Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-08-13
dishonest Tax Returns.

This question seems to be stirring up
the Dress of the state to advocate reform
in our system of assessing property.
Commenting upon remarks of the MORN
ING NEWS on the same subject few days
ago, the Americas Republican says:
ssThe tax return is largely made case
of conscience. 1t is amazing how many
men, who are jealous of their personal
honor and proud Of their religious con-
nectiOns. lose sight of both when con-
fronted with the Tax Collector. Just as
much scruple and honesty should be eX-
hibited in swearing to tax returns as in
performing any other act where sacred
regard for truth and an oath may be re-
Quired. The burden of taxation would be
much lightened If all men were disposed
TO be honest in paying their just and law
full dues"
To this the Columbus Enquirer adds the
following:
"Every man is allowed to place his own
valuations upon his property, and when
it comes to landed estate: there is but
little variation as to what is considered
the market value. 1t has come under our
observation where a man who owned land
that he refused to sell at $l2 per acre,
gave it to the Receiver at exactly the
same valuation that one of his neighbors
did who was anxious to dispose of his
land at four dollars an acre, and failed to
sell for the want of a buyer. Both in
stances the land was valued at three dol
lars and fifty cents per acre. This is only
one of a thousand of such instances, and
in the other taxable property much the
same state of affairs exists"
The Sparta Ishmaellte contributes some
remarks to the point as follows:
-. 4. IL.
could make a half million dollars in Han
cock county in ninety days, if he could
buy all that he might desire Of the prop
erty of the county at what it is returned
for taxation, and then sell it for what it
would readily bring in the market. We
have no idea that the property in the
county could be bought for three times
the amount for which it is returned for
taxation, Some few men would sell for
what they return, but not many.
Some few might insure their property
for what they return it for but
not many. There is some
time peculiar discrepancy between the
value at which a man insures his pro-
perry and the value at which he returns it
for taxation. Sometimes it is worth about
three times as much for the purpose of in
surance as it is for the purpose of taxa
ton. notwithstanding the fact that in case
OF loss the insurance company would
probably not be required to pay more than
tWO-thirds of the latter valuation. Some
men are "unco' weak and little to be
trusted" where their interests are con-
cerned.
:'This defect in the law is patent and
easy to remedy. Let the Legislature pro-
vide a board of tax assessors for each
county and the evil will end. This board
should consist Of farmers and business
men who are acquainted with the real
value of the property of each county.
When this is done equal Joint owners in
| the same property will be required to pay
the same tax. while now one of them
sometimes pays more than twice as much
as the other. Then a man who is truly
/ conscientious or exact in the return of his
| property for taxation will no longer be re-
| quired to bear the burdens of those who
are not so exact or conscientious"
Commenting upon the foregoing the At
! lanta Constitution says:
eve have 10 doubt that if all the pro-
| perty in the State were returned at its
real value, the burden OF taxation would
not only be reduced by One-half, but il
/ would be more equitably distributed. The
| real fault is with a system which invites
| men to evade their obligations and violate
4 the spirit of the law. 1t is, in fact, a
! vicious system that will produce such re-
| suits, and the sooner it is abolished the
| better. A system of uniform assessment
| would be in the direction of justice; but
/ any system, it seems to us, would be pref
cradle to that which allows so large a
\ proportion OF property holders to eyado
| the burdens which law imposes upon
!