The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1907-01-11


that a itew value has been put upon
all real estate in Union county. Since
all real estate in Union county has in
crea: ed in value since four years ago.
a corresponding increase on the tax
able value has been put upon it; or at
least that was the intention. Now, if
your land, houses and lots in town are
worth more this year than they were
four years ago, it is nothing but right
that the assessed value be more, in or
der to correspond with the assessment
OF personal property; which is made
yearly.
Now in behalf OF the personal tax
payer: The person who pays taxes on
personal property, is required to as
sess it every year, and if your person
al property has increased by the pur-
chasing of mule or a horse or cow
or buggy, or stock OF merchandise,
that increase is returned every year
and you pay taxes on this Increase;
while real estate in this county has
gradually Increased yearly, and yet no
taxes have been paid on this increase
i'll four years. Now, since the taxable
value OF property has increased, the
levy ought to decrease, unless you in
crease the liabilities. One might think
that as taxes are SO much higher than
they were last year, that big sur
plus would be on hand, but not so.
But this increas, in taxes this year
will go long ways towards reducing
the floating debt Of the county. This
floating debt is for ordinary county,
which has been behind for number
OF years, except $4,000 or $4,000 for
road machinery which was purchased
last year and has not been paid for
yet.
| have already noticed that in some
instances where parties are kicking
about high taxes, and comparing the
taxes they paid last year with the tax
eS charged against them this year. that
they did not pay enough last year and
are just now getting right. You know
if party did not pay enough last year
they <Sannot, or ought not, to make
comparison with their taxes of this
year. They should comfort themselves
by knowing that they had the luck OF
not paying their part OF the taxes last
year.
! have just come out of the county
supervisors Office where, by the aid
OF the supervisor, | got up state
m int of the financial condition of I'm
iot | find that after the taxes which
+ collected for 1906 will have been
/ paid o,rt, there will still remain float
ing debt against Union county of about
$4,000. About one-half OF this debt
seems to be for road, and one-hali for
ordinary county. So you will see, as
I have already stated, there will be no
surplus from this years taxes, but in
stead of surplus the county will owe
floating debt OF about $4,000. This
seems to be right heavy floating
debt, but it has already been made and
it hs to be paid. The amount of tan
cs collected for 1906 would have paid
off ali floating debts against Union
county had not the permanent road
working been done. From $II 900 to
$4,000 have been spent for permanent
road working, and notes given to the
amount of $4,000, with interest to be
added at per cent. from date Of
notes, which suppose was a year ago
at least, for the machinery purchased
for that work. I find that it has cost
about $1,000 per mile to macadamize
the road now being worked on. There
will have to be levy created for past
Indebtedness each year, until the $22.-
900, which is past indebtedness, has
been liqudated or paid off.
The taxpayer sometimes remarks
when paying his taxes: Well if they
get any higher | will just turn it over
to them; just let them take it." | sup
pose they mean, when they say them
the ones who make taxes higher Now
pray tell me who are them that make
taxes higher? 1t is the taxpayer who
votes special I, ?, 3 or mill school
FAX on himself; it is the taxpayer who
voted out the dispcnSary, from which
the county has been getting about
$4,000 year for number OF years;
it is the taxpayer who causes eight
weeks OF court expenses to be paid out
each year, amounting to about $4,000
yearly; it is the taxpayer who takes
a small tree out OF the public road
Which cost him Is cents and charges