The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-10-24
ADDRESS OF THE MAYORS.
The City Authorities Of COIu mbia,
Rock Hill. Georgetown, Florence
and Charleston Unnecessarily

The Mayors OF the cities have issued
an appeal TO the voters OF South Carolina In
behalf OF the proposed Constitutional amend
ment in reference to the Increase OF the debt
on those cities. 1t occurs 10 US that they are
unnecessarily alarmed. The people are al.
ways generous when it comes to voting taxes.
The history Of the past proves that when any
city proposes an increase OF taxes the voters
are generally ready to bow and yield to the
wishes of the Leaders," This proposition, 1t
is true, does not come directly to the voter,
wedge, and the peoples time TO increase the
white mans burden will surely come. The ad-
dress Is as follows. omitting a repetition OF
the amendment which may be read in the
election notice:
To the Voters of South Carolina:
Amendment to our cities was understood by
you, there would be no doubt Of its being
adopted by an overwhelming majority.
Fearing that yon may not appreciate the
imperative necessity OF giving our Munich
pallties the opportunity OF deciding, each one
for ITSELF whether we should increase our re-
rpective debts for the sole purposes above
named. we appeal to you to give us the right
Of choice.
Without an abundant supply Of good water
suitable for all purposes, and without proper
system of sewerage, which cannot be made
efficient without this water supply, the growth
and the health OF any municipality must be
seriously hampered.
We believe there Is no other measure or
project possible. for the advancement Of our
cities, that can compare in importance with
an abundant water supply and a proper sys.
tenn of sewerage, and without these, In our
opinion, they cannot advance In prosperity
or population as they should do.
The adoption OF this Amendment Will not
commit any of our communities to an issu.
ance OF bonds, or municipal ownership but
will only confer upon US power in these re-
spects that We do not now possess.
Should this Amendment be adopted by the
voters Of the State, and approved by our Geu-
eral Assembly, neither OF our cities can Issue
q single bond nor increase their bonded debt
a single dollar, by any action whatever OF our
Municipal Authorities unless and until in
each city, first, "a majority Of the freehold
ers' petition those authorities 70 order
q majority OF the qualified electors" vote to
issue these bonds for the special purposes
named in the Amendment. and for no other
purpose VIII atsoever. ...Ag
Unless this Constitutional Amendment ia
adopted, "the freeholders and the qualified
voters" in neither of our cities can have the
privilege or option OF issuing bonds for the
parpose of acquiring these necessities, so es.
all "the freeholders and all the qualified
voters were unanimous In their desire TO do
SO. ... - = -
We therefore appeal to you, our fellow-cit-
Of this A@end%sn the to de-
eide for ourselves, subject to the Limitations
OF the Constitution OF South Carolina, above
set FORTH these blessings so essential 10 our
sure, our fellow South Carolinians will not
suffer TO pass unheeded. ..s :, Z. fgzG.t ! |
Yours respectfully, . t,s..,,.,.
F. s. Earle, Mayor OF Columbia. !
J:J. Waters, Mayor OF Rock HILL. I.al
w. D. Morgan, Mayor of Georgetown"
w. H. Malloy, Mayor OF Florence.
g. J. Adger Smith, Mayor OF Charleston.