The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-01-08

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former boards. Whenever the val
uation or assessment Of any proper
ty Is fixed at a sum greater by one
hundred dollars or more than the
amount returned by the owner. or
his agent, the county auditor must
give notice to the owner or agent in
writing of such Increase. If they OBJ
Ject to such valuation and ASSESS
ment they have the right to appeal
to the county board Of equalization.
Code. Section $50. The township
board in assessing the values shall
not reduce the aggregate valuation
In their township below the aggre-
gate value returned by the county
auditor
We must recognize, in the per-
formance Of these duties. that it is
condition, not a mere theory that
confronts us.
No matter what standard of yalu-
alton for assessment is taken by the
boards whether the true value or q
percentage thereof, it is absolutely
necessary that the true value be as
certained as near as possible by the
board, either for the purpose Of as
sessing on that valuation. or II a per-
centage IL taken the relative per-
centage thereof THIS Is necessary l.;'
to attain equality and justice he
tween tax-papers: and to enable the
State board Of equalization to equal
ize values as between counties, cities
and towns.
If the boards refuse to carry out
the law, they should at least assess
all Taxpayers on the same percent
ange of the true value of their prop
erty.
Income Tax.
There Is no class Of taxpayers bet
ter able to help bear the burden of
taxation than those whose incomes
are over and above $2.500. County
auditors are specially directed as to
their duties in. the enforcement of
this law.--Code of Laws. Sections
s25, 326, s27. 32S, S2s $50 and ss1.
The provision in the original Act
Criminal Code Section 4Ss,) pro-
hibiting the disclosure Of income tax
returns is repealed by the Act of
1905. XIV Statute. $50. Ample
provision Is made for the complete
enforcement Of the income tax, its
non-enfOrcement is inexcusable.
Special rules as to the assessment
OF cotton mills and other textile in
dustries and canals providing power
for rent or hire, and cotton seed oil
mills and fertilizer companies and
banking corporations.
Auditors will require above COM
panies to return and swear to the
value Of property and other infor-
nation as designated upon special
blanks. Township or special boards
OF assessors will assess such corpora
tions and equalize at their true value
In money or on the same basis as
other taxpayers. County boards of
equalization will pass upon such as
sessments upon the same basis as
other property, and should endeavor
to assess all, as required by law, at
It's true value In money.
State Board OF Equalization.
Each member shall take an oath
or affirmation that he will, to the
best of his knowledge and belief. so
far as the duty devolves on him,
equalize the valuation Of real proper
ty among the several counties.
cities and villages in this State. ac-
cording to the rules prescribed for
Vaiuing and equalizing the value of
real property, in the manner pre-
scrlbed by law.-Code of Laws as
follows:
lst They shall add to the aggre-
gate value of the real property of
every county which they shall be-
lieve to be valued below it's true
value In money, such per centum in
each case as will raise the same to
Its true value i'm money.
I'd. They shall deduct from the
aggregate valuation of the real prop
erty OF every county which thew
shall believe to be valued above its
true value in money. such nercentnm