The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1873-10-21
C.sh nn hand OeInl.er 81. l.a.. 81 .Tag %.

This table, as has been seen las hae.
ba sed upon your reduction of the pubic i.ht
by II scaling process, Ia ~ maximum ol even
the largo amount of Sl2,O00,UU0 which,
amount | have selected simply tor the pur.
pose ot illustration.
TAXATION.
Taxation il defined na tho taking of private
property for public Use. The exercise oi this
power is always regarded 10y the individual
with n jealous eye; and is subject u
especial interest II affects in its operation
every Individual who forms component rart
o! the body polite, whether he be- the owner
OF property or not. Tie discussion OF the
various systems and The beat methods uG
taxation. ergroSsea the attention oil the states
men OF the civilized world. Whether III
proud Britain, reSIivs France imperial
Russia or teverish Italy" il is al the present
moment n question OF all absorbing interest
Taxation, tn some form, is as ancient
in origin as society itself No civilized com.
'nunity can exist wishoui taxation. and nn
high degree OF civilization is ntIaiuablc with
out comparative laygo trrdtion.
The principle, laid down by Adam Smith.
which has boon engraftcd upou the funda-
mental laws of cvory civilized country, that
the subjects OF UIory. State ought 10 coutri.
butte towards the support OF the government
as nearly as possible in proportion to tho
'S'c'Ao ISSpeCIlEOIy SilDJ ul.ucT tho
protection OF Tho State" Is IL trtism uuivcr-
sally accepted. That systom of taxation.
therefore, IL most just and equitable. aud
Least oppressive, which IS 80 framed as to
carry ths proposition into actusl operation.
The constitution or this State evidences the
intention OF ts trainers 10 illustrate this prin.
cple Ia that section which provides for
trnt'oy7n and equsi rute OF assessment and
taxation, and Uhicl declares That all property.
real, personal or posSossory, shall be subject
to taxation
rms system OF taxation succeeded the svs-
tenn, or Father lack OF system. OF tho ieudal
Ages, when all property was hold na tieis OF
tho crown. Tho crown was maintained by
the crown estaIcs. Tho lords or the original
sovereigns under tho crown, eXacted tribute
from their scrfs. In time of war oach lord
was expected TO furnish his quota OF troops
and bear his share Of the expense. Justice
was administered by tho lords proprietors,
and the measure o. justice metcd out was
regulated by tho sbty of the person so de-
string TO pay Tor it,
Among the Iobrcws, during the tme of
Solomon, taxes were levied upon houses and
transit taxes aud tariffs on the introduction of
foreign merchandise. So oppressive was the
system rf taxation then that it caused the
stoning 10 death of Adoram, who was lover
tho tribute and tho secession Of tho ten
tribes
In the Athenian republic no direct taxes
were levied upon real or personal estate, hut
revenue was derived from tho sale of public
land fines and cUnt!scations, and a captatiou
tax upon freedmen and Foreigners, duties upon
foreign commodities aud merchandise
III Rome, under the republic, tho spoils Of
conquered nations aud the annual tribute re-
qured OF them. paid the expenses of the gov
enment, but under tho empire portions OF tho
revenue were scqucslratcd capitation taxes
levied, taxes on corn and heavy sums exactcd
for tho privilege OF Roman citizenship
III Franco, prior to tho revolution OF 1913,
the nobility and clergy wcro exempt from tax.
alton, and tho burden rested heavily and with
crushing weight upon tho poor. Resort was
oftcn had to forced loans, sale of monopoes,
aud even conhscations To meet tho extrava.
CANT expenses OF the monBrch.
To return from this digTe 3sion as to tho va.
riOus methods of taxation OF force ut different
periods Of tho history of tie world, the sys.
TEN OF taxation which now prevails is pre-
eminenty superior in that the burden il equal.
ized, cacl individual contributing his share of
the expense of tho State in proportion TO the
protection Of life and property he enjoys un-
der tie laws OF the State.
II will I've admitted 10y all that taxation is a
necessary expense; il is also a desirable ex-
penso.
1T can probably be demonstrated" IL
has been said, that there is no one act which
can be performed by a community, which
brings in 80 largea return to the credit Of
civilization and general happiness as the ju-