The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1902-12-24
Biennial Session Saving.

The greatest question that will con-
front the next legislature will be that
as to the finances OF the state. AS IS
well known the revenue is not sufficient
to meet the expenses OF the govern
ment, and while the expenses are
promptly paid the financial depart:
ment is really year or more behind
and is anticipating every year the col
lection of taxes in order to meet current
expenses. Something must be done to
increase the revenue or to make what
we have accomplish the same purpose,
else the levy will have to be raised or
some new system Of taxation will have
to be devised. The raising of the levy
need not for moment be considered,
for the people will not stand it and as
far as any new system OF taxation Is
concerned, which would produce a
large revenue without increasing the
burden, that is all in the air. There
have been some very vague and indef-
mite suggestions along that line, but
from the present outlook nothing will
develop. The almost universal remedy
mentioned for the present condition Is
to cut down expenses and practice
economy, both of which are good and
solid platforms upon which to stand,
but we have yet seen no suggestion as
to how and at what place expenses can
be cut down, or in what manner the
state government can be more econo-
mically conducted than it now is.
Surely no one in these times would
seriously think of beginning the pairing
process on salaries which are now far
too small considering thework requir-
ed of officers, and the higher cost Of
living as compared with former times.
Surely no one would think of taking
away a cent from the funds devoted to
education, primary and higher. We
cannot cut down the interest on the
debt, and these three things constitute
the bulk of the expenses of the state.
There is one way that about S5O,OCO
a year might be saved, and that IS to
have biennial seasons of the legislature.
The expenses of the legislature proper
may not amount exactly to the total
mention, but when ali of the collateral
expenses are added the figures will be
found mot much short of that sum.
That would 60 a long ways towards
putting the state on its feet financially
and the people would not be inconveni-
enced particle; indeed it would be
positive advantage to them, for if there
was ever a time when there is abso-
lutely no need for anything but very
general legislation, and little of that,
now is the time. We can easily dis
pense with the legislature for one year.
That is so self-evident that it is un-
necessary to advance any argument to
prove it. The "let well enough alone"
policy is peculiarly adaptable to this
state now so far as her agricultural,
commercial and manufacturing inter
ests are concerned. This being admit
ted, we have this state of affairs-the
state needs money and the question IS
how to get it. Here is plan that goes
long way towards supplying con
siderable portion of it-save $50, 900
year by enacting that there shall be
biennial sessions of the legislature. If
the members will come here next
month, pass this bill, make the ordi-
nary appropriations and 60 home they
will have made memorable record IN
the history of the state.-Columbia
Record.