The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-04-11
The Tax Question.

1u6 OOluulUlo CFttOIk aoS ASNAN
entail coad]uter in the New York Eoentng
Post, which journal denies that Ku-Klux out
RACES In South Carolina have been provoked
by the burden of taxation imposed upon the
State by misrule and corruption. This ex-
cuse, it says, is negatived by a comparison
between the States OF Massachusetts and
South Carolina on this same question OF tax
alton. In Massachusetts the average rate
of taxation for each person is SIT 10, while
in South Carolina it is only So 90. The pub
lie debt in the former State amounts to
SAT 40 for each person, while that OF South
Carolina is but SIS 50. We do not admit
that these figures are correct, but il they
were they would not show, as the Post con-
tends, "that even now taxation in South
"Carolina is not more burdens0me than in
eother communities where no complaint is
'sheard."
The State and county taxes, authorized to
be levied this year, will amount to at least
So, 500, 600, which, taking the aggregate
population at 7O5, COG, is equal to 81 IS for
each person. But this does not convey an
idea Of the weight Of the load. There are
in this State 2ss, 667 whites, and AS, Sl4
blacks; the taxes being paid nearly exclus-
lively by the whites. Massachusetts has only
13, 947 blacks against ], 443, 156 whites. To
make the comparison between the two States
approximately just, we should divide the en-
tire tax in South Carolina by the number OF
white citizens, which makes the tax Sl2 for
each person against SIT 10 in Massachu-
! sets. Nor does even this make the COM
parison strictly accurate. The rate OF Taxa
| ton in South Carolina this year must be $50
on the thousand dollars, while it is only
sll 68 ia Massachusetts. The oppressive
ness Of taxation is measured by the means
OF the people, and not by the mere amount.
A wealthy community can pay with ease q
tax which would rain q poorer people.
Taking into account the difference in the
wealth Of the two States as shown by the
rate OF taxation upon property, it is obvious
that q tax Of sl2 for each person in this
State Is far more onerous than the tax OF SIT
in Massachusetts. There is, also, the addi-
tional consideration that property in South
Carolina is assessed for taxation, in most
cases, at rather more than less than it's mar
ket price. This is an element in the c~alcula-
ton which is usually lost sight Of in drawing
parallels with Northern States.
The Post, in continuing It's apology, says
that the public debt ia Massachusetts
amounts to SAT 40 for each person, while
that OF South Carolina is only Sl8 81. We
do not know what the debt of this State is,
but it is supposed to be somewhere in the
neighborhood OF SIS, 600, 900, which is SCI
for each person. But the whites have to
pay that debt, and are responsible for it,
and the debt, divided amongst them, is fifty
dollar" for each person, which exceeds the
per capita debt in the Old Bay State.
We would suggest, however, to both the
Columbia linton and the New York Erentng
Post that no array Of figures, whatever they
demonstrate, will make the troubles OF the
people Of South Carolina any easier to bear.
Theirs are not sentimental grievances, and
it will not comfort them to know that any
other State pays either more or less than
they are called upon to pay. We do not
ask for statistics; we ask for an honest gov
eminent. Whatever the burden, the people
will stand up to ii, and fight through with
it, il they are satisfied that the laws are
Just, and that the public revenue is properly
expended. At this time, the people believe
that the cost Of government is enormously
increased by the multiplication OF offices,
by the frightening OF legislative sessions,
and by the extravaganza which character
ICES every department OF the public service.
They see that the volume OF taxation is
larger each year, and that the public debt
is increased with fearful rapidity. The more
they give to the tax-gatherer, the more is
demanded of them. What heart can they
have in their work? They are excluded
from any control over the legislation Of the
State. For all the enormous expenditures
of the State Government, there is nothing
to show but misrule and corruption. The
party which the Columbia Union represents
can remedy our worst evils. We do not ask
them to surrender their advantages, or to
place the government in Democratic hands.
1t is immaterial to the vast majority OF the
people whether the State Government is
Radical or Democratic-provided that it be
capable and honest. The white citizens are
not disposed, we judge, to hamper the Re-
publicans by making party nominations.
This time it will not be possible to throw
any blame upon the Democratic voters.
The Republicans have full sway, and upon
them and theirs the whole responsibility
rests. We can and will help them-ii they
will put up candidates for whom the tax
payers may safely vote.