The Anderson daily intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson, S.C.) 1914-1915, 1915-02-27
MIR. AS TAXES INCREASED 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 as shown by the books of the county
auditor. Anderson County has property valued at
s13.50G705. OF this amount $5,73S,O9O is real es-
tate and $7768615 is personal property. The total
amount Of assessed against this property for
1914 was 1857 .S79.16.
There some other interesting facts about the
assessed valuation of property in this county. The
total taxable value OF the cotton mills and the cot
ton oil mills In the county is 1851 1925, and they
pay taxes to the amount of $7089y.53. In and near
the city of Anderson the cotton mills are assessed
at S1407315, and pay taxes to the amount of $780,.
257.2S.
There was to be expended on the roads of the
county last year S61 .04336 divided into the follow
ing: Public roads, $3s,327; roads and bridges. $22
1866.
The proposed bond issue OF S750,000 bears in
terest at 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 addi-
tonal IL all of this is to be raised by special levy.
It 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 10 be done on
the roads after this permanent Improvement has
been made will be reduced to minimum. OF this
amount the cotton mills and the cotton oil mills
will pay approximately one-third The railroads OF
the county are assessed at S924220, 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 bc paid by the cities and towns in the
county which will not receive any of the fund, 1t
will be found that the people who will receive the
most and the direct benefit from the good roads
will not pay much one-half of the cost OF Sc
curing them.
The Intelligencer is n great believer in concrete
illustrations to show how much property owner
will have to pay to secure this $50 900 miles OF
good roads in the county. Let us take the case OF
Mr. A. who returns for taxation 10 acres OF land at
81 per acre, or $70 and sl15 OF personal property
making total OF s185. (This is the property OF a
tax payers rs shown on the auditors books) His
taxes will DO increased Just s05 or ne viii pay the
price of cigar per year Tor the privilege of driving
or riding over 800 miles of macadam roads. Will
he not It in trip to the county seat, to
his market. to say nothing OF the convenience and
pleasure OF having a good road to use In going to
Church or to see his neighbor on Sunday. Let us
take the case OF the mar who pays taxes ON $1,000
II the bond issue carries he will pay an annual tax
towares the cost of the roads OF just $S What man
Is there vtc VIII withhold tiis arnount of support
from securing that which would increase his prop
erty values. his comfort and convenience. Why, he
paya that much for pair of shoes. So IL 1t is q
question es saving So let him do without q
pair of shoes in the OF MIR. A. one dope will
pay his taxes for year.
So. II there be opposition to having the bond is
sue Il 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 OF such grounds these. Optimism and
confidence in the future essential and will pay
big returns Let us not oppose this forward step
except for the best OF reaions, Let us hear from
you and discuss this mos. important matter