The Cordele dispatch. (Cordele, Ga.) 19??-1971, 1919-06-23

by the Tax COMMISSION.
"tn tavNs shall he levied and col
,notol under general laws and for pub
| lie NurnoSes orlv. The General As
semhlv shall have the mower to classi-
fv nronertv for tayation and to adout
different rates and methods for diff
/, ferent classes of nrOperty, and to Sc
gregate different classes Of property
! for state and local taxation. But all
| taxation shall he uniform unon the
same class of subjects within the terri
torial limits of the authority Lowing
| the tax. Taxes may be levied ad va
! loren upon any given class of proper
| ty without regard to the method used
| in leyvine taxes on any other class Of
property Taxes NAV also be imposed
upon income, inheritances. privileges.
and occupations. which latter classes
of taxes may be graduated, and when
levied may contain provisions for
reasonable exemptions.
| have heard within the last few
months that al established institu
tons and principles We're under sus-
Jpicion, with the presumption against
! them. However, had never though
if possible for the suggestions con
tanned il this amendment either to
| Re proposed or to be received with
complaisance by Georgians.
Extravaganza Encouraged
In the first place, it amounts to
request to the legislature to increase
appropriations and to appropriate the
money of the people with an eXtrava'
giant hand.
This presence of a larger field OF
taxation-this power to levy not only
adj valorem on the land, but an income
| tax on the crop loads the state into
new ventures and temps the faddist
to originate new schemes Of govern
mental employment. John Stuart Mill
says: Some people think that no
man can do anything for himself as
lwell as his rulers, and that govern
ment approaches nearer and nearer
to perfection in proportion as it in
terferes more and more with the ac-
tivities of the peaple."
The admitted object of this new
amendment is to raise more money,
am unlimited resources are opened TO
the legislature which never existed be-
fore, from which it may draw to the
uttermost farthing to seize the pro-
ceeds of the industry and thrift of the
citizen for any fad or fancy that may
appeal to that body.
| I was a member of the legislature
for seventeen years, and | Know tie
tremendous temptation to which it IL
subjected to appropriate money. Those
who bitterly oppose tax leyies will JON
associations whose purpose 1t is 10
obtain state aid for some pet project
The man who makes an appeal TOT
economy pays the penalty OF unpopu-
larity, while the orator who elabo-
rates in rounded phrase and with en-
I phatic utterance on the glorious bene-
fits that would come from some large
donation, especially for purpose that
appeals sentiment and enthusiasm,
receives the applause and congratu-
latlnrs of those who have not thought
when the money will be derived.
Our Constitution is built on the plan
of economy and honest payment OF
debts. to fcrbids donations, under
standing how irresistible would be
the demand on the legislature to make
them, under the stress of persistent
and enthusiastic appeals. 1t forblds
aid to railroads, public enterprises or
municipalities, and provides that The
debts OF each year shall be paid with
the proceeds of that years taxes.
This tax amendment is so drawn as
to afford reply to the advocate or
economy that the money may be rails
| ed from the few or the unpopular, and
from those who do not appeal to the
sympathy but only a lofty sense OF
| justice.
Income Tax
| For example, it provides for a state
| income tax, with an exemption to be
granted within the discretion of the
| legislature. Thus all appeal is made
to the many that the moneys that may
be necessary for some popular purpose
can be raised from the few whose in
comes are above the exempted amount.
| OF course, it is overlooked that the
cost of living will be rendered the
higher by taxation and the industry
which is taxed must charge the high
er for its product, and ultimately
those who think they escape will bear
the burden.
In addition, the effect will be to
check industry, throttle initiative and
limit development, all Of which have
served since the Civil War to make
this state the queen OF the south.
The right to levy an income tax was
given to the government to be utiliT-
ed only in times Of war and great
public stress 1t was reserve pow
er upon which draft might be made in
time of dire necessity. Now, by rea-
son of the tremendous expense OF the
war with Germany, the debt Of the
United States is over $4,000, 100000,
and the income tax which is levied
for the payment of the expense, reach
es as high as eighty percent in some
instances. In addition. the federal
government lays its burden upon
every enterprise. down to the tooth
brush at the counter or the glass OF
lemonade at the soda fount. Is this
the time for the time for the state of
Georgia to encourage Legislative ex-
travagance by affording this new
source of income, which will necessari
iv interfere in all the transactions OF
every citizen? Do we wish to be
hampered with more regulations and
forms. to the annoyance of our people?
Enlarge Purposes of Taxation
The Constitution Of the state Of