The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1920-10-29


total tax paid by each county in 1918
with the alleged total tar to be paid 10
1920. This table shows the total of all
taxes. both state and county. paid in
1918 TO have been a little over $ll, 900,
900. and the alleged total Of taxes to be
paid in 1920 to be q little wei SIG 900,
600. or an increase Of about IS. 600. 900.
This comparison even with the honest
figures had been published would be
unfair, deceptive and misleading for
two distinct reasons
l. This table is intended to charge
Governor Roberts Administration With
all increase of taxes in the State from
1918 to 1920.
2. 1t is intended to create the i'm.
preston in the minds of the voters that
all increases Of county taxes levied by
the County Courts for vsrious local
purposes is to be changed to Governor
Roberts Administration.
There was an increase in County taxes
alone in the various counties in the
State of Tennessee in 1919 over 1918 OF
Sl'845, 900, The levies providing for
this increase we're fixed by the various
County Courts in Tennessee on the first
Monday in January, 1918, mt only alb
solutely INDEPENDENT Of the State Gov
ernment. but before Governor Roberts
WAS ever inauguarted Governor of Ten
nessee. 1t would have been just as fair
to Rave compared the total taxes paid
10 1910 with 1920 as to have compared
1918 with 1920. and it would have been
jusi as fair to have compared to charged
the preseut administration withincreases
in federal taxes: with incr Ease in NUM-.
cipal taxes, or with increases 10 the
taxes of otaer States Of the Union a.
to have charged his administration with
one cent of increase of county taxes
either in 1918 or 1919.
According to This table there is a 81,
700, 900 increase in county take, of 1920
over 1919. This added 10 the increase
in county taxes of 1919 over 1918 of 81,
845. 900, makes a total increase of Coun-
ty taxes from 1918 To 1920 of about SO,
$3.50, 90. Deducting this from the IS,
000. 0U0 alleged increase from 1918 t.
1920 would leave 81. 450, 900, of which
$685.. 1913 represents he elementary
&C oil fund; This amount deducted
from the 81. 45O, 900 leaves 1853, 277 In.
crease in state revenue proper.
1t should be distinctly borne 10 minC
thu; t he elementary school levy which
produces this 1896. 723 was provided
for in an educational bill passed by The
regular session in 1919 more than two
mon,hs after the Act creating the Stats
Boara oi Equalization had been passed
and the act providing a sliding scale VI
rates, go that this is q distinct lew
separate and apart from the so-callet
Roberts Tax Laws. passed for th.
purpose If lettering the elementsr,
schools OF the State and guaranteeing
to every county . minimum school tern
of lever months.
To illustrate the result of this levy
Carter County: the ~home.county of Col
Taylor, will receive sufficient revnu,
under this levy to increase the length
of the school term in his county fifty
days Col. Taylor should tell The
people or his county and TENNESSEE
whether he is opposed to this levy which
gives to bis county fifty days incress,
In the school term.
The issue is pointed and clear ant
cannot be befuddled by distortion Of
facts. Under Governor Roberts Ad
ministration there is an increase II
taxes of sl;45O, 600 for which his I'D
ministration assumes oil responsibility
The responsibility for all increases res
solely on the magistrates of the various
counties making such increases. OF this
increase of 81. $50, 600. 1886. 723 goes In
to the elementary school fund to guar.
antee a minimum school term Of sever
months to the boys and girls Of The
poorer sections Of the State of Ten,
nessee. II Col. Taylor is opposed ts
this levy for the rural school fund. lie,
him boldly and honestly say so to The
people of Tennessee and let the schoo
children Of Tennessee know who theil
friend is.
The remaining increase of taxes Of
$49l. 1855. for which the present admia
istrstion assumes foil responsibility