The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1899-08-17
THY rs IT 500

to do any one Injustice IL the least; Is!
= feels free to make some observatio:
| about Halifax county's finances.
To start with, We are of the opln,o
that Halifax county possesses wealt
: enough within it's borders for Il ia
taxation OF the same to pay all reason
+ a';le county expenses. If this is true
and If all the property In the county
properly valued and the proper PC
cent. of taxes levied and carefully co
lected, then the county finances shoul
al rays be easy, If the funds 50 collect
ed should be properly applied. w
| are led to make this observation from
tie fact that when, few days ago. VIZ
presented small county warrant t.
The treasurer he said there were N
county funds In the treasury with
which to pay it.
Now, We attach no blame to the
treasurer fer not paying the account
which was presented to him, Tor we are
quite sure that it was not his choice
to defer such pay ment.
But why has not the treasurer funds
| on hand all the time to pay the corn
t. expenses as they are incurred from
month to month?
Does not the county possess sufficient
property for the taxes to pay the coun.
TVS expenses? Well, we believe every
man OF fair observation would answer
in the affirmative. Then, why is the
county not always ready and able to
paw its expenses? It seems reason
able proposition that 1t should do it at
the present general levy, which we be-
lieye reaches the constitutional limit.
Now, If our proposition holds true,
that the people Of the county are pos
sessed of property enough for a rea-
sonable tax on the same to paw the
county's expenses ell the time, then
either the per cent. of taxation is not
high enough or there is something
wrong somewhere else. The taxation
IS ii: the constitutional limit; and it
would seem that such rate is reason
IDLE one and as high as ought to be
ev!ed. So, then, we are to look for a
'7medy elsewhere. This brings us to
he question OF proper valuation of |
property by the property owners for
oersonal property and by the tax asses
sors for real estate. Is the proper val
'at'on put upon property every time?
8 the valuation of the property of ev-
~ IMAM properly equallzed? If so,
hen we are enc step nearer the RENE
y for the shortage In the county
ands. II there is enough property in
be county fer fair tax valuation of
ne same to yield sufficient funds to .
'eet the county's expenses if the rate ,
taxation is high enough if all the
roperty in the county is rightly and
,nscientiousIy listed and valued
zen the next step towards getting !.
the solution OF the problem is, the o
lqulry as to whether or not the taxes F
e properly, carefully and closely col e
cted. t
I'll the steps being carefully taken .
JUS Tar and all the claims made good
every point, then the last question Ct
ached IS, if the taxes are not Droner- n
collected why do not the county G;
and county attorney VI
that the work is done promptly =,
ID correctly? in
HE COMMONWEALTH does not set W.
eli up as general mentor for the nt
lclals OF the county; but when the d.
'asury is depleted from time to Tina !,
der each and every administration -
the interest of all and with malice
wards none, we venture to make the "
luiries here laid down. Anu we are "
to say further, that we do not see "
y these things should not be reme- W
d. arr
| pa
An Uncsrtain Disease. tel
Fkxopsn