Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1906-01-17

ueuL, covering we'll the topics OF State
legislation FOR the present term, and
is in substance as follows;
Quotation.
To the Honorable, the Gentlemen of
/ the General Assembly! =
It is my high privilege to- ,e
you to our capital city and
islative halls, where yo'-
In annual session.
transmitting my
emphasize the
which shoul1
prosperity "
unto MS as a p
richer in the,
which mankind S,
but to these gifts h
higher blessings Win.
and which will bring
tent to those upon WHOM
slowed.
We will all unite in the i.
the belief that good to our Stat
continue as the result of your delib>
tions, even as you will be united :.
the fraternal bonds Of true service
and of patriotic endeavor.
State Finances.
I am gratiied to report an improved
condition of our State finances. In
my last message I called attention to
the fact that, since the year 1900, the
expenditures had exceeded the revenue
ef the State by annual sums varying
from $l0,O45.42 to $2OS,995.23. Dur
ing the past fiscal year the revenue
has exceeded the expenditures by
about $125,00O.O0, as estimated by the
comptroller general.
This improved condition is empha-
sized by the the fact that the State
Treasurer, has had to .borrow less
money this year than formerly. If
the expenditures remain app proximate-.
seen that within a few years the State
will be operated upon a cash basis
This;is not only desirable, but it is I'M.
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 $64,O00.00 in round numbers
has been realized. To this can be adj
ded from insurance license fees,
$37, 100000; and from Secretary of
State $20.OOO.OO has been received,
making a total indirect revenue
amounting to $121,O0000.
The estimated receipts for the past
fiscal year from the 5 1-2 mill levy,
aggregate 81 1,164, $4,000, making to-
tai estimated revenue of $1,295,24O
90 from direct and indirect taxes.
The estimated expenditures for the
past fiscal year show figures amount
ing to $1,171,OO0.OO, leaving. a surplus
revenue over expenses amounting to
$124, ,240.00.
Assessment of Property.
It's well known fact that the tax.
burden is not equally distributed, and
it appears that very large amount
of personal property is escaping taxa
tion. Comptroller General Jones, who
is capable, thoroughly competent
and conscientious officer, believes af-
ter careful study of the complex ques-
tions involved, that our present laws
with a few slight amendments, are suf-
6cient to correct these evils. I agree
with him in this belief.
This being the year for reassess-
ment of all properties, the comptroller
general has made determined effort
to enforce the tax laws. He has had
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 it's real
value. This is a wise provision, be-
cause the tax assessor must have
sppe fixed standard, to the end that
all property should be equally assess
ed. thus making the burden of taxa
tion rest alike ..pon all An increased
assessment does not mean al increase
in taxation, but simply means an
eqralizing of lie burden A certain
amount of mercy IS necessary to meet
tlic .el:li.ln,rl, 81 the Sta.;, govern
mnut and y i'll or asScssmz:'! would
necessarily mean corresponding de-
crease iii the r!r IT taxation.
Dispensary.
The only cloud which throws shad-
ow over the State is the unsatisfactory
condition of the dispensary. Great dis
satisfaction has been manifested by
the people in many quarters. 1t ex-
lists, 1 believe, because of loss Of con-
fdence resulting from abuses in con-
nection with it's operation. No one
can deny that the present atmosphere
surrounding the dispcnsary is a
grave reflection upon South Carolina:
for it is a State institution. and any
odium which attaches to its operation
necessarily attaches to the State.
Since your last session Ian number
of counties have voted Oh dispen-
saries, but / must say chat the vote
abolishing them l take to be rebuke
! to the mode of.operation rather than q
reputation Of the system itself.
III my last annual message, when