The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-11-18
A New Tax Bill.


Tax Bill should be issued, and Us there is no
acknowledged civil authority in the State the
duty of providing supplies for the coming year
will rest with General Candy. That officer
may not feel disposed to change the whole sys-
tenn Of State taxation, so as to make 1t certain
that every citizen is only taxed in proportion
to the revenue which he enjoys under the pro-
| lection of the State; but there is little doubt
that he will consider, with enlarged iiberality,
the provisions of the Tax Bill of 1855, and
modify, or repeal altogether, its most objec-
tionable features.
Taxation is q matter in which every man Is
| interested and each will judge of Tax Bill
81 it affects himself; but there are some points
upon which all classes are agreed, and to
these the attention of the framer of the new
Tax Bill is respectfully called.
Charleston has paid this year one-half of the
whole amount of taxes received by the State
| Treasurer, and, as rule, this city pays one
third of the whole taxation of the State. This
throws an undue weight upon our business and
commerce, but it cannot be recommended that
the taxes on real estate in the country DE in
creased. Thousands of acres Of land are Of
fered for sale, and tax executions are held by
the hundred the burden upon each class
must be made as light as it may. The taxes on
manufactured articles, buggies, carriages and
plate may remain, and the necessities Of the
State may prevent any reduction in the tax on
professional incomes; but it would be well il
some reduction could be made in the taxes up
on Telegraph, Express and Gas Companies,
| because the tax upon them is but another tax
upon the public which is their patron. Our
opinion of that 'ta1 upon intelligence" the
tax upon gross receipts Of newspapers, has al
ready been given at length. A tax might be
imposed on the profits; or, if that cannot be
done, the tax on gross receipts should be re-
duced to at least one-fourth of the present tax,
or abolished altogether. The good of the peo-
pie and the State requires the adoption of this
measure. The tax on incomes derived from
/! salaries should certainly be reduced. Provl-
sions and the necessaries of life are fa- higher
than before the war, and salaries have not
been raised in the same degree. Many persons
are paid off in local bills which are at twenty
or thirty per cent. discount; the rest are paid
in currency one-third less valuable than gold.
Keepers of billiard rooms, bowling alleys, and
other places of amusement, can pay the pre-
sent tax, or an advanced rate. They provide
for amusement and recreation; their wares are
not indispensable; those who are their custom
ers can be fairly called on to pay for the en-
joyment of that which is luxury, and not
necessity of life. Taxes imposed on plays,
wax works, &c., should not be lowered; but
the exception should be struck out from the
clause imposing tax upon dogs. These ami
public nuisance. If they protect house and
property, their owner can afford to pay one
dollar upon eacn Of them; if they are kept for
amusement, thei' owner must pay for his pri-
vilege; if they are of no value but for their
bowling, yelping and fighting, a tax may con-
sign them to the pound, or make them some
direct benefit TO the State itself. Every dog
should be taxed.
From the capitation tax of one dollar large
sum can be raised if it is rigidly enforced un-
der proper penalties. The difficulty hitherto
has been with the negroes. For the most part
they have no property which can be taken in
satisfaction Of taxes due; but they have their
manual strength which may be pro6tably made
use Of Defsulters in the payment of the capi-
tation tax should be required to work upon the
public roads or bridges to the value of the
costs, and twice the amount of the tax. In
this way, he who had no money would give
work; and it should be made plain that She
riffs would be supported, and sustained, in
their strict enforcement of the law. 1t was
suggested at the last session that every en-
ployer of laborer5 should make return Of them,
pay their tax, and deduct the same from their
wages or other dues. This was eminently pro-
per, and clause in conformity with it might
advantageously be incorporated in the forth
coming Bill.
The times at which taxes are payable might
be changed. 1t is as easy in most cases to
make returns every month, as every six
months, or every quarter, and frequent pay
ments would cause a steady aow of money into
the State Exchequer.
South Carolina is now impoverished and dis
tressed, but her people are anxious to show
their determination to fulfil their engagements
with their public, as with their private, credi
tors A iudicious tax bill will restore conf
donce improve the value Of the State securi-
ties. encourage the advent Of foreign capital,
and prove that our people are determined to
sunnort the credit of their State, and bear, as
cheerfully as they may, every necessary charge
that is imposed upon then.
Of the New Appropriation Bill the twin
brother of the Tax Bill, few words may be
said
The Appropriation Bill should provide for
the sustaining Of the judiciary Of the State, for
the continuance cs of the State Penitentiary and
State University, and for the doing Of all work
possible in the present condition of the finances
upon public buildings in course Of erection or
now requiring rpairs. Provision should also
be made for the furnishing Of necessary blan-
-. ,lo,b;no on6 n.d;col ottendance to con-