Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-11-13

have only moderate means. and possess
only tangible property.
Taxing Franchises.
Every corporation doing business ia this
state under a franchise granted by The
state should be taxed according TO the
value OF the franchise. The property OF
a railroad ought 10 be taxed according
10 the fun value OF its bonds. upon which
Il is paying a fair interest annually, and
not simply upon its roadbed and rolling
stock Again. corporations are In the
habit of deducting their indebtedness
from the gross value Of their property
and paying taxes on the difference. Farm
crs often owe as much as their lands are
worth. but they are taxed the same as
thos, who own lands and owe no money.
There should be no distinction made In
the interest OF any class or classes, all
should be made 10 bear their prorata part
OF the burden alike, according to the
amount OF property owned and assessed
az its fair value. There should be an
amendment 10 our present tax laws by
which the owners OF intangible property
cnuId be forced to return such property
for tsxationr at its fair market value II
is said that one Insurance company has
claimed 10 have insured more merchandise
In the cities OF Augusta and Savannah
than the total value OF all the merchan-
disc returned for taxation throughout
the entire state. What We need most
theE along this line is to so amend the
tax laws as TO reach all classes of ir-
tangible property, pass a Law taxing the
valuable franchises of all corporations
doing business IN this state and endeavor
to make an equitable distribution II the
burdens OF taxation between all classes.
Object Of Taxation.
The sole object OF taxation is 10 raise
money 10 sustain the civil and military
branches of the state government, TO
educate tine children Of the state and pro-
vide for the care OF the indigert and in
valid Confederate soldiers and their Wild
oprs. The civil and military departments
are maintained primarily for the purpose
OF guaranteeing every citizen safety in
the possession OF his property and -
lives OF himself and family. The man or
corporation then that owns property, in
the protection OF which he could invoke
the strong arm OF the courts, should be
willing TO pay his taxes. II not paid the
protection Of the courts should be denied.
II notes were void in court. unless II
could be shown that they had been prop
erly returned for taxation, that class OF
intangible property would greatly increase
on our tax digests within tho next
twelve months.
curtaiIlno Government Expenses.
The members OF the general assembly
at times lose sight of their duties to the
people in the management OF the states
affairs. There are times when certain
officers and departments are created when
there exists no absolute necessity Tor
them. We are at this time burdened with
a few that are needless, offices which
are filed by the payments Of political
debts and the people have TO stand an In
creased taxation 10 pay the salaries OF
these needless ONCE holders. II Is graft
flying TO note that the present general as
.em' ~ OF Georgia is ----~-iI-g TO sharpen
up the pruning knives. which foreshad-
ows a general curtailment all along tho
line. The members OF the house have
already done a good thing in cutting
down the size Of the visiting cOILr.itteos
70 three. which viii break up Idany an
nual junketing trips over the state by
large committees visiting the state insti.
tutfons and thereby saving several thou
sand dollars to the taxpayers. II the
good work already started can be kept
up. and cuts made wherever needed, the
present session viii have served the pcO-
pie faithfully. and the people may forgive
the last two sessions for spending so
many thousands 81 dollars discussing the
depot problem and accomplishing moth
ing thereby.
"A new broom sweeps clean" and the
present house and senate being made mp
almost entirely OF new members we may
expect many radical changes which Will
doubtless be for the best interests Of the
people at large.
HARvIE JORDAN.