The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1903-08-13
DO YOU WANT MORE OF ITs

DO YOU WAN Mohb or LIZ
The Raleigh Morning Post speak
ing of the great increase in the as
sessment of property says:
1.-TWO years ago this system ex-
tended to private corporations and
they were assessed very much high
er than ever before, counting capital
stock and surplus, even when capt.
tai stock had been impaired and the
surplus had become in reality
deficit. This year the system seems
to have reached the towns and
cities, and has struck the people of
Raleigh with peculiar and stunning
effect. We do not believe it has
been visited with equal severity
upon our country friends as yet, but
if the propaganda is to continue, it
will reach them with equal GER
tainty and harshness.
1t is a serious matter-One which
appeals to thoughtful people
whether the present system can con-
tinue, and we earnestly hope that
the people of North Carolina may
realize the significance of this move
ment before the tax values of farm
ing lands are raised in the unfeeling
and irresponsible manner in which
the assessment of other property has
recently been raised. If farm lands
were assessed in this State like
banks, cotton mills, railroads and
Raleigh city property is assessed, it
would mean bankruptcy to many
farmers any year when crops should
fail or prices be very low.
This is a condition we just as well
face. The problem of taxation in
North Carolina is serious one. The
limit of taxation is as high as the
constitution will permit, and the
assessment in many instances more
than could be possibly obtained for
property belonging to corporations,
and for real estate situate in some of
our cities. The situation in Raleigh
is grave one. With a tax rate
that ranks near the highest of any
city in the Union, we have great
quantities of property assessed for
more than can possibly be obtained
for it in the market in any way.
What the effect of this situation
will have upon the future of this
city it does not require prophet to
tell.
These are the first fruits of the
effort started few years ago to raise
property so that the courts would
permit higher assessment of rail
roads. Do you like it? Do you
want it to continue ?'
The Post seems to think that thi
great increase in our taxes is made
by the tax assessors simply to get al
opportunity to pull the railroads TO
big pile of money. The Post il
presumptious in what he would
have us believe he thinks. The
The extravaganza of the Simmons
Aycock-Daniels machine has causet
great deficit in the States Treasur,
and 1t must be filled-that's VIII,
our taxes have been increased t,
such an extent. That's why it hs
been necessary for the State to ISSUE
100000 in bonds under "demo
cratic good government" Fou
new and unnecessary judgeship
have been created and men appoint
ed to fill the places with a bi,
salary hung to their credentials
The Governors salary has beer
raised 81, 900. and other salaries hav
been raised and new offices created
The States money has been spen
to protect thieving registrars and il
various and sundry ways too numer
GUS to mention. -
And this is only the beginning
If the taxpayers submit to this in
crease in their taxes it will not b