The Anderson daily intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson, S.C.) 1914-1915, 1914-07-05


party in Interest gets nothing but an
honorable mention.
1t has frequently been told ME by
public OFFICIALS that il was unrcccs
sary to inquire whether or not he
expenditures made by them were such
as were authorized by the legislature.
as they would be accountable to the
legislature when they came before it,
1t Is certainly not n pleasure to
have to criticise the accounts Of broth
or officers, but it is duty imposed
upon the Office OF the Comptroller
General, and is necessary to an evo-
nomical conduct of public affairs. that
public accounts be thoroughly check
cd and all items unauthorized by law
be pointed out when bills arc present
cd for payment. The publicity given
10 public affairs by this scrutiny acts
as Il strong deterrent to extravaganza
and wastcful expenditures OF public
moneys. In this alone, l am salts
tied that thousands of dollars hnve
been saved to the state during the
time l have been entrusted with the
office of the Comptroller General.
AS member OF the sinking fund
commission, having charge of the ac-
cumulatcd assets of the state and
their use for the public benefit, have
cndeavored to prevent the reckless
ioaning Of these assets, other than
upon State bonds. SO that the State
property be cared for and preserved
In the most economical way.
1t was for this reason that APPROX
cd the policy Of the States insuring
ITS own property and gradually ac-
cumulating sufficient reverse fund
hn
miums until Losses should occur rem
dering further premiums necessary
to make good the losses.
On this item of State insurance DIR
ing the time / have been Comptroller
General, the State has saved and ac-
c,Imulated over 100000 in profits
when carrying only from 10 per cent.
TO 80 per cent. of the amount OF in
surance on State property.
Under the Act of 1914, providing
That the sinking fund insurance shall
carry the entire insurance on State
property and re-insure 60 per cent.
thereof in responsible Old Line Com
panies, the sinking fund commission
has been enabled to save more than
$1,000 on the insurance now In force
without any additional risk to that
heretofore carried by it. The rein
surance of so per cent Of the ipsura-
BILE value of State property heretofore
carried by other companies on origi-
nal policies. Effected saving of
about 30 per cent on the amount paid
for premiums on such insurance.
lt Is natural that few insurance
agents. who. under the old system.
were receiving this 80 per cent. as
proht for themselves and their COM
panies, should complain Of this poll
cy' but 1t is inconceivable that any
well informed taxpayer. seeking the
economical administration of public
affairs, should object to it.
II reelected. 1 will continue nv Of
forts for the enforcewent Of the tax
laws and the advocacy Of such re-
forms as are necessary to secure the
equitable assessment of all property
Tor TAXATION, and to- prevent the es-
capc from taxation Qf--the rich and
we'll to do. I mention this latter
ciacs, simply because IL is harder for
them to return their property for tax
alton at its true value than for a Door
man whose taxes do not amount to as
many figures when II comes to nav
ment. While a man might console
himself at the size of his taxes ~
the thought that he has been blessed
WIN more property on which to pay,
he 1s apt to forget the amount OF BEN
e1t and prosperity be has enjoyed be-
cause OF his objections to diminishing
MS accumulations In the slightest de-
gree.
The question Of tax reform is one Of
the most vital Importance to the
whole community, and when the ueo
pie have become thoroughly awakened
to: the inequalities existing and the
LOGS TO- the masses on account Of |
them, they will demand that their rem
resentatfves In the legislature find
remedy for the exiatinE evils.
The failure to obtain these reforms
has been largely due to a lack of an
probation OF the exemptions enjoyed |
oy others; and false feeling that 40
long as the direct taxes are not in
creased they do not care how much
more their neighbor escapes paying.
!, ave can never expect d perfect s1s-
tenn Of equality in taxation, but the In
equaltttss now existing can be great
~ reduced and the public burdens
more eQuitably distributed.
In so fer as the voters have kent up
with the conduct OF public affairs Of
fhe state. az made known In the pub
lie press from time to time. they are
aogratHted with my Efforts along
fnnec 1Inoo apA ,1,,rtc- AxS