The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1907-01-25
Why Taxes Are Higher.

~
why Taxes Are Higher" so %care-
fully prepared by Treasurer ]. H. Bar
ties, and published in a late copyNpi
the Union Times.
The article is properly in depa}-
ments. will pass those with refereree
to education assessments without cot1-
ment. 1t seems that the question bf |
good roads or bad roads, as a commkn |
small affair, is one of much important
consideration, especially since it lis |
costing so much and affording very |
little benefit to the people. 1t is very |
plain to any reasonable observation |
that the costly machinery lately bought |
is not the very least bit suitable to I'M
prove the roads of Union county,
which are most all hills and gullies.
The machinery seems suitable to roads
only that are level. Last winter the
roads in this section were in most
miserable condition, with deep mud
generally caused by the water not be-
ing properly ditched off of the roa,ls
on each side. They remained in a very
bad condition all winter, much hauling
being done over them. Late-;n che
spring or summcr-a small crowd OF
hands leveled the deep mud holes and
raked out the bitches on each side
which, with some additional labor OF
the same kind, would have kept the
roads in paSsable condition for some
time, had not that costly, showy six
mule road machinery passed over the
roads a little and leve'ed down the
banks OF the bitches which had been
made to turn the water off of the road
This was all the work that was done
on the roads in this section during
last year Even if the costly road ma
chinery had been very suitable, help
ful and neediul, there should have been
a floating surplus OF tax money instead
OF floating Indebtedness before il
was ever bought. There are NAM
little bridges over bitches in the road
that are generally in a dangerous Con
dition to the passing public and they
cannot be repaired by road machinety.
II the term OF court in Union county
costs the tax payers six thousand dbl
lars year, it should be held in very
high esteem by them as a place to gain
instruction and useful information with
reference to the common laws of The
government.
The treasurer seems well posted in
the various questions presented With
reference to taxes.
1t seems surprising that he has left
out the most important part OF the
business, that with reference to the
salaries OF officers, both county end
= moltey: He has iaifed to mention tfe
law makers and their pay. They who
assemble at the State capitol each
year to spend a few hours a dav in
long speeches, trying to change the
laws to suit themselves, take vaca-
tons OF rest, pleasure, &c, are not
these paid with tax money? The ques-
ton OF why Taxes Are Higher" is
one OF no new subject. History shows
that 1t has been "a cause for discomfort
Tor hundreds OF years past
Partyism seems the chief cause of
unjust taxation. ii all officials were
elected on their proper competency
and merit, with no reference to party,
there would be better laws, better gov
ernment and less taxes. Formerly
high taxes was termed carpet-bag rob-
berry; now it is termed needful appro-
priaton.
When each citizen becomes properly
interested and informed with refer
ence to law and government, and the
foundation OF the laws OF government
begin at the bottom and 90 to the
top, instead OF beginning at the top
and gong to the bottom, as at present.
there is liable to be some better i'm
provement in government Candidates
Tor office should be required to show
they can benefit the people by being
elected and then state what they are
willing to take for their service. Vot-
ers should be more careful OF their
votes, and vote for the most honest
competent man who is willing or can
afford to take the office for the least
pay.
lhe treasurer describes how road
work is done and charged for, but he
tails to describe how Office holders do
their work and charge for it. He states
that he has the work OF two men to
do and the responsibility OF dozen
others in the collecting and disbursing
or taxes. 1t is but natural to suppose
| he wants pay according to his work and