER.
| r>l,,,I;, - y T,na 81 1000