Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-09-03
TAX ON HORSE TRADERS.

Several horse traders, the people
who do business in the back lots on
salesdays and other public days, came
to Yorkville Wednesday morning In
order TO ply their vocation; but upon
being asked to pay a license tax, de-
cided to withdraw from the town, and
did so.
The incident brings up the question
as to whether the diversion of horse
trading, which has been considered as
legitimate within this municipality for
time out Of mind, is to be hereafter
tabooed. One member Of the town
council, Mr.. c. F. Sherer. has express
ed himself as absolutely opposed to
interference with the horse swappers
SO long as they conduct their opera
tons in an orderly manner, and this
member also goes on to say that two
other aldermen, Messrs. j. G. and w.
S. Dickson, stand with him.
There has long been more or less
sentiment in favor Of putting a stop to
back lot swapping in this town; but
as to whether this sentiment has eve
had or now has the backing Of a ma
jority of the thoughtful, representative
business element, cannot be said with
certainty; but there Is considerable
doubt on the subject.
Back lot swapping Is a practice, bus
mess or diversion that is so old and
we'll established that memory Of man
runneth not back to before 1t COM
menced. Even history, ancient his
tory, can throw no light on the origin
OF the practice. 1t is quite possible
that there was trading on a basis o.
boot in the dividing up Of the horses
and the asses that came out Of the
ark, and 1t Is certain that In one
form or another there has been back
lot trading all down the ages ever
since.
AS to whether the local stock dealers
asked for protection" along this line
has not appeared; but this does not
seem likely, because it is hardly justi-
fable. The back lot trader is really In
no competition with the regularly es-
tablished dealer. In the first place, he
does not, as a rule, handle the same
kind of stock, and in the second place
he Is only in the market at intervals,
as opportunity and inclination may
present.
Again, the germ of horse trading is
something that turks in the blood.
There is something akin to the gamble
in it, it is true; but no law-making
body has EVER presumed to outlaw 1t.
and as to whether common sense or
common reason justifies any marked
restriction is a matter of very serious
doubt, especially under such conditions
as exist in this community.
1t is a fact that the opportunity to
trade horses Is one Of the attractions
that bring large numbers Of people
TO this place on s~alesdays and other
times, which people would hardly
come for any other reason. Such peo-
pie are not undesirable from any
standpoint. If they were not disposed
to behave themselves they could be
made to behave. and IL they are dis
posed to be disorderly they can be
fined.
There is no sense in trying to break
up this business. 1t cannot be done.
or course 1t can be driven away; but
1t Is a question Is to whether that Is
desirable. If the object of the mayor
Is to merely make the business pay a
tax, then the better way to go about
1t would be not to try to get that tax
out Of each individual trader: but to
license lots in which the business OF
horse trading may be carried on and
let the proprietorS Of the lots make
suitable regulations as to the individ-
ual traders.