The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1906-01-10
Te tha Honorable, the Gentlemen ot

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phasize the grateful thoughts which
should be ours because Of the prosper
aty which has been vouchsafed unto
Ms as q people. Not only are we richer
IN the material things for which man
Kind so ceaselessly strives, but to
these gifts have been added the higher
blessings which uplift and help and
which VIII bring peace and content to
those upon whom they are bestowed.
We win ell unite in the hope and
the belief that good to our State will
continue as the result OF your delibera-
fions, even as you viii be united in
the fraternal bonds o. true service
and Of patriotic endesw'1.
State Finusces.
I am gratffled to report an improved
condition OF our State finances. In
my last message called attention to
the fact. that, since the year 1900, the
expenditures had exceeded the revenue
OF the State by annual sums varying
from $1e,045.42 to sos, ,995.2S. During
Z the past fiscal pear the revenue has
exceeded the expenditures by about
( $A1o,V0V.VV, SS SSSI1kldtS0 W @AS SSAAAR
iThis Improved condition Is empha-
sixed by the fact that the State treas
urer has had to borrow less money
this year than formerly. II the ex-
penditures remain approximately as
they are at pre- sent, 1t viii be seen that
withipc few years the State Will be
operated upon cash basis. This Is not
zonly desirable. but It Is unquestionably
the only basis upon which our busi-
ness affairs should be conducted.
The corporation license tax, passed
tn 1904. went into effect last year and
has operated most satisfactorily with
very little additional expense to the
about $64,0000e in round numbers has
been realized. To this can be added
from insurance license fees, $37, 10000;
and from secretary of state $20,o00.00
he's been received, making total In
direct revenue amounting to $l21,-
e00.00. =
The estimated receipts for the past
fiscal year from the 1-2-mtH levy,
aggregate $1,164,240.00, making to-
tai estimated revenue Of $1,295, ,24o.00
from direct and indirect taxes.
The estimated expen aitures for the
past fiscal year show figures amount
Ing to SLIT, ,ooo.00. leaving surplus
revenue over expenses amounting to
&121. 1.240.00.
Assessment Of Property.
It is q well known fact that the tax
burden Is not equally distributed, and
Il appears that very large amount
of personal property Is escaping taxa
ton. Comptroller General Jones, who
81 q capable, thoroughly competent
and conscientious officer, believes, af-
tor careful study Of the complex ques-
tons involved, that our present laws.
dcient to correct these evils. agree
with him In this belief.
sThis being the year for the reassess-
MSnt Of all properties, the comptroller
general has made a determined effort
to enforce the tar laws. He has had
8 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 at Its real
value. This is a wise provision, be-
some fixed standard, to the end that
all property should be equally assess
ed, thus making the burden Of taxa
ton rest alike upon all. An Increased
assessment does not mean an increase
In taxation, but simply means an
equa1izing Of the burden. A certain
amount Of money Is necessary to meet
the requirements Of the State govern
ment and q higher assessment would
necessarily mean a corresponding de-
crease In the rate Of taxation.
It Is sometimes urged against an In
creased assessment that the rate be-
49, a. 1ax1 ,11y1
the last assessment, that should there
be q decided increase in the assessment
Of property, the amount collected would
be more than sufficient for the ex-
penses Of government. This objection
Is fully met in the report Of the
comptroller general. He points out
that the general assembly can deter
mine the appropriations for both State
and county and can authorize suffi-
cient levy, based upon the assessed
valuation Of property as finally decided
upon. This levy, may add, could be
fixed for the State by the comptroller
general and the State treasurer, and
FOR the counties by the various county
commissioners.
In reference to the three-mill tax
fixed In the constitution for education
ell purposes, the comptroller points out
that II this tax, on the increased assess
nent, should alone realize sufficient
sum for the support Of the schools,
tho special school levieS could be dis
pensed with, and other revenues now
going to the schools might be diverted
TO the county treasures, thus reducing
the county levy. In my opinion, how
ever, we cannot get too much money
for the support Of the schools, certain
ly not under the present conditions.
The comptroller general also makes
a number Of other recommendations,
all Of which I commend to your con-
sideration.
I must repeat to you my recon-
rnendation of last year in reference to
county auditors and treasurers. These
officers, for very good reason, should
no longer be subjected to political In
fIuences and to the neglect Of their duty
incident to political campaigns for re-
election. -.
The report Of the work during the last
year by the comptroller general con-
tatns most valuable information and
well deserves your most careful con-
: This report will show that there are
now 1904 old soldiers or their widows
tIpon the pension rolls of the State,
SarsAAo.n $500, 100000 Is annually paid.
r. wi1R be seen that when this appro-
nr,e tinn Is distributed it amounts to
verv little In individual cases. If the
nrosperity Of the State continues I
should be glad to see this appropria-
tom for the brave defenders Of their
homes and country increased as much
as possible.
The report Of the sinking fund COM
mission will be promptly submitted to
your body. These funds have been well
managed, as will appear from the re-
port