The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-11-04
Taxes ON Gross Receipts.

II is reported that the Military Commander
of this District, in consultation with the Cover
nor of the State, is preparing tax bill to pro-
vide for carrying on the State Government
until civil authority is again established.
More than once it has been limited that Cover
nor ORR was opposed to many of the features
in the tax bill of December, 1866; and 1t has
been hoped that the new tax bill, to be issued
under the direction of General Candy, would
be more equal, more moderate, and less DIS
eliminating, than that which is now tying our
hands and choking our business. What the
provisions of the tax bill will be cannot now be
told. but. before deliberation upon it is elded,
every voice should be raised against coatinu-
once of the present unwise and njust tex upon
gross receipts in trade
tax upon gross receipts is, in many IN
stances, tax upon losses, not gains, IN carry
ing on q trade or occupation. Whether the
nrofts be large or small there is the same
rigid tax upon the gross total; whether the
losses be great or little there IS the same op-
pressiye tax. Surely Legislators do not intend
TO tax that which man has not. But this Is
done by the tax on gross receipts for, although
there may be positive loss of ten thousand
dollars upon total business of one hundred
thousand, the tax must be paid upon the whole
ono hundred thousand, and the loss is then in
creased. by taxation, to about thirteen thou
sand This is cramping and lettering trade :;
it is not encouraging and fostering the growth
of commerce.
What is wanted is a tax upon profits Every
man is willing to pay, out of his profits, his
quota towards the support of the State; but ne
knows that he cannot do business al loss and
live on the profit. If he makes but hunared
dollars he is willing to pay taxes upon that
hundred dollars; if he makes thousand, OF
ten thousand, he is willing to pay taxes accord
inuly; but he is not willing, and protests
| against, being called on to pay tax upon the
very transactions which have left him money
ou, of pocket he is not willing to pay tax
which is running him further into debt, ana Is
decreasing his expectation of being able to
carry on successfully the operations OF another
year
| Business row is dull enough and it is not
| the part of wise men to add to the discourage
ments and doubts which press upon those who
are already in business; nor is it judicious to
deter new men from embarking new capital IN
our CITY and State Goods are sold now at
small profit, to force trade; men live cconomi-
cal and frugally but it is useless for them to
do this if, in addition to the ordinary vicissi-
tudes of the times, they must pay an onerous
tax, whether they make profit or not
The collection of taxes is in arrear; and this
is mainly because every man rebels in his heart
against the existing tax laws. He will do all
that in him lies for his State; but he looks
upon her as his mother, his protectress, not as
his oppressor, who is to give the last blow that
| shall wound him to commercial death.
Newspape. proprietOrs bear their burden
with the rest They have small pay and little
praise; bit if, in this matter, they can assist
our business men in obtaining relief from the
City and State taxes upon gross receipts they
will have fulfilled their one great duty,-that Of
advancing the public interest, and defending
the prosperity of our people.