The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1911-01-26
TAXES TOO HIGH.
Something is Wrong Somewhere,
Says Mr.. Brabham.

Editor The Bamberg Herald:-l
have read with much interest your
reply to my article on high taxes.
You contend that taxes are as high
in Colleton and Barnwell as in Bam-
berg. Not having paid In Colleton
for four or five years, what you say
l do not gainsay or dispute, for you
should know. Now, l must infer
that the whole State is paying high
er taxes than ever known, and you
say the voting out of the dispensary
is the cause in all counties where
it was voted out, Of higher taxes.
Granted, but there must be some
thing radically wrong somewhere,
and I am in the field to fight to a
finish to know where the trouble
comes in.
High and burdensome taxes
brought out Wade Hampton, and
taxes were not as high during Radi-
cal times as they now are. we all
know that Hampton entered upon his
duties with the State bankrupt, no
means to carry on the ship of State,
vet the entire government was car
ried on in such a business-like man
ner that no one felt the small amount
demanded to carry on the affairs OF
State, yet no State institution suffer
ed for money. For years the State
went on with a lower rate of taxes
than almost any State in the Union,
and no one missed the money paid
for taxes.
For several years Barnwell coun-
ty, including what is now Bamberg
county, did not get cent revenue
from the sale of whiskey for we
had prohibition then as now, and
there was no increase in taxes. II
we could carry on the county's affairs
at one time without the aid of whis-
key money and no raise in taxes,
surely we can do the same thing
now.
know there is something wrong
somewhere and somehow, and
shall, as time permits, ascertain
where the trouble lies.
1 cannot pass what you say about
not seeing my name connected with
anything that helps or has aided the
county, but that I am trying to tear
I have never entered politics, be-
cause I abhor them. I have led a
quiet life on my farm, and If you
will pardon this little piece of self
praise, few farmers in South Caro-
lima have ever made a name as far
reaching as 1 have done. Years of
study and toll with nature enabled
me to give to the world, or the South
at least, the greatest, forage plant
known to man to-day. Farmers from
Maryland to the Canal Zone. are
sending me letters of praise which
are too fattering for the public eye.
And the highest authority on fine
cotton, living, says the day is near
at hand when my breeding Of cotton
is going to reyolutionize the cotton
world.
The department of agriculture for
six years has paid me for seed of
my own breeding the highest price
ever known for the same class OF
seed. Their expert breeders, under
my directions, are making expert
ments, and I am the only farmer in
Bamberg county who has ever had
an official visit from one of Uncle
Sans most expert scientists.
Done nothing for Bamberg coun-
ty!" Ask many poor people around
me, when last fall, with no crops and
no means to supply the wants of ap-
preaching winter, what I did. Many
families here owe it to me and my
methods of business the money they
spent on themselves and their fami-
lies. Out of these poor people l
could have made a nice sum for my
self but had I done so my con-
science would have gnawed hole
in my heart.
Done nothing for Bamberg coun.
ty!" Years ago I favored long cotton
for the uplands. Everybody deem
ed me crazy. I lost money on the
venture, but 1 held on somehow, and
now, to-day, thank God! am proud
of my humble part. Upland long
cotton is here to stay.
Done nothing for Bamberg coun-
ty!" Ask the bankers in the lower
part Of the county how I aid and as
sist my fellow-man each year when
they (the people, not the bankers)
need help. Ask the unfortunate
who apply to me as such if do not
"treat each son of Adam as a broth
~ ~ Tho d,1cti',