Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-01-11

message to the general assembly was
read in the house and senate last
Tuesday. It was as follows:
To the Honorable the Gentlemen OF
the General Assembly:
At the beginning of another year
with its numerous duties, you are
again convened in annual session ana
are at once confronted, as lawmakers,
with the highest duties and respon-
sibilities OF citizenship. In this, the
last official message which 1 snaI
have the honor of transmitting to you
as governor Of South Carolina, l snall'
In accordance with the requirements
of our laws, submit to you such I'M
portant details as require your consid-
Grafton. Knowing that details and re-
suits will more Immediately concern q
new state administration, have been
as brief as possible, and have re-
Trained from making any recommen-
dations other than were actually re-
quired. While the duties OF my office
have been arduous always, and many
difficulties have been encountered,
have ever been deeply conscious OF
the honors which the people Of my
state have conferred upon me-honors
for which l can never, in mere words,
express my heartfelt gratitude and
appreciation.
Assessment of Property.
The equalization of the assessment OF
property is matter Of vital import
ant concern to every taxpayer In the
state. The report Of the comptroller
general will show that this important
matter is far from being in a satisfac-
tory condition. Last year Comptroller
General Jones made an earnest enort
to remedy this condition. In accord
ance with our laws, all taxable prop
erty assessed at its real value. A
fixed standard is positively necessary,
for only In this manner can all prop
erty be equally assessed. in order that
the burden of taxation should rest
alike upon all.
At the last meeting Of your honora-
BILE body the comptroller general care
fully prepared an abstract Of the tax
laws of the state, and this was made
for the guidance Of auditors and other
assessing officers, in order that they
might more accurately assess property
as required by law. When the legis-
lature met, the assessment Of proper
ty, both personal and real, was then
being made throughout the state. and
on account Of the uncertainty OF the
levy to be fixed by the Legislature, that
body refusing to follow the recommen-
-dations of the comptroller general In
reference to flexible levy, to be de-
termined after the assessment had
been completed. AS result, the inc
quality complained Of is greater now
than 1t was before this assessment,
hundreds Of petitions asking for re-
duction or equalization OF property
have been received at the comptroller
generals Office.
This Is an unbusiness like condition
of affairs, in a department where bus
mess conditions should be pre-eminent.
II all property in the state were
equalized upon a go per cent basis, the
total taxable property in the state
would, in my opinion, be not less than
$3.50. 900 900 on the books Of the comp
troller general, instead Of only $780,
100000 as are the figures at present.
This Is not only an injustice to our
taxpayers, but II is unwise and Is an
injury to the state, in that 1t does not
set forth to others our real progress
and prosperity. On the contrary II Is
actually misleading, both as to our re-
sources and to our tax rate, and this
a matter where most important con-
siderations are involved Only GER
tain amount of money is required to
meet the expenses Of our state gov
ernment, and an increased assessment
by having all property assessed at its
real value, would simply be an equal
ization Of the tax burden and would
not mean an increase in taxation.
The present laws, If properly inforc-
ed, would to great extent remedy this
unsatisfactory condition of affairs.
The only change shall suggest look
ing towards their Enforcement is that
the state board of equalization be
changed, as 1t is at present too un-
wieldly. Another objection is that the
various members naturally feel that
they represent their own counties. and
not the state at large. 1t would be
wise, in my opinion, to reduce the
membership Of the state board. limit
ing it to five members, these to be ap-
pointed by the governor and confirmed
by the senate. Two Of the members
should devote their entire time to this
work. and should receive a fixed sal
airy and travelling expenses. These
members should visit the various coun-
ties. consult with the auditors and To-
cal assessing officers. should hear all
complaints and should regulate the
equaliza ton of all taxable property in
the state. The report of the comp
troller general, which will be submit
ted to you at the proper time has been
carefully compiled and should merit
your most thoughtful consloeratlon'
immigration.
The most important consideration
perhaps. which now has the attention
Of the people of South Carolina, is our
vigorous effort TO get the tide of much
needed and carefully selected immi-
grafton turned directly into this sec
ton Of the south. through our CHIEF
seaport. What is far more important
also. is the combined efforts to build
up our commerce. with a saving Of
thousands and thousands Of dollars
annually to our exporters and import
ers. and giving promise to save to our
cotton and other raw material de-
manded abroad, the sums now being
paid in useless tribute to transporta-
ton lines having no interest Whatever
in southern development
During the past six months your