The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-12-02


| equalL:cd stand, az to valuations ot real
property. as tho basis for taxation.
A special Board OF Equalization ia pro-
vided for. composed OF tho state Treasurer,
Secretary Of State, Comptroller enorai
snd Attorney GGuoTai, &c tIuaiiGe tho
value of the property ofrailroad companies,
In manner similar to that prescribed for
| the other boards OF Equalization. right
! ol appeal Is also given from the County
| Board OF Equalization to the Compt roller
| General. who IL Authuri:etl to m Ike abatc-
inents i'll taxea in cases Of erroneous or
| illeg al assessments.
The leading purposes OF tax system,
winch rests upon MI al ra{OTriL ba viz,
! should be, in the language of our Constitu-
tiun, to ''securc Just valuation for taxa
tlou OF all property" aud TO provide safe,
| convenient and ndInexpcusive methods for the
collection of faxes. The 0d rdloren, system
being fixed b, the Constitution, our atten-
tion must be directed to the practical means
OF carrying out this system. Grave dis
| satisfaction with our tax laws has existed
dnrlng the past Six years. Tho most gene
raj and urgent complaint has beon that the
valuations placed upon the property Of the
state have bGcn, TO large degree, capri
cious and excessive. 1t has also been be.
lIeved that excessive Valuations have been
made in order to conceal the real extent Of
tho burden OF taxation. Without attempt
ing to discuss tho motives which prompted
those who enforced the law, 1 express the
opinion that the valuations mado previous
to the present ycar, have been, to great
extent, unjust and oppressive Whatever
the Causes, the result has been that pro-
perty has borne valuation almost wholly
arbitrary whom different localities or sepa-
rate pieces OF similar property are COM
pared, and excessive in amount. when
tested by any reasonable standard of value.
sec no reason to regard this Injustice
as Legitimate result OF our present tax
system On tho contrary, my most careful
examination convinces me that the system
Will work out just result If it can be
placed in the hands Of honest aud compc-
tent officers. Undoubtedly, the machinery
for making valuations il somewhat compli-
Gated, II not intricate; but the system will
be seen. think, upon n fair examination,
to he adapted, III all it's features. to guard
to assessments, whenever it is administer
ed by those who regard tho interests Of the
taxpayers. During the past year new
assessment OF real property the fourth
elncc 1865, las been made. 1t is not yet
possible Tor me to judge OF its eorrec .nesN,
but am assured by those who have been
familiar with the work during its progress,
thst 1t approaches very nearly tn the trne
vaiuo OF tho property. l am further in
formed that the aggregate Va tion OF all
tho property OF the State undcr this assess-
mcnt will fall from Sc. 600 600 to $40 00O, QUO
below the aggregate Of the previous assess-
ment. have confidence thut much has
boen done III this assessment tn relieve the
| VI iOIIucI assessments, Dut l Call
ynur attention to tho subject as one of
funda mi III importance to The whole pco-
pie. The people demand, and they have
right to demand, that property ehall be-
valued for taxation at il true money value,
as nearly as the impcrfcction of the human
judgment will permit. If tho presen, as
s"ssment docs not reach tll 5 st ndard, then
1t IL our duty to adopt such measures al
VIII remove tho rem aiming defects. shall
cooperate with the General Assembly in
q ptoV nm ,Inso
contemplated by our Constitution and laws
"A just valuation tor taxation of all pro-
perty according to its true monew value.
In this connection | may remark, that 70
far az the wo. king OF our tax system de-
ponds upon faithful officers appointed by
the Governor, intend to 500 to it that no
County shall have just cause of complaint.
Tho appointment OF County Auditors and
county Treasurers now rests with the Co
vernon, subject to tho confirmation of tho
Senate. l commend TO your careful colsi-
dcration the question Of making these Of
ticers elective by tho people of the scveral
Counties. There are some ureument.
which might be nrged in favor nf either
mode OF selection. The only test which
should be applied in determining the aues-
tion Ia, which mode will with most ccrtai nv
| secure good officers and 4 faithful enforce.
ment OF the lawr@
Ny examination OF the Act OF the Gene.
raj Assembly "f March II. 1874, commonly
leads inc to recommend that full evisfon
OF that Act be- made by some approximate
means by the General Assembly ut this ses-
| sion, III conjunction with the Comptroller
General, in order 10 remove inconsiste encic.
and supply defects now apparent in the law
further recommend that the work OF
equalizing railroad property bo given to the
State Board Of EqusliZation, provided for
by section C4 OF the "'ra1ation and Aescss-
Dlent Act" sec no reason for placing this
powor in tho hands of board composed
wholly OF State officers as at present; on the
contrary, see many reasons for giving to
| the property OF our railroad companies all
the protection afforded to other property.
Having secured just valuation for taxa
tlon OF the property of the State, our next
duty will be to determine the rate per cent
OF taxation necessary to support the 60
TcTnment. Upon this point the inflexiblc
rule should be applied Of limiting tn.
amount OF taxes to the actual requirements
OF good government. It ghould especially
, be remembered that the people OF this State
are not now bio to contr butte ono dollar OF
taxes beyond what the most rigid economy
will warrant. Probably there will be yery
little dispute upon this general proposition.
The work and difficulty will consis. Ii ap
plying it. deem 1t my duty, therefore. 10
proceed to point ont the specific measures
which will, in my judgment, tend to bring
us nearer to correct rule OF public eI-
penditure. The General Assembly at the
last regular session Of 1874 adopted the
plan OF making specific levy Of taxes for
each object Of public expenditure. most
enrnestly urge that this plan be observed
| In the future. ItB adyant Ryea arc m N ;fo.t