Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1920-08-01

eminent is contrary to every recog-
nized principle of taxation:
2. The Constitution of our State
requires that all taxation, for educa-
tional as we'll as other public under
takings, shall be ad valorem and uni
form:
8. No municipal corporation has
the constitutional nor inherent right
to levy street or communication tax
without more; it has only the right
to require it's citizens to come and
work the streets, but may relieve
them of this work by the payment of
so much money; it therefore follows
that the money so paid in can be used
only for street purposes; unless there
is an excess, which may be covered
into the general treasury and then
appropriated to any purpose:
Would Aid Little.
4. From the present levy of $500
the city receives only 100000; so
to increase this $500, or to $500,
would bring in only about 100000
additional, which would give very lit
tie relief to the schools, and which is
too small to justify our doing some
thing which we all admit is of doubt
full legality and. is contrary to princi.
pie.
AS l see it, the proper operation OF
the public schools of the city is pri-
marily a responsibility upon the
Mayor and City Council; the Mayor
and City Council also has direct and
full control of the board of tax as
SCISSORS and of all finances of the
city; in the Mayor and City Council
then, should be lodged, not only the
power, but the duty of maintaining
and properly operating the different
institutions and municipal undertake
ings; if the present revenue is insult
ficient it is within the power of the
Mayor and Council to require the
board of assessors to increase the to
tai property returns. This Gncreas'
should be brought about, not by {
general increase of the valuations
of the property now on the tax books
but by equalizing the values of sucl
property and placing on the books thu
| thousands and hundreds of thous
ands of dollars worth of property
that is not now and has never beer
on the tax books.
| l see by newspaper accounts tina
the present board of assessors fo1
the city have notified all taxpayer
that they may expect considerable
increase being made by the Board IL
the value of all property now on thu
books; but how much better, i
seems to me, would it be for thu
Board to notify the property owner
who have never fairly returned thei
property that they may expect tn
Board to find and place all their prop
erty on the tax books; it is not
general raise in valuations we need
but a simple equalization of value
and the return of all property sub
iect to tax; some are paying enough
now. why make their burden still
heavier; some have never borne thei
part, and, | reckon, some never will
But | am asked to pass bill making
it a little heavier on those least abb
to bear it, by providing the funds il
this way, make it possible for tn
present system of tax lodging tt
continue. This / can not do, how
ever much / dislike lot to carry on
the request contained in the resolu
ton.
Unties Councils Hands.
But it is said by some that thu
funds might not be realized from
the property tax, and the schools
would not have sufficient funds t.
operate next year. ! hope such
condition will not arise, but to saf'
guard against it 1 have proposed
change in the law so as to authorize
the Mayor and Council to appropriate
to the schools such sum as may bt
necessary to maintain the schools
from out the special levy of five
mills heretofore provided for, such
sum not to exceed three mills.
Yours truly,
STEPHEN PACE.
The amendment referred to by
Mr.. Pace follows:
Amend by striking the following
words: