The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-12-10
COLUMBIA. S. G.
Sunday z1orning, December 10, 1871.

Sunday z1orning, December 10, 1871.
Popular View OF our State Finances
No.3.
The average tax for ten years previous
to the war, was but $431. 1000. During
the year 1860, it was but $992, 900. At
that time, tho taxable value of the pro-
perty OF the State was $49O. ZOO, 900.
Now eaid value is but $184, ,OOO, 900.
What, now, are the taxes raised since
tue war? The Charleston News says that
the State and County taxes, as assessed,
were as follows: Taxes for 1868, due 1869,
Sl,835, los; taxes for 1869, due 1870,
Sl,622, ,658; taxes for 1870, due 1871,
1926. 047-three years taxes, So, 722,-
S09. According to this showing, what
fellows? This, viz: that whilst in three
years before the war, $l,293. 900 were
raised by taxation on basis of $780,
0Oo. .OOO-since the war, nearly Sc, 900, 600
have, in the same time, been raised, or
sought to be, on taxable basis of
Sl84.0 GOO, ,000-Mus Shouting, as zoe haze
before remarked, that acAikst The tara6le
property Of the State has been reduced one
third, the tdres hare been Increased fire.
hundred per cent.
But let us take another view of the
matter. We shall now luke the 40.
vernor's statements-which may or may
not be true, even as far as they go. In
his estimate, in his message, OF the taxes
collected and the delinquent taxes, he
artfully leaves out of his estimate all the
County taxes; and he deceives the public
further III respect to the delinquent
taxes; for, as we learn, at least three
fourths OF the taxes reported delinquent,
are afterwards paid and collected. With
these corrections, let us consider the
Governors estimates. In 1868, he ac-
knowledged that there were collected
81, 163. .053. .38; in 1869, $766, 736. Os; in
1870. 81, LAG, O37.06-making So. O75,-
S26.az. To this, add per cent. for
County taxes, viz: 92.2747o; and also
three-fourths OF the taxes reported "dc-
linquent." with the 20 per cent. penalty
added. (amounting to 81, ,137, ,457. 51,) J TO
wit: 1858, ,O92 80, and we have admitted
collected by Governor Scott, in three
years, $3,075, 1876 AZ; County taxes omit
ted by Governor Scott, at least So2,-
274.79; three-fourths of delinquent taxes
afterward collected 1858, ,O92. .s9-mak-
ing total of $4.O2I, ,194.1 raised in
1S68-69-70 by taxation. That is, accord
ing to Governor Soott's own basis of cal
cnlation. over 81. 900, 900 have been col
lected from the people OF this State in
the last three years.
Let us now see what moneys have
further been raised from the sale of
bonds. According to the Scott-Parker-
ton-Chamberlain showing, Kimp-
ton. the Financial Agent, has received
S9,533, 900 OF State bonds. We have
been told that the agent probably sold
these bonds at an average of fifty cents
on the dollar. But we will deduct from
the bonds in Kimrton's hands tho
800. 600 in bonds that lie was authorized
to sell on the Land Commission account,
this will leave SS.S33, 900 of State bonds
in Kimpton's hands. Assuming that he
sold these at fifty cents on the dollar,
we have the sum of $4,416, 500, which
has passed into Kimpton's hands. Now,
add to this the 81, ,021, 1884, 10 raised from
taxes, and we have So. .436, ,694 to be &C.
counted fer by the ring Take from this
100000 for the expenses of the 60
vernment for three years, and we still
have over Sd, ,000,0 600 to be accounted for.
This represents the stealage. Now, we
ask of the ring this question: If YOU
have not stolen this money. whore is it?
Where is the peoples money? What
have you got to show for itf
Our readers will observe that this es-
innate is based mainly upon the admis-
sions of the accused. BY just SO much
as wo have fallen short of the amounts
received from taxation, and the amounts
realized from tho sale of bonds, must
the stealage fund be increased. It is
likely that when the whole truth comes
out. it will be found that we have very
much under-stated the sums stolen.
And yet, in view of nil this monstrous
fraud, our people are called intolerant!
We affirm that we have been forbearing
to remarkable degree. Upon the face
OF Gods earth, is there people who
have been subjected to such official rob.
berry, and the people poor. just emerged,
OOnOuered nnt 0f a 1ioontic o;,;I ,,o.