Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1897-07-28
"When the People Complain the
People are Always Right"

"When the People Complain the
People are Always Right"
Mr.. EDITOR: 1t is hoped that
the committee appointed by the
grand jury to investigate the books
of county officials will publish
their report so formulated as to
give the citizens of the county
something tangible. Especially
should they be informed about the
county indebtedness, how much is
current expenses and what amount
of back debts due one or two
years; and also what arrangements
have been or are to be made to pay
each. Ask the citizens generally Y
about these matters and you get
the reply "don't know"
Some will say the county is two
or three years behind, leaving you
to infer that any claims may be
postponed till such debts are first
paid. Those having claims being
uninformed as to arrangements tc
cash their claims are thus imposed
upon by the speculator who stands
ready to discount at lates ranging
from IS to 80 cents Oh the dollar
1t is az outrage for the citizens
to have to take scrip at all instead
of cash that proper laws and off,
cial operations and efforts should
provide, but to keep the people in
ignorance to be imposed upon both
as taxpayers and claimants by
speculators requires words strong
er than | can use to characterize it
Sarely the clerk, the auditor, the
treasurer, the commissioners, oul
home representatives and the Dor.
rowed "Holdtight" fellows cannot
longer suffer the people they love
50 dearly at times to be imposed
upon by these big discounts aud
increased taxes. They cannot
afford to be silent witnesses to
these discounts and impositions
but on the contrary should endeav'
or to keep claimants correctly In
formed and to make substantial
protest against such actions. Yes
1 am persuaded these officials viii.
willingly aid any committee IL
publishing tabulated report
showing current expenses for the
year of salaries, court expenses
road or bridge claims, etc., the
back Indebtedness for one or two
years of the same, and what ar
rangements for paying same have
been made. Surely this commit
tee or the county officials can give
the information why it is necessar!
to pay the various expenses o.
county governmout in scrip in
stead of cash.
(. Were I county commissioner
would urge a substantial protes
against all discounts of claims un
der my supervision by refusing tt
honor ATTY claim that had beer
discounted out of any funds which
cost the county interest to Obtain
or any sinking fund borrowed.
would declare tnat only thos
), claims that were i'll the hands o
original claimants should be cash
ed by borrowed fund. 1t is no
right for taxpayers to have to pa.
one interest, if possible to avoid it
much less to pay interest on loan
and the discounts too. The peopl
of the county should be informed
what amount of the county's deb
is paid to spectators instead of t.
the original claimants, how man.
claims were made larger in viev
of the fact that no cash was to b
had from county sources, and wha
per cent. increase was allowed
credit or discount claims.
Let the people have such i'll
formation SO that common sens
will urge them to take proper step
} to stop this swlndling of homes
claimants and taxpayers.
PRO BONO PUBLICO.
Airy Mound, July 10, 1897.
For Sale at This Office.