Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-12-06
with any permanent injuries except a
few scars.
THE TOWN CHARTER,

There has been more or less interest
manifested in Yorkv Vile during the
past week or such matter as TO when
the present charter of ;he town will
expire, and municipal powers will be
assumed under the general incorpora'
ton act. The interest has heen occa-
stoned by the recent statement 10 the
effect that the town council does not
feel warranted in attempting 10 pay
for electric lights out of the revenues
for general purposes, derived from the
two mill tax, the limit authorized by
the present charter.
The reporter has heard the state
ment more than once that the present
charter Of the town of Yorkville ex
pires with the adjournment Of the
next session of the general assembly,
and this idea is quite common but ii
is mistake. The act Incorporating
the town of Yorkvile was approved
December %, 1886, and the last sec
tion of this net says il is to remain in
effect for IA years and until the ad-
journment Of the next session Of the
general assembly thereafter. Accord.
ing to this, the charter of Yorkville is
today ~ years. II months and l3 days
old and it still has one year and II
days 10 live before the II years are
up. This will take us until December
20, 1900, and the following session oil
the general assembly will keep the
charter alive until February 1901.
In the meantime, however, the mat
ter of electric lights being the only
question, there is no need TO wait for
the expiration Of the present charter
of the town to get authority TO levy
the taxes to support the same. Under
an act of the last general assembly,
published in full in the last issue Of
THE ENQUIRER, the freeholders and
qualified voters of Y0rkville may
amend the present charter in any
way they may see tit, not inconsistent
with the constitution and laws of the
state.
1t is estimated that an increased
levy of only one mill on the dollar will
be sufficient to pay The expense of elec-
trlc lights in accordance with the pend
ing proposiliou-15 lights al $50 each
5000 per annum. In order 10 give the
town council power to make this extra
levy of one mill on the dollar, it Is
only necessary for majority of the
freeholders to sign petition for an
election, and if then, after 10 days
notice, a majority Of the qualified
voters say so, the levy for ordinary
purposes will be three mills on the
dollar instead of two mills rs now.
II, instead of this course, the people
prefer 10 exchange the present charter
of the town for the general incorpora-
ton act, instead of waiting until the
date mentioned above, they may do 50
in the same manner US is provided for
an amendment. This exchange, how
ever, is of doubtful desirability at this
time, for it would necessitate an elec
ton for municipal officers to take the
places of those now serving. Then
again, the tax limit would be increas-
ed to 10 mills on the dollar, and it
would be desirable to amend that sec.
ton so us TO cut down the limit by at
least half. This would mean still an
other election. AS now constituted
the present council may safely be eu-
trusted with the right 10 levy taxes in
any amount, because it will not levy
any more than is necessary, and will
properly apply what it does levy; but
since we have had councils in the past
that had to be watched, and may have
them again, the people may very we'll
protect themselves with all proper
safeguards.
This last paragraph, however, is
merely explanatory. If electric lights
are desired, the most practical way OF
getting them is by amending the pres
ent charter so as to permit an increase
in the tax levy. An increase to 8 mills
on the dollar is sufficient for the pur-
pose indicated but the freeholders
have the right to ask for as much as
they see fit to pay.