Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-09-11


willing for an amendment providing that
in no event should the annual levy ex-
ceed 30 cents on the 800. But the ques-
ton of taxes was not by any means the
most important. In his opinion the most
acceptable feature Of the general incorpo-
ration act was that provision dividing the
town into wards. This would secure a
more representative government and put
stop to so much kicking about partial
ity, etc., in street improvement. He ex-
pressed himself also in favor Of change
of the name of the town from Yorkville
to York, and gave as a reason that vile,
which originally meant village, gave an
idea of smallness. He said that If ma
jority of the voters said so, the change
could be effected.
Warden Moore gave his reason for
wanting new charter. He said it would
enable the council to borrow money and
give legal note for the same. Another
reason, was that the town is now in debt
to the amount of $3.50, and under the new
charter this amount could be carried for
ward, which would be equivalent to bor-
rowing. The council had not anticipated
anything except the crushing machinery,
and with the $3.50 provided for he was
satisfied that it could get along. The
talk about levying 10 mills he said was
"bugaboo." With six wardens, in pro-
portion to population, the town would
have stronger representation than the
state has in the legislature, and as all the
wardens would be taxpayers, he thought
they could be trusted in the matter OF
taxation.
Warden Parish said he favored the new
charter because it was right. He did not
believe that the council would have any
more power to borrow money under 1t,
than under the present charter; but 1t
would have power to levy additional
taxes, which it should do when necessary.
What he wanted was to do some work on
the streets, and for this purpose the coun-
Gil needed $1,000. He did not care whether
the money was raised under the proposed
new charter, or the present charter; but
if anybody would lend the amount spe-
Gifted, we would be willing to continue
under the present charter.
Messrs. w. r. Carroll, 8. NJ. McNeel
and G. H. ULeary offered to lend the
$3.50, previously mentioned, at per cent.
if the council would give proper secur-
ity but the offer was not accepted.
Warden Parish called upon Warden
McElwee for an expression of opinion;
but Warden McElwee had nothing to say.
He then addressed himself to Mr.. Propst
and said:
"Let us hear from you. You are
member of the sewing CIRCLE"
II came IN after the sewing circle was
organized" replied Mr.. Propst.
"Then you are member OF the kinder
garten," continued Mr.. Parish.
"Pll have to accept that" replied MIR.
Propst in tone which indicated that he
thought the name rather appropriate than
otherwise, and there was laughter.
Mr.. G. H. O'Leary said be was opposed
to the new charter principally on the
ground that it meant more taxes. The
town had been run on two mills for years,
and two mills are sufficient for present
needs. He could not agree with that the
ory ae finance which argued that the bor-
rowing of money involved no danger OF
running the town in debt. If one coun-
ell should expend in one year. the reve-
nues of the town for three years, there
would be no revenues available with
which succeeding councils might put up
monuments to themselves in the shape
of fountains and broken washpot drink
ing troughs, and as there would be no
other way in which to raise money, there
would necessarily be an increase of the
tax levy. He was opposed to any in
crease of taxes, for taxes are high enough
now. Including taxes on railroad bonds,
state, county and educational purposes,
the people of Yorkville now pay over 2
per cent. in taxes, or % mills. His own
taxes amounted to as much as 81 day.
Such high taxes were calculated to keep
away capital for one thing, and then also
they were oppressive. Whatever might
be said of the probability of 10 mill
levy, he was not willing to trust anybody,
not even himself, with power to make 1t,
and for these reasons, he thought it best
to continue under the present charter as
long as its provisions could be enjoyed.
In reply to the reference to the "broken>
wash pot" drinking trough, Intendant
Lowry said that the people up town had
as much right to free drinking trough
as the people down town. Mr.. w. K.
Carroll asked the intendant if he knew
who put in the drinking trough down
town. Intendant Lowry replied, no.
"You don't?" asked Mr.. Carroll, in sur
prise. "Then I'll tell you. 1t was put in
by private individual-Mr. L. b. Nc
Clain-at his own expense"
Intendant Lowry-Yes; but we furnish
the water tree.
Mr.. Carroll-And so do you furnish 1t
free to your wardens, too.
Mr.. w. Adickes said that there was no
danger of 10 mill levy, and that such
talk wss "tomfoolery," and "popycock,"
whatever those things are.
AS the result of the discussion, it de-
veloped that the only material differences
between the present charter, are as fol-
lows:
The present charter provides for gov
ernment by an intendant and four ward
ems, whose terms of Office shall be one
wear. while the new charter provides for
government by mayor and six alder