The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1895-11-26

man is compelled to pay his ~, WORK
the roads six days. or go to the chain
gang, while his more fortunate fellow
man, who is over fifty years old, owns
one thousand acre Of land or more,
owns twelve or fifteen head Of horses
and several vehicles, aud consequently
uses the roads greatdeal more than
his poor neighbor, thus you see often
the man or men who pay the tax or
work the roads use them very little.
I believe if one class Of cillzens are
taxed all ought to be taxed alike, in
proportion to their ability TO pay and
in proportion to the benefits they re-
ceiYe from the taxation, regardless OF
sgc. believe the ulan who owns ten
thousand dollars worth OF property
ought to pay ten times as much as the
man who owns one thousand dollars
worth.
! do not see any injustice in this
PROPOSITION. If the roads were kept
up BY taxation and let out by con-
| tracts, the poor man who is now COM
pelled 10 pay bis 81 Or work the six
days could then hire to the contractor
| and make fifty or seVenty-lve cents
per day and by one weeks work make
three or four dollars, Were he now
has to pay two dollars. Perhaps some
will say we are oblidged to tax the
common liyers or require them to
wolk the maximum number of days in
order to get the negroes labor or re-
quire him to pay the tax. Let me say
here without evasion Or subterSuge
that if we have got to tax or compel
| the poor people to comply with the
law in order to compel the negro to
pay the tax or work the full number
of days, it then behooves our law
makers when the legislature meets to
repeal the obnoxiour law and submit
the matter to the people of the re-
specti7e counties 10 say how they VIII
dispose of the question. | believe one
mill or mill an a half ought 10 De
levied and Collected Oh all personal
property and real esta e aud also
twenty or fiji y Gems lcr capita il
necessary. In that way every man
would then pay in proportion to hi:
ability 10 pay and in proportion to the
amount he uses the roads.
There are some men iu this county
who if they had been taken from theil
work in July or August and compelled
10 work six days on the roads their
families would have been almosI
without morsel Of food.
trust that l have been explicit or
this subject. 1t the matter could be
submitted to the voters Of the different
counties for their approval or disap
proyal. if in that event if our county
should vote no tax, then [ would
acquiesce in the result, for believe in
the msjerity ruling.
Irepeat again, that if we are 10 be
taxed let it rest equally On all anG moi
discriminate against any one class
Being actuated by patriotic impulse
| I shall advocate in a bold anQ fearless
manner that which l believe just and
; light and which will give equal anG
exact justice to all. If the poor man
had an opportunity to vote on the
question and then they were compelled
to pay capitation lax Of two dollars
they would have no excuse t. com
plain. But as it j. lie feels II a: lie i;
being taxed without representation.
GEe working classes who spend
heir entire income in the support o;
themselves and families are tne mos;
oppressed Of all men nnder the present
method.
Col. Robt. &. Iugersol said of Abra.
| ham Lincoln, ':Clothed with almost
absolute power he never used it ex,
sept on the side of mercy" Would
to God that al men in official station
were imhued with the same principles
Of equity and justice.
Iregret to see that so many of eur
people do not manifest the interest in
this and similar questions that they
ought to. T regret so many DO not
realize the gravity Of the situation. ]
Ehope the day is. not far distant when
tevery child Of this country will be
T born to tie possibilities Of life OF
culture anC refinement and not be
! doomed from bir.h to life of mending
toll, poverty and ignorrDce. Mr..
Editor, I hesited to discuss this i'm
/ portant theme, thinking that others
! far more experienced than myself
would contribute something on this
{ i'm poTtant subject; but 7 feel that it
lis the duty Of every man on proper
occasions to do something, say some
thing, or suffer something for the
welfare of people. I am yours truly.
Robt. Il. Jeffares.
! FeasterVill, S. c., Nov. Is.