The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1910-07-06

holding OF the law. Dus these
even, are becoming disheartened
at a condition where money to
fee a lawyer will act as an ob-
stacle to justice.
DISCUSS The TAX PROBLEM.
It is with regret that we find
the daily newspapers giving SO
little of the important parts OF
the speeches made by the State
campaigners. They tell US that
Col. So, and So, after stating his
position on flicker" made a
splendid talk On taxation, schools.
good roads, etc. We regard
the views Of the candidates
on taxation as so very i'm,
portant, the newspapers should
let their readers know what
these views are. We knox OF
nothing at this time Of greater
importance to the masses than
the matter Of taxation: all must
concede that taxes are growing
every year until it has reached
the point where the owner OF
property is seriously concerned.
The assessment of property is
another matter for serious CON
sideration. Everybody knows
that property is unequally as
sessed. and is the owners OF
property make fair return, the
boards of equalization come on
behind and reduce. There has
been recommendations made
time and again by the Con:ptrol-
Ter General to the Legislature
looking towards remeoying the
present conditions, but without
avail. The legislature is made
up Of men largely interested in
the lands of the State, and while
they are willing for the personal
property winch can be hidden
20 be taxed, they are very chary
about the taxation Of the visible
property, which cannot be hid,
den. They just viii not accept
the recommendations Of the
Comptroller General whose busi.
ness it is to make a study Of tax
alton. One of our great troubles
lies with our having the constl
tutional three mills fer school
purposes to stand in the way, if
this can be removed, and it can
only be removed by a vote of the
people, then We believe the mat
ter of taxation Will be solved
easily, but as long as we have
the three mill tax fastened upon
US as it is now, fair assessments
will not be had, the resul. Is that
a great deal OF property goes
upon the tax books not only far
below its value, but very unequ-
ally assessed. making some men
pay more than their just pro-
portion, and others escape their
just proportion.
The question arises, how can
this condition be remedied? The
gentlemen aspiring to the high
State positions should enlighten
the masses with their views On
this subject, for in our opinion,
it is a subject that will interest
all of us. Every one agrees with
the general proposition that as
Assessments are unequal. that
the common schools are needing
our care, We all agree that good
roads are a blessing: there is no
dispute on any of these ques
tons. What the masses want
enlightment upon. is how to get
these things without a tax
alton which nearly amounts to a
con6scat;on?
We believe the present sys-
tenn Of taking tax returns is in
efficient. and through this sys-
tenn there is lots of the property
that does not finds its way to the
tax books. Now, how can q change
be made which will get the prop
erty on the books: vt present,
the auditor has the taking Of
returns imposed upon him, and he
advertises his appointments, but
the people do not go to meet
him: they come to the court
house, look over q former re-
turn, and regardless Of increased
values IN the way Of new build
insS, and other property, they
make about the same return.
Now, IL instead Of the auditor
receiving these returns, the law
could be changed so as TO make
the township boards receive
them: with power TO make re.
turns, and let them pass upon
the valuation, we believe a more
equitable assessment can, and
will be had, for the reason, the
members Of the township boards
would know the conditions ex-
ist:ng in their respective town
ships. and they would be IN posi-
ton to act intellisently. They
would know if Mr.. 4 has built i
house on his place, which say,
cost So, 600, in the place Of one
which was worth $500; they
would know whether Mr.. 3 has
two head of horses or ten: they