Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-02-03
NEXT YEARS TAX.
Looks as II the State Levy Will Be 5 1-2
Mills.
CoIumhia State Tuesday

Looks as II the State Levy Will Be 1-a
Columbia State, Tuesday.
1t nows begins to look is if there is
going to be levy of from 5 TO 81 mills
made by the general assembly at this
session, if appropriations are; to be
kept up TO the present figures and the
general assembly remains in session
over 80 days. Thus very potent
reason for al early adjournment is
made apparent. The ways and means
committee has not yet been able to
prepare the appropriation and supply
bills for reasons that will appear be-
low, the course of legislation having
been slow. Knowing that there was
q strong probability of an increased
levy for 1897, representative of The
State called upon Comptroller Gener-
al Norton and obtained from him the
following statement in regard TO the
matter, which speaks for itself.
"The total taxable property in the
state as assessed is $17O,755,474. On
this are levied for state purposes
s76S, ,425.15. or Al mills. To this may
he added the amount of 5000, the
possible receipt from insurance license
and fees of the secretary of states
office. The total possible receipts for
the support of the state government
for 1897 will, therefore, be 1888, ,425.15.
The estimates Of the comptroller gen.
eral amount to 100000 for 1897.
This is based on a so days session of
the Legislature. 1t is evident that ap-
preparations will not be less than $780,
900. If, therefore, all the taxes as
sessed could be collected, there would
be a deficiency Of $4,000. All the
taxes cannot be counted as cash be-
cause of errors, nulla bona executions,
deductions aud abatements, etc. Safe
inanciering would place the possible
deficiency at not less than S15O,OOO.
This is the amount, therefore, that the
general assembly should provide for
by an additional levy for 1897-or S 10
So mills in place of Al for 1896.
"It must be borne IN mind that the
legislature ut this session appropriales
the taxes due December 81, 1896, aud
cannot affect the results of revenue
for 1897, except such legislation will
give additional revenue laws.
"If these sources of revenue as
above, or $l70,755 ,474 at Al mills, and
all other possible sources of revenue
for 1897 will leave deficiency of
$l50,000, then the same thing must
occur for 1898 without All increase of
taxable property; then the present
legislature must grapple with a posi-
ne deficiency for 1897 and 1898 Of
100000. 1t will not, it is thought,
reach these figures, but sufficiently
certain it is that without other laws
than now, this general assembly cau-
not make levy of less than 81 mills
with financial safety.
"This estimate does not take into
consideration the affairs of 1896, such
as unpaid appropriations and the $92,-
600 due from the dispensary, as it is
known that there can be nothing to
The credit of 1896 after all matters
are balanced. The fear is that the
balance may be against and not in
favor Of 1896.
sin other words, the general assem-
bly, must raise the levy on the taxable
property from 44 mills sufficient TO
meet lhc deficiency caused by the loss
70 the phosphate royalty, say $780,
600, or pass other revenue laws from
which a revenue can be derived to