The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1871-04-26

besides, to the State agent about mill
lion Of dollars. Ofthis amount we have
on hand, in cash, FIVE hundred dollars,
and when the taxes for 1870 are collect
ed, which is now being done, We shall
realize more than enough to entirely
relieve ourselves from this debt. l think.
therefore, the financial condition Of the
State is eminently healthy, and l see no
bar in the future to its continued god
management.
THE QUESTION OF TAXATION.
@. If such is the case, how do you
account for the dissatisfaction and the
murmurs of the people?
The Governor With proper under
standing of the subject-that is, taking
into consideration the aggregate of the
three -leyies Of tax -xhieh--.hSxe been,
made, the people would have no canse +"
complain. For instance, in 1868. there
was a levy of seven and q half mills OF
the dollar, which was collected iu 1869.
in 1869, the levy was only FIVE mills on
the dollar-au amount which any man
who will sit down and figure up the alb
solutely necessary expenses of the State
Government viii seei is utterly inade-
ouate. Still, for political purposes, the
Legislature was then induced to fix this
percentage, and it perhaps had its inau-
euce on the campaign; yet it was not
enough. 1t was, therefore, necessary to
increase the levy for the expenses ol
1870. Taking the three years, how
ever, the aggregate is only twenty. one
| mills aud half, which, equally subdl-
| yided, would not make the levy SC
greatly out of proportion as it may al
present seem. 1t certainly furnishes nc
real cause for the complaint Of hist
taxation.
| O. Let me ask, in this counexion
why it was arranged to have two levies
of tax collected in one year,.
The Governor. That is not correct
We are now collecting the tax for 1870
and by an amendment to the tax act, Il
is proposed to commence collection, fol
1911, on the 18th day Of November
next, the object being to bring the col
lection Of a portion of the taxes withIt
the year in which they are levied
The importance of making this. changf
will be apparent to every thoughttu
man. 1t is we'll known that large
portion of the citizens of the State dr
no. pay taxes, and that they are impro
vident iu the expenditure of money
Usually the product of their years IN
lustry comes to them during th'
mouths of November aud December
Were the tax books then opened, it i
nv impression that this class of peopl
would pay their taxes, and thus add t
the income of the State, whereas, if tn
time is postponed to the middle of Jan
uary or the first of February, as hither
) to, as a general rule they would pa
nothing. In short, l believe we shal
be enabled by this change, to collec
two hundred thousand dollars, which
under the former arrangement, coui
not be collected at all. And can Sc
no hardship that will be caused by tn
change, for it leaves the privileg
the same as at present of deferrins tn
addition Of penalty for non-paymer
, if it is thought ezpedicut to dc SO. In
stead of depressing the taxpayer, there
fore, it is 10 one sense a blessing to tn
people, for it opens the door to thos
who have the means and are dispose
, to pay, during the fall, while 1t is s;i
at the discretion Of the Executive
: extend the time Of the general taxpaye
who pays large amount, without sub
> iecting him to the prescribed penal',,
. Indeed, | am free to say that the tax
payers may rest we'll assured there WI
!. be no mo,e cause of complaint on tn
. . score in the future than there has bee
10 the past; for in every instance witt
, 10 my recollection, where an applic'
tion has been made, .e time of cole,
: tiou has been extended without the ad
,, ditiou Of the penalty.
!, Q. While that is a comforting assu
ance, Governor, is it not never'hele
: true that the assessments oil values ha'
!; been greatly exaggerated, and that pr
perty is, frequently taxed for two
> three times its real worth? =?
The Governor. That may De tr'
in some instances, but l am certain it
= not the rule. In all casscs OF exccsSi'
assessment, where an application h
been made, the matter has been consi
cred, and an abatement ordered, II Il
; circumstances justified such course.
d DO Tue PEOPLE PAY.
J, O. Up to the present time, have I
taxes generally been paid promptly !!
The Governor l must confess tn
I have been surprised at the extra0rc
nary disposition manifested by the pc
= Pile in the payment oftheir taxes. Ev
at this moment, while there Is appare'
liz so much i'll feeling concerning t
5 expenditure of public moneys, citize
q in all parts of the State are meeting t
e. demands o: the tax collector With
, uOauimi,y andprompsr ress which not @"
deserves the highest praise, but iavo'
bly illustrates their character, as Il
d abiding people. l cannot blame the
for desiring to know how these None
are expended. and, so far as lies IN
,e power, l shall always aferd to i
,e public the information on this and 9th
If subjects to which it is entitled.