The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-07-09


GENTLEMEN attention has been called to
your communication In the Phoenix OF Eatur-.
day, in which you state that number OF per-
sons are complaining OF the assesBments Of
taxes made In the State; and you wish to as-
certain what eonrH would be best to. pursue to
secure, redress. There Is some indefniteneas
but there is specific allegation as to the oner-
QUE amount OF the assessments. 30 rs, }
The course provided ty law in such Gases is
for the complainant to appeal to the County
forward it to the Auditor of State. who has full
power to mako any abatement or correction
which, in his Judgment, ia just and proper.
from your note, that the taxation is too heavy,
have to say that the amount provided for Is
required by the necessities Of the State, and
must be collected to meet it's exigencies, and to
fulfil efficiently its engag gements and response
bilitles. i. -.;53s
The estimated expenses Of the State Govern
mont Tor the current year amount to about
years, wh1oh Is attributable to the increased
sum required for Legislative expenses during
the prolonged sessions required for the pas-
sage OF laws in conformity wlsh the new con-
and fees Of judges, sheriffs. &C., which we're
properly chargeable to the preceding adminis-
tration, but which it dl not provide for. The
interest on the State debt, winch had not been
years $615 600, and the establishment and
maintenance Of free schools about 5000 more
making in all 81 $50 1853 which had to be
qulred that taxes should be levied upon the
real and personal property in the State in pro-
portion to ,its value; and to ascertain its
amount, assessors were appointed through
Many of these proved to be inexperienced
in such business, and their returns indi-
Gated so much of caprice and irregularlty, and
worked 80 unfairly in many counties Of the
tate hat ho ri of
duty it is to equalize taxation among the coun-
ties, made material changes. AS an illustra-
tion Of the discrepancies in the valuation, the
a AGGs7s
in Colleton, 81 az; in Darlington, IS 83; in New
berry, $5 "a, and in Oconee, So 28; while the
same CHARACTER &C and quality Of land was .ap-
field, $3; in Marion, IS "a, and IN Orangeburg.
81 II. The Board OF Equalization made suc1
corrections in these returns as we're required
proportionate share Of taxation being thrown
upon counties which had manifested some-
thing like reasonableness in estimating the
value of their lands The aggregate value of
Board of Equalization, was $164, ,O22. .342, which,
am convinced, is still far below it's real value;
and that II the asses .ors had done their duty
honestly and san en So the amount would
Upon the g am axed by the Board Of Equai-
zaiion, the State Auditor slevied tax of three
fourths Of one per cent, which should yield a
faults, not more than 81 10000, the amount
prescribed BY the LEGISLATURE, can be realized.
OF this sum, 5000 600 will be paid ont for in
zens; the balance. will headevoted to the cur
rent expenses Of the State. and will be rel
turned to our peo 1le in extinguishing the
floating debt % ss the past
maintenance of public schools. le6t
BY this statement you will perceive. gentle
men, there is nothing IN the present system OF
taxation to justify the charges Of unfsirne ss or
oppression; nor is it excessive OF extraordina
ry, either as compared with the past experi-
ence OF our own State, or with the existing
II The amount levied in this State tor current
expenses was, in 1867, $474, ,849; in 1858. $780,
271 and for tina present year. $549, ,474, the in
crease being satisfactorily accounted f.r by
istrations. and the expenses Of the Increased
legislation necessary. And as regards our sis
ter States, venture the assertion that no
State, south or north Of us, has more mode
rate rate OF taxation than our own.
1t was to have been expected, however, that
the substitution Of the present system OF taxa
tion for the one heretofore In practice would
be to and give rise to
property holders OF the State had been sub
jected to only pomnal taxation, as their
property was greatly undervalued; now they
share Sor the snppcrt Of the stae 0Rthss While thss
may be considered q grievance by them, no
candid and disinterested person will SO regard
It. And Notwithstanding the lamentations about
the generalization OF lands, there are but few
Of the owners who would consent TO sell them
at their assessed v. luatiou. The low prices
occasionally brought at sheriffs' and bank
rupts' sales are no criterion Of the value OF the
property disposed Of as there is generally q,
natural syn pathy among the people present
for the unfortunate debtor, and he is permit
ted to Purchase mis- property without opposi-
tion at his own price. : EA gt- ~" =
There ia no doubt that there are imperfec-
tions in the tax law and Irregularities in the
execution Of it. For the present, individuals
have the right to appeal against what they
doubt such alterations and notifications. Of
the law as will be shown to be necessary win
be made at the next sessioa Of the Legisla-
trire. G3G 9 VA .Hti-@YA h 3i ~ -
But while, ,unpatriotic efforts are being made
to induce our people to believe that our sys.
tenn Of taxation "a oppressive and ruinous.
would invite you TO- look at its beneficial eject
upon the prosperity. the credit and the char
acter OF the State. { fn afording satisfactory
evidence OF the determination Of our people to
pay it's debts and meet it's Responsibilities, il
has1ifted the credit Of the State from the verge
position 10 financial and monetary circles. Our
bonds, whch. at one time could be purchased
tor twenty-five cents on the dollar, now COM
mand seyenty-three cents, end are steadily adj
1st ot january they will be practically at par.
To this single itena al,me there has been already
gain to the people oS o. 800 900; but the satis-
factory win iication OF the financial resources Of
the State was OF infinitely more value 10 en-.
hanclng the value Of property throughout its
entire limits tothe extent OF many millions,
and attracting to it the attention Of capitalists
and emigrants
The floating debt OF the state has been pro-
vided for and retired, and the billsreceivable.
which furnisned at one period the only cnrr
rencY Of our Treasury. and which circulated at
/ from TWENTY-FIVE TO thirty-Ave pet cent. dis
discount was 30 mpch 1oss 10 the State, aa the
mate rials and snuDlies for our jails and asyf
INNS were purchased with the depreciated
funds and at propor rtson stsly enhanced pricest
The restoration OF the State credit has also rel
yiyet the Blue hid @ Railscad pc which has sd
long sen lying adorrnant, and III is fully exs
peoted that, In q few days, 1t will be put under