The Abbeville press and banner. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, December 16, 1885, Image 4
SaataaacMMgMMaiaiBaBWMW i grtawtae iimifiii,'
The Press and Banner.
ABBEVILLE, S.C.
Wednesday, Dec. 16, 1885.
Taxation for School IMirposes is t'n?
fair.
1. Because, every citizen of the Slaie is 10< ,uiml
to ray to tlie schools one dollar on his
head, whether he receives any benefit from it
?>r not.
2. Hccause, in consequence of the location
of the school houses, only a portion of the
?i.?Mi*on ?.r iiio srnte can. by any possibility,
reccive any benefit of t!ie school fund.
3. Because, it is wrong in principle to tax
jili alike when the benefits are unequally distributed.
j. Because, it is especially Iniquitous to
levy this tax in the name of the poor, when It
is certain that the children of every well-ofl"
citizen will receive benefits from the fund at
a time when It is morally certain that a large
per cent, of the poor children do not live in
reach of the school house.
;>. Because, it is iniquitous to the last degree
to extort a dollar from the impecunious
citizen to increase the fund for the education
-r ?,Ic "oicrhhrti'K* children at a time when he
is actually unable to buy the necessary books
for his own children to so to school, even if
the school house was at his very door.
r>. Because, from the very nature of thinsrs
the schools cannot be: of equal benefit. The
remote corners are taxed to support the
schools which are always located in the townsj
and other centres, which are inaccessible to
the people living a long way off".
7. Because, the children of the poor, who do
not belong to the favored class, may from the
insufficiency of room or from a lack of teach*
ers, be crowded out of the public schools even
though they live near to the school house.
S. Because, it is a well known fact that the
rich and influential citizen may always locate
the school to suit his own children, while the
children of the less fortunate are disregarded,
except in cases where numbers may be needed.
Who ever heard of a school being located
iirar.i jiuui iiuiii ? iiuusv.
9. Because, the citizen, whether rich or poor.
h;\K property rights which should be respected
by even the school zealot who would be a
philanthropist at other people's expense.
10. Because, poor people, as a rule, are compelled
to live in the less desirable and more
remote corners, which fact, if nothing else,
deprives them of the benefits of the school to
which the law compels them to contribute.
It will be noticed that all the shrieking about i
the benefits of public schools comes from pco
p!e about town who are enjoying the proceeds |
of taxes levied on distant farms.
11. Because, poor people are compelled to
Inre a private teacher at high prices, or must
let their children go uneducated. Practically,
they pay to keep up the rich man's school,
and then must hire a private teacher on their
own account.
12. Because, the present public school system
is lessening the pride of our people oil the
subject of educating their children.
13. Because, under the present plan of taxing
poor people on the "remote farms to keep up
schools for well-to-do towns people, the ratio
of illiterate white people has more than
doubled in less than twenty years?al the false
assertions of fanatics on the subject of public
education to the contrary notwithstanding.
14. Because, this heavy tax to educate our
political enemies, while our own old needy
Confederate soldiers are neglectcd is a disgrace
to our people.
15. Because, the livpocricy and political cant
of parly leaders as to our extreme anxiety
about negro education fools nobody. Asa
means of throwing sand into Northern eyes
it is an absolute failure. No man with sense j
enough to enjoy good health believes, that!
there Is a man in South Carolina who earn
estly and sincerely desires to confiscate tno j
Confederate soldier's home, in order to raise j
money with which to educate litUe negroes,
or white boys cither.
lfi. Because, every sense of manhood, justice I
and honor must revolt at the idea of extort-1
jng from widows and orphans money with!
which to educate our natural born political,
enemies, who never f;iil to swear against us
in Court, and who so often bedraggled their j
)
holy robes to slander, vilify and traduce the*
white people in their pulpit at home and!
anronu.
17. Because, it is more in accord wilh our!
conceptions of humanity and christian be-1
jievolence for us to l'ccd and cloth our own
needy soldiers and their widows, than it is for
us to sill the little remaining property of
these needy soldiers to raise money with
which to educate negroes to swear falsely
iigainst us, and to enable them to slander us
from their pulpits.
18. Because, the public school system has destroyed
nearly all the good schools.
10. Because, much of the public school fund
is consumed in paying a high salary to an officer
who does not in our opinion earn his
salary. For instance, a school teacher is given
the place of State Superintendent of Education,
and he draws SIT.)00a month out of the
school fund when pursuing his ordinary avo-1
cation, and in addition to the large sum
which he receives he is allowed SSOO.OO a
year with which to hire a clerk to do his;
work. Although the Superintendent is a
most excellent citizen, who served hiscoun*r\*
tnoKl. hnnnralilv nnd most, srn.llantlv. in
times of war, yet we do not sec the justice of
levying this tax on his old comrades In arms.
20. Because, every citizen who once gets excited
on the subject of public schools seems to
' forget the weight of the burden which the
lax payer is already carrying, and none of
1 hem liave ever been satisfied with even the
present enormous tax which is forced from
the people. All their speeches is in favor of
taxation, grinding taxation, damning taxation.
Where Is the man that ever saw an enthusiast
on public education that was satisfied
with the rate of taxation? As an instance
of this sort, reference is had especially
to-any speeches which have been recently delivered
in the Court House. The (governor's
message furnishes additional proof, when he
%pi?n1n^ c/?1iaa1 4??v ojui nnll to v /l/tnKl/jrl
at a time when the farmer was selling his cotton
at eight cents a pound. Instead of sympathizing
with the people and seeking relief
for them in the present financial depression
by closing the schools for a year, the Governor
wants to pile ttio taxes mountain high.
"\Ye have indeed heard so much about the
need of money for public schools that we do
not believe there is a limit beyond which at*
enthusiast on the subject of negro education
would not go. The tax payer therefore need
jiever expect mercy from the advocates of
public schools, if the recommendations Governor
Thompson and the State Superintendent
of Education are fair samples of the
rapacity of the school department which has
never been satisfied, and which seemingly
would scarcely be satisfied if it got every cent
of the citizen's money.
Tobacco.
T?et aone of our prople doubt that tobacco
^aii be raised in this country. Our forefathers!
iaised quantities of it, before they took to
votton. The only question now is, were our
irrandfathers fools f<>r mutt in-' a profitable
crop to raise cotton ? in our own opinion to- j
baceo had Letter be lot alone. Corn, and
small grain are reasonably profitable, while
cotton is a good surplus crop. Tobacco Is the
filthiest crop that grows. It contaminates
every thing that comcs ?cari<> The cloth Ins'
and persons of those who work In it arc affected
by it. The girls and boys that are compelled
t<> work with it generally learn to v'hew
it, and a tobacco-chewing woman if> not as a
rule, desirable. Cotton is the cleanest, nicest
crops that grows, and is clean to the touch,
while tobacco is the filthiest. Let other people
ralso tobacco, and Itarn their girls how to
chew it, but let our people give it a wide berth.
We trust that the application for charter
find land grant to the proposed railroad from
Charleston to Sullivan's Island may be
granted.
,?w>SICa g
Pensions for Old Soldiers.
| The Columbia Register in an able article on
the subject of pensions, among other tilings,
says :
"I5ut it may be well nsked, Slmll we do
nothing, then ! It is just here comes the
pinch. h-o far as the people of this commonwealth
are concerned, they are poor, ami
those, as a rule,arc the poorest now who were
nurtured to generous sentiments. Yes, we
are poor, and we cannot, if we would, do more
than weareahlc. Under these circumstances
the mere claim of beimj; disabled does not
warrant tlie taxation of the people to give
any the assistance which they may not need
Why should poor women and children,
among others, who have barely enough to
sunpoi t life, be taxed to bestow a 'argcxs on a
disabled soldier who Is tn comioriauie circumstances
and needs 1:0 help?
"It seems to us that any man of proud reckoning
should refuse to have his virtues made
an infliction on his fellow citizens. 15ut the
case is entirely ditlerent when the applicant
for relief is vecdi/. For such a one society is
hound In all honor to provide. With a general
system of pensions the rich and well-to-do
may come in and have the very bread of the
poor taxed to add to their store. With this
and all such as this, soldier or no soldier, we
have no sort of sympathy; for the simple
reason that it is oppressive and wrong in itself.
Wrong before God and man."
The reasoning is so fair, and sonppHcable to
the present, iniquitous school tax that with a
few changes of words, it would present our
views more forcibly than we can do. For Instance,
the Itc;f:ster says:
"Why should poor women and children,
among others, who have barely enough to
support life, be taxed to bestow a largess on a
disabled soldier who is in comfortable circumstances
and needs no help ?"
Now, suppose we change a word or two of
that sentence, and make it read thus:
' Why should poor women and children,
destitute old soldiers, and their widows, who
have barely enough to support.life, be taxed
to bestow a largess on wealth}' neighbors and
big aide bodied negroes who are In comfortable
circumstances and need no help to educate
their children ?"
Let ns copy another sentence or two, as follows
:
"It seems to ns thai any man of proud reckoning
should refuse to have his virtues made
an intiiction lo his fellow citizens. Hut the
case is entirely different when the applicant
for Lt-lief <".y need'/."
Let the above sentence be changed in only a
word or two, and it explains our position on
the public schools:
"It seems to us that any man of proud reckoning
and ability to pay should refuse to have
the education of ills children an infliction to
his fellow citizens. Hut the case is entirely
different when the applicant for relief is
needy."
The following sentence of the same editorial
from the Register needs no alteration at all:
Why not let all that the State can afl'ord to
bestow fco to those who do need ii v 10 suen
as do need help there can he no question of
the plain duty of the common wealth in the
premises. Whatever it may cost, to succor
them stiould be encountered, be it what it
may."
At a time when the Legislature is annually
appropriating a quarter of million dollars for
educating the ignorant negro who always
swears against us in Court, and who, when
educated, always traduces us in the pulpit, at
I home and abroad, the Register has this to say
when It is proposed to relieve the necessities
of the disabled soldiers by the appropriation
of a small sum :
"We would sn.v that we not only feel this
sympathy, but hold that as a matter of common
self-respect every man who knows what
I fearful sacrifices the Southern soldiers made
for the "Lost Cause," must, accept it as a sacred
obligation to help those needing help
I whoso bravely encountered the toils, the pri*
| vatious, and the untold suffer in us of the terI
rible conflict-. What can be done to relieve
those who need reliet is a question we presume
which should and must be met. Let
I v hatever our individual sympathies inav be,
j tills question is not so easy of solution as our
correspondent would think."
The Register says:
[ "With a general system or pensions the rich
and Wi ll to do may come in ami have the
very bresd of tlie poor taxed to add to their
store. With ail such as this, soldier or no soldier,
we have no sympathy, for tiie simple
reason thai it is oppressive and wrong in itself.
Wrong before God and man."
This sentence, with only a word or two
changed, expresses our sentiments on the
present school system, as follows:
"With a general system of public schools as
now conducted, the rich and well-to-do citizen
comes in and has the very bread of the
poor taxed to educate his children. With
this, and all such as this, sehool or no school,
we have no sort of sympathy, for the simple
reason that it is oppressive and wrong in itself.
Wrong before God and man/'
In conclusion, we thank the Register for furnishing
us with such forcible arguments
against the present most shameful ontruge of
taxing the very bread of the poor man that
his rich neighbor may get his children educated
at his expense.
If pensions to brave and deserving soldiers
are to be given only to the needy, why not restrict
thg school fund for the benefit of the
needy? That is the question which we would
iike for the Register or anybody else to answer.
Are we Drifting Toward l>e?j?olKm
The Governor recommends the appropriation
of enormous amounts of the people's
money, and that ever present school system,
with its attendant cormorants on the tax-payers
bounty, are like the horse leech, forever
crying "give," "give," "give." The State Superintendent
of Education, having had a taste
of drawing ?175.00 a month from the public
i treasury, while pursuing his own chosen profession
of teacher, comes to the front now and
asks that the State Superintendent be allowed
$3,500 a year, a salary equal to that of Circuit
Judge. Not satisfied with living by lcgitlating
money out of the pockets of the people,
he wants the Legislature to take the election
of Superintendent of Education out of their
linnds, and he wants the salary of the County
School Commissioners raised to S'JOO, and rec
ommcnds that they "should be appointed by
the Governor."
As a rule, it is fair to presume that the people
who pay the sehool money are competent
to elect a State .Superintendent ol* Education
and any number of County School Commisj
sioners?even though their representatives in
; State Conventions may sometimes make mistakes.
In recommendations made by the State Superintendent
he says:
| The evils resulting to the public school system
on account of the short term of olficcand
11ho mode of selecting the Superintendent of
Education and School Commissioners indicate
I an imperative necessity for a change in these
particulars. It is recommended, therefore,
that the Superintendent of Education, like the
Circuit Judges, be elected by joint ballot of
j the General Assembly for a term of four years,
and allowed a salary equal to theirs. The
j County School Commissioners should he ap
I'UlillVU "J II1VT \j\f* VI 1 H/l | ll|>UII LI I v IVVUII1iiH'inliition
for cause. Each Commissioner
should receive a salary of 3W0 a year, or a fixed
percentage of the county school 1'unU.
In other words, the people who pay half a
million dollars a year into tiie school fund are,
in the opinion of the State Superintendent of
Education, totally unlit lo elect their own officers,
and from (he recommendations ahove
quoted it may appear that they really arc incapable
of doing so. It, seems to us to he in
bad taste, to say the least, for an officer. elected
by the people, to say to them that they are
unlit to elect a proper person to rill the place
whose salary he is then drawing.
Another draft which 1 he State Superintendent
of Education would make upon the people
is, that "an appropriation of $150 be made and
"authority given for the purpose of publish"ing
in the Carolina Tcachcr such matter of
"official interest as ought to be brought direct'Mv
to the attention of the teachers."
One hundred and fifty dollars isnotenough
to support a newspaper. We cannot understand
then why only $1";0.00 should be given to
the Carolina Teuclivr. It cannot be to inform
lno icaeners 01 mediate. me lecommenuation
is a mystery to us.
We see it stated that the school cranks will
! Imve no trouble in getting their hills through
j the Legislature, favoring the additional taxation,
and confiscation of the people's money,
I luit the temperance people cannot net an election
on the temperance question. Whiskey,
I and ;i disposition to tax the people, seem to
have a strong hold on this Legislature.
j Despite any efforts that may he made by
Ithewhiskej men to east odium on the temperance
people, we are still inclined to the
; belief that the opponents of the whiskey
j tjryflie are reasonably respectable,
Tnxaliou.
The people are louil in their complaints:
about (he high taxes which they have just'
paid, imd tiloy will wutcli with anxiety 1 lie ,
Iaction of otir Legislators in the hope that;
J they may afl'ect tor them some relicl' from the ;
1 yearly increasing burden.
j We have as yet seen very little disposition!
| on the part of the State officers to recommend j
[any reduction of the appropriations, though ;
| this Legislature seems to be doing much
work, and wasting very little time in letting :
i ,v? .......Jno ??? T!,a 11,/i nan.'
I VMI J3VllJ?IUO jjlin, X ll'i htuil/ 'Hl.HW Ul l??\* I'W j
J pie's money, we think, is in tlie educational I
j department of the Ciovcmment. It really j
j seems that as soon as a man once has any-1
| thing lo do with that department he becomes '
; impressed with the idea that the tax payer
i has no rights to property which ho Is bound
! to respect.
j After a review of all the speeches, the actj
Ings and doings of all the men who arc or have
I been at any time connected in the Education*
I al Department, we have come to the conclusion
that the tax payer has no friend among
! the lot. We have never yet heard one of
j them suggest inguny reduction of our burdens,
; but each,one seems to be a self-constituted
| emissary for the spread of doctrines which
are subversive of the rights of the tax-payer
and promotive of a communistic principle
which would overthrow th.e well-established
rule of awarding just compensation tothein!
dusu ious and economical citizen, ?uid would
instead, offer a premium to idleness and vagrancy.
We ask the reader to take a look
backward, and see if he can recall a slnglo in
J Ktsmcc where any man connected wltli thoj
j schools ever expressed a thought in behalf of
the tax-payer.
For these reasons we Ihink no fanatic on
the subject of negro education shouid ever be
eleclod to the Legislature or to any Slate office
where his influence may be detrimental
to the good of the people. According to our
belief the tax-payer has yet to find one friend
in all that class. If one can be named, we
shall be glad to note the exception.
-
The IiitHior Question.
If the work of the immigration agent is to
be continued, the up-country will suffer much
from the loss of citizens to till our lands,
i While we think no means short of taking
life is too heroic to defend ourselves from the
evils resulting from immigration agents, we
tliink our people might avert, some of the ,
evils by offering farming lands at lower rent.
: The rent of lands that can be bought at $5.00
jan acre should not be held at $2.00 or $;!.00 an
lnr?vp_ The renter can 110 more afford to pay
forty per ccnt. for tlie rent of 11 is land than lie
can afford to pay the merchant a big per cent.
| for goods. Ontheothorhand.lt Is belter for
! the landowner to rent his lands at a low price
i than to let any considerable portion of them
'remain idle. The Idea of renting one-fourth
| of the farm while three-fourths lie idle, is on
the principle of allowing three-fourt hs of one's
capital to lie idle and unproductive, while we
exnect to make a living on the remaining onej
fourth. Few men in Abbeville couniy can
afford to do this. Every acre, like cvery dolI
lar, should be made productive. As all spare
money should be safely invested so as to bear
! interest, so every acre of land should be man!
ased so as to bring the oVuier a return, be it
J ever so small. The land which cannot be cultivated
should be fenced for pastures. If the
! grass of this county which now annually goes
1 to waste for want of fencing, could be utilized
i in feeding colls, sheep, cows, hogs, and other
j animals we would soon become a rich people.
I The aggregate value of pasture lands in Abi
bcville county is immense, and it should be
utilized.
1 During the winter season a larger return
; can be had lor labor expended In fencing
waste land, than in any other way.
?ia ? *
Kormons in X'l'wsjtiipoift.
"Wo wish that more of our exchanges would
fol low the on amnio of the Abbeville l'ress ami
I /{(inner and Jlotwa J'ath Plaimlmtcr, and
; print sermons of the most eloquent divines.?
1 tie miliary Lcnjlcl.
j. We believe the publication of sermons to be
'an attractive feature of any paper, and we
I further believe that a majority of the newspapers
publish too little religious matter, and
give too little of church news. The fact is,
the mere existence of pimly religious news!
papers is a standing reproach to the secular
! press, which should supply the demand for!
! religious reading with as much care as it;
I caters to any other demand from the reading
! public.
i We are firmly convinced that any secular
i newspaper which falls to collect religious and
church news with as much care as-Kny other
news, is derelict in a matter which is an important
factor in the success of any newspa|
per.
j Wc are even more surprised at the religious j
; press lor not publishing sermons in every Is-i
! sue than we are at the secular press for their
! failure to publish them. We are further sur-i
! prised that a mnjority of the religious news;
papers co ntinue to print their sheets on type
^ so larg e tluit an ordinary sermon would cover j
! from a quarter to a half acre of space. The)
; use of hirge type is ron lined almost exclusively
to country newspapers and to the religious
1 press, while the city dailies wi til their much
' greater circulation use small type.
fipitrtniilmrsN Ililemmn.
Laying aside the moral question involved
in the confiscation <>| the citizen's property
for the benellt of a private corporation,
! it might be well to consider the practical
results which follow s uch {in act. When a
; railroad is> built through a section of country
i which tias 110 railroad, the benefits of the
road cannot well be over-estimat jil, hut whim
jit comes to building parallel or competing
| lines the benefits may not be sure or great.
1 For proof of this sec the articles in this
j week's a:id last weok's Press aul Burner as
taken from the X-jivs aul Cj'orier an J the
j tiparlt.inbwo IJcraliL Spartanburg has given I
j 12.*>,'JOO to build railroads, viz: The Air Lino, I
i the Spartanburg and Asheville, the Sp.xrtan!
burg, Laurens, mid Given wool, although she
| had the Spartaburg and Union road. Now j
j Spartanburg is getting no better freight rates
than the smallest, town on any one of these !
j railroads. The statements are presumed to be
j facts. If they are, where will Spartanburg re.
jcelvea fair return for her debt? It is true
! that there was for a time, when there was
sharp competition between the Clydes
land the Georgia Central Uiilroad systems^
Rut the best practical ta lent in the country is
| to be found in the railroads. They soon saw
! the folly of underbidding each other, and
they, through some of their representatives,
i came to the conclusion that as there were but
i two of them, there was no necessity lor being !
1 fools, and so they came to terms, and now the i
I competing points pay the same freights as j
j other towns on the roads. There may be food :
: for thought in these l'af'ts.
[The Proposed Constitutional Conven-:
I (ion.
"While we think It perfectly certain that no
Constitutional Convention will over be held:
i In South Carolina, yet. the annual demand for j
I such an event is made by a few newspapers in j
| various parts of the State. None of these
I *
I newspapers, as far as we have heard, have ev-;
I er assigned any need for a < "onvention, except i
j that it is a Radical instrument, but out of!
kindness to the brethren of the press the!
! Xars and Cow. icr hints at what we.regard the i
real demand for a Constitutional Convention.1
In remarking on a bill, which was defeated,!
: before the; Legislature, looking to a Constltu-(
j tional Convention, that paper said :
"Kven if the preliminary resolution find |
j the necessary support in the Legislature, it.
! must run the gauntlet of the popular vote at
i the next general election. The people will be |
told (luring tnc canvass, we may ml* sure, inai
If l hey vote In JUvorof the Convention they!
will expose themselves to the danger of los-!
ingmauyot the privileges which they prize'
most highly. Will not. it be said, for examploj
that It is intended to change the Constitution
ho as to reduce (lie colored peoj)le to a state
! of peonase ; that it is intended to abolish the
compulsory school tax ; that it is intended to
restrict the sull'inge, so that tiie poor man,;,
black or white, will he without elteetivo
{ voice in the management of public attain;?" ii
riic Snvnnnali Valley Railroad and
its Depots.
Now Unt tills important line Ik bring com- 1
pleted the points where It will touch uiicl the I
hi(.?tions to be established are of interest. The : i
Hist station will he Bordeaux, iiliotit seven ?
miles trom Met.'ormick and owned by Dr. Ol- r
bert; the next will bo at Willinaton, three or s
four miles father on, the lands around which c
are owed by l>r. W. E. I.ink : the next will be j
at Mt. Carmol where Mr. J. W. Morrah is the I
principal landowner; the next will be at a
place called Magnolia, owned by ("apt. Sam.
Hester; and the next will beat Lowndesville.
From there to Anderson we learn that no depots
have as yet boon fixed upon, for the reason
that, section refused any assistance to the
road. It. need not he doubted, however, that
this part, of the line also will have, ere Ions,
several conveniently located stations. All
of this is a magnitieient country which a railway
will develop in'.o one of (lie finest port.WmK
nt' t ho Shi tr? nf Sinn fh (!tirn1lnn..? A/ftf.Yir
mick Advance.
As a matter of riuht and Justice, there (
should be no depots bewcen Lowndesville and |'
Anderson. Wc place the prediction on record j1
now that if Anderson consents to the establishing
of a depot between that city and |
Lowndcsvllle, that Anderson will soon be con- 5
vinccd of the error. The trade of all that sec- j
tion of country along the line of road would <
he cut off" from the city which built tlie road, <
and all to accommodate the paople who re- '
fused to contribute its constitution. Let Anderson
reap the advantage of her investment,
and let the people go to Anerson as heretofore.
They have no right to complain since
they withheld their aid.
l*aHtitrcM.
Now Is the time to enclose pasture lands.
They pay a net profit which Is almost If not
quite equal to the cultivated lands. Cattle
in the pasture, gather the grass crops without j
hire, and tliey arc just so many automatic <
machines fur converting the grass into meat j
nnil inillr Mont, nnrl mlllr nr(> imnnrtrmt i
factors in the food supply. Daily rations '
from the meat tub soon exhausts the supply, 1
but the flow of milk and butter goes on forever.
Exhaust the supply at night and in ,
the morning, like the manna of old, the sup- 1
ply is as great as ever. The same is true J
of the meat house. Daily rafions soon ex*
haust the supply, but in a good pasture is ,
suindent animals to replenish the supply. I <
The value of a good pasture is of priceless '
worth to all who seek prosptrity and thrift.
Liquor in Laurens.
We see it stated that men openly violate the
State law agalpst retailing spirituous liquors ,
in Laurens village, and that several persons
have bought United States Ucenso. A lesson
is taught in these statements. The United
States law Is regarded, because the Government.
employs officers whose duty it is to see
that the law is enforced, but the State of
South Carolina has no such officer, but depends
upon the private citizen t> turn in- ,
former. If the State of South Carolina really
means to have its laws enforced, let the Legislature
create an office, and appoint an officer
wnosc duly it 13 to ioois aucr tnesc genue-:
incn who choose to bieak the law.
SPARTANBURG'S RAILROADS. |
HAS ANY BENEFIT BEEN RECEIVED FROM!
THE $425,000 TAX?
The People are In Doubt as to Whether
the County 1ms been Benefited i
by its ICallroad Taxes?Freight \
Kales no Belter than when there I
was only one Railroad.
Kftvs and Courier.
Spautanbuko, December n.?Many or our |
people are In doubt as to whether the county j
tins been paid tor its outlay for railroads.1
The subscription for the Air Line was S2<i0,000
for the county and 500.000 for the town, for the
Spartanburg and Asheville 8100,000 for the
county, and for the GrecmvcoJ, Laurens and
Spartanburg S75.000 for the county. Total subscription,
$135,000. Those bonds bear Interest
at 7 per cent. About ?75,000of them have been
paid, so that our railroad debts is now about
$150,w:0, the annual interest on which is ?.M,500.
The amount, paid for bonds, coupons and
interest t his year was i'W.GO, or about one- j
fourth of our whole tax, State and county. If j
cur tax payees were to raise ?50,01(0 a year to:
extinguish this deht, it would require about j
ten years to pay it oft". These statements' are
made so that it. may he known what Spartanburg
has done to get these railroads and what!
she lias to do to cet rid of the debt_
After the building of the Air Line our poo- !
pit were told that if they would build the I
Spartanburg and Asheville Road they would
haven short route to the West, with cheap,
rates of freight. That is not finished yet, and
it is doubtful w hethcr It will be ready for traftlce
before April. Then another hope was
held out. to our people, and they were persuaded
to subscribe to the Greenwood, Laurens
and Spartanburg Road with the promise
that there would certainly he competllive
rates when that road was finished. The Richmond
and Danville Syndicate controls the
Air Line, the Spartanburg and Union and the
Spartanburg and Asheville roads. The Georgia
Central controls the Greenwood, Lauren* j
and Augusta. There seems to be no compel!-!
lion as to freights. In fact, Spartanburg is
getting no better rates than live smallest town
on any one of these roads. To show that
Spartanburg is paying higher rates than
neighboring cities, it is necessary to quote]
iatesfrom Louisville, Evansvilie or Henderson,
Kentucky, Is as loliows: To Spartanburg
5!tJ4 cents, to Atlanta 3d, to Augusta 3$,
and to Columbia 14. Flour and corn exhibit
the same differences. The charge for sixth
class freight from New York is: To Spartanhnrrr
nS ci.nt< to AllnntnJO tn fJiilnosvillp .10.,
to Columbia, Granitcvillo and Augusta 37.
The^e last places have 21 certs advantage
over Spartanburg, with a longer haul, 'the
freight on meat from Chicago to Spat tanburg
isT.'l cents, to Atlanta 50, to Augusta ">2.
This being the condition of our freights on
the completion of the last road, our business!
men begun to look around to see if there was |
not some relief. They thought the piaee demanded
such freights as would make this aj
distributing point. Committees visited Au-i
gusta and Richmond. They were cordially |
received by freight agents, but no promises
were made looking to a reduction. It was j
evident to these committees that there was a;
thorough understanding between the RUdii
tnondand Danville and the Georgia Central.'
Their vales are the same, which is the very |
best evidence that there Is pooling. Of course \
the railroads will blame our LegMature and j
the Railroad Commission, but when Colum-1
bia and Augusta arc pointed out, with their!
low rates, they say that it. is competition. So
it seems that after paying out nearly half a
million of dollars for these roads and burdening
ourselves with an onerous tax, we have
no advantages except what could be derived
Irom a single road. It is reasonable that the
people should become restless and "kick"
against the building of more roads. As to
pooling, the people are hopeless and helpless.
Monopolies have tlie power to do I his, and no
railroad law or commission can prevent it. A !
combination of all the business men ot any!
town or city to use one freight line would not j
bring relief, for the fortunate line could keep j
up its freights and compensate the idle line.)
Some of our business men believe that direct:
communication with Wilmington over the I
Carolina Con trill would solve the problem and I
nive us the desired competition. We will j
wait and see.
Troy"?i Xews Lcttpr.
Troy, 8. C., Dec. 15, 18^5.
Although our town lias been voted dry until
December 1, IJ-'SG. tliere was quite a sensa- j
tioti created here last week by two petitions
being presented to our citizens. Our zealous j
Prohitionists petitioned to make Troy dry j
forever, while other citizens demanded a fair j
vote on the question every two years as the ;
law now stands.
l'rof. Wilder was here last week with hisj
immense sleijrht-of-hand show. He was certainly
wilder than any of his audience.
Mrs. It. W. Lites has been quite il1 for some '
time. 1 am glad to note, however, that she is |
much better.
Miss Nellie Moroy is visiting friends in
town. We are always pleased to see her.
Miss Nora Marshall, of Ohio, who has been)
ably conducting the Troy High School for the j
past fwo years, left for her home on yesterday ;
in company with her sister, Miss lone. They i
were accompanied to the depot by a host ofi
friends to wish them a pleasant .Journey and '
hoping soon to have them with us again.
Kcv. II. C. Smart has accepted a call here i
and will shortly build a handsome cotbige. 1
We weleome liiin m our midst, knowing tlmt I'
lie will greatly add to the intuited and refine-1'
ment of our (own. -'
Mr. M.S. MitclH'll, of Abbeville, paid us a
short, visit on last Saturday, lie is looking i,
well, wliie.h I suppose is due to a Javorable an- j'
swer from his girl.
A small parly leaves hero this evening to at- ]
tend the Calico llop at McC'onniek. Tuov. j j
The skat ing rink was opened last Saturday j
night for the benefit of boys who wanted tn,(
learn the art ol skating. We hope our young ;
Indies may let the boys have, all the fun to j
themselves at the rink.
Mi:. Ciiaki.ik Lyon Is now employed in
tin! store of Messis. Wnrdlaw ?fc Edwards 1
where he will be glad to w;.it on eustonu-i.s. ,
Scott Cjiilks of Greenwood was lodged in J t
|ail iast. week, charged with stealing a imije. j
It was a family fuss, with mitigating clrcutu- j
stunecs. I
... ""
OLD FLAN REVERSED.
r IVE TO WIS. One thousand dollars
I j every five years. .Small monthly deposts
required. No mcdlcnl examination. The
mildest advance In the history ot Life Insu*
oner. The National Dlfe nnd Maturity A?ociation,
of Washington, D. Issues eertlfl- (
;ates for SI,000 and $">00, payable in 5 years/
Anyone (regardless of njre) is ellg'b'.e lo memjershlp.
For lull particulars see
K. J. MINTS, Agent.
Dec. 10, 1883. 2t Abbeville, S. C.
INSlIRANrF T.ir.FNQP.
Exkcutive Department,
Office of Comptroller General,
Columbia, S. C., Nov. 14, 1885.
I CERTIFY, that L. A. EAST, of Newberry.
agent of The National Life and Maturity
Association, Incorporated by the State of
Washington, I>. ('., has complied with the
requisitions of the Act of the General Assembly
entitled "An Act to regulate the
\gencles of Insurance Companies not incorporated
in the Stnte of South Carolina," nnd
[ hereby license the said I,. A. EAST, Esq.,
\gent aforesaid, to take risks nnd transact, nil
lusincss of Insnraccc in this State, In the
bounty ol Abbeville, for and In behalf of said
Company.
Expires -March 31st, 18Sf>.
\V. E. STONEY,
Colnptrolier General.
Master's Sale.
HIE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA,
COUNTY OF ABBEVILLE.
court of common pleas.
W. N. Hull against Sarah A. Boyd et al.
DY virtue of an order of sale made In the
^ above slated ense, I will offer for sale ?t
jubllo outcry at Abbeville C. H., S. C., on Salelay
In Jan miry, lSSit, within the legal hours of
sale the following described property, situate
n said State and County, to wit: All the Inerest.
or Sarah A. Boyd and James F. Boyd,
lecensed. In that tract or parcel of land, ccn.
talning
Ninety Acrrs,
noro or less, lying on the East iide of Rocky
river, 011 the North side of Cannon's creek,
bounded on the North by .Tans Miudock's
and, 011 I lie East and Sout h by W. N. Hall.
TERMS OF SALE?One fialf cash, the balmcc
on a credit of twelve months with interest
from day of ssiie, secured by bond of pur baser
ard a mortgaue of the premises, i'urjhaser
to pay the Master for pnpers.
J. C. K LUG II,
Dec. 1GIS80. Master.
Master's Sale.
rilE STATE OF SOUIII CAROLINA,
COUNTY OF ABBEVILLE,
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS.
James II. Dunn vs. Alice A. Ferguson et al.?
Partition.
T)Y virtue of an order of sale made In the
above stated ca?e, I will olfer for sale at
pnblic auction, at Abbeville C. IL, S. C\, 011
Saledav in January. lsS(i, within the legal
hours of sale,the following described property,
situate in said state and County, to wit:
All that tract or parcel of land containing
Two Hundred and Fortv-Nine Acres,
more or less, bounded by lands of T. J. Ellis,
W. C. Martin, Margaret E. Simmons, and
others.
TERMS OF SALE?One-half cash, balance
in twelve months with interest from day of
sale, secured by bond of the purchaser and a
mortgage of the premises. Purchaser to pay
the Master fur all papers. <
J. C. KLUGH, Master.
Dec. 11,188.5,3t
mm ml!
The State of South Carolina,
COUNTY OF ABBEVILLE.
Abraham Y. Thompson ot ul. vs. Jane L. Todd
et id.?Belief.
[N accordance with the provisions of the
will of James 11. Todd, deceased, and by virtue
of an order of sale made in the above
stated ease by the lion. J. S. Cot hran, Judge
of the Eighth Circuit, we will offer for sale at
public outcry, at Abbeville C II., S. C., ou
Salcday in January, 1S8K, within the legal
hours of sale, the following described property.
situate In said State and County, to wit:
1. All that tract or parcel of land known as
the Elbert Johnson Tract,containing
Four Hundred nnd Forty-Two (442)
Acres*
more or less, bounded by lands of Estate of
Thomas Davis, deceased,. by lands once the
lands of Joel J. Cunningham, and others.
2. Also, that tract or parcel of lund, containing
One Hundred and Ninety-Three (193)
Acres,
more or less, bounded by lands of Mrs. Margaret
1<\ Ellis, Cyprian Pratt, and others.
3. Also, that tract or parcel ol land, containing
Sixty-Two (62) Acres,
more or les?, bounded by lands of Jno. McDlll,
\V. H. Austin, and others.
4. Also, mat tract or parcel of land, containing
One Hundred and Forty-Nine and
One-Half (140i) Acres,
more or less, bounded by lands of W. B. Acker,
J. P. Gordon, and others.
5. Also, that tract or parcel of land, containing
One Hundred (100) Acres,
more or less, hounded by lands of Jane Taylor,
W. C. Davis, and others.
<!. Also, that tract or parcel of land, containing
Two Hundred and Five (205) Acres,
more or less, bounded by lands of Moses
.Smith, J. D. fccel, and others.
Division*<if larcer tmot.s mentioned above
wiil l>e announced on day of sale and plats
exhibited. Purchaser to pay for papers.
TERMS OK WALK?One-third cash, balance
on one and two years time, with leave to purchaser
to anticipate payment. ( redit portion
to be secured by bond and mortgage of premises
sold. Interest from day of sale at 10 per
cent, per anuuin.
A. Y. THOMPSON,
JI EN IIY M. YOUNG,
JAMES E. TODD,
Executors of James It. Todd, Dec'd.
Dec. ll>, l&o, tf
Sheriff's Sale.
Edwin Rates <fc Co., and others asrainst Young
& Napier.?Execution.
"p>Y virtue of an Execution to me directed,
*-* in the above stated case, I will sell to the
highest, bidder, at public auction, within the
le>:al hours of sale, at Abbeville Court House,;
on Monday, t he fourth day of Jnnuary, A. D.
18S6, the following described property, to wit:
All that tract or parcel of land, situate, lying
and being in the County of Abbeville, South
Carolina, and known .as the Jay place, and
containing
THREE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FIVE
(less 0) ACRES,
more or less, and bounded by lands of J. F.
Cresswell, Estate W. K. iiradley, and others.
Levied on and to be sold as the property of
S. O. Young to satisfy the aforesaid Execution
and costs. Sold at the risk of the former purchaser.
TERMS?Ca sli.
J. F. C. DuPRE,
Dec. 11, 1S85. Sheriff A. C.
? i
ci
juci ill D uait.
Mary T. Qnarles, as Survivor Ac., ngainst J. L.
and C. E. Wideman.?Execution.
By virtue of an execution to me directed, in
the above stated case, I will sell to the
highest bidder, at public auction, within legal I
hours of sale, wt Abbeville courthouse, on
Monday, the-Rli tiny of January, 1Sn>, ull the
right, titie and interest of C. 10. U'ideiuan in
i ho following described property, to wit: All
that tractor parcel of land, situate, lying and
being in the county of Abbeville, South Carolina,
and known as the J. JI. Wideiuan;
Home place and containing
SIX HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-NINE
ACRES,
more or less, bounded by lands of Mrs. E. P.
Harrison, Mrs. F. E. Perrin, S. S. Chiles and
jthers.
Also, that tract of land on Ilardlabor creek,
:ontaining
r\VO HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-SEVEN
ACRES,
nore or less, hounded by Mrs. E. P. Harrison,
Mrs. F. E. Perrin and others.
Levied on and to he sold as the property of |
E. Wideman to satisfy tho aforesaid e:;eculon
and costs. TER3IS?Cash.
J. F. C. DUPRE,
Jce. 121SS-3. Slicriil A. C.
WTJOEL SMITH & SON
-ARE NOW OFFERING A
COMPLETE AND MAGNIFICENT
STOCK OF
Merchandise for Fall and Wint& Uses.
rjWEIIl VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS ARE FILLED WITH
Well Selected, Seasonable, Attractive Goods;
containing MANY real Pl/rnWlillUr' nn<1 Persons wishing .to J*y In their
bargains, Ti.e'y keep L V Lu I 1 tlllllj WINTER SUPPLIES iao not only get
WHAT they want, but the best of It, and at REASONABLE prfces.
C unrc 0l,r Ploc,c of Shoes is very large, Ladies, Mfsses, Gents,Boys and Children all
OllUtMUf complete.
HATS. Our stock of Hats cannot be surpassed.
P I fiTUINP On* 8,ock of Ready-Made Clothing Is always large. This season-wef
LLU J nillUi can suit you. Come and nee.nnv
Twilled White, Red and. Blue Flannels, Dress Flannels Flannel
UI\ I UUU1J Ji Cloaking*, Water Proof Ootidsafl prtees, Blankets, liobes, Counterpartes,
Bleached and Brown Sheet I lies, Hosiery. Th?ie goods aref
all very cheap and you wotild do well to examine them;
nnrcc rnnr\C Always in stock a complete line of Standard and Fashionable'
Lin LOO uUJJJJj. Dress Goods.
W. JOEL SMITH & SON,
Pet. 7, 1885, tf
irontiicirD
Dmn&J U& J* ?J U ? E
XJruig'g'istsKeep
constantly on hand a full and well selected stock of pure
DRUGS, CHEMICALS, etc., etc. All the latest and popular lines of pat- ENT
AND PROPRIETARY MEDIClNfiS. H RII-B LNI^i the best I.lver Medicine, cares
Dyspepsia. Fur sale only by us. Try our BLACKBERRY CORDIAL for Summer Complaint,
and our COMPOUND syrup SARSaPARILLA with iodide pctash for the Blood.
BED RUG poison, the most convenient way of destroying these insects diamond dyes
till the staple and fashionable colors. A full line of FANCY GOODS. toilet articles,
STATIONARY, etc.. etc The best brands of CIGARS, TOBACCO and cigarettes. a
complete stock of WHITE LEADS, PAINTS. OILS. VARNISHES, etc., etc paint
BRUSHES, WINDOW GLASS, GOLDEN MACHINE OIL. We sell the celebrated Harrison:
Bros. PREPARED paint, the best In the market. Special attention paid to the
[Prescription Department.
Physician's prescriptions and Family Recipes filledatnll hours of day and night by expeJ
rienccd and competent bauds. Orders by baud or mail promptly attended to.
SPEED & NEUFFER,
April 29,18S5, tf
PALMETTO SALOON. |
Tit Lirjest ail Ed Mel Ik ii lit Dt-Ctnlu. 2
WITH SELECT BRANDS OF
JfUNE 0^D "^yHISKEY, Jg RANDY AND ^TINES, JpOREIGN
AND JQOMESTIC, J^UBLIN AND J^VERPOOL pORTER
AND ^le> pRESii jgEER ALWAYS ON JJAND. .
^LSO A' JjlULL J^INE 0F n^OBACCO, QIGARS AND 0IGARETT5*,
--ftttvrmtv ^ ? ti -w-*vr> a vn /^tavt? ~m jthttxta tv
j\rjui,i-'^ u" iv"s ivi?
0ORN XTfUISKIES A gPECIALTY.
Thos.McGettigan, Proprietor
No, 4 Washington Street,
Elberton Machine Works,
ELBEBTOff, GEORGIA.
BUILD AND REPAIR AI,I> KINDS
iiMupfit Unirinp!! T?ni firs Raw Mills Rrist Mills Caufi Mills
iliUUJllllUl j, UU?lUUUj UUliUlUj tJ'J. H UiiMk AIAAAAWJ wwatw ??
SHAFTING, PULLEYS, &c.
Agents for the best Stationery, Portable and Semi-Portable
Engines in the market.
Korting's Universal Injector, the best Boiler Feeder knowa
The Van Duzen Jet Pump, for raising Water to Tanks and
Mining Purposes.
iThe Vanwinkle Cotton Gins and Presses.
: Freeman's Patent New Era Power Cotton Press.
iKeep in Stock Steam and-Water Pipes and Fittings, Globe
Valves, Check Valves.
Steam Guages, Guage Cocks, Oil Cups, Malleable Oil Cans,
Lubricators, Files, Soap Stone, Asbestos, and
Best Italian Hemp and Gum Packing; Set Screws, Log
Screws and Bolts.
Will bo plad to furnish ostimntPH foranythfng needed In the MACHINE Hne. Cor*
re.<poudence solicited. Respectfully,
PHILLIPS & GARBQTT.
Nov.-1,18^"), Cm
A. E. ROGERS,
DEALER IjST
Hams, Lard, Sugar, Coffee, Molasses and Soap.
I T AM SELLING THE ABOVK GOODS FOR SPOT CASH ???! CASH ONLY.
J1 I will maUe It to the interest of all CASH buyers to buy tlieir goods from me. Belleviuj*
tlmt LOW CASH prices will be appreciated by the trade and that it will be tu our mutual
| Interest to sell only for SPOT CASH. I have adopted this rule and will not break them uu
tier any consideration. SPOT CASH or no pro will be our motto.
j We thank our friends and customers for past favors and promise lower prices than ever at
! THE ABBEVILLE WHOLESALE STORE,
Jan.2*f IS;'4, tf *
j IP'T-OU W^LIXTT ~
n ?. Tk
PciSil, JLWOjTS, BlllIUS, k^Uiiigiuo,
MOULDIZSTGS. LATHS,
Xjiro.e, Cement and
BARBED FENCE WIRE,
CALL OjST
B. K. BEACHAM, AGENT,
ABBEVILLE C. H., S. C.
July 22, 1S85. tf
oUTfiT
ABBEVILLE, S. C.,
Is now prepared to furnish all kinds of Rough or Dressed
Lumber, and is ready to fill all orders for Carpenter
Work of any kind, at the very shortest notice and at the
most reasonable prices.
June 10, lSbl, tf