The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-11-30

oppression, we can at least apply remedy TO
It's counterpart In South Curolina. What
that remedy may be Is for your wisdom to de-
eide. 1t does not appear worth while to make
the law any palmer than 1t Is now, though l
elsewhere advise you to declare what the law
Is. ,..rt-.
DANGER FROM INTERMEDDLING JUDICIARY.
I will only say that the people OF the
State who desire reform and who feel the Ill
equality Of the administration Of the law
may elect Governors and Legislatures time
and again to do their bidding. but as long as
the Judiciary misinierpret The law. override
1t, or Indulge 10 judicial legislation, our eff
forts 10 secure equality In taxation. the pro.
lection Of life and property and fair and I'M
partial ad Illustration Will be In vain. II
our courts are allowed TO exercise power
goes upChallenged, how long Will u be before
other usurpations will follow? II finterfer-
ence with the auditor Is allowed, IL these man.
block the wheels Of government, and destroy
u even. Suppose every taxpayer were to ap-
ply for a writ and Judge granted II, how
would we be able to conduct the states al
fairs? 1t Is impossible for the government 70
calculate with any certainty upon its revenue,
II the collection OF taxes IS subject 10 be ar
rested III any instance In which taxpayer
should make out a 1,riD,a Jacfe case; and the
interference by SUMMARY process Is therefore
positively forbidden. ........
WHAT THE SUPREME COURT HAS DONE.
Every government claIms, and must have,
certain and speedy method of collecting
taxes. In an absolute monarchy II Is very
simple process, and used in the past to great
ly oppress the people; and, therefore, In a
constitutional government there Is. an at
tempt TO balance the prerogative of the 8. YER
eign and the right of the taxpayer The
board of equalization and assessment direct
ly represent the individual taxpayer; the Of
fcers elected by the people represent the
State. When the assessment OF property is
too high the board Of assessors can reduce ~.
This Is the safeguard Of the taxpayer In
section 239 the correlative right Is given the
State to increase when the assessment Is TOO
low, and this not upon the personal know
ledge or subject to the whm Of tho auditor.
but upon sworn testimony. me TAX acts
must be construed as whole and as forming
O system designed ~ secure uniformity and
equality and afording equal protection TO
and subject. You cannot, without
It's nicely balanced machinery'
ment is too high and deny the correlalive re-
lief to the State when 1t Is TOO low. Yet this
Is exactly what the decision Of the supreme
Court has done: .
private citizen would have received the con.
sideration given the banks; and though |
stand ready 10 accord all corporations equall.
ly before the law, capnot remain silent
while the laws are trampled urder foot ami
see them accorded privileges which private
citizen feels he cannot obtain.
PROHIBITION.
For some years there has been moro or less
agl ltai ion on the subject Of prohibition, and
there have have been contests at the polls 10
and counties 10 decide wheth-
or or not liquor shonId be sold therein. AT
the last session of the General assembly a
prohibition bill passed the House, but JAILED
In the Senate. Al the recent Democratic pri-
ut,l<t tfa.lf
Pile as an abstract proposition, without any
definite legislation being indicated, aud re-
ceIved majority of the votes cast on that
subject although not majority OF the total
vote cast. Thls would indicate wish on the
part Of Il large number OF olr people tnat
there should be some restrictive legislation
IN regard 10 the liquor traffic. This question
did OF ell Ter into the issues of the campaign:
II was not discussed by the candidates, and
the decision at the polls cannot be considered
IS a conclusive test Of the popular Will.
Knowing, however that soinc legislation is
likely TO be had, | feel called on TO point out
some of the obstacles and difficulties In the
way OF enforcing law OF this character; aud
he probable cost OIL IL prohibition bill AS indl-
,Uting necessity for Increased taXatlon on
,ther lines rather, as Q matter or iDiorma-
Ion than as showing any anragonistic views
One Of tie. most common among modern
ayings Is that "prohibitlOn, does not prohi-
,it," and experience as well rs observation
DRY legislation has resulted In partial or
complete failure to accomplish the end
ought. namely, the absolute prevention OF
he selling and drinking OF liqour. Town ai-
er town In the Stale has tried 1t, and, finding
he adverse sentiment so strong and the eva.
ion OF the law so common, they returned
II dGgaest 10 The license system. And 1t
nay as yell L. understood that no. law which
nay be passed Oh tss subject vii! force it,
elf. or bc allowed To be- clrricl ipto effect,
Without strenuous opposition and many cum