The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-21

Editor Morning News: Your article on
the Question for the Candidate" is TO
the point. 1t overshadows every other
question. We do not want gllttering gem
eralities or the old worn out cry of Re
trenchment and Reform" which simply
means nothing. 1t is the cry in national
platforms, state platforms and municipal
Platforms and the people have long since
found out that it simply means new pro-
Jects to spend money create new offices,
and add to taxation. At least that has
been my observation for the last thirty
years.
But your article should arrest attention
serious attention, since you state that the
state treasurer Mr.. Speer says that I'M
der the next state tax levy there will be
ninety-one counties which will draw out
or the state treasury more than they will
pay into It. In the fifties there were
hfty-six counties which drew out more
IMAM they paid into the treasury But
Georgia was then rich having a taxable
property of near S7OI000. 600. There was no
wild extravaganza in those DAYS. The
people mad not gone crazy on one or TWO
IDEAS. What is now wanted in legislation
IS wisdom, justice and moderation.
wisdom 10 know how to tax and how
10 reach those mountaineering counties
justice 10 those counties which have to
Dear the burden of supporting those non
.aAPaylhg counties. And then modera ton
IN creating new Offices, increasing taxa
tioh, and making the few support the
many. what is wanted is a board of
equalization, or tax assessors, for every
county who will see to 1t that all nron-
erty is returned at fair market value
Aeh OF character and honor should alone
De appointed as such The question Of
tax returns should be brought directly
before the legislature What Is really
needed is high honor and integrity as to
tax assessors.
As you say, let Judge Atkinson, Col.
Gambler, and Mr.. Robert Berner mt t,en,
selves on record as to their mode. manner
ana operations as to what they would do
or suggest so as to bring every county IN
TO paying something more than thew take
out of the state treasury.
TAX receivers nine times out of ten are
moral towards; they do not question as
they should the returns made. I sneak
as to what / know Of the past and the
present is no better. 1t is well that the
plain truth be spoken. Tax assessors are
needed in every county in the state. brave
bold, fearless men, who do not hold Office
~ VIZ VIVID u TIC people, ana nave no "a
vors to ask Your views are eninentlv
sound and correct, and call upon the can
dldates for Governor to speak out and be
plain and pointed. Tell them 10 drop all
otner side Issues, and talk direct Of state
taxation, and how to bring mountaineering
counties up TO a taxpaying basis.
OUT talking about soldiers pensions.
public schools, railroads, banks etc. but
tell the people how non-taxpaylng counties
can aid the state and not feed upon #.
There Is something radically wrong in our
tax returns, and your writer, for one at
least calls upon Messrs Gambler. Akin
son and Berner to tell the people what they
Wou'o recommend and suggest
TO the legislature. do NOT
want 10 hear a word about re-
trenchment and reform, public schools.
penitentiary, railroads, immigration. etc.
but what should and must be done to have
fair valuation of all property In each coun-
ty in the state. That Is and should be The
burning question to discuss r. NJ. O.