The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1890-06-19
EOUALIZING TAXATION.
A QUESTION OF INTEREST TO TAX
PAYERS.
The Need of Fair and Proper Stand
ard of Valuation in this State.
Wilmington Messenger

dEu vi III lUlS Stdtt.
Wilmington Messenger
In our many discussions of taxation
We have had occasion to say many
times that the great need in North
Carolina was system by which all
listing of taxes should be made ap-
aroximately as fair as honest men can
make it. We have mentioned the in
equalities of taxation in the various
counties. There is surely a necessity
that the tax upon lands, horses, mules,
etc, should be equalized. One Of the
services that Rev. Thos Dixon, Jr., es-
sayed to render his native North Caro-
lima before he entered the Christian
ministry and while member of the
Legislature, was the introduction of a
most carefully prepared bill looking to
this very end. 1t was exceedingly we'll
done, and showed much reflection and
capacity. He was then not more, we
think, than some twenty-five or three
years of age. The bill and his expla-
nation of it gave us good opinion of
his capacity and observation, and
showed that he was even more than
merely brilliant declaimer, as some
thought.
We believe that his bill was not
properly appreciated by his fellow leg
lslatorS. We remember to have tried
to help on his bill, and to enforce the
advantages OF its provisions. There
was great need of such bill then, and
we are not aware that intervening years
have witnessed much if any improve
ment in the matter of equalizing taxes.
We have said, and we SO believe,
that only small proportion of the
taxpayers bear their proper part of
the public burdens. 1t is so in State
and in Church. We know that in all
the Churches there are but compara-
lively few who measure up to the high
Biblical standard of liberality, activity.
benevolence and giving. We all know
that the faithful burden -brarers con-
stitute but small portion of the men
and women who name the name of
Christ-that only a fraction either
give according to the Jewish standard
of the Old Testament as laid down by
Jehovah himself, tenth or more, or
according to the New Testament stand
ard-"as the Lord has prospered you,"
which may mean a twentieth or a
tenth or fifth or half or even more
So far as the Church is concerned
the result is poverty, leanness and the
eternal cry of more money. If all
gave as God directs and requires then
the Golfers in all the churches would
overflow. North Carolina to-day pays
five dollars for drinks where it spends
one dollar for the worlds salvation
for the preaching of the Word of Life.
AS in Churches so in State. Only
a few pay all that the law requires. In
other words, property is not correctly
listed--is not given in at its full and
fair valuation. Is there man in North
Carolina who does not know this to be
true? We trow not
What is the result? AS in the Church
SO in the State few only do their part,
and there is an insufficient revenue to
meet the pressing demands OF the State.
With more money from the taxes the
educational system of the State could
be SO perfected and extended that it
would soon rival the foremost system
in any Northern State.
What is needed,we repeat,is finan-
cial genius who can devisee a plan of
taxation that will first e9uaAse the
taxes, and second persuade, or COM
pei the people to list their property
coupon the square,
Let us say that in doing this the
said genius should be able to give
rule or standard by which the listing
is to be done. We perform no duty
IN the year more perplexing and diff
cult to US than to give in fairly and
justly the few things we have to list.
We have tried to be honest in the mat
ter, and while not expressing ourselves
not to rob the State Of what it is due.
But proper standard is needed for
the people and then the law according
to that standard should be rigidly en-
forced,
And now let US turn to the Charlotte
plan recently adopted by the Board of
Aldermen. 1t is to publish in the
newspapers the 81 full returns of person.
al property as soon as the list shall
have been closed" A circular from
Mr.. Robert Haydn, editor of the Char
lotte Chronicle, says of this plan:
"The idea of this is that by putting
the public on notice that their returns
will be published to the world, there
will be more liberal appreciation of
household effects, jewelry and all other
personal property. We find that very
few return any income. All over
$1,000 dollars is taxable, whether that
income be salary, or interest or non
taxable bonds. Yet very few holders
of non taxable bonds, anywhere, return
the interest thereon for taxation. AS
to the returns on salary, they Con all
in excess of $1,000 arc very rare
If there is any sensible, valid objec-
ton to this it has not occurred to us.
1t is altogether fair and proper that
communities should know what is
doing in the matter of State, town
and county taxes. 1t is right that all
should see what personal property is
returned. Why should one man pay
upon all that he has that is taxable,