Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1868-07-17

Vate citizens, TO Do selected by th,
General Assembly, or otherwise, t,
i demand from tho State Treasurer al
any timc al exhibit of bis books, and
all public moneys for which no muy be
accountable; this inspection to be
mado at loast onco in each quarter.
TAXATION AND ASSESSMENTS.
Thore is no problem that can en-
gage tho attention Of the legislator
more difficult than the framing of an
equitable system of taxation. Even
in the most prosperous communities,
tho laws that exact from tho cltizon q
portion of his means to support tho
government that protects his life and
property, arc viewed with extrome
sonsitiveness. Especially is this the
case in society like ours, where val
ues of every kind havo boon suddenly
changed by tho convulsions of war,
and where the exclusive govornmen
of class has been expanded into the
true Republicanism of universal suE
frage. Hence, those who oppose tho
free Constitution of our State allege
that it enables the non-proporty hold
er to logislato for and tax the proper
ty holder. This argument, however
specious it may sccm, destroys itself
by proving too much; for az in all re.
publics tho majority must rulo, and as
tho majority are always nou.property
holders, or as individuals pay least of
the taxes, it follows, under the argu-
ment alleged, that tho worry basis of
our republican system should be ex
plunged. While the capitalist may
justly declare that he should not be
'nado tho subject of unreasonable ex-
actions, as upon his capital depend the
creation of great public and private
enterprises, and tho employment of
labor in every pursuit in life; yet the
WORKING sses6the agriculturist and
- with no less justice,
HBsee their labor and skill
capital IS multiplied through all the
varied forms of production and trade,
and that they are the bone and sinew
of the State in peace and war, and
should therefore receive their due
share in it's administration.
Recognizing the justice of both of
these claims, it ls your delicate and
important duty SO to adjust our sys-
tom Of taxation that tho enterprise of
the capitalist shall not be depressed
by imposing upon him undue burdens,
while at the came lime evory class of
real and personal property shall DO
required to aid in the support of the
State, and in sustaining the institu-
tions that its condition demands. In
this you will be guided by Section SO,
Article l, of our State Constitution,
which declares that "all property sub.
ject to taxation shall be taxed in pro-
portion to its value. Each individual
Of society has right to be protected
in the enjoyment of life, liberty and
property, according to standing laws.
He should, therefore, contribute his
share to the expense of his protec-
tion."
is proper for me here to call your
attention to tho faot that under a re-
cent decision of the Supreme Court of
the United States, national banks,
within the limits of tho State, are
subject to State taxation; while the
property of railroad companies, mu.
inequalities and all other corporations
will be embraced in your general tax
bill. s@
1 invite your attention to Article 9
Of the Constitution, which provides
that "Tho General Assembly shall p. o.
vide by law for a uniform and euua !
rate of assessment and taxation" and
defines the powers of the corporate
authorities Of counties, cities, towns,
&C., and authorizes them to assess and
collect taxes for corporate purposes.
The assessed value of the real estate
Of South Carolina, in 1860, was one
hundrod and twenty-nine millions
seven hundred and seventy-two thou.
sand six hundred and cighty.fou,
s129,772,6s4) dollars. This value
has, of course, been materially lessen
ed by tho violent convulsions to trade
and the industrial interest of the peo-
pie during the past seven years, yet i,
serves to indicate that with every al
low ance for the known reduction il
the market value in our real estate
chat. even upon minimum assess
ment Of values, it will form an impor
taDt basis of taxation and of the finan
cial resources Of tho State.
COUNTRY TaEAsURERs AND AuDlroRs.:
Ia this connection would recommend
that sbs~ Genssal Assembly will provid,
by law for the creation Of the Offices o
County Treasurer and County Auditor, I,
4 L. 3, r. a.