The Dawson journal., 1883-07-12


reason that the act. under which
they sigaed the bond. makes no pro-
VISION for such release Fhe State
could rot be expected to incur the
risk OF change III the bond unless
the sureties Lad contracted with ref
erence to plain provisions for the
exercise OF such power by the Exc
Gu i've III his discretion, and prescib
ing the mode OF release so that there
IN ght be certain compliance with
the law, involving no danger Of lit
CATION. The law should he explicit
on this point, to the end hat the
citizen should have no cause to com
PLAIN that he was subjected unnec-
essarily to Inconvenience, and that
suretieS signing such bonds may
understand that they are bound, in
any event, until the bank makes full
settlement with the Treasurer.
An embarrassing question has
arisen in the taxation of personal
property of railroads located partly
within this State and partly in an
ether State. The realty and the
personally located in this State.
But much Of the personal property
Of such railroads is located in this,
or another State, only by reason Of
the rule of law which fixes the situs
OF personality at the domicile of the
owner; or in case Of q railroad,
where its principal atlice is located.
In practice a difficulty arises, be
cause adjoining States claim the
right to tax such proportion of the
entire personally as the number of
miles IN both States. This would
seem to be the rule of convenience,
as well as Of justice, and [ recon-
mend las adoption
The subject Of taxation canno: en-
gage too much of your attention.
Equality and uniformity are sub
stantially secured, in theory, under
our system. Bat experience proves
that our laws, for ascertaining the
property liable for taxation, and its
value, are defective; its aggregate
value being largely in excess of the
annual returns. The amount to be
raised is regulated by the necessities
OF the State, and the rate is govern
ed by the amount Of property upon
when the levy is made. 1t is mani
fest that when a citizen fails to re-
turn any part Of his taxable property,
or undertakes what he does return.
be lnhicts a wrong upon his neigh
Dor who returns all his taxable prop
ertY at its true market value, by
raising the rate which I he latter is
forced to pay. The remedy for this
inequality may be difficult to apply.
All systems Of taxation are necessa
rily defective. Ours has been stead
| lily improving, bat theresuits contin-
ues to be unsatisfactory. Some
remedy can be devised, by judiciou,
provisions for assessment. or by 9th
er adequate means, to secure an APP.
proach to uniformity in valuation OF
the visible property of the people
as well as full returns of taxabl,
property, and l invite your eane>t
attention to the task. 1t will not
! increase the burdens of taxation
1t will distribute them Justly
and rather promote a feeling of sat
isfee*ian amonr.the people, because
OF the lower rate Of taxation thereb,
made possible.
In view of reduction in taxation al
ready effected by the watchfulness O
the people and the laoors of WON
predecessors, without imparing tht
efficiency Of the state government
YOU can afford to rive much study /,
this problem. We collect from th,
| people of Georgia, for State and coun
tY purposes annually, less than one do!
lar and twenty five cents per capita
The Federal government collects from
the people OF the United States ann
uallg more than seven dollars PEI
capita. Contrasting these amount.
with the benefits received, we have the
cause for pride. Tt is smprising thai
SO little interest is manifested in the
subject Of Federal taxation au6
expenditure.
a common interest in the common
government shonld induce the people
Of all the States to give the same at
teniion to this subject that they be
stow upon local systems of taxation
and expenditure. In no other way
can orr complex government be adj
miniStered for the benefit of all the
people.
commend to yonr consideration
the varied interest Of the common
wealth which enlightened consti-
tuents Lave placed in your care.
Henry d. Mcdaniel.
L he nprnSsitv fO1. u sio,nJ ,.or,i.I, 10