Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-04-17
The Tax Question.

L
more or less to say on the tax ques-
ton during the past few months, 1t
desires to admit that it has been
stumbling in the dark with regard to
the matter, and 1t is only just now ar
irving at decided conviction as to the
best thing to be done, and having ar
rived at that conviction we feel 1t our
duty not only to tell what it is, but to
give our reasons for the faith that is
in us.
In the first place we desire to pro-
fess conversion to the proposition that
all property should be returned fol
taxation at its actual market value, and
every effort should be made to see that
this is done not only iq Yorkyille, but
throughout York county and through
out the state of South Carlina. This
we are convinced, is the only basis upon
which we can secure a reasonable ap-
proach to equalization of the burdens
Of government as among the individ-
ual taxpayers, and also it will even
tually serve as the best guarantee OF
the most economical administration OF
public affairs.
Just how this custom of returning
property for taxation at figures faI
under it's real value came about, we are
not certain; but we think 1t likely
that 1t must have had its origin In
reconstruction times, when 1t was
about the only expedient whereby the
people could hope to save their lands
and plantations from the rapacity OF
the radical tax gatherers. A custom like
this once established, no matter how
naturally tends on to extremes, and
the situation of today is only to be re-
evils which could not have been other
wise avoided.
But If there ever was any necessity
for such thing, and we do not deny
there was, that necessity is now past
The government belongs to our own
people, our own representatives-ir
other words to ourselves, and If we
cannot trust ourselves in the levy OF
taxes on our own property then II
must necessarily follow that we are
very poorly fitted to own and manage
the property itself. If full market
value is the best basis of equalization
why should we essay to accomplish the
impossible task of equalizing on any
other basis? Why deny ourselves the
convenience of the only standard that
can possibly serve our purpose?
Among the objections that have been
urged against full market value as
sessment are l. The levy for school
purposes being fixed, the amount OF
taxes raised will be several times in
creased, and 9, even If York county
goes up to full market value, what
guarantee have we that the other
counties will do the same? 3. 1t is
not wise to give the general assembly
too much money for no matter how
We do not want to be considered as
approaching any one of these objec-
tions lightly, for all of them are Sc
rious; but at the same time we do not
think that any Of them are to be re-
garded as insuperable.
AS to the first objection, we beg
leave to suggest that while there has
been very considerable improvement in
90 oh q
within the past few years. this i'm
provement has only been in the way of
a start We are away behind most of
our neighboring states and we are not
in the same class with any of the
states of the east or the west. While
they are moving along in educational
matters in Il manner that thrills the
blood of the most enthusiastic, we are
proco cding with the pace of snail.
Dull indeed is the adult intellect which
does not foresee the time when. If there
is no change, as compared with these
people, we will only be entitled to be
considered as yahoos and yokels. Our
surest salvation lies in better common
schools and more of them.
The second objection involves rath-
er rougher sailing. While York is not
what she ought to be, we have no hes
itation in claiming that she is away
above the average. There are few
counties in the state that know their
duty better and there are few that are
more ready to do their duty. All
along. York has been giving in her
property for taxation at a much high
er valuation than has most of her
neighbors; but she has not been hurt
ing herself. Now that she has gone up
still higher than ever before she is in
a better position to persuade the other
counties to come up too. The other
counties can hardly resist the argu-
ment she will be able to present; but If
they do refuse to come to her level.
they certainly cannot object to allow