The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-05-19
QUIZ Tax Systems.

Last wear tie Assembly of the State OF
New York authorized the Governor OF the
State to appoint three suitable persons TO re-
vice the laws foc the assessment and colec-
tion of taxes. Thereupon remarkable
event occurred--the Governor appointed as
one OF the three the most suitable person Tor
tbe nosition to be found in the United States,
viz: Mr.. Daniel A. Wells, whilom Commits
sloner of the United States Revenue. and
now victim OF the unrepublican honesty and
ability with which he performed the duties OF
that Office Mr.. Wells has lately made to
the Assembly OF New York report, which,
whether we regard the facts stated, the dis
cussions upon them, or the conclusions pre-
sented, is OF the highest interest and inpor-
tance. We nuke, therefore, no apology for
layinr before our readers synopsis OF this
remarkable production.
In the State of New York, taxation has in
the last ten years advanced from twenty
millions to fifty millions; in Massachusetts,
from seven to twenty-one millions; in Ohio,
from eleven to twenty-five millions Taxa
tion is heavier in Massachusetts than in any
civilized community in the world. The tax
alton it, New York is Sll SIS per capita, in
Massachusetts sl4 35, in Ohio ss ~, and in
Vermont S5 2s. The aggregate per capita
taxation in the United States is on one cal
culation S2l SO, and on another SIG O9, the
last figures representing, probably, the min
imum, which is greater than any modern ma
tiou has borne continuously in time OF
peace.
In the State of New York the rate OF the
aggregate taxes OF the State, in 1869, was
49,. in Massachusetts 3.33, in the City OF
New York 2.27, in Rochester $40, in Bos.
ton 1.53. In England it was 3.s7 per capita.
The tax systems in the United States, be-
81 les being detective in imposing burdens
on production, are further so in respect to
the valuation OF property, real and personal.
In New York The State tax is apportloned
among the counties on the basis of their re-
spective valuations of real estate, and the
natural consequence follows that the valua-
tions do not represent the values. In some
counties tue real estate is reported at 20 per
centum OF its real value; in the majority OF
counties ut from rs TO IS per cent. OF the
real value, and in the cities possibly at Gu
per cent, which last rate is the maximum
The only lands correctly Valued are those OF
nou-residents.
The valuation of personal property is still
more irregular A careful study .of the nature
and Classification Of property has confirmed
o ,boor, .-I -laE.--.--.-----'rvisu''
F'the market value of the aggregate OF land
sand that of The aggregate OF productive
s:capilul are equal;" and that further, In
highly civilized aud densel. populated states
The aggregates of property, usually classed
under the two heads 'rear and "personal,"
are either equal or closely approximate TO
each other in actual value. Accept this test,
and arguing from the known value OF real
estate, the conclusion is inevitable that
large portion of the personal property of
every State entirely eludes taxation. In
Massachusetts aud Connecticut, all personal
property is by the terms OF the law subject
to taxation, aud the tax act has 10 those
Ssates been:mosL successfully enforced. Yet,
in the former State, it is believed that full
one-ihird, aud in the latter forty per cent. OF
the personal property eludes taxation. The
valuation of personal property in New York
is q mere semhlance.
In Massachusetts, in the year lS69-lS7O,
the personal property was valued at five hun
dred and three millions, or s3 Is per capita;
of Ohio at four hundred and sixty millions,
or 81 80 per capita; und New York ut four
hundred and lhily-fuur millions, or 81 90
per capita. An approximate valuation OF
the personal property OF New York on inde-
pendent data gives u total of billion and
half, and otker estimates reach larger
amount. Tie inadequacy OF the assessed
value is made still palmer by statement
made in the New York Convention, by
member, who said that be could name thirty
men whose aggregate wealth exceeded The
whole assessed value OF the personal proper
ty Of the State. Tue conclusion is that only
oue-tifth of tile personal property in the
State is subjected TO taxation. What, then,
is the remedy foc this great evil? We are
interested in the answer to the question, for
change names and-de no5is tabuta nara
tur.