Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1862-11-24

~ oiovOo may NC ldiu Gil llcJ 2tIlSTd /
average value in the State, or on their ' .lue
In classes in respect to age, sex and other ois-
tlnctive properties, in the discretion of the
General Assembly, and the value be assess
ed in such modes as may be prescribed by
law. Now while lands, even of the same
qualities, but situate in different places, from
their local and immovable characterize pro-
perly assessed at different rates, because Of
their relative proximity to markets and for
other substantial causes ; and for such rea
sons the General Assembly itself can Meth
er accurately value real estate, nor can do SO
by any general State commissioners, vet
steps may be taken towards equaliz ng the
tax on slaves, which, under the present mode
of assessments, may be, and | understand is,
various in many counties of the State, be
cause of the differ.nt standards Of valuation
adopted by the owners and assessors. 1t is
very desirable that the tax should he uni
form, and | suggest as the most likely means
to accomplish that object, the propriety Of
classifying slaves by their ages, or by sex
and age, and afixing two years the taxable
value of each class. In consequence of the
movable quality of this species of property,
it is not subject to the irregularity of assess
ment, which attend land the value of slave
property at any one place in the State is, Tor
! ali pIdC(iCdI pun POStS, the SAINT dS III ally
other; and it is not difficult, therefore, to
make the tax both equal and uniform by the
classification Of slaves in the manner al. eady
mentioned.
Under the discretionary powers vested by
the Constitution in the Legislature to ex-
empt the infrm and distinguish the mechan.
ic from the field laborer, it appears to me
that the legislative assessment, discreetly
made, will conduce better than the present
mode to a uniform taxation throughout the
State. Each county is interested that the
taxable value Of slaves should be alike in all
the counties, and whatever tends to eoualize
the tax on slaves, tends to equalize that On
land, as both species Of property
must be taxed alike on their respective val
ues. A precedent for this mode of taxing
slaves, however imperfect, may be found IN
the legislation of 1882, CHI. s..
In order to meet the interest on the pub
lie debt, and to make up the sum due from
other counties, where the tax cannot be col
lected on account of the presence of the enc
my, | recommend an increase of at least
twenty-five per cent. on the present amount
of taxation. The great abundance Of money
and consequent high prices of property
would, think, enable the people to pay il
cheerfully. | also recommend that a tax OF
twenty-five per cent. be laid upon the nett
profits of all persons who have, during the
present year, specialized in the necessa'ies 0
life, such as corn, -four, bacon, pork, shoes
leather, cotton cloth and yarn and wooler
goods, and to be continued during the mex
year or longer, if necessary the proceed'
to be applied to the support of wives ant
children or widows of soldiers whose proper
ty, as listed on the tax hooks, shall fall be-
low a certain sum-. This law, if properl,
enforced and guar ded against false su earring
would lie made to answer a valuable pun
fects.
] am clearly of the opinion that no moi
Treasury notes should be issued, if it b
possible to avoid it, as l think it would
better to pay interest on our bonds than t
further swell the volume of paper in circula
ton.
:. The following is a statement of the del
{ of the State on the both day Of Septembe
t 1862:
Bonded debt, s14,s12,Oo5
: Temporary loans, 1850, 449
Int, unpaid on Coupon Bond debt, 4a2,Oo5
" y" Temporary loans and
:, Bonds without Coupons, 52,s51
AMT Treasury notes in circulation, 1886, $50
: Total, $40, eSa, s61
: Taxes reed from permit sources for 1851, $7346sO
Y, " 1862, 715, 763
= LUZ ldlllLS Uu Is dlLIlUutaO1e 70 Ll0
D counties and parts of counties in the pc!
Q session of the enemy. The deduction f
the next year will be greater, owing to h
: advance, the destructien of property, &c
J. The report of the Board of Claims on Il
. subject of the finances is herewith transm
!, ted.
In view of the very great labor now in
IL posed upon the Treasury Department al
the variety of duties it embraces. | recon
!. mend the creation Of the Office of Audit
ie of Public Accounts, to continue so long
ii may be deemed necessary, whose duty
shall be to investigate and settle all clail
a. against the State, &c. When the term
the present Board Of Claims shall exp re,
r will still be necessary to have some such
r. office in existence during the continuance
OF the war, and perhaps for many years aft
be Should it not be deemed advisable to esta
~ fish the Office of Auditor, then [ recomme
at that the Board Of Claims be continued, a
he authorized to hold short sessions quarter
and their pay be arranged in proportion
tie their labor.
/ also recommend that the Literary Bo;
re be allowed to appoint a Treasurer, to t
IL take charge of its own funds, with a sal
to be fixed by the Board. This duty
lrd present rests on the State Treasurer, and
mt law requires him to keep the fund, and e
m, dences Of debt, &C., separate and apart Fl
it'll any other funds in his hands. The d
he could much more conveniently and effect,
ties ly be performed by the Boards W ofic
When the amount of this fund is cons;deI
rds Che nnual disbursements being double
Ial. of the whole State Government two V,
,lal ago. with the further fact that twice a +
to enable salary of a Treasurer has been
It. annually for want of some competent
of, proper officer to look after and collect