The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-02-02
,sfTAx eoMMIsswt,AtIsnECiNDs Aoa(a
,,@. ~TIpN. 49,. 81 I.
Orders Auditors and Boards to Assess
as Heretofore.

e.. .T----r-7 49,
Columbia, Jan. 30.--The property
or the state will be, assa ssed for taxa-
ton on Q basis Of AZ per cent. Of the
true valuation, the rate empioYed In
FORMER years. in conformity with the
wishes of the legislature, according to
letter which was yesterday mailed
to the county auditors and boards Of
assessors of the State The rescind-
ing OF the resolution adopted at the
auditors meeting in this city Decem-
Der ~, 1917 was the result of the
resolution adopted by the legislature a
few days ago.
The auditors Of the State met in
this city in their annual convention
and adopted resolution placing the
assessment Of all property in the State
on a basis Of so per cent. valuation.
This was to operate with the taxing of
both farm property and bank stocks,
and the idea of the tax commission at
the time Of introducing the resolution
was to raise the assessment and lower
the levy. They also took the position
that a more equitable adjustment of
taxation could be reached in this way.
as much Of the property Of the State
was not OH the tax books.
With the convening Of the genera,
assembly much discussion was
brought out by the consideration OF
the resolution and resolution re-
questing resembling Of the order sent
out from the tax commission was in
troduced and passed. The reason Civ
EN- in the resolution of the legislature
was that the increase in assessment
would be too violent change in the
practice of the state.
Following upon the acceptance of
the resolution by the general assem-.
bly, the tax commission decided to-
reduce the basis of assessment to the
usual AZ per cent. used in former
years. The letter of the tax commits
sion to the auditors and boards OF
assessors Of the State is as follows:
THE general assembly of South
Carolina during its present session
adopted the following resolution:
Whereas. the tax commission has
announced that it will require all
property assessed at SO per cent. Of
the value thereof, and
Whereas, We consider the same
would be too violent q change in the
practice OF the State in such case, and
Whereas. the gross inequalities Of
the assessment of values of property
cause great injustice which should bel
corrected. 4
Il. Now. be it resolved that we re-
quest the tax commission to use every
means Of equalizing the assessed val
ues OF property FOR taxation on an
equitable basis.
Now, in conformity with the wish
es OF the legislature, the tax commits
sion has decided to reduce the basis
OF assessment from so per cent. of
the value of property to ~ per cent.
thereof. to conform with the basis of
assessment heretofore adopted by the
tax commission IN the case of bank
stocks and other corporations coming
under its jurisdiction.
I'VE. therefore, instruct you to con-
slider the circular Of December 90.
1917 amended, SO as to strike out the
words and figures so per cent where
ever the same occurs. and to insert in
lieu thereof the figures and words AZ
per cent so that the basis of equaliza
ton for the present year shall be ~
per cent of the true value of all prop
erty."