The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-11-04

While II is true that the mission or
the agricultural writer IS 10 devote his
pen and talents 10 writing and discus
sion OF subjects pertaining 10 the diner
ent departments OF the farmers life
work. nevertheless il IS we'll at times
to leave these beaten pathways and turn
our attention TO affairs Of state govern
ment. A large majority of the popula
tion of this and other Southern States.
is found in the rural districts. hence.
the farmer is vitality interested in all
matters of legislation which affect him
and the general government OF his state.
The agricultural classes contribute
largely TO taxation. both for State and
county purposes, while upon the success
of the farmers depends the prosperity
of the States in which they reside.
The General Assembly of Georgia last
week convened in annual session and
many questions of Importance Will be up
for solution in which the general vel
fare of the people of this State. espe-
cially that of the farmers, is involved.
A matter OF paramount Importance is
that Of taxation. The tax rate OF the
State is yet too high, Notwithstanding
that q considerable reduction from the
very high rate of 1898 has been secured
by curtailment of governmental ex-
penses and by the increase in the value
of property returned for taxes since that
year The rate in 1898 was 500 on the
thousand, and for this year $500. If the
tax laws of the State We're fully inforced
against all classes of property subject
to taxation under the constitution. the
maximum rate would not exceed 400 on
the thousand.
INTANGIBLE PROPERTY ESCAPES.
The escape of intangible property, that
is property which is not open to public
inspection, such az notes, money, bonds.
accounts, etc, from taxation, makes the
burden doubly hard to bear upon the men
who own realty livestock, etc, which
cannot be hidden from the eye of the pub
lie and the tax collector. Our conStitu-
tion says that every species of property
having a value is subject to taxation at
its fair and Just valuation. except such
classes of property as are exempt by
the constitution, such as the property
of the State, churches, colleges and pub
lie libraries, etc. Nothing else of value
in the State is can be exempt from
contributing its pro rata share to the
burden of our State and county govern
ments.
It IS a notorious fact however. that
only the tangible property of the people
is reached fully by the tax collectors.
Millions of dollars worth of notes, mer-
chandse, accounts, money, bonds, stocks
and other property of value which can
be concealed, annually escapes the just
burden of taxation. Every dollar Of tax
alton saved to the owners of this in
tangible property, who fail to make full
and proper returns must be made out
Of an increased rate on the tangible
property which cannot escape. This
intangible property is largely owned by
men of wealth. hence the reason why
the heaviest burden of maintaining and
supporting the various establishments OF
our government falls heaviest upon that
class of our people who have only mod
crate means, and possess only tangible
| property.
TAXING FRANCHISES.
| Every corporation doing business in
| this State under a franchise granted by
| the State should be taxed according to
| the value of the franchise. The prop
| erty of a railroad ought to be taxed ac-
cCrding to the full value of its bonds
upon which it is paying fair interest
annually, and not simply upon its road
| bed and rolling stock. Again, corpora
| tions are in the habit OF deducting their
| Indebtedness from the gross value OF
| their property and paying taxes on the
| difference. Farmers often owe as much
as their lands are worth, but they ar,
/ taxed the same as those who own lands
! and owe no money. There should be nc
distinction made in the interest of any
class or classes. all should be made tc
! bear their nro rata part OF the burdeE
| alike, according to the amount Of prop
erty owned and assessed at its fail
value. There should be an amendment tc
our present tax laws by which the own
ers of intangible property could be forced
to return such property for taxation a
| its fair market value. 1t is said tina
one insurance company has claimed I,
| have insured more merchandise in tn,
| cities Of Augusta and Savannah than tn.
| total value of all the merchandise re
turned fer taxation throughout the en-
tire State. What we need most ther
along this line is to SO amend the ia,
laws as to reach all classes Of intangible
/ property, rass a law taxing the valuable
| franchises of all corporations doing bust
ness in this State and endeavor to MAKE
2n equitable distribution of the burdens
of taxation between all classes.
OBJECT OF TAXATION.
The sole object Of taxation is to rais
money to sustain the civil and miiitar,
branches Of the State government, t
| educate the children or the State. an
provide for the care Of the INDECENT anC
invalid Confederate soldiers and thei
| widows. The civil and military depart
| ments are maintained primarily for tn
| purpose of guaranteeing every citiZe,
safety in the possession of his propert!
| and the lives of himself and family
The man or corporation then that own
property, ia the protection OF which b.
could invoke the strong arm Of the courts
should be willing 10 pay his taxes. |
not paid the protection OF the courts
| should be denied. II notes We're void il