The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1840-12-30

TABLE.
. Lands pay per $1,000 6s
Negroes, do. do. II
Lots, do. do. 8 90
Professions,do. do. e OO
Stock in trade, do. w
This result shows that the lands arc
taxed far below every other species OF
property. Negroes arc the next in order,
and are taxed less than half as much as
town and village lots. These last are
taxed five times higher than lands; and
professions and stock in trade, are taxed
ten times higher than lands, and more
than five times higher than negroes.
tits obvious, therefore, that the great
disproportion in favor of lands and ne
groes, renders it but an act of justice that
the increase should be cast on them. In
fact, it would seem but Just that the whole
burthen should be cast upon the lands,
more particularly, as tax upon negroes
would operate also upon those interests
which are already so heavily taxed. But
your Committee, considering the small
relative amount of additional tax, which,
if laid on negroes, would be required;
and desiring also to relieve the landed in
terest from a larger relative increase,
have compromised the increase, as well
as they have been able to do, among these
interests, and have divided the same
equally between the land and negroes
They have, therefore, recommended a
tax of As cents on every hundred dollars
value of according to the existing classIfi-
cation, and IS cents OH each negro.
There still remains another subject of
great Importance, upon which your Com
mittee are required TO report. The Bank
of the State, it will appear, both from the
Report of its President and the Comp
troller General, is very much embarrassed
in its operations by the condition Of the
Treasury. Under the existing state of
things, the Treasury becomes entirely
empty in the month Of January and from
that period until June, when the taxes are
paid to the Bank, that institution has to
advance the whole expenditures of the
Government. Last year, these advances
to sl2l,2lG, and for the cur
rent year, they will reach the sum Of
s2l4,4s5 In ordinary times, this ad-
vance would only effect, to that extent,
the profits of the Bank; but in the present
state of things it affects very seriously,
even the power of the Bank to keep open
its doors, and pay specie. This demand
occurs at a most trying season, and not
only criples the resources of the Bank,
but renders her incapable Of meeting the
wants of the community, from the ncces-
sity of preparing for these demands be-
fore they arise. Your Committee can
see no necessity for cXposrnn the Bank to
this evil, when by simply calling III the
Taxes a few months earlier, the whole
difficulty could be relieved. The people
could as well pay the Taxes in February
as in April, and by requiring the Tax
Collectors to be more prompt in their set
Elements, their balances could be deposit
ed in Bank in March instead of June
Your Committee would therefore, recon-
mend an alteration OF the law accordingly.
Your committee would also direct at
tertion to the tax as ROW levied on stock
in trade. The tax is now laid upon the
amount of stock on hand on given day,
and this mode gives an opportunity to the
tax payer to adjust his stock for the parti.
cular purpose in view. Yonr Committee
are, therefore, inclined to the opinion,
that a tax an rhc sales If the merchant
would be more tikclyto operate equally
upon the citizen. and to the advantage of
the State. With view to produce more
accurate information on the subject, your
Committee would recommend a similar
to be made in the tax Bill on this
subject. as was inserted in that of last
wear. a. "a the va'nc nf lands. -
All witch = respectfully submitted.
G. G.. NiEMMINGER, Chairman.
From. Our Correspondent.
nno