The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-11-23
TAX REFORM LEGISLATION.


The outlook for tax reform legislation
at this session Of the legislature is not as
promising as the Governor would like.
While II is true that he has made no re-
commentator relative to the reduction of
taxation, sthe platform on which he made
his campaign for the Office he holds called
for economy in the administration of the
affairs of the state and a reduction of tax
alton. He has pointed out TO the legisla-
ture that the finances Of the state are
in a very unsatisfactory condition, but he
has not notified that body what steps in
his opinion should be taken to get the
treasury out of its troubles. II is not i'm
probable that he intends to take decided
stand in respect 10 the matter in the very
near future. If that IS his intention he has
not much time to lose before acting, be-
cause the end of the session is rapidly APP
preaching.
In the meantime there has been deveI-
oped a political Clique which has for its
object, probably, the defeat of The Cover
nor's purpose, for political reasons. 1t
takes the position that there is no deficit
in the treasury and therefore no need Of a
reduction of appropriations or Of a higher
tax rate, and that the talk of a treasury
deficit is nothing more than an excuse for
making raid on the public school fund
and an attempt to deprive the ex-Confed-
crate soldiers of their pensions.
Isn't it strange that the peoples repre-
sentatives can't work together harmonious
ly for the public good? Why is it that the
politicians do not hesitate to sacrifice the
public welfare in order 70 carry out their
own schemes? We do not undertake TO say
whether or not there is a deficit in the
state treasury, but it is difficult to be
lieve that the treasurer could be so mis-
taken about the matter as to assert that
there is one of many thousands of dollars.
II ought not to be a difficult matter TO de-
termne whether or not there is a deficit.
1 is known to a cent what the states an
nual revenue is, and there is no difficult
ty in finding the exact amount Of the an
nual appropriations. If the appropriations
exceed the revenue then the state treas
ury Is running behind.
1t may be said that as to whether there
is a deficit or not is a mere matter of
booking, but there is no getting around
the fact that if the state pays out more
in a year than it receives. il is running be
hind. If the legislature is determined to do
what is best for the state 1T will not allow
Itself to be misled by such statements as
that the deficit is a mere matter of book
ing. 1t win get at the truth of the matter,
and will be governed by it. And if it finds
it necessary to reduce appropriations it
should do so without regard to the efforts
of those who may try to create a public
sentiment in certain directions for the pur-
pose of blocking their work. One of the
first things it should do, If it finds that
tax reform is necessary, is to equalize as
sessments. 1t is all wrong that there are
a hundred counties which draw more mon
ey out of the treasury for schools and pen
sions than they pay into it. 1t is a wrong
that the other counties win not submit to
very much longer.