The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1897-06-16
Captain Smyth Presents Figures about
the Proposed New County.

The following is a reply from Capt.
Smyth to an article which is published
on the first page Of the INTELLIaENCER
this week:
To the Editor of the GrecnviLe News
Ihave read the statement published in
YOUR paper of the 9Th instant appearing
over tho signature Of G.. X. Willis, secre'
tary, and claiming to be an expression Of
the people Of Williamson in mass meet
ing assembled. So far as that article re-
lates to myself as IN individual, or to my
motives in opposing the new county OIL
Williamson, and so far as 1t seeks to re-
fleet upon myself, I do not desire to notice
it. T am content to leave unnoticed that
portion Of the statement" for such per-
sonal references and reflections can not
alter facts or answer arguments.
The proposition for the formation Of
Williamson county Is 8 matter of bust
ness affecting each citizen and property
owner in the territory to be embraced in
that county and is not in any wise a mat
ter of sentiment. New counties are eX-
pensive Injuries and come high. I have
had no personal opposition to the town Of
Williamson. I can not consent, how
ever, that the interests of myself, or o.
those whom I represent, or of my fellow.
citizens in whom I feel an interest, shall
be oppressed by heavy and extra taxation
and other evils in my judgment incident
to the formation ofthe county of William
ston simply to crafty the natural desires
of residents Of Williamson to see their
town enlarged when this enlargement
must be at The expense of property owners
not situated within the limits of that
town. I believe that the formation Of the
new county will be at the expense Of all
property owners other than those owning
property in the town OF Williamson.
The taxable values of the town of Will
liamston as given by the auditor OF
Anderson county show real estate to the
value Of $50, 900. 90, and personal property
of the value of S33, 900. 90, making a total
of Ss3, 000.0 90. Section 5 Of article 10 of the
constitution provides that no municipality
may issue bonds in excess of s per cent.
of their taxable property so returned for
State and county purposes in the auditors
office, and provides that these bonds may
be issued only for corporate purposes,
This basis Of s per cent. (Which is the ex
treme limit) would raise only 5000 OF
which the town Of Williamson could
contribute to build the court house and
Jail for Williamson county. And even
this issue would depend upon a vote o.
the people endorsing the Issue. Assum-
ing that the citizens Of the town would be
willing to bond themselves to the extent
allowed by law, I doubt very much
whether the amount which they could
issue in bonds would be sufficient tc
build a suitable court house and Jail
Anderson county has just voted $50, O00.0
for this purpose and Spartanburg county
lately spent very much more for the same
purpose. The town Ct Greenwood under
took to issue S25, 000.0 90 for the same pur-
pose.
One familiar with the cost Of these
buildings or with the necessary accom-
paniments to them must doubt whether
Sc, OOO.0 would be sufficient for the pur
pose of building them. But assuming
that it Is sufficient, I am advised that the
proceeds Of the bonds issued by munich
palities must be expended for municipal
purposes, and q doubt arises whether the
building of a court house and Jail in g
county are municipal purposes. This
question has not been tested in u courts
but it may be-. Indeed, I am informed
when Greenwood city undertook to carry
out its promise to issue bonds for the
building Of a court house and Jail that the
issue was epjoined, and subsequently
abandoned upon this very point.
I am told to-day that at a meeting oil
the citizens of Williamson last night g
subscription of $4,000 was made for the
purpose of building the court house and
Jail for Williamson county. If this sub
scription is to be paid up in cash, and is
a gift to the new county, Of course it will
go far towards paying the expense o.
building the court house and Jail, but il
the subscription is for the bonds to be
issued by the town Of Williamson it is
doubtful if that amount can be issued in
bonds, and it is also doubtful if the pro.
ceeds of the bonds so issued can be used
for the purpose Of building county build
ings.
But the cost Of the proposed Icy county
buildings is only one item of the expense
that will fall on taxpayers by the forma-
ton of Williamson county. The question
must arise to all property owners in the
townships of Anderson county sought tc
be put into the new county, will this
benetitthem to be cut offinto Williamson
county and compelled thereby to assume
a portion Of Greenville county's bonded
debt which was issued to pay for the All
Line railroad? What advantage will this
be to the taxpayers of Anderson county !
ELLISON A. SMYTH.