The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-02-10
eIs1 OF TAX BILLS
BEFORE THE HOUSE.
MIR. Moses Representing Tax
Commission is the Author.
The Measure Proposes Tax on Incomes,
on Inheritances, on Excises and Upon
Franchises.


At the last session of the general
assembly the financial condition of
the State was brought to the attention
of the lawmakers in such a way as to
make them solicitous as to the future
The annual expenditures we're in ex-
cess of the annual revenue. The ap-
propriations we're kept as low as posi-
BILE without crippling any department.
and a commission was appointed to
investigate the situation and report
ways and means of increasing the re-
venue.
This commission consisted of Sena-
tors Mower of Newberry and Manning
of Sumter and Representative Moses
of Sumter, Thomas of Richland and
Tatum of Orangeburg. Their report
has been published already in The
State. In accordance with their find
ings, Mr.. Moses, who is chairman Of
the ways and means committee of the
house, which introduces all revenue
bills, has presented four measures to
increase the receipts of the State
treasury. In addition thereto Mr..
Jeremiah Smith has bill to change
the entire system Of tax paying, but
his bill merely regulates the manner
of assessment and payment. Mr.. W.
j. johnson has bill to provide for
franchise tax of one mill on the capi-
| taliZation Of every corporation con-
Quoting business in the State. Mr..
johnson also has bill to provide for
an excise tax on the gross receipts of
all corporations Except textile mills
and oil mills) conducting business
within the State.
But the bills to which particular
attention will be given on account of
the semioficial manner of their pre-
coming from Mr.. Moses of the tax
commission, one of the most expert
enced, conservative and thoughtful
legislators in the State. The bills
which be has introduced are:
A bill to require the payment of
annual license fees of corporations do
ing business in this State, and to re-
quire them to report to the secretary
of state.
A bill to amend the law as to the
graduated tax on incomes.
A bill to impose tax on gifts, in
heritances, devises, bequests and
legacies in certain cases.
A bill to provide additional measures
and remedies for collection on past
due and unpaid taxes upon certain pro-
perty, which has escaped taxation.
A bill to amend the code of laws Of
South Carolina. 1902. in reference to
the State board of assessors and its
duties.
A bill in reference to the duties of
chairmen of local boards of assessors
and their compensation
WHAT THE BILLS MEAN.
The bill last named provides that
under the direction of the county
auditor the chairmn of each township
board of assessors shalt make a can
vass at remuneration of $500 per day
and shall add such property to the
tax books as has escaped taxation.
The bill in reference to the State
board of assessors would do away with
the board OF equalization of one mem
ber for each county, and would have
one from each judicial circuit instead.
The board would also assess banks and
railroad property as weN'as textile in
dustries.
The law as to income tax provides
that 50, 800 is the minimum income
taxable. Mr.. Noses bill brings the
minimum to $1,000 and provides that
on all incomes over that amount there
shall be tax of one half of one per
cent. The income tax law as it now
stands is a farce. The amended law
might be of benefit.
The Inheritance tax bill provides for
an assessment of ] per cent on every
inheritance, gift, legacy or bequest
when the same is $4,000 or more.
This includes transfers by will of de-
ceased persons, whether they lived in
the State or were on-residents. Also
"whcn the transfer is of property
made by a resident or by non-resi-
dent when such non-resident's pro-
perty is within the State, by deed,
grant, bargain, sale or gift made in
contemplation of the death of the
grantor. vendor, or donor, or intend
ing to take effect in possession or en-
joynent at or after such death -
TO TAX CERTAIN ROLLING
STOCK.
The bill to "provide additional
measures and remedies for the collec
tion on past due and unpaid taxes
upon certain property which has es-
caped taxation,' is in the line of
the policy of the secretary of state
acting as agent for the sinking fund
commission. The title is little mis-
leading, for it does not apply to all
classes of property, but to the rolling
stock of shippers of meats, oils, cattle,