The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-06-17
We THINK We ARE POSTED.

We THINK WE ARE POSTED.
It is not at all disagreeable to
enter into a discussion of public
affairs when it is conducted on
proper lines; it has a tendency
to awaken an interest, and it
opens up information to the pub
lie, which it is entitled to know,
and it also gives an opportunity
to correct errors if any there be.
Therefore when Hon. c.. M.
Davis took issue with our edlto-
rial of June 3rd, we gladly pub.
lished MS letter, and we shall
now attempt to discuss the issue.
Senator Davis in his letter which
we published last week expresses
surprise at our criticizing ::the
delegation for making provisions
for building jail" land goes on
to state what grand juries have
done etc. We did not critlclse
s:the delegation for making pro-
visions to build a JAIL" but we
did criticise the delegation for
the manner in which they made
those provisions" We have
given this jail matter consldera-
Bile thought and reached the con-
clusion that it would be good
financial Judgment to first ascer-
tain the cost Of building a jail,
then to make provisions to ac-
complish the purpose. without
burdening the taxpayers with
additional taxation; this in our
opinion could have been done, by
issuing bonds to an amount nee
essary to cover the cost, make
the bonds to run say 5 or 10
years, then fix the county levy
at 8 mills, the same asit was last
year, but stipulate in the supply
Actss5 of one mill for the jail
bonds and g mills for ordinary
county purposes. In this way
the levy would not be increased
and the jail could be built;
whereas, under the recent Act
the taxpayers are called upon to
pay an additional tax Of ! of one
mil and, $1,000 year from the
dispensary profits besides, which
amounts to an increase Of taxa
ton of over one mill.
Why do we believe levy of
8 mills is sufficient to run the
county and build a jail? In 1899,
the county was involved ina
back Indebtedness amounting to
over $4,000. and the tax levy was
Al mills, the creditors were
clamoring for their money and
threatening to put their claims
in interest t-bearing judgments.
The delegation with which we
had the honor to serve, realized
the necessity of appeasing these
creditors and saving the tax
payers in being burdened with
interest; they had a call made
for all outstanding claims, and
then raised the levy to 5 mills at
our first session, the next session
We lowered the levy, and contin-
ued to lower it until we brought
it down to 8 mills, and when our
term expired the last dollar of
past Indebtedness was paid off
and the county was paying all
claims in full. Now, if a county
loaded down with a past indebt-
edness of $4,000, and levy of 5
mills, can pay off its debt: and
reduce it's levy to 3 mills in four
years, we must believe it can,
when it is free from debt, and
its taxable property increasing,
arrange to build a jail to cost
$4,000 or $4,000, without increas-
ing the tax levy. If it is true
that property is increasing in
value, and more property is De
ing put on the tax books, it is
also true the income to the
county is much greater than it
was four years ago-hence there
must be more money to do busl-
ness with. But Senator Davis
doubts every much if they ever
could float our bonds at 5 per
cent interest. It is hardly nee
essary for US to argue this be-
cause every informed man knows
that legally authorized bonds at
5 per cent are such tempting in
ducements for investments, that
they are eagerly sought, and our
county officers, and others are
continually receiving letters IN
quiring for such investments. If
Clarendon county by legislative
authority was to issue 500, 900
5 per cent bonds to run so years,
there would be in 4S hours time,
after a notice had been publish
ed, people here from all over the
country to get hold of them: only
a few weeks ago the city Of An
derson decided to issue $40, 900 to
erect a graded school building,
and they were taken up as fast
the proper officials could sign
the paper; the longer bonds are
to run. the more attractive they
are to investors. Mr.. Davis says
had bonds been issued s:the peo-
pie would have to be taxed to
pay off these bonds together
with accumulated interest" Of
course the bonds and interest
would have to be paid. but not