Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1921-10-24
THIS is circus season in South
Georgia and it is circus day in

that makes US forget our business,
our worries, our most intimate in
terests for the time being, to follow
the lure of the sawdust ring.
There are those who object to the
circus and its coming; they say it
does no good and takes the money
out of the community. But you can
put it down in the top of your hat
that none of those who make these
objections are the youngsters, and
likewise there are none of them who
are not among those who feel that it
costs them a little in the way Of
profits that might have been.
Really, the circus brings happiness
and contentment to the countryside
that nothing else can bring. 1t is the
corn-ield darkey's entertainment for
the whole year; it is the street ur-
ehin's INSTALLATION of fairyland; it
is every mans land of make believe
come true.
THE Marion County Patriot speaks
out. There is tax lodging in
Marion, and it demands that the com
ing grand jury get after the big
fish that have been getting away. 1t
says in the current issue of that
splendid little weekly:
I'VE would respectfully suggest
that the grand jury get busy the first
day of court and begin thorough in
vestigation of the manner in which
our people return their pror erty for
taxation.
Take, for instance, tic ten cases
enumerated below, and you will &c
oniya vague idea of just how many
taxpayers are lodging taxes. 1t is
not just; it is not right, and some
thing must be done.
eve can see no reason far paying
tax receiver and tax equalizer3 for
doing absolutely an injury t. the
county. The committee appointed to
investigate this matter should be
composed of men of intelligence and
honesty
"There are many things to be in
vestigated by a grand jury besides
little niger skin game All VIC
lations of the law should be investi-
gated and all violators of the law
should be punished.
1--WE are after big game at this
session of court, and the big game
to bag at this term are the tax
dodgers. Taxes are high and hard
to pay and the burden should bear
equally on the rich and poor alike.
Go after this matter with gloves
off, Mr. Grand Juror, and let's get
results. Have these tax dodgers call
ed before your body and find the sea-
i son they refuse to return their prop
I erty for taxes.
Get in behind your tax receiver
and board Of tax equalizers and make
them show their hands.
There are favors being shown
some folks in Marion county and
the same should stop"
Here follow ten specific instances
of alleged tax lodging with names
omitted, but which evidently Editor
Hirschburg is prepared to substan-
tiate with records.
###
IT is evident that Marion county is
confronted with the same condi-
tions existing elsewhere. They exist
in Sumter county, and, SO far as we
are able to ascertain, to a greater or
lesser extent in every other county.
1t is the way of the world. The
great majority of people go quietly
along their way, give in their meager
property year after year at its full
worth and pay their taxes without
protest-although sometimes with a
MISUNDERSTANDING their assess
ments too small, usually, to be worth
protesting. And the comparative few
may always be depended upon to
give in as little of their property
as possible, fight every effort to un.
cover more of it or assess it on a
basis of value given the smaller mans
holdings, and shirk his share of the
public burden in every available way
1t is a difference in individuals. And
the big fellow usually gets away
with it because he is big fellow anc
has the ability to do it.
Change human nature and yol
viii change this condition; take
away these mems ability and Civ,
them consciences and real considera
ton for the other fellow with les
ability, and you will remedy the evi
the Patriot asks the grand jury t,
put stop to. Maybe the grand jur!
can do it for the instant, but it can
not cure the trouble.