The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1909-12-23
NOT READY TO ACT.
Governor Ansel Unwilling to Back
Comptroller Generals Project.

Governor Ansel has declined to
back up Comptroller General Jones,
the latter says, in any vigorous meas
ures to bring about the tax reforms
Mr.. Jones has been hammering upon
for several years and it looks now as
if there will be practically nothing ac-
complished towards a remedy Of these
conditions at the hands of the legis-
lature about to convene.
Mr.. Jones says that conference he
has just had with the governor re-
suited in the governor refusing to do
any of the things the comptroller
general suggested.
Mr.. Jones first suggested, he says,
that if the governor would back him
up he would force the auditors to
bring the assessments up to 100 per
cent or market value basis, as he and
the governor and the attorney gen.
eral a year ago agreed this was the
only legal basis of assessment. He
would send out instructions to the
county assessing authorities, as he
did a year ago with the endorsement
of the governor, and immediate re-
moval from Office would be the pen
atty for refusal to follow these in
structions, if the governor would sus-
tain him by making the removals in
case of refusal to obey the instruc-
tions, as the governor had the per-
feet right to do under the law, and
as it was his duty to do in seeing to
the enforcement Of the law.
The governor demurred, saying he
could not do anything so radical as
that, and when Mr.. Jones pointed out
that it would be useless to send out
such instructions, because they would
be ignored as they had been before,
the governor said the comptroller
general could comfort himself by the
reflection that he had done his duty.
The governor promised to back the
| comptroller general up in his mes
securing the reforms he seeks.
The comptroller general suggested
that if the governor would make it
plain that he would prevent the legis-
lature running up the appropriations
in case the county taxing authorities
could be prevailed upon to make the
legal market value assessments, this
would probably mean success to the
the movement, as the greatest objec-
tion to a market value and thorough
ly equalized assessment throughout
the State has been based on fear
that the legislature would not pro-
portionately lower the levy, and for
this reason the people would have to
pay more taxes.
"Will you let it be known that you
will not allow the legislature to do
any such thing?" Mr.. Jones says he
asked. will you let it go out that
if necessary you will veto such an ap-
preparation bill and call the legisla-
ture in special session to pass prop
er appropriation bill?"
"No, no; 1 couldn't do that; but
you go ahead, I'll back you up in my
message" said the governor, accord
ing to Mr.. Jones
Mr.. Smiths Views.
Mr.. M. L. Smith, former speaker
of the house and at present one of
the floor leaders in that body and one
of it's ablest members, in discussing
tax reform while here to-day on busi-
| ness, expressed the opinion that the
coming legislature would take at
least step or two toward remedying
conditions as they now exist
"But, in my judgment" said he,
'sthese reforms will have to come
| gradually. The tax question is toe
big and complicated to make a radi-
cal change in the whole system at
one time. In the first place the con-
stitution makers did too much legiS-
lating or some of the evils complain
ed of would have been remedied be.
| fore this columbia Record.