The review., 1921-02-03

bonds to make the permanent improve
ments necessary at our institutions
for the care of the unfortunate and
defective Of our state and at our in
stitutions for higher learning, and to
defray the current annual expenses
of an economically administered gov.
ernment.
No set of men had any right TO an
ticipate what the income of North
Carolina would be through taxation
for the next two years. The progress
SlVes of the state had just won a
great victory. We were pledged to
progress. We had amended our state
constitution upon the subject of tax
alton. We had cleared away the OBJ
stac1es and made ready to take care
OF this states unfortunate and to
make our institutions for higher learn
ing worthy of the age in which we
live. What the representatives of this
new day in North Carolina would do
could not be calculated by a budget
commission, and we ought not to be
bridled by it's recommendations.
| We do not want to move and have
our being as crippled, weak and
halting state, but We want to stand
up like mighty giant of progress and
go forward in the upbmlding of our
I state apd the glorifcation OF our God.
The man who whispers: ''Go slow,
we haven't got the money!" 'the peo-
pie won't stand for any foolishness"
| iS 9CInon and hot
| North Carolina is determined to make
our government strong for the protec-
tion and upbuilding Of our people.
We must not only take care of these
noble institutions, but if We are true
servants Of the people, we must build
a system Of hard-surfaced state high
ways in this state and cease to waste
| money building mud roads.
The people demand that this whole
program shall be carried through, and
fully know that they are amply able
to do it, if they can get their public
servants to enact the legislation nec-
| essary. If they did not want these
things done, why did they elect me
governor of North Carolina? For
advocated the whole program in the
primaries and in the general election
from Swain to Pasquotank. How can
we raise the money with which to pay
the interest for the public improve
ments and the current expenses OF
the government? There is no diff
cutly about it if we will but get away
from the idea that the only thing we
can justly tax is the property of the
weakling and the widow, and realize
that the modern sense Of justice in tax
ation suggests less of the burden upon
the principal property Of the people
and more upon annual income, profits
and business.
We can construct a system OF high
ways in North Carolina without in
creasing the taxation now paid one
dollar by simply adopting the modern
conception of progressive govern
ment; borrow the money, and use the
automobile tax to pay the interest,
and realize that maintenance and up
keep is not a new burden, but will be
smaller one than is now borne by
keeping up the mud holes of the state
called roads. We ought not to waste
one dollar of this money building or
keeping UP dirt roads in the state; our
revenue to defray our other interest
charges and current expenses should
be levied upon the subjects now taxed,
and If necessary, taking exclusively to
the state some Of the license taxes
now allowed towns and cities and
counties The income tax is the fair
est of all taxes when rightly levied.
In my judgment it ought not to be
graduated. We would not graduate a |
tax if we were levying an advalorem
tax upon the property from which the
income is derived, and a graduated |
tax upon the income derived from the |
property is just as unjust as 1t would |
he if levied on an ad va1Orem basis. IL |
it we're proposed in North Carolina TO |
lew a tax of so cents on the hundred |
dollars of values on the man owning |
one hundred acres of land, and IS |
cents upon the one hundred dollars OF |
value ON persons owning 200 acres or
land, and so on, it would shock the
sense of justice Of our people and not
for one moment would it be tolerated:'
but when we levy It upon the income
we have followed a popular tallacy
and come to believe in graduating the
tax. I believe our income tax should
be a fixed rate above the exemption
and let each man pay according to his
income. This is just, and if this prin-
ciple is adopted there will not be a
murmur Of opposition throughout
North Carolina.
If there is any other subject upon
which any committee Of your honor
able body or any individual member
Of it desires teh governors opinion, it
will give me great pleasure to confer
with you at any time.
In conclusion desire to say that the
people of the state expect from this
general assembly and our administra-
L:a.. ti,1, and cor,ar1latioI1 |