The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-11-30
TOTAL TAXABLE PROPERTY OF SOUTH CARO-
LIMA.

iSso 1851 ............... 129,5l9S25
1851 1SSo 1856 4S7 1862
1850 issS AS 442 2292
lSSS-l !oDuu,oo1
iSSi ISSS .....,..,......,,....l 49, ~, ,G09
iSS61SS7 III ,0703
1851 1sSs al 9SG ISL
lSSl lSSy. lfv'olo
iSS9 1So6 .......l l50,602 i5l
iS9Oi 1891 l6S.262 GG9
iSoi lsoJ - l6S,S7l, ,227
II is not good showing, and indicates that
we are q very imrrovident and non. progress
siye people, or else that there is large
amount of property which escapes taXatlop
or is undervalued for taxation. Our sister
State of Georgia, during the same period,
with like climate and Ike soil ana no great,
er natural advantages. shows an iLcreiSe 0l
assessed values OF S22S,ooCoCo ood IL oNE was
man will claim that the average South Caro-
lima county Is not as prosperous as the aver
age Georgia county, and that there has not
the Savannah river. The explanation Is not
far TO seek. We have constitutional tax OF
two mills for school purposes, and, while our
free schools are not supported as noeraily as
pie 10 increase the free school fund, under
present conditions, has kept property at a
valuation of about one-half It's selling price.
DEMAND FOR INCREASED ASSESSMENT.
The property of the State, If assessed accord
ing 10 law, would approximate SDo,UwOco.
This would double the school iuna, ang
reduce the tax levy for the state rom about D
mills 10 2L 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 on the present
basis in 1890 and cannot be toucheo lor reas
sembly should authorize IL. Had this been
done last year, as was advised by both the
Comptroller-General and myself. ~ would
have greatly facilitated the re funding or the
bonds; for one of the questions asked by
ca apitaiists Is as 10 the State s valuation Tor
taxation; and the fact that during the past
sixteen years there has been an saPpanreeinrt IN
crease of our property of only S3,Olt2lS mas
created false Impressions abroad as 10 tht
thrift and prosperity OF the State. In proVld-
ing, as hope will be done, q new system Tor
the assessment of property trust 1hat b eseTS sb
iected to the same rule and every effort MADE
TO prevent tax dodging, which Is now 100 pre-.
yalent. l will repeat here what had 10 say
on this subject In my last an nual message aS
have seen no reason to change the views set
forth therein:
TOWNSHIP GOVERNMENT.
"The office of county commissioners should
be abolished, and in place or IT a government
by townships substituted. Three intelligent
men in each town ip, elected by the voters
thereof, should be entrusted with the man.
agement of the roads and bridges, schools,
and assessment of property In the same. Inc
chairman of these lc cal boards snould consti-
tute q county board 10 manage the county n
napces, audit accounts and order eXpendl-
lures. The salaries, If any, paid these town
ship commissioners, or selectmen, can be de-
term ined by the voters or liked oy law. Inc
Constitution can be changed 10 apol.sn .ne oa,
will inevitably result in great saving 10
each county, while there will be correspond
ing increase In efficiency. Property will be
hidden will be made to pay their share OF
taxes. This county board should also consll,
tute the county board Of Republication, instead
being appointed as Mt present by the auditor.
"In this connection / suggest The propIlety
of requiring all notes, etc TO oe stamped hy
the county auditor and placed on tax books
to make them collectible by law. Make the
note shaver or lender pay taxes as well as the
land owner whose property STANDS IN MS
name, while he perhaps owes as much as IL is
worth"
THE LUNATIC ASYLUM.
The condition of this Institution, rs far as
the conduct of It's 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 al
mission or patients, SO as to prevent the
states charity from being abused, The he
gents have asked for an appropriation or s2O,-
0OO to enlarge the asyi ium SO as TO meet me de;
calls attention to the oyerf1owing condltion OF
the Institution and the necessity for either
changing the laws governing ADMISSION or OF
increasing the accommodations. The asylum
has a large number OF patients who more
properly belong to the county poor house,
and the General Assembly has the choice OF
either king an appropriation for It's en-.
prevent this abuse. II each county be re-
cuired to pay for It's own patients and the su-
perintendent be given the power 10 examine
into the fitness and needs OF applicants lor
admission this class OF patents will be sent
where they properly belong. There Will be
no need for an increase OF bu idlags and the
institution can amply provide for all VINO
properly belong there for many years TO come.
The number of patients under treatment al
present is 764. The total Income OF me lnsll'
stitution from all sources has been Sll5 3S3 81,
and the expenditures have been Sll2,STl:1
From ptronal inspection and familiarity
with the asylum and It's management, the
State is to be congratulated upon having two
such officers as SuperinteC dent Bahcock and
MIR. j. w. Bunch, steward and treasurer; an q
the regents have been untiring In their efforts
to have the Institution reach the highest de-
gree of efficiency and economy.
THE PENITENTIARY.
The number of convicts in the pen itentiary
at present is sG9. an increase Of lo1 MS compar,
ed with last year. A copy OF the tinancla!
tions Of the institution during the year.
Statement OF cash received and disbnrsed AT
South Carolina penitentiary during the
period beginning November lst, 1871, nd
ending October 3lst, lS92.
RECEIPTS.
To cash balance on hand 3lst Octo-
tober. 1891 S.436ai
To amount received for convict hire. 39,8Sl.S9
uctS' ..... ............ 1926 lG
Sales sundries at prison ............... 2,34O, II
Sundry fines stoppages, &c............. l,Sil &c
Visitors . w 459 20
Transportation new convicts........ 1895 rs
S75,0Sl IL