The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1897-02-10
4 DEFICIENCY IMPENDING.
Comptroller Norton's Ileas How 5Iore
Esvepna May be Justly RAISED.


COLUMBIA. S. c.. Feb. 3-The
Ways and Means Committee Of the
House, it is said, has not yet COM
menced on tre appropriate 4 bill for
the year, awaiting the Comptroller
Generals report which is being print.
ed, baviog besn received too late to
have it OF 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 tie fiscal year
the General Assembly meeting soon
after.
There has been more or less talk for
several months about q deficiency in
the revenues and consequent in
crease in the tax levy. General Nor
ton was asked about these matters yes
terdav and he said there was no def
cheney this gear, bit he thinks that
with the present basis OF taxation and
the assessment of property, which
must stand for some time, t.ere will
be deficit Of $3.50 coo 10 be met in
January, 1898. There can be only
$92, 600 more from the dispensary to
60 in the general fund, and tnat
counts for this years appropriation.
The State treasury now has cash on
hand of about $500,C00 the interest
having been paid in Jacuary. The
Legislature will have that much and
a little more now in process Of collec-
ton, besides SIS, coo in fees and the
S92, 900 from the dispensary, for ap-
preparation purposes. The estimated
amount which it will take to run the
State government at present expendl'
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, $150,000.
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 be about five
mills. if not something over. Other,
wise the State will have to borrow
money and get Off the cash basis 1t IS
now on.
Mr.. Norton expresses the opinion
tha: there can be reduction OF ex'
pOnses 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.
lie 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 quarter to one aud 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-
5le to the companies.
He suggests, further, a graduated
income tax on 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 ciled the case OF q
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
ders.and, but after a talk of an noun
with Comptroller General Norton The
above seems to be his ideas on the
situation and the remedy.-Regisser.