The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-24

to discuss before the people the increase
of our tax values as a direct means of re-
lief, rather than advocate the reduction
of the tax rate, without any seggsstlon
as to how it is to be done.
AS a way has been provided looking to
the very much desired end, it has been
matter of greater establishment If possi-
BILE that these philosophical gentlemen
have not speedily seized upon II and given
1t generous support and munifcent contri-
button, as the basis, not only OF their
election to office, but the means of speedy
and permanent relief for the people
In order that the general public may be
fully assured that the policy / am about
to suggest is the best that can be possi-
bly, conceived, l beg TO call attention to
the following letter addressed to me by
Hon. William A. Wright, controller gen
eral for this state:
Atlanta, Ca, Oct. %. 1s96.-Ex-Gov. W.
]. Northen, Manager Georgia immigration
and Investment Bureau, Atlanta, Ga:
Dear Sir-I write to congratulate YOU mp
on the marvellous results accomplished
through the agency of your bureau, thus
far, i'm the development of the resources
of the state.
/ have watched with growing interest
the progress of your work, yet l was hard
ly prepared to believe II possible to ac-
complish so much in so short a time as
has been indicated by the tax returns to
this office.
The returns for the county of Irwin, for
the year 1895, as Of file in this Office show
values amounting to $2,G37, 1876, as against
the returns of the previous year-$1, 800, S41,
or an increase of 1872, Ssh in less than year
consequent upon the settlement of the
Fitzgerald colony
If your work for the next few years
shall at all keep pace with what has been
done in Irwin county, the burdens of gov
eminent will be so generally distributed
that the individual citizen will be greatly
relieved as 10 taxation.
l bespeak for you the hearty eo-opera-
ton of the people of this state, and the
very best success in your work for the
common good Yours truly,
William A. Wright,
Controller General
If the above results could be accom-
plished through advertisement and person.
al correspondence what would be possi-
BILE if an attractive object lesson, made
| by the display of our resources at some
such place as the Trans Mississippi and
! International Exposition, to be held at
Omaha, lNeb., this year. where thousands
! Of homeseekers and investors souid be-
thereby, attracted and millions of dollars
added to the tax values of the state?
| Every time a farm is made from any
DE-
the burden of taxation is lifted that much
from every citizen in Georgia.
| Every time bed of granite or a quarry
| of marble is awakened from the sumber
of centuries, and put into building stone,
| street pavements statues and monuments,
we have another reduction of the tax rate,
| and the people thereby relieved from tax
| alton.
Every time water power is ted in
its mad frettugs and haFnessedt to the
machinery of a mill, it scatters money
upon the farms, in the stores and in the
| shops of our people. and 1t will not only
decrease the tax rate, but authorize the
! general assembly to maintain, through the
state treasury. all state institutions wor-
! thy of our opportunities and necessary to
| the best interests of the people.
Who can compute the large increase in
tax values in this stale, when our gold.
manganese, iron coal, timber building
stones clays md other interests shall have
) been fully DEVELOPER
The only question with the candidates
and the officials who now hold public Of
| nee, seeking to relieve the people from
| the burdens of taxation, should be 10 de-
| termine the best way to increase our. tax
! values.
The general assembly evidently believed
the best way would be found in making a
magnificent display of the states resources
AT Omaha.
The Governor certainly agreed with the
| general assembly in this opinion. He APP
| pointed the commission authorized hy the
general assembly TO take the matter in
hand and begin a. once the work commit
| ted to them.
The commission, after due consideration
| agreed with the general assembly and the
Governor. in believing that a magnificent
| opportunity had come to the state 10 in
crease our tax value, by worthy repre-
sentation of the state at Omaha. TheE &C
| cepted the appointment, and went INDUS
triously to work, neglecting their personal
business without compensation, for the
good of the state. There IS not a member
of this commission who is a candidate fol-
any political office, and yet they are work
ing, laboriously, to decrease the tax rate, by
increasing the tax values OF the state
The recent convention of manufacturers
held in this city, agreed with the genera
assembly, the Governor. and the commits
sion. and by rising vote, endorsed the
movement, and promised all possible helI
to aid in the efforts made by the commits
sion to decrease the TAX rate Of the state.
As the constitution of the state, strange
to say, does not allow an appropriation oil
public money for this purpose, and the
consequent high tax rate would, probably
mission began appealing to municipalities
counties railroads, business men, officials
and candidates, Gto secure the amount Of
money necessary to successfully carry out
the work entrusted to them.
The municipalities and counties, where
the subject has been presented through
the commission, have given enthusiastiC
endorsement and generous aid.
Letters were addressed to the officials
of all the railroads in this state, indicat
ing. in each instance, the amount OIL
money, in the Judgment of the commits
sion. that ought 20 be contributed by thesS
several lines It is gratifying to report
Chat prompt reply came from the leading
rai.loads, readily accepting the amount:
named, and aggregating about one~fourtt
the mount necessary 70 install and main
tan The states exhibit at Omaha.
Ths commission Is In receipt of letter:
from business men throughout the stat
making favorable reply and inclosing the
amount of money asked for.
Unless we heye corresponding encour-
agement from other sources the commits
sion will be compelled to abandon all eff
fort and decline 90 make application FOL
space at the Omaha expedition.