Carolina watchman. [volume] (Salisbury, N.C.) 1871-1937, 1916-09-20

tax laws and their execution ir
such a way, as will bring about
Real Equalization of taxes, tl
t le end that all favoritism will
be removed. We believe that
the tax assessors should be Sc
lected from among our best bust
ness men and farmers, who have
made a success in life, and are
we'll known for their fairness,
and impartially, SO that no pre-
judice or sentiment be felt in the
discharge of this important work
of honestly assessing the taxes.
We believe in unity and CO opera
tion in this work, that the bur-
den of taxation may rest equally
upon all people, We believe
that the so-called Dog Tax
! should be levied as all other tay,
upon valuation, instead of so
much per head. We believe,
that as the valuation Of property
increases. the tax rate should
decrease to the point, where the
necessary improvements of the
County can be kept up by econ
| omy. and the burden of taxation
| be lessened, instead Of a contin
| ual increase, from year to year.
We declare against favoritism
in the employment of County
! Employees, either aa superinten
deut, bosses, or ordinary labor
ers. We declare against the
use OF the county convicts, in
the performance of any work, in
the interest of private individ
uals, or corporations.
We stand amazed at the ruin,
Gus and extrayagant policies of
those in control of our county
affairs. With the high per capi
ia tax of about $500 per head,
of every man, woman and child
in the country, and the inclina-
ton of a still fur t h er
incre in our coun-
ty taxes. Ii is alarming to
view the reckless Incompetence
of those in control. us though
they had run wild in the useless
expenditure eff the peoples
money Unnecessary offices
have been created to pacify
those who want to live at the ex-
pense of the people, with only
slight regard for their fitness or
competence to use the Office as a
common good.
We ucldl = III 1dVOI VI dDOllSil-
ing the offices of Auditor and
Treasurer, that save from the
tax payers of the county annu-
ally about s3O0O.0O. We charge
that the Board of County Com
missioners, should have long
ago, put in force the law inact-
ed for the purpose of removing
the Treasury's office, which in
itself, would have saved the
county at least. sl800.OO per
year. We claim this is a high
handed evasion Of the law, to say
| the least Of it.
We declare the present Board
of Commissioners to be extrava-
CANT in the use Of the public's
money, in the management of
building and maint tanning the
roads of the county. In many
instances the roads have been
| located in favor Of a few, to the
prejudice Of the many. We
charge that incompetence, upon
the road force, has lead to ex-
travagance SD fragrant, that pa
tience by our people can no
longer be regarded as a virtue,
and in this connection, we charge
that brutal conduct has been
resorted to, in handling the
county convicts, that should
bring a blush upon every chris
tian man or woman in Rowan
County.
We declare, further, in cur
failing expenses, by reducing the
number of County Commission
! ers from seven to five, and their
pay from 81 % to $500 per day,
and at least eight hours per day
should constitute the basis for
, their pay, and that the Chairman
of the Board act as the purchas-
ing agent of the county, under
the direction of the entire Board,
who are to pass upon all Con-
tracts.