The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-02-03
COLUMBIA, S. G.
satur,ay Morning. February s. 1872.
An increase of Taxation.

perty for the current asoal yenr, was in
troduced into the House of Representa-
tives, on Wednesday, by Hunter. OF
Charleston, and referred to the Com
mitttee of Ways and Means, before whom
It is still lying. It is proposed by this
measure to levy an additional tax OF
nineteen mills on the dollar. The pro-
position is so prepcsterous, absurd and
infamous, that We can scarcely believe
that the instigators OF the bill, however
vile they may bo. seriously contemplate
zrging its passage. The appropriation
bill, lavish and criminally extravagant
thought it certainly is in its expendi-
lures, will require only about 8740, ,000-
something less than that, in fact The
amount sot aside to pay the per diem
and mileage Of members OF the General
Assembly and subordinates has been,
though unreasonable and outrageous
indeed. only S250.0O0 There is no pur-
pose expressed; no appropriation made;
Ror is there the slightest probability of
sny effort being made to pay anything
towards the interest on the public debt.
Il Comptroller Neagle's statements be
correct, and the authorities. we opine,
have no other means Of procuring official
information, it is simply impossible to
make any provision to pay the interest.
According to him, there are no means
by which the number OF bonds issued,
and the consequent amount due, can be
ascertained. He does not even attempt
70 approximate true estimate.
Now, if we sum up the amount re-
quired under the general appropriation
bill, $740,00 which figure, as we have
above stated, is something in excess. and
under the bill to defray legislative ex-
penses $3.50, 600, the money needed to
run our Radical State machine 10 found
to be $500, 900. Add on $4,000 to
make round numbers and $780, 900 more
tor good count. We have got used to
millions, now, and don't consider the in
significant thousands that sulficed for the
pnblio wants in the 'cruel and oppres-
sive days of slavery" Add ON these
little extras, we say, and there is only
wanted $1,1O0.000 to support Scott,
kimpton & Go. in their economical
mode of living, and to furnish the bless
ings of good government, security OF
life, liberty and property to "our be-
loved State" of South Carolina. That is
something more, it is true, than Mr..
Scott and his efficient assistants, Cham
berlain, Parker, and others, have charged
rs for the same services in the past four
years. But they have displayed such
distinguished ability. and succeeded so
admirably in rendering life safe, pro-
tecting liberty and guarding the rights
Of property, that some additional &C.
Acknowledgement of public confidence and
regard, and some slight return for their
eminent services is but proper and Justly
due them. Be that as it may, all they
have asked is 81, 100000.
Let us see, now, what amount OF funds
would be obtained if the proposed rate
OF assessment is adopted and enforced.
The taxable property of the State, ac-
eording to the returns of the State Audi.
tor, is fixed by assessment at $3.50, O,On0,-
900. We believe that 5000, 900, 600 is
nearer the mark, and that taxes are
actually levied and collected on that
much property. But assume it to be
100000, 900, rs reported by Radical
officials themselves, what do We 6nd?
Nineteen mills to the dollar on $780,
100000 would foot up the handsome
little figure of $3.O4O,OOO. The ten
mills collected since November last, and
designed for this same fiscal year, would
make Sl,Goo,0O0 more. These added
make 81, G4o, 900, which our impoverished
State would pay for the privilege OF
being ruled by Robert Kingston Scott
and his associates for one year.
These figures are 80 enormous that we
do not, as We have said above, believe
thnt any suoh rate Of taxation is really
designed. The purpose of tho authors