The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1893-09-27
SOMETHING TO INTEREST YOU.
The Property We Own and tho Taxes We
Pay-More this Year Than Last Year.
Examine the Figures-They
Are O@cial.

There is an old saying that runs some
thing like this: "The way to reach q
mans heart is through his pocket"
The more we see of the world, how
ever, the more strongly we are driven
towards the conclusion that most
pockets have very small and shriveled
hearts, if they have any at all. There
is one thing, however, that must come
to all pockets whether they have hearts
or not, and that is taxes. It is certain
and there is no escaping.
During the past few years we have
heard great deal about high taxes, q
reduction of taxation, the extravaganza
in the handling of the peoples money,
and the necessity for reform-Oh, that
great word, what a wonderful thing it
is, and what great things are done for
the people N its name. Well, We have
had reform for three years now, and
we can begin to get faint glimmer OF
what it is and what it ali means. The
people, yes the people, bear the burdens
of taxation, and whether the article
costs much or little, they have de-
manded reform and must have it. The
cost does not make any difference just
so it is reform. But we propose to give
some figures from the official docu-
ments and let the people see what it all
costs aud how it is reforming.
The auditor has just completed bis
abstract showing the amount of taxes
to be collected this year for the various
purposes. Some time ago we gave the
amount Of taxable property as assessed
on the auditors books, but it will be of
interest to repeat the totals.
These fiscal years always mix us up
more or less, and in order that every
one may understand, we will not deal
in anything but the plainest OF English.
The tax levy upon which the taxes
were collected last year was as follows:
For State Taxes. 43 mills.
For County taXSs ..........- - 1nl!is.
Constitutional School taxi. mills.
Total mills.
For this year, and upon which the
treasurer will begin his collection on
18th of October, is: -,
For State TaxeS.................... 81 mlllS.
For County taxes. q mills.
Constitutional School taxes. mills.
This does not include the special rail
road for interest on bonds, and special
school taxes. These come only in GER
tain townships. It will be seen that
the levy for State taxes is one mill
more this year than last year.
The total amount of taxable property
assessed on the treasurer's books for
last wear was S4,S30,370. This year the
amount is $4,S26,966. This shows a
total decrease Of SO, 404. These amounts
include all the property-railroad, real
estate, and personal.
But We have stated that there has
been an increase in the total assess
ments and so there has, leaving of the
railroads, and you know the railroads
are not considered among the people.
The total railroad assessment last year
was, .............................S $685., ,O4O
This year it is... oio,|oO
A decrease eof.-.................... $20,310
Leaving the railroad property out OF
the calculation, it will be seen that the
total increase in the assessments OF
other property amounts to $16,9O6.
The number of taxable polls last year
was $500 and this year 1868, showing
an increase of 157 from this source.
The abstract of last year shows an
aggregate of taxes for all purposes of
S4S, 1864. The amount on the ab-
stract for this year is $54, $3.50. The
people win have to pay $6,06s.75 more
taxes this year than they did last year:
We mean, Of course, the people OF
Newberry County. THESE amounts IN,
taxes. There are two school districts
this year that were not included last
year, and their aggregate is only s431 OF.
The greatest increase is OF course in
the State tax. Last year Newberry
contributed to the State treas
ury ............................... S21, ,736. .666
This wear the amount is...... 26, 54S.3l3
An increase of...............s 4,sl1.e47
mi 80 for