The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1897-02-10
J. a DgFIclENcY IMIp,lEN DING.


559 .s7v5Iiao 6iey Juoiiy Rnisois
CoLuMBIA, g. O., Feb. 3. ~ The
Ways and Means Committee Of the
House, it is said, has not yet COM
menced on the appropriation bill for
the year, awaiting the Comptroller
Generals report which is being print.
ed, having been recaived too late to
have 1t 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
aftcr.
There has been more or less talk for
several months about deficiency in
the revenues and 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 .axetion and
the assessment of property, which
must stand for some time, there will
be deficit Of $3.50, 600 to be met in
January, 1898. There can be only
$4,000 moro from the dispensary to
go in tho general fund, and tnat
counts for this years appropriation.
The State treasury now has cash on
hand Of about $500,000 the interest
having been paid in January. The
Legislature will have that much and
little moro now in process Of collec-
ton, besides $4,000 in fees and the
$92, 600 from the dispensary, for ap-
propriation purposes. The estimated
amount which it will take to run the
State government at present expendi. .
lures is about $800,000, SO it will be
seen that unless sOme provision is
made otherwise, the next session will
have to face q deficit about at the fg
ures stated by Mr.. Norton, $3.50, 900.
The Comptroller General has, how
ever, warned tho Legislature Of tho
impending crisis and his personal be-
lief is that, unless expenses are cut
| mills, if not something over. Other
money and get off the cash basis it is
| now on.
Mr.. Norton expresses the opinion
thai there can be reduction Of ex.
nenses without dotriment to the pub
lie service, but exactly what these are
ho will indicate to the committee,
probably, when called on for informa-
| tion.
He suggests other ways, however,
OF raising additional revenue which
ne thinks is just and fair. He believes
that insurance companies could be
taxed one and 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-
bic to the companies.
He suggests, further, a graduated
income tax on people doing business
IN the State, which business, however,
is such as not 10 be liable for taxation
such as the Pullman cars operated
in the State. Another idea is licenses
for professional mon of other States
who come in here temporarily to do
business in competition 10 native pro-
fessional mon 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 O certain period.
In each of the counties he had to pay
license, while similar man from
North Carolina can come into this
State and practice for nothing. The
tax department. seems to be hard for
ono not versed in its 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 81 nd tbo ,a,,oodxy 81 u a niofa,, *