The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1921-01-20
governor READS
ASSEMBLY MESSAGE
STATE FINANCES DEALT WITH
ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY.
Tax Question Discussed
Recommends Tax on Incomes and Gas
oline Tax.-Not in Favor of
Cotton Acreage Legislation.

Columbia, Jan. 12.-Governor R.
A. Cooper read his annual message
to the two houses of the general as
sembly in joint session at noon today.
The message deals almost exclu-
siYely with state finances. 1t is the
opinion of the governor that the
property tax levy should be reduced
from twelve and one-half mills to
nine mills, and the governor sug-
gests measures whereby the three
and one-half mills may be raised
from other sources. His recommen-
dations are for the enactment of
measure for a tax on incomes, gifts
and inheritances, an increase of bus
mess and privilege licenses, and a
consumption tax on gasoline, tobac-
co and soft drinks. Nine mills on
property would produce about four
million dollars.
A graduated scale is suggested for
the income tax provisions, exempting
young men of payment on $1,000,
and married men of $4,000. A tax
of one-half of one per cent. would be
levied on net income up to $4,000;
one per cent. from $4,000 to $4,000;
two per cent. from $4,000 to s10,-
600; three per cent from $4,000 to
$4,000; and four per cent on all net
income above $4,000.
The governor pointed out that a
tax of one cent per gallon on gaso-
line would yield approximately s40o,-
00o.
Cotton acreage reduction by force
of legislation is not deemed exped-
lent by the governor, but the condi-
ton makes it of sufficient importance
"that the farmer must be impressed
with the absolute necessity of a re-
duction of cotton acreage for the
year 1921"
Because of the widespread viola
ton of the prohibition law, Governor
Cooper asks for more funds
for enforcement. He emphasizes
that if the revenue from fines and
forfeitures had been paid into the
state treasury, there would have been
q balance to the credit Of this depart
ment. The governor is of the opin-
ion that the violators of the prohibi-
tion law should serve terms in pris-
on and "that the law should be so
amended that a person found guilty
of wilful violation of the prohibition
law should serve term of imprison-
ment, and that the payment of any
amount of money should not suffl-
cient to relieve from the service of
the Imprisonment sentence, and that
there should be no suspended SEN
tences except after the service of
from three to six months"
Another recommendation as to
change in existing statutes is that of
the state highway department. The
governor would relieve the state
highway department of the duty Of
collecting automobile license fees by
transferring these duties to the Office
of secretary of state, who in turn
would distribute them through the
clerk of court of each county.
The governor also recommended
complete revision of the present state
pension law for Confederate veter-
ans. He would abolish the state pen
sion board and distribute the pen
sions through the Office of the comp
troller general, which plan obtained
up until two years ago. 1t is also
recommended that the pensions be
paid ssonly to those Confederate SOL
diers and sailors, or the widows of
such, who are in need of financial
assistance. Under the present stat
ute al VETERANS receive pension,
graduated scale obtaining as to in
come.