Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1906-01-17

deyWaTu Speaks VI eho uioPoho"'y
troubles as the "only cloud which
throws shadow over the State"
Nevertheless, the Governor shows
himself to be pretty strong advo-
cate of the dispensary system when
properly enforced, and he goes so far
as to reiterate suggestions as to its
management made in his last annual
m Message. The message also calls at
tention to the necessity of reform in
tax assessment, and it takes up the
question of inequality in valuation
and the large amount of personal
property not on the books.
The Governors message covers a
wide range of subjects. 1t is very
conservative, as was to be expected.
The strongest portion is that dealing
with mob violence and lynching.
This the Governor approaches with
ont any notifications or excuses.
The principal parts of the com.
munIcation follow:
STATE FINANCES.
am gratitied to report an i'm
proved condition of our State
finances. In my last message | called
attention to the fact that, since the
year 1900, the expenditures had ex-
ceeded the revenue of the State by
annual sums varying from $40, O,045.42
to S20S,995.23. During the past
fiscal year the revenue has exceeded
the expenditures by about 1925, 900,
as is estimated by the Comptroller
General.
This improved condition is empha-
sized by the fact that the State
Treasurer had to borrow less money
this year than formerly. If the ex-
penditures remain approximately as
they are at present, it will be seen
that within a few years the State
will be operated upon cash basis.
This is not only desirable, but is un-
questionably the only basis upon
which our business affairs should be
conducted.
The corporation license tax, passed
in 1904, went into effect last year
and has operated most satisfactorily,
with very little additional expense to
the State for collection. From this
tax about $4,000 in round numbers
has been realized. To this can be
added from insurance license fees
$4,000, and from the Secretary of
State $4,000 has been received,
making q total indirect revenue
amounting to sl21 900.
The estimated receipts for the
past fiscal year from the So mill levy
aggregate $1,164,24O, making total
estimated revenue of $1,295,240
from direct and indirect taxes.
The estimated expenditures for the
past fiscal year show figures amount
ing to $1,171, 900, leaving a surplus
revenue over expenses amounting to
s124,240.
ASSESSMENT OF PROPERTY.
1t is well known fact that the
tax burden is not equally distributed,
and it appears that very large
amount of personal property is es-
Gaping taxation. Comptroller Gene
raj Jones, who is capable, thor
oughly competent and conscientious
officer, believes, after careful study
of the complex questions involved,
that our present laws, with few
slight amendments, are sufficient to
correct these evils. | agree with
him in this belief.
This being the year for the assess
mcnt of all personal property, the
Comptroller- General has made q de-
termined effort to enforce the tax
laws. lie has had a digest of the
tax laws prepared, copies OF which
have been sent to each assessing
officer throughout the State, with
instructions to these officers as to
the proper enforcement of these
laws.
Our laws require that all taxable
prOperty shall be assessed to it's real
value. This ia wise provision. he