The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1922-06-22
Tax Commission Asked Not
Increase Land Assessment

ABOUT OH d parity Wlln lue COuHtISo
surrounding Bamberg, excepting
Orangeburg. 1t was brought out that
there had not been an increase Of as
sessments this year in any of the sur
rounding counties.
The land valuations, arrived at by
an average of land sales, are as fol-
lows: Bamberg s26.57; Barnwell,
S25.43; Allendale, S25.16; Colleton,
S12.63; Hampton, $21.39, while the
values in two upper Carolina coun-
ties are: York, S30.S5; assessment,
s7.e5, and Anderson s67.37 with an
assessment of S12.75.
B. w. Niley interposed with the
suggestion that the lands, for the
greater part, of Bamberg and Barn
we'll we're the same in value.
Mr.. Lyon quoted many figures to
show that the commission cannot
assess in one county the same as the
adjoining county, as this would eX-
tend all over the state, and thus get
nowhere. 1t was stated at this point
that the commission had ordered the
land assessments increased in this
county in 1918, but that for some
reason not stated in the meeting the
order had never been made effective
for which, Mr.. Lyon said, the COM
mission was not responsible. The
present order of the commission
simply restores the assessment to the
figure it should have been.
S. G.. Mayfeld stated in a clear and
convincing manner the actual situa-
tion that confronts Bamberg county.
Years ago it was the system of Barn
we'll county, before Bamberg was cut
off, to group it's townships for asses
sing the lands. 1t was realized that
some of the townships we're possess
ed of land far more valuable than
others. A considerable area of the
county is in low lands that are fire.
quently inundated and therefore of
less value, although during good
years producing fine crops. Taken
as a whole he is of the opinion that
the lands of Barnwell are more pro-
ductive than those Of Bamberg.
The state became drunk with pros
perity, said Mr.. Mayfeld, during the
war period, and we are now paying
the price, and for this condition he
does not hold the commission re-
sponsible; on the other hand he/s SYM
pathizes with the commission in it's
work in carrying out the law.
Everything was getting along fine
here until an unlimited visitor came,
the boil weevil. Instead of produc-
ing normal crop of $4,000 to $4,000
bales of cotton, last year the produc-
ton dropped to little more than
1000 bales. eve had one bale in
eight left to u.s." he said. "Our
farmers haye not gorgotten how to
raise cotton; they work just as hard
as ever. Less than one bale to the
plow was made on the Mayfield farms
last year. I would like to ask how
many farmers have made single
clear dollar in two years. We have
tried truck, with very little success.
We are simply wiped out of existence.
The Ehrhardt and Olar districts made
nothing from excessive rains, and if
it is possible you can subtract the
weevil damage from nothing. The
1922 crop promises a repetition OF
last year unless We have dry July.
Our taxes should not be increased
Mr.. Mavfeld said that many of our
best farmers are unable to pay the
1921 taxes. The weevils had eaten
up the crop in spite of government
CApSIl GuflCS. OCFCl Oh opSNAAS AAA
stances of the fearful ravages of the
weevil were related, in one instance
a farmer producing Sc bales of cot
ton to 105 plows. Years ago the Pied
mont had petitioned the legislature
for relief because of the drought; the
appeal was heard. 1--WE are a hard
working people. Suppose cotton goes
up; it takes everything to pay ex-
penses, and there is nothing left to
live on. Our people have done their
level best; we cannot be kept down,
but 1 beg that the commission will
not add to our awful burden by fur
ther increasing ou rtaXes.'
Representative J. Carl Kearse
made the following motion, briefly
stated: That this body go on record
as being in favor of allowing the as
sessment of land to remain the same
as in recent years. The motion was
duly seconded. and after further dis
cussion was unanimously adopted by
q rising vote