The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-02-10
A DEFICIENCY IMPEND NDlNG.
Comptroller Norton's Ideas How More
Revenue May be Justly Raised.

COLUMBIA, 8. G., Feb. 3.-The
Ways and Means Committee OF the
House, it is said, has not yet com
menced on the appropriation bill tor
the year, awaiting the Comptroller
Generals report which is being print
ed, having been recsived too late to
have it on the desks of members be-
fore. This was owing to the change
in the fiscal year which prevented the
report being compelled until some
time after the close of the fiscal year
the General Assembly meeting soon
after.
There has been more or less talk fo1
several months about deficiency In
the. revenues and a consequent IN.
crease in the tax levy. General Nor
ton was asked about these matters yes
terday and he said there was no def
ciency this year, but he thinks that
with the present basis of taxation and
the assessment of property, which
must stand for some time, there will
be 8 deficit of $150,0OO to be met in
January, 1898. There can be only
$92, 900 more from the dispensary to
90 in the general fund, and tnat
counts for this years appropriation.
The State treasury now has cash on
hard of about $5OO,000, the interest
having been paid in January. The
Legislature will have that much and
a little more now in process Of collec-
ton, besides $15, 900 in fees and the
$92, 900 from the dispensary, for ap-
preparation purposes. The estimated
amount which it will take to run the
State government at present expendI'
lures is about $500, 900, SO it will be
seen that unless some provision Is
made otherwise, the next session will
have to face deficit about at the fig
ures stated by Mr.. Norton, $3.50, 900.
The Comptroller General has, how
ever, warned the Legislature of the
impending crisis and his personal be-
lief is that, unless expenses are cut
down, the levy must bs about i've
mills. if not something over. Other.
wise the State will have to borrow
money and get off the cash basis it is
now on.
Mr.. Norton expresses the opinion
that there can be reduction OF ex'
penses without detriment to the pub
lie service, but exactly what these are
he will indicate to the committee,
probably, when called on for informa-
ton.
He suggests other ways, however,
of raising additional revenue which
he thinks is just and fair. He believes
that insurance companies could be
taxed one and a quarter to one and a
half per cont. on their gross business
in the State, instead of paying taxes
separately in each county as they DO
now. This law has been operated in
other States and has proved accepta-
BILE to the companies.
He suggests, further, graduated
income tax or people doing business
in the State, which business, however,
is such as not to be liable for taxation
such as the Pullman cars operated
in the State. Another idea is licenses
for professional men of other States
who come in here temporarily to do
business in competition to native pro-
fessional men who pay taxes. As an
instance of this he cited the case of a
dentist from Marion who went on
professional business in three counties
in North Carolina for a certain period.
In each of the counties he had to pay
a license, while similar man from
North Carolina can come into this
State and practice for nothing. The
tax department seems to be hard for
one not versed in it's intricates to un-
derstand, but after a talk of an hour
with Comptroller General Norton the
above seems to be his ideas on the
situation and the remedy.-Register.