Western Carolina Democrat and French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1913-1915, 1913-01-23

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destiny is unfolding to us In grandeH
revelation shall we in this day "a
strength and prosperity withdraw anN
support from our institutions of learn4
ing, shall we deny the efficient adj
ministration Of justice, shall we not
hear the appeal Of the unfortunata1
shall it be written that to the Conf
federate soldiers we give less than
any other Southern state and for the
education of our children we do less
than any state in the Union? In this
new century, when Southern ideals
are about to be restored to the Unionl
when Southern statesmen are coming
again to the places of power, when ;
the future beckons with renewed
strength and life; forward, is the or
der.
Property Not Assessed.
our property for taxation. The land
has been greatly undervalued and
most of the personal property has not
been valued at ALL 1t seems that AMI
immediate reassessment is necessary
and it should be done before this gen-1
eral assembly shall adjourn sine die.
It should be understood that the as
sessment is not ordered with the view
Of increasing the rate Of taxation, but
with the view Of lowering the rate
and with the determination Of secur.
ing more equitable and more COM
-plete listing Of taxable property. The
tax on inheritances should be In
creased and they should be collected.
In my opinion the impelling reason
for differentiation and concealment
Of property is not that men and com
munities desire to shirk the payment
of their just proportion Of taxes. nor
that any desire, to take advantage OF
other men and other communftiesi
but the reason is that they do not
desire that other men and other COM
munities shall take the advantage of
them. The taxpayer and the assessor,
to insure square deal for themselves
and their communities are actuated by
a common purpose to undervalue
property, and for this reason under
valuation and concealment have come
to be the established custom.
The personal property of the av-
erage man cannot be concealed. The
securities of the wealthy can be con.
cealed. The poor pay this tax. The
wealthy escape.
If we could segregate property and
10 hot IN IN Oh
community and that property OF q
general character should meet the re-
quirements of the state, the tempt&
ton to depreciation would be greatly
1essened and the effort to conceal
less successful. This is the essence
and the strength of local seIf-goverR
ment, the taxation of each community
by its own people for its own pur'
poses and benefits. The unit should
be no larger than is necessary to az
sure the advantages Of cooperation.
Amendment to Constitution,
The application of this principle has
enabled our cities and towns and
many of our rural communities to
enjoy the advantages of Improvement
and progress. We must eventually re-
sort to this principle Of local seh.
government for the highest develop
ment of local institutions. We must
resort to this to obtain the best roads
and the best schools and electric
lights and pure water and the oppOr.
tunities OF modern life. To realize
the full measure of the blessings Of
this benef1cent principle, we need an
amendment to our constitution. =
The formation and the submission
to the people Of such an amendment
would be the supreme world of this
general assembly. Such an amend
ment would be of mighty significance
in the life Of the state. I believe that
it could be framed to result In her en-
during welfare. 4
In assuming the Office Of goyernOr,
am deeply conscious Of the solemm
responsibility. I follow In the line
Of my able predecessors whose ad-
ministrations have been blessed wtA
peace and plenty. There are dificuI-
ties TO De met; as always the law
must be enforced for the suppression
Of crime and for the maintenance Of 1
order, and as to the policies that VT
tally concern the state and all hera
varied interests, sharp dinerence1
must necessarily arise. L am prof.
foundly gatefuI to the people for cali.
ing me to the place where earneg
endeavor is potential for the weIfarei
of North Carolina. welcome the op4
portUnity. / do not shrink from thA
labor. realize my limitations and q
am eager for. the support and counsel
Of my friends and all good cftfzen5l
who would guide me In the strafghtf
way and help me to do the best ser1
vice.
I win strive to prefer uprightnese
e. ~. p.