The Columbus dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 19??-1922, 1919-06-08

I
same time in eighty-one counties,
solemnly pretending to eqnalize vaIu-
ations according TO the requirements
Of the law and the constitution, yet
diligently consulting in fact with one
another upon the means Of carrying
out Dickens formula: "How not to
do it,"
Books of statistics always provide
unsatisfactory materials for argu-
ment because Of the variegated char
acter of the information contained in
them. It is pretty generally known
that if one wishes to advance new.
ideas on subjects philosophical, polit-
zeal, sociological or economical, if he
can lay hands on a book of statistics,
sufficiently large, and especially one
gotten out by the government, it
matters not which side of the subject
he takes, he may find plenty of fig
ures to substantiate his views. Yet,
as Mr.. Johnston has placed the ad-
VOcates OF the tax equalization law
on the defensive, even statistics, in
reasonable quantities, when relevant,
are admissible in evidence. 1t would
be unjust to charge one man, even a
candidate for governor, with the
shortcomings of boards of super
visors covering period of years. Yet,
as Mr.. Johnston has become the
champion of the efficiency and meth
DDS of those boards as operated prior
to the enactment of the present law,
he may be compelled, perhaps UNI
justly, to some extent, to answer for
the faithfulness and intelligence with
which they discharged some of those
duties in the county whence he comes
and in the counties geographically re-
lated thereto.
Section 112 of the Constitution pro-
vides that: Taxation shall be uni
form and equal throughout the state
Property shall be assessed
for taxes under general laws, and by
uniform rules, according to its true
value" In pamphlet published by
0. A. Luckett and T. A. Rawls, Com
missioners, d. l.. Thompson, Chair
man, entitled REPORT OF THE.
STATE TAX COMMISSION OF THE
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI ON AS
SESSMENTS FOR THE YEAR
1917" vast store house of informa-
ton is collected within the compass
of very few pages. There one may
find an answer to the question: Why
the state tax commission? There
one may find perhaps upon close ex-
animation why a candidate for gov
ernor of COahoma County announces
in his campaign speeches that the
tax commission is all wrong and must
go, or else be amended so as to get
men in office who will administer the
law differently. There one may find a
reason why that particular candidate
from that particular county avows
the cause of a local equalization board
in each county elected by the people
in that county and independent of a
central supervisory authority at Jack
son. There one may also find sug-
gestions as to why the man interested
in the welfare of the whole state and
to the doctrine of equali-
~ before the law as something more
q nh 20
should be in favor of retaining that
same central supervisory authority.
No intelligent man would contend
even now that the lands Of Coahoma
county and other counties in the state
are assessed at the valuation fixed by
he constitution. But when the local
authorities of Coahoma county, exer-
Using exclusive control could get cul-
,ivated lands even worth no more than
S61.89, the valuation they now are as
'essed at, on the tax roll for only
SLIGO, Mr.. Johnston should express
10 surprise if taxpayers of other
become doubtful of the off
.ial responsibility and efficiency of
hose local authorities. If the asses
or and board of supervisors of Boil
'ar county could get land which the
ak commission says must go in at
;55.52 in order to make it average up
With lands in other counties, on the
oils for only $685., remedial treat
nent seemingly is needed there. Like
wise in Tunica county, where lands
which the tax commission require to
'e assessed at $5O88 were assessed
" the local board at $1149; and in
Sunfower county where S43.34 lands
we're assessed for 1899
From 1915 to 1917 the total as
essment of Coahoma county, Mr..
ohnston's home county, was raised
rom $7,229, OS2 to $22, SS2,61s. Boil
ar county, just south of Coahoma,
bowed a total assessment of approx
1ately eight and one-half millions in