The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1922-08-24

QuctlOn. MT. hlley Sdlu ludL ue udu
offered his services to the auditor in
this matter, but there was nothing
to be done as the commission had
already agreed to come to Bamberg
Mr.. Riley suggested that Mr.
Kearse be asked, if he was so much
opposed to commissions and boards
why he did not introduce bill tc
kill some of them. He feels that his
qualifications are such that he can
represent the county with some de-
gree of honor. He promised to give
the best service that is in him. He
closed amid considerable applause.
Kearse Scores High Taxes.
Hon. J. Carl Kearse was we'll re-
ceived at his home club. He compli'
mented the ladies, and urged them to
exercise their new privilege and duty
of voting in the primary. He said
that it was not necessary for him tc
tell all of the things he had done
but that he would mention some OF
them. He freely admitted that ne
had not tried to enact many laws,
for we have too many of them now;
what we need is fewer laws and
simpler laws. Mr.. Kearse then en-
tered into the tax question. He went
to the legislature when appropria-
tions and prices were at their peak,
he said, but feels the time has come
when something must be done to low
er expenses. Mr.. Kearse said Mr..
Rilev failed to mention that the Sec
ond year he (Mr. Kearse) was in the
house the greatest reduction ever
made in taxes had been effected. He
had worked consistently for these re-
ductions; in fact he had talked low
taxes so much that he had been call
ed a low tax crank, but he feels with
conditions as they are now he is
justified in his position.
Mr.. Kearse says he is believer in
local self-government. He feels the
people of Bamberg county are well
able to take care of their own affairs
without the assistance of the CEN
tralized boards and commissions in
Columbia. He takes issue with Mr..
Riley as to the saving to be effected
by killing the commissions, etc., and
told of the amounts these boards and
commissions are costing the state;
the welfare board getting $4,000
for visiting the counties, making an
INSPECTION and issuing a report with
recommendations only; the tax COM
mission costing $4,000; the high
way commission over 100000, and
the board of health $4,000. He
does moi; object to the highway COM
mission, if properly operated, as it is
necessary under the federal aid pro-
visions. A small appropsiat
would not be Objectionable; no one
would kick if the health department
hired a good doctor and gave him a
clerk or two and furnished him with
free serum, all of which ought not to
cost more than $4,000. But the tax
commission he does not stand for at
all. Our local assessors know our
lands far better than men in Colum-
bia. Our appropriations have gone
up from one to six and a half mill
ions, and it is time to stop.
The tax reform, said Mr.. Kearse,
had resulted from the appointment OF
q Joint committee of three from the
house and three from the senate, who
had investigated the matter and
made their report. He favors all or
the tax reform bills, but he favors
more than adjustment OF the tax
burden. If reelected he will con-
tinue his work to hold down appro-
priations. Our county, said Mr..
Kearse, is in good financial condition.
better perhaps than any county IN
the state. He had helped to reduce
our county taxes by 35 per cent. He
desires it understood that though ne
is for strict economy and lower taxes,
he does not favor cutting out any
essential; he believes in liberal pen
sions for the Confederate veterans,
and is strong advocate OF the
schools; we must educate our chill
dren, he said.
He favors tightening up the laoor
law so as to give the farmer pro-
lection against his laborers forsaklns
him during cultivation and gathering
season. He favors retaining all OF
the auto license money in the coun-
ty. Regarding the land assessment
matter, he said. the naturally the
tax commission woul Ut admit that
it was afraid of him-this in regard
IN the letter to Mr.. Riley, copy OF