Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1869-07-16
Friday, July 18, 1859.
GOVERNOR SCOTS LETTER ON THE
STATE TAXES.

The Columbia Pheniz publishes q
letter of Governor Scott in reply to IL
communication addressed to him bv
certain taxpayers, which appeared in
the same paper, complaining Of the
present onerous assessments, and ask
ing iEiormation as to tho bost means
OF obtaining redross. The Governor,
as matter Of course, thinks first, that
there is nothing in the present system
to justify the charges CT unfairncss
or oppression and second. that what
ever the law may be, it is his duty to
enforce ard that Of every good citi-
zen to obey.
But Arst, how docs he mako good
his position that the present taxation
of the State is not unfair, arbitrary
and opprcssive2 lie tells US that the
amount TO be raised is not largely in
excess of previous years-that the
estimated amount Of expenses of the
State Government for tho current
year is only about 1851, 1000 to be set
off against s474,S49 in 1867, and
s459,271 in 1S6S-that tue accumu-
lated interest on the State debt for
two years is s615,0QO which together
with SG5, ,0G0 for free sAools, aggregate
in tho whole, with the preceding,
81 ,220, 10S-that to raise this sum a
tax of thrce-!ourths Of one per cent
has been laid by the State Auditor,
and that this rate is moderate when
compared with that Of our sister
States.
All Of this, however, is no answer
TO the charge against the action of
the Equalization Board as arbitrary,
unjust and oppressive. But says the
Governor through the. "caprices and
irregularities" of incompetent asses-
sors, great discrepancies occurred in
he valuation in different counties.
'As an illustration of the discrepan-
cies in the valuation, the arabic plough
lands. in Abbeville County were ap-
praised at sh25 per aero in Ander-
*on, $500; in Colleton, S7.72; in Dar-
lington, s6.s3; in Ncwhcrry, s5.sl,
and in Oconee, S9.2S; while tho same
charaeterand quality of land was ap-
praised i'll Chester at 81 per acre in
Edge6eld, So; in Marion, 1928, and
in Orangebnrg, Sill. The Board, of
Equalization made such corrections in
these returns as were required by
Justice and fairness; rund to prevent
disproportionate share Of taxation
being thrown upon counties which
had manifested something like reason
ableness in estimating the value of
their lands. The aggregate value of
the property of the State, as estab-
lished by the Board of Equalization
was s164,o22,342, which, 1 am con-
vinced, is still far below it's real value ;
and that if the assessors had done
their duty honestly and fearlessly, the
amount would have been ut least $780,
0oe, ,Oo0."
But admit all this, and how does it
Justify the action Of the State Board {?
How can Irregularities on the part of
some, excuse even greater irregulari-
tics on the part of others. IF the
county assessors have acted capri
ciously and against evidence in asses
sing too low, is the action of the State
Board less arbitrary in doubling or
trebling these values without evidence?
The Constitution and laws of the
State direct that tho taxation shall bo
according to the true valuo of the
property, according to sworn returns
made in each case to tho county asses
sors. And bow can tho State Board
determine the true value, except in
the same way2 Any other proceed
ing would be arbitrary and unjust
would punish Innocent and guilty
alike. and force the conscientious tax
payer to mako good the deficiencies
Of his neighbor. Yety,this is just
what the State Board has DONE, Adj
nit (whichri is denisd). that tho oriei-
nal valuation Of laws in ,Oranpeburp
was too low, what eguitysis, there in
.p making 9 conscientious man who re-
turns q village lot at $4,000, pay o tax
On. $4,000 The absurdity Of the
whole nEpessding is go ,appapsptt that
the Governor docs not pretend to
Justify what ia Hniqstifahls ITO, defend
what is indefensiblas He, dodgss. lie
issue altogether.
But second, What relief does The
aoSernof. suggest tosths sparty ag-
grieNed Z 5sAppssi to the aCounsy An
diaor, and through him 10 shst State
Auditor, and if,.khsa asrslisf sbe not
fortheomiDg auiStly 5stbnuitss Ns ssot|
appeal to the courts. The Gossfncr
hssoa horror Of The sdurts,
II any factious attempts II q rs shs.i