The Anderson daily intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson, S.C.) 1914-1915, 1915-02-27
MR. AS TAXES INCREASED 8 CENTS.

1t may be that there are persons in the county
who Will oppose the proposed bond issue for lack
of information. We desire to give few facts as
to this matter which will furnish food for Thought
at least That this county II financially able to
have good roads is evident from study of the tax
able property shown by the books OF the county
auditor. Anderson County has property valued at
$13,506,7O5. OF this amount $5,73S,O9O is real es-
tate and $776S,615 is personal property. The total
amount OF taxes assessed against this property for
1914 was s267,37
There are some other interesting facts about the
assessed valuation OF property in this county. The
ton oil mills in the county Is s2c91 1926, and they
pay taxes to the amount of s7J895.53. in and near
the city of Anderson the cotton mills are assessed
at S1407315, and pay taxes to the amount of $780,
257.28.
There to be expended on the roads of the
county last year 61.04336 divided into the follow
ing: Public roads, $38,327; roads and bridges $22-
716.36.
The proposed bond Issue of s75OOOO bears in
terest at 5 per cent. The amount of this interest
will be $37.500. There is to be provided sinking
fund of $500 per year. To raise this interest and
the sinking fund will require mills levy add-
tona IL all OF this is to be raised by special levy.
1t would seem. however that 1t would be equitable
for portion of this money to be taken from the
road fund.- for the amount of work to be done on
the roads after this permanent improvement has
been made will be reduced to minimum. or this
amount the cotton mills and the cotton oil mills
will pay approximately one-third. The railroads of
the county assessed at S924,220. and this will
further reduce the amount of the taxes to be paid
by the people Of the county at large. Taking Off
the taxes to be paid by the cities and towns in the
county which will not receive any of the fund, it
will be found that the people who will receive tae
most and the direct benefit from the good roads
will not pay much one-half of the cost OF Sc
curing them,
The IntelIigencer is great believer in concrete
illustrations to show how much property owner
will have to pay to secure this $50 300 miles OF
good roads in the county. Let us take the case 4
Mr. A who returns for taxation 10 acres OF land at
81 per acre, $40, and $1l5 of personal property
making a total OF $1S5. (This is the property of
tax payers as shown on the auditors books) His
taxes will be increased Just sos or he will pay the
price of Cigar year for the privilege of driving
or riding over 800 miles of macadam roads. Will
he not 1t in trip to the county seat or to
his market. to say nothing OF the convenience and
pleasure OF having q good road TO use In going to
church or to see his neishbor on Sunday Let US
take the case Of the who pays taxes on 81 00O
II the bond issue carries he will pay annual tax
towards the cost of the roads of Just So What man
is there who will withhold iiis amount Of support
from securing that which would increase his prop
erty values. his comfort and convenience. Why, he
pays that much for pair of Shoes SO IL 1t Is a
question OF saving SO per year let him do without
pair OF shoes in the OF Mr.. A. one dope will
nay Isis sageg FOR a ya2T.
So IL there be opposition to having the bond is
eae it will have to be on other than financial
grounds, and unless the other reasons are better
than this one. II will be suicidal for anyone to vote
against having better system OF roads. We must
not stand in the way OF this great need for the
county on such grounds as thesa. Optimism and
confidence in the future essential and will pay
big oturns. Let us not oppose this forward step
except for the best OF reasons. Let US hear from
you, and discuss this most important matter.