The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-01-10
Taxation Problem-Unjust inequalities

PAYERS to conform 10 the law 10 re-
veal to the world the true wealth Of
South Carolina, to reduce the levy to
such a low figure that it would be a
standing invitation to investors to come
to this State, instead of warning them
away as the present high assessments
do-in other words to place the tax
ing department IN a common sense,
not only unfair to many taxpayers but
is one calculated to retard progress.
| Millions of dollars worth of property
pay no share of the governments ex-
penses; while the inequality Of assess
ments on the reality paying part Of
the burdens is fragrant, the range of
assessments being from five to sixty
per cent. of the value Of property.
The people began by returning their
property at 60 per cent. of its value,
and a premium being put upon false
returns, the contest in inveracity has
been so waged that a less valuation is
now placed on land, for taxing pur-
poses, than was fixed twenty years
ago-and it is 100 per cent more val
liable.
Since our correspondent, "Taxpay-
err" is of Marlboro county and takes
the position tha axe are being con-
stantly raised and that taxation is
coming to mean c~onfscation, We will
quote a few figures from the record.
They will prove him to be very far
from right and will give emphasis to
the demand for reform in assess
ments.
Marlboro is the richest farming
county in the State; it is equalled by
few in the country. Can its lands be
purchased on an average, for So an
acre? They are returned for SIS.
How many horses are there in
Marlboro and what are they worth?
In 1884 there We're according to re-
turns 1900 horses of the total value
of sSS,500, the average value being
$50. In 1904, twenty years later, when
there is prosperity; where fine horses
have been raised and purchased, and
more Of them, there were only 1880
horses returned, the total value being
s6o,600, the average value $4,000.
A decrease in numbers and a decrease
in values.
While the numbers of mules re-
turned in 1904 showed an increase
over the number reported for taxation
in 1884, the average decreased from
s63 to s46.
And here is the inequality; MARI
boro's mules are valued for taxation
at s4e, while Marion's and Horny
are valued at $40. Marlboro's horses
are valued at SAB; Chesterdeld's at
s54; Marion's 1t s64.
A detailed examination Of the "&b-
stract Of personal property in MARI
boro shows that in cattle, in sheep
and goats in hogs and in dogs the
numbers returned for taxation in 1904
were materially less than the returns
twenty years before; and the values
are likewise less. Under the head OF
Carriages we find 2,794 returned in
1884, at a value OF 5000; While
3,344 reported for taxation in 1904
had a value of only s4S.505. In 1884
"the value OF moneys including bank
bills and circulating notes" We're, as
returned, s33,S30; in 1904. their value
vas returned at s15.S96.
It was shown in a former article
that the realty in Marlboro, outside
the towns, was valued for taxation in
1904 at less thar. in 1881: it is seen
now that the personally is valued at
less today than twenty years ago. The
State levy is the same now as twenty
wears ago LlIel SIOIe IL VI
county realty and of personally are
paying less taxes to the State today
than in 1884, and that despite the IN
questioned fact that there has beer a
Vast Increase in the value CT personal
property and in TIE vaiae Of farming
lands.
The inequalities. too. have been
pointed out; they exist everywhere
and they are the great evil. There
are many difficulties. many comp}ica-
lions in the way of elevating the prop
erty of the state TO the 100 per cent
basis, but there should be no grave
obstacles to making all property.
whatever the standard Of assessment.
bear its proper share Of the burdens.
It is utterly wrong to permit n class
Of citizens to pay taxes on a 60 per
cent. valuation and another class to
nav on a 10 per cent. valuation or to