The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1873-10-21
Cash on hand October 81. lsa,. sal .70o 90.

This table, MS has been seen. has been
ha sed upon your reduction of tile public debt
by II scaling process, 10 maximum oil even
the largo amount OF $4,000, 200, whicit
amount l have selected simply Tor tile prlr.
pose OF illustration
TAXATION.
Taxation is defined M tho taking OF private
property for public use. The exercise OF this
power is always regarded by tho indvidunI
with jealous eye; aud il suhjact Of
especial interest. 1t affects in its operation
every individual who forms component part
of the body polite, whether no be- the owner
OF properly or not. Tie discussion of the
various systems and the boat methods OF
taxation, engroSses the attention OF tie states
men of the civilized world. Whether in
proud Britain. restve France, imperial
Russia or fevsrish Italy" il is al the presen,
moment n question of all absorbing interest
Taxation, In some form, 10 IS ancient
in origin as society itself. No civilized CON-
nunity can exist without taxation. and nn
high degree OF civilization is nilaiuable with
out comparative large t1ahon.
The principle, laid down by Adam Smith.
which kas boon ougrancd upon the funda-
mental ! sof evory civilized country, "that
she suhje~-- OF ofery. State ought TO contri.
butte towards the support of the government
as nearly az possible in proportion 10 tho
revenue they respectively enjoy under tho
protection of tho State" Is truam uuiver-
sally accepted That sysiem of taxation
therefore, IL most just aud equitable. aud
least oppressive which is so framed an TO
carry this proposition into actual operation
The constitution OF this State evidences the
intention OF its trainers 70 illustrate this prin.
ciple In that scotiOu which provides for
UNIFORM and egusi rIke OF assessment and
taxation, aud which declares that all properly,
real, personal or possessory, shall be subject
TO tI.rItSoR.
This system OF taxation succeeded tho avs.
tenn, or Father lack OF system, OF tho reudal
ages, whom all property was hold aa tiefs of
the crown. Tho crown was maintained by
the crown es.aIcS Tho lords or the original
soVereigns under the crown exacted tribute
from their serfs. In time of war Zach lord
was expected to furnish his quota Of troops
aud bear his share Of the expense. Justice
WAS administered by the lords proprietors,
and the measure of justice meted out was
regulated by the sbility of tlie person so do.
string TO pay for it.
Among the Hebrews, during the time of
Solomon. taxes were levied upon houses and
transit taxes aud Tariffs on tho introduction Of
foreign merchandise. So oppressive was the
system of taxation then that it caused the
stonpg to death of Adoram, who was lover
tribes
In the Athenian republic no direct taxes
were levied upon real or personal estate, bnt
revoDne was derived from the sale nf public
land lines and cOnEscations, and capitation
tax upon freedmen and foreigners, duties upon
foreign commodities and merchandise
III Rome, under the republic the spoils Of
conquered nations and the annual tribute re.
quired Of them, paid the expenses of the gov
ernment, but under the empire portions of the
revenue were scquestrated, captation taxes
levied, taxes on corn aud heavy sums exacled
for the privilege Of Roman citizenship
IN Franco, prior to the revolution Of 1898
the nobility and clergy were exempt from tax.
alton, and tho burden rested heavily and with
crushing weight upon the poor. Resort was
often had to forced loans, sale OF monopolies
aud even confscations, to meet tho extrava-
CANT expenses Of tile monRrcl,.
To return from this digresson as to tho va
rious methods Of taxaton of force ut different
periods or tho history of the world, the sys-
TEN Of taxation which now prevails is pre-
euiinen.ly superior in that the burden il equal
izod, eacl individual contributing his share of
the expense oil the State IN proportion To tho
protection Of life and properly he enjoys un-
der tito laws CT the State.
II will be admitted Gy all that taxation is a
necessary expense; il is also a desirable ek-
penso.
1T can probably be demonstratod,n Il
has been said, 81 that there is no one act which
can be performed by community, which
brings in so large.a return 10 tho credit OF
Civilization aud general happiness, as tho ju-