The Dillon herald. [volume] (Dillon, S.C.) 1894-????, 1919-02-20
A GOOD COTTON BILL.
Senator Baker of Florence Would
Limit Cotton Acreage by
Legislation.

The following bill, which limits ten
acres of cotton to the plow, has been
introduced by Senator D. Gordon
Baker:
Be is enacted by the general assem-
bly, of the State of South Carolina:
Section /. Every managing head of
any farming enterprise in this state
shall be required TO file with the au-
ditor OF the county in which such
farming enterprise is conducted, be-
fore June l of each year, or for the
year 1919 at such later date as may
be fixed by the governor, if he deems
same to be advisable, a sworn stale
ment of the number of acres Of land
under cultivation, the number OF
acres of land under cultivation, the
number of acres planted in cotton,
and the number OF horses, mules and
other animals used in such enterprise.
The land owner to make return for
his own farming operations and fer
share crops lands, and the lessee OF
lands to mae return for the lard5
rented by him; and the failure to
make such return or the making Of
a false return shall subject the per-
son, firm or cor.o alton operating or
controlling such enterprise to fine OF
not less than $40 nor more than $25
per acre for each acre Of land plant
ed in cotton, which fine shall be a
lien second only to taxes, on al crops
produced by the said farming enter
prise, and may be collected or en-
forced in any manner provided fer
the collection or enforcement of other
liens; Provided, however, That the
planter who does not produce more
than ten bales of cotton per each an
imal used shall not be subject to pen
alties imposed for the violation OF
the provisions of this act.
Sec. 2. A tax of $25 per acre shall
be and is hereby imposed upon all
lands planted in cotton by any farm
ing enterprise in this st tlte in excess
of ten acres of land per horse, mule
or other animal used in such enter
prise, which said tax shall be payable
on or before October Is of each year
to the treasurer of the county in
which such farming enterprise is con-
Quoted and such tax shall const tute
tax lien on all crops produced by.
the said farming enterprise, which
tax shall be collected and enforced in
the manner now provided by law for
the collection of other taxes.
Sec. 8. One fourth of all fines col
lected under the provisions of this
act shall be paid in each case to the
person furnishing the information
and evidence upon which the oonvic-
tion was obtained and all other mon
eys collected hereunder whether fines
or taxes, shall be paid to the treasurer
of the county where farming enter
prise is conductor, and shall be used
to defray the necessary expen-e in
cident to the enforcement Of this t,
and the remainder, if any, shall be
used as fund for permanent road
improvements in such county.
Sec. 4. The comptroller general of
this State is hereby author d and
directed to furnish the &uditor Of
each county with quest 'onaires sui
ably prepared for the purpose of re-
turns required by this act, and the
county commissioners of each county
are authorized and directed t. make
such provisions as may be ne es airy
for the effective admin ;tration O.
this law in their respective counties
and to pay the expenses there or cut
of the general funds of tie unit.
Sec. 5. This act shall take effect
Immediately upon its 2pp o;al by the
governor.