Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-03-15

you concerning certain tax measures
that came before us. and 1 want to
explain my position on them. A bill
was introduced to raise the tax rate
for two years l voted against this
measure. l am unalterably opposed
TO any legislation that seeks to in
crease our tax rate and impose heav-
Ter burdens on our people. l am OPP
posed to an increase of the tax rate
for any length of time or for any
purpose. 1t is a dangerous prece-
dent. Our State Constitution limits
the tax rate to five mills, and the dis
bursements of the State should be
held within this limit.
Again, a bill was introduced to limit
the appropriations to the old soldiers
of our State to a fixed amount of this
five mills. This bill I also opposed
and voted against. A similar bill was
introduced to limit by constitutional
limitation appropria tiOns to the pub
lie school fund to a certain amount Of
the five mills tax. This measure l
also opposed and voted against. Dur
Ing all the past years. since funds
have been set apart for these pur-
poses ii has been left to each Legis-
lature to determine the amount of our
funds that should be appropriated for
these purposes The wisdom of this
policy conforms to my ideas, and |
feel that succeeding Legislatures will
be as capable of determining the
amount of funds that should be APP
propriated for these purposes as the
present Legislature or any other Leg
stature In the past.
Tax Equalization Stand.
Another bill Of more importance
probably than the bills above re-
ferred to- is the bill which is now a
law, and it is known as the Tax
Equalization Law" This measure
also opposed and voted against The
cry has been that we need more
money. | grant to you that this
measure will raise it, but whether or
not II will raise it from the right
source is another question. If | am
not badly mistaken, the burden of
this law will fall upon the small
| farmer and the man of moderate
means. Land is tangible-it can be
| pointed out, it can be seen. Many a
farmer, to avoid being harassed and
publicly charged with a false return,
will give in his property at a higher
| valuation than Justice and equality
demand. The unseen property the
invisible property, notes, bonds,
money. etc, will nos he reached and
| the expectation of the trainers of this
law will not be realized.
At last gentlemen, the only founda-
ton that should permanently control
our appropriations should be the en- =
! hanceme?t Of property values, more
! people and more wealth. We all full
| we'll know that il the Georgia Legis-
| lature had twice as much money to
! appropriate it would all be spent and
we would still hear the cry, Our in
| stitutions are being throttled for the
want of funds"
Where Will Expenses End?
Recently | made some investigation
! Of the appropriation of public funds
| for the past twenty years. In the
fiscal year 1928 expenditures by the
| State of Georgia amounted to $2,464,
| lSS, and in the fiscal year 1871 lie they
amounted to IS. 625,S25, an increase in
twenty years of s3,161, 637, or at the
| rate Of 1873 per cent. Between 1890
and 1910 the population Of Georgia
increased from 100000 to 100000
or $4,000, equal to 3S per cent only
| With approximate accuracy, 1t may
be estimated that the State eXpendi-
lures now average $2.15 year pei
each inhabitant. compared with sl1i
twenty years ago, an increase of -
per cent. II may well be asked where
will the increases Of expenses in gov
eminent end?
| Recently a writer used the follow.
ing language. which, i'm my opinion, /,
| Drpeuaut with wisdom.
Under the sway of new though
activities in all forms Of American
government have expanded mightil!
In recent years. and generally beyond
the limit Of safety for the people
| They have become possible becaus,
lawmakers and executives are TIL
choice i'm elections turning frequent!
upon the votes OF the individuals VIII,
are not taxpayers In the sense o
being obliged 20 pay money dlrcctl
to the taNgatherers, and who, unde
} the impression Of superhciallty tina