The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1900-06-07
Make No Appropriation.

y
AID in opposing an appropriation from
the State treasury for the benefit of the
Charleston exposition. Of course in doing
this We may put ourself in position to be
called an "old fogy" but we do not care
especially about that. 1t is entirely too
easy already to secure grab into the
public treasury for this, that and the
other scheme, none of which can be of
much benefit to the majority of taxpayers.
The only legislation that can greatly
benefit the masses financially, is such as
will keep down the tax levy. We are
frequently twitted about high taxes
under reform administration when
lower taxes were promised and should be
expected.
1t has been difficult matter to hold
down the rate of taxation even to its
present figure; and if the Legislature
goes to dipping into the States Golfers to
help this, that or the other enterprise,
where is the matter to stop?
But we are told that the Exposition
will advertise South Carolina and her re-
sources and bring capital hither. Prob
ably so; but there is abundant evidence
that South Carolina and her resources are
already we'll known-a fact proven be-
yond doubt by the constant and steadily
increasing influx of capital into this State.
This capital, it is well to note, seeks a
stronger and better proof of States ad-
vantages and possibilities than can pos
sibly be had from an Exposition.
If Charleston papers and Charleston
people had worked as laboriously, eight
years ago, to maintain the States repu-
tation as they did to destroy it, they
could come now with much better grace
and ask for an appropriation from pub
lie treasury which they had striven des-
perately to bankrupt. When the State
was fighting to make the railroads pay
their tax assessments just as other people
did, Charleston was against the State, and
her papers and business men threw every
obstacle possible in the way of the States
legal processes; when, instead of helping
to show up the State in its best light be-
fore the financial world, Charleston pa
pers and Charleston people were indus
triously proclaiming to the world that
South Carolina had fallen into the hands
of thugs" "hoodlums," 'hayseeds,"
''featherbrains," "murderers,' ETC., and
that Tillmanism would drive the State
into bankruptcy. Why didn't Estate
pride" and dove for the dear old State"
silence the tongue of slander and stop the
pen of defamation at that time? We do
not like to revert to these unpleasant
recollections, but a sense of duty impels
US to do so.
The Exposition will benefit Charleston
and her people very much it will benefit
considerable number of enterprises in
other parts of the State little, it will
benefit the vast majority of tax payers
not one cent. For this reason we shall
oppose taxing the whole State for the
special benefit of any particular COM
munity. If those in Charleston and
other parts of the State, who will benefit
by extensive advertisement, will 60 down
into their pockets they will not need aid
from the State Treasury.
If taxes are ever to be reduced, it is
getting time for that happy event to
''come off :" and the only way to secure a
reduction is to keep promiscuous hands
out of the State S tax money.-Orange-
burg Patriot.