The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1912-10-16
VOTE AGAINST BONDS,

opposed the "Asvlum Bond Is.
sue,' and among the reasons
given was that we regard the
scheme entirely unnecessary.
There is no demand for the bond
issue except from an element
that is seeking an opportunity to
get a grasp upon some of the
most valuable property in the
city of Columbia, we regard the
agitation rather in the light of a
land grabbing scheme: and if the
people vote in favor of the bond
issue mark our prediction the
present magnificent sylu N
property in the city will soon be
in the hands of the land compan-
les for speculation.
When the matter was first
mooted it was a common report
in the city of Columbia that a
number of men had formed to
get their hooks into this property
and so certain were they that
they had things fixed, they
employed surveyors to lay out
streets and cut the property up
into lots, but something happen
ed and their plans were frustrat'
led. Now we would be the last to
stand in the way of progress,
and especially progress which
would inure to the benefit of the
unfortunates under the States
care, but we have been unable
to see this project as some who
favor it appear to do. They tell
US unless the people give their
sanction to the bond issue, the
State levy will have to be in
creased q mills, but in our opin-
ion this is a bugaboo to scare
people into voting for the
scheme. There will be no in
crease in the tax levy for the
next two years at least, and
should the general assembly at
tempt to raise the levy Governor
Blease will exercise his preroga.
tive and his veto will be sustain
ed, or at least the advocates Of
the bond issue cannot secure
enough votes to pass it over the
veto.
When the subject was up for
discussion in the Senate we took
the position then that the advo-
Gates of the bond issue failed to
show a necessity for this addl-
tional burden upon the already
tax burdened people of the State:
and we intimated then that there
were individuals greatly inter
ested in having the asylum prop
erty sold in order that they may
profit thereby; we realize the
congested condition N the insti
tuition, but this is being relieved
by building on the property re.
Gently purchased, and by a grad
uai process as the State becomes
able the crowded negro inmates
can be removed from their pres
ent quarters can be fitted up COM
fortably for whites without much
expense.
When there was an effort made
to force the retirement of DR.. J.
W. Babcock a few years ago up
on a report of a committee there
lay around the lobbies of the
State house men who had itch
ing palms just waiting for the
committees report to be fav'
orably acted upon, but they were
disappointed with the bull !
dog tenacity of financiers they
kept on urging until they got the
legislature to submit the ques-
tion of the bond issue to the peo-
pie under the threat that if they
90 not issue the bonds the tax levy
will be raised. Senator W. J.
Johnson of Fairfield, a man who
is successful IN business, and a
close student of the States
finances has published a letter
in Mondays News and Courier
which we think the people should
read and ponder well before they
cast vote which consents to bur-
dening themselves with a bond is
sue amounting to 81, ,0O0,0 900.
Here is what Senator Johnson
says:
To the Editor of the News and Cour-
rier: There will be an important amend
ment to the Constitution subr lifted to
the qualified electors for ratification at
the approaching election on November
5, and as it vitality concerns every tax
payer in the State, the matter should be
properly understood, and as the columns
Of the press are the only medium
through which the attention Of the
public can be invited. will thank you
TO give space in your columns for a
brief review OF the proposition.
The amendment provides for bond
issue of one million dollars, running for
20 years at four per cent interest. The
interest alone on the issue during the
20 years would aggregate s800,0O0 and
with the principle would make grand
total OF 81 ,SG0,000.
The only question arising concerning
the issue of the bonds is whether there
is any real necessity to further increase
the Indebtedness of the State, that al
ready smounts to about S7,000,000 with
an annual interest of $2S0.000.
II is claimed by those favorable to
the proposition that it is necessary to
build white Asylum in the Sand Hills
in addition to the one now in course OF
erection there for the negroes and move
both white and colored from their pres