The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1906-01-31
WILL RELIEF COME

lieve the threatened tax oppres,
sion. The Comptroller Generals
report to the Legislature shows
that, instead of a surplus, it will
be necessary to borrow $780, ,00C
before the taxes of this year are
available, and that the State levy
will be the same as last year.
The following extract from the
Comptroller's report should be
convincing, this official has nc
other idea than making the peo-
pie pay an enormous tax the
present year:
'sYour attention is called to the fact
that reassessment of all property il
the State is now taking place, and a
determined effort is being made by this
Office to correct inequalities existing in
the value of property subject to taxa
ton, by requiring all property to be
assessed at its true value in money, as
required by law. We therefore conf.
dently look forward to an increase ir
the taxable property of the State o1
from 81, 100000 to sl40, 100000. AS the
increase will not be definitely known
until the State board of equalization
has finally fixed and determined the
value of the assessed property of the
State subject to taxation. it will be
necessary for your honorable body to
fix the appropriation for both state
and county, as usual, and provide for
some competent authority to fix a rate
on the assessment as will raise the ap-
preparations and no more"
The provision ;:for some COM
petent authority to fix rate on
the assessment as will raise the
appropriations and no more," is
rot. It amounts to nothing more
than telling the Legislature, Il
have required the Auditors to
have property returned at full
value you fix the appropria-
ton for both state and county as
usual, and the people who must
dance to this music will do the
rest, even If they do make wry
faces"
The present prospect is, no re-
lief from this condition. OF
course, we argue from the stand
point of a compliance with the
law, and the Comptroller Gen
erals instructions to county
auditors. This matter has given
US much concern, so much so
that as a taxpayer, alaw abiding
citizen, and one who regards an
oath seriously. we wrote to Gov
ernor Hayward directing his
personal attention to an editorial
in The TINES of the 18th inst,
in which we undertook to point
out the result, the demands of
the fiscal department would be
to the taxpayers unless some
plan of relief was devised by
the Legislature now in session,
also; in case Of no relief from
that body, we suggested the ad-
visibility Of a special session,
after the equalization boards
have passed upon the returns,
for the sole purpose of fixing
a proper tax levy for State and
county purposes, based upon the
increased valuation of property.
Governor Hayward replied as
follows:
Columbia, S. c., January IS, 1906.
Hon. Louis Applet, Manning, S. c..
DEAR S1R:-l am in receipt Of your
letter, 18th inst, and have carefully
read the editorial in last weeks issue
of The TINES, calling upon me to call
a special session of the General Assem-
bly, to take action with reference to IN
creased taxation of property, which
will result from the directions of the
Comptroller General to County Audi
tors and Assessing Boards.
I beg to call your attention to the fol-
lowing extract, which appears in the
report OF the Comptroller General:
s'There appears to be fear on the
part of some that the levy for State and
County taxes cannot be reduced, be-
cause your honorable body will haye
adjourned before the State Board of
Equalization shall have finally deter
mined the assessed value OF the prop
erty of the State. This fear is without
foundation; for the Legislature can fix
the appropriations for both State and
County as usual. And can then author
ize sufficient levy or rate based upon
the assessed value of property as finally
determined, as will raise the appropri-
ations and no more"
In my recent Message to the General
Assembly, copy of which 1 send you
under separate cover, you will see that
on page four ~ l make specific refer
ence to this suggestion of the Comp
troller General. Both the Comptroller
General and myself believe that the
Genera! Assembly has the power to
give relief as suggested by the Comp
troller General.
realize that there is much force in
your editorial, provided that an in
crease OF assessment is obtained, and
that the Legislature does not provide
for lowering OF the rate.
feel that it is too early for me at
this time to consider calling Sn extra
session of the General Assembly
They have not yet had an opporsunity
to act upon this matter and two-thirds
OF the session yet remains. 1t is my
purpose to watch closely the question
of giving the people relief in case OF an
increased assessment of property, and
to act promptly should occasion arise.
I appreciate very much the force and
thoughttulness OF your editorial and
can assure you that read it with much
pleasure.
With regards, believe me
Very truly yours,
D. c.. HEYWARD,
Governor
It will be noted in the Gov
o,.,,n,.,e oYtrs ct, from the Conn.,