The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1899-11-24
FIVE YEARS EXEMPTION.

press parties interested in the welfare
Of our town asked us to agitate the
exemption Of all manufacturing in
dustries from municipal taxes for
five years, the limit prescribed by the
legislature. We had time only for a
short article, but are glad to say that
the matter has taken good root and
those in authority have acted prompt
ly and will order an election for the
qualified voters OF the town to answer
the question. Some may think this
question has been sprung to enable
Mr.. FAINT to locate his mill within the
corporate limits, but the order for
election by the council does not state
cotton mills, or Mr.. Fant's mill, but
throws the gates Of our beautiful
little town open to the world so that
anyone who will invest their mopey
among us will have all the advantages
Of our city with police protection and
other conyenieuces free from all taxes
for five years. But after that date they
must bear their part Of the burden.
The five years will soon roll around
and we cannot think OF any reason
anyone could have for taking a posi-
tion against granting the exemption.
Other towns and cities have voted
similar Inducements to investors and
Union should never be behind her
neighbors.
Money seeking an Investment al
ways looks for safe locality aud no
better evidence OF friendship can DE
shown than to give them the freedom
OF the town for few years.
Suppose that the ordinance is de-
feated what will be the result? Any
mill started by local enterprise, such
as that Of Mr.. Fant's, will be built
outside the corporate limits just as
TIE big Buffalo mill, and while for
oil time we will have to have extra
! police to take charge Of the uoruly
element Of this new population, we
! will never get cent OF taxes to as
sist in defraying these extra expenses.
and no probability or possibility OF
inducing any outsider TO come here
- locate; while if this election is
carried we will have the FAINT mill, in
all probability, located within the
corporate limits and good induce
ment TO the outside world to move in
among us aud establish themselves
here. When, after they get fully es-
tablished their plant will be added
TO the taxable property and the revc-
nues OF the town augmented by that
'',"..h whAraas il we do ~. -----r
| them We will lose them altogether
with no taxes for the first five years
nor thereafter. Another poiut is that
tile exemption Of town taxes will in
no way exempt them from the special
levy OF the school district for il is a
State tax and cannot be EXEMPTED.
II we had the big Buffalo mill located
even within the two mile limit orr
Gradcd School would get an additional
income OF nearly $1,000 as soon as
i: is erected. From all points 0!
view we have al to gain and nothing
to lose by dealing liberally with any
industry that seeks, or can be in
duccd to locate, in the corporate
limits.
The ordinance does not conten-
plate the exemption Of cotton mills
only bat when passed we NAV ey-
pect to have yarn mills, WOODEN mills,
carpet factories, broom factories,
door, sash and blind manufactures
and dozen other smaller concerns
that advertise 4 town and bring pco
pie and money to place Union has |
outSrown the village she used to be.
d pendent on the farmer with hi.
load of cotton for trade; she is
city with her artisans. car
penters and traders, and should rise
equal to the times and take position
equal, ii not ahead, OF her neighbors.
We would like to have unanimous
vote adopting the ordinance aal
show to the world that the people in
'no town in this State are all puil;or
oSether for the advantage OF every.
'ody over the contracted view OF for
e'f first and the community mex,