The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1892-11-30

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It is not good showing, and indicates that
we are very imrrovident and non progress
sive people, or else that there is a large
amount OF property which escapes ta8ation
State of Georgia, during the. same period
with Il like climate and ike soil and no great
er natural advantages shows an Increase Of
assessed values of 22S,0O0,000. It was S235.0oO,
700 in 1877 and is now $I63, 5000 No sane
man will claim that the average South Caro-
lima county is not as prosperous as the aver
age Georgia county, and that there has moi
been like increase of wealth on this side o.
the Savannah river. The explanation Is not
far to seek. We havea constitutional tax o
two mills for school purposes, and, while onl
free schools are not supported as literally as
they should be, the disincliuation OF the peo
pie 10 increase the free school fund, under
present conditions, has kept property at a
Valuation of about one-half its selling price
DEMAND FOR INCREASED ASSESSMENT.
The property of the State, if assessed accord
ing to law, would approximate SOC, ,O0G ,0O0
This would double the school fund, and
reduce the tax levy for the State from about 5
mills 10 ~ mills. The effort Of the Comp.
troller to execute the laws governing assess.
ments have been largely paralyzed by the
fact that real estate was assessed Oh the present
basis in 1890 and cannot be touched for reas.
sessment until 1894. unless the General AS.
sembly should authorize j.. Fad this been
done last year, as was advised by both the
Comptroller-Geperal and lnyself. IT would
have greatly facilitated the refunding OF the
bonds; for one Of the questions asked by
capitalists is as to the States valuation for
taxation; and the fact that during the past
sixteen years there has been an apparent IN
crease Of our property Of only sS3,Ol5,2lS has
created false impressions abroad as 10 the
thrift and prosperity OF the State. In proyid.
ing, as hope will be done, a new system for
the assessment Of property. trust that every
species of property in the State will be sub
liected to the same rule and every effort made
TO prevent tax lodging, which * now too pre-
valent. I will repeat here what had to say
on this subject in my last an nual message. as
bave seen no reason to change the views GET
forth therein:
TOWNSHIP GOVERNMENT.
sThe office Of county commissioners should
be abolished, and in place OF 1t government
by townships substituted. Three intelligent
men in each township, elected by the voters
thereof, should be entrusted with the man
agem60G OF LQe TOaQS dUO DrlQSSS, SCnOOie,
ard assessment Of property in the same. The
chairman Of these Il cal boards should consti-
tute a county board 10 manage the county Il
nances, audit accounts and order expendi-
tures. The salaries, If any, paid these town.
ship commissioners, or seiectmen, can be de-
termined by the voters or fixed by law. The
Constitution can be changed 70 abolish the Of
flee Of county commissioner, and these chang, S
will inevitably result in great saving to
each county, while there will he correspond
ing increase in efficiency. Property will be
assessed at its real value, and millions now
hidden will be made to pay their share OF
taxes. This county board should also const-
tute the county board Of eq ualization, instead
being appointed as at present by the auditor.
"In this connection suggest the propriety
of requiring all notes, etc TO be stamped by
to make them collectible by law. Make the
note shaver or lender pay taxes as we'll az the
land owner whose property stands IN his
name, while ne per haps owes as much as 1t Is
worth .."
THE LCNATIC ASYLUM.
The condition of this Institution, AS far as
the conduct Of its affairs is concerned, is all
that could be desired: !: but would again call
your attention to the fact that there are
changes needed in the laws governing the ad-
mission Of patients, so as to prevent the
states charity from being abused. The Re.
900 to enlarge the asylum SO as to meet the de-
rnands made upon it. The superintendent
calls attention to the overdowing condition OF
the institution and the necessity for either
changing the laws governing admission or OIL
increasing the accommodations. The asy lnm
has a large plumber Of patients who more
properly belong to the county poor house,
and the General Assembly has the choice OF
either making an appropria ton for its en-
Iarsement or d change IN the law which would
prevent this abuse II each county be re.
CURED TO pay oritS own patients and the So.
perintendent be given the power To examine
into the fitness and needs OF applicants Tor
admission this class Of patieots will be sent
where they properly belong. There will be
no need for an increase OF buildings and the
institution can amply provide for all who
properly belong there for many years TO come.
The number Of patients under treatment at
present is 764. The total income OF the insti.
stituLion from all sources has been SIP 3So 81,
and the expenditures have been Sll2,S7l.73.
From peronal inspection and familiarity
with the asylum and Its management, the
State is to be congratulated upon having two
such officers as Superintendent Babcock and
Mr. j. W. Bunch, steward and treasurer; and
the regents have been untiring In their efforts
to have the Institution reach the highest &C.
gree Of efficiency and economy.
... THE PEN1TENT1ARY.
The number of convicts in the pepitentiary
q: present is 800, an increase OF lO1 as coupaI.
ed with last year. 4 copy OF the n nnancla'
tions OF the institution during the year.
Statement Of cash received and disburSed al
South Carolina penitentiary during the
period beginning November 1St, 1891, a nd
ending October 3lst, 1892.
RECEIPTS.
To cash balance on hand Slst Octo-
to5er, S436 "
To amount t received for convict hire. 39,6SlS:
Sales cotton and other farm prod
uCtS........ lS,o-o Il
Sales sundries at prison.. 2,340,1 Il
Sundry fines, stoppages, &c.... l.S4l, AZ
Visitors' w 459,3
TRANSPORTATION new convicts..... 1885 4
s75.CS1 Il
Assets: Cash on hand........-.......- Sl4, III
Due by Sundry contractors
for convict hire..-........... 2,S23.1l
Estimated value of unSold
farm oroduce................. 19.4Ol.1i
s3S, 1908,
DISBURSEMENTS.
BY amounts paid per itemized statements:
Pay rolis-prison, farms and other ~, =,
Subsistence ................. 17,l6o S.
Shoes 2,6{7 a
ac. n