The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1869-01-28

tering Of manufactures to the extent, at
least, Of exempting capital employed in
them from State, county and municipal
taxation for q certain number Of years.
1t is fact little known to the public, that
manufacturing capital is now, by law, as
general thing, more severely taxed than
any other kind of property: Not only
are the taxes levied by -thc Federal Gov
ernment in. many instances severe and
unjust, but in almost all the States. the
municipal and State taxes are exorbitant-
ly large and excessive. The Detroit Free
Press, in noticing this inequality OF taxa
ton, says:
"Mr. Wells, the Commissioner of In
ternal Revenue, in his able and exhaus-
tive report to Congress, discusses this
question under the head of the Influence
of State and local taxation on the cost OF
production He gives several marked
instances in some OF the States where the
rate of taxation upon all capital engaged
in manufactures is SO large as to materi-
ally affect the cost of the articles produ-
ced. For instance, when the business is
carried on by Il corporate company, the
capital is. taxed for State, municipal and
local purposes at very high rates; and
then the shares held by individuals are
taxed as personal property, and then the
United States tax upon all sales, and
upon all dividends. He closes this part
of his report with 'one suggestion in view
of these facts and circumstances, and that
is, that if any State should determine to
adopt system of local taxation analo-
gous to that recognized in Great Britain
or France, it might confidently anticipate
q very large influx of capital and manu-
factures from beyond lis borders7 thereby
rapidly increasing its wealth and devel
opments, and possibly, as an ultimate re-
suit, compelling other States to adopt the
same liberal and enlightened policy as a
measure of defence and protection.'
"If the Legislature, while on this sub
iect, could find some mode to limit and
control local and municipal taxation
within reasonable bounds, it would also
be of immense service. In all our cities,
the municipal taxes of almost every kind
are extravaganLly high, and in many in
stances outrageously so. The consc-
qucncc of this is seen in it's effect upon
the value of real estate, the rents, and
its depressing effects upon manufactures.
"Again, our own municipal authorities
are not without power i'll influencing cap
ital to be invested here in manufactures.
Let our city government refer this whole
subject to commissioners to examine into
the whole subject Of taxation, and see
whether it cannot be materially reduced.
and SO rcadjusted as to favor the intro
duction of capital rather than TO rcpel it.
There is no city in OR country situated
on more magnificent body OF water and
better located for manufactures Of every
kind, and thero must bc some reason why
they havo not been introduced here. Let
them ascertain, if possible, the cause of
this, and so far as it is within the power
of our city authorities, let it be promptly
remcdied."
These views arc entitled to careful con-
sidcration both from our State and local
authorities. The whole snhject is tlaught
with interest to our entire people, and
we invite the careful and serious atten-
ton Of the Legislature, in order that
whatever is necessary to promote and
foster manufacturing in the State may be
dono at once.