The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1923-11-20
hays THE POWER TO TAX
lis POWER TO DESTROY
kew JUDGE LEAVES B9RD1,NN
OATH IN CHARGE DELIVER
IN At TERRELL COURT,
uAw MATTERS TOUCHED ON

sANy MATTERS TOUCHED ON
,,.rss That Closer Attention Be CIV
% Financial Affairs by Public Of
Gcia,s and Enforcement of the
Game, Prohibition and Other Laws.
1rdge NJ. ]. Yeomans is presiding
,r.r Terrell superior court the first
lone since his appointment to the
II ndoeship of the Pataula judicial cir
r,;t several months ago, and when
l. November term of court conven-
Monday morning a large number
citizens were present to hear his
,Aarge TO the grand jury.
# is generally conceded that it was
me- Of the most timely and forceful
ssrges ever delivered here, covering,
# did, a large variety of subjects
mblic interest and importance. Al
,r calling attention to statutes he is
soured by law to bring to the atten-
In Of the grand jury and the duties
county officials, Judge Yeomans
NIX I'D The question of taxation, up
which he made some highly illu-
mating remarks. On this subject he
aid in part;
Discourses on Taxes.
with the exception OF poll taxes
nd certain occupation and special
syes, all taxes row levied for state
nd county purposes are levied upon
uoerty and the state and county
sye A special lien for taxes upon all
noerty returned for taxation. 1t is
HAIR and unjust for one to pay taxes
bon property returned for taxation
bile another goes free. All property
Eould be assessed on an equal, fair
lust basis. There should be no
elimination whatever. This applies
18th equal force to taxes within the
bmty in reference to property local
situated, and it should apply with
bual force as far as the state taxes
concerned to property located III
Terent counties. If property located
b Terrell county is assessed at
gber valuation than similar property
lated and of equal value in Barlow
lmty, then there is an unfair and
ust discrimination so far as the
rdens OF taxation for state purpos-
are concerned. Every tub should
Ind on its own bottom, and every
should be equal to every other
B, and every tax payer that owns
operty should be willing, and If not
Hing, then made to carry his part OF
burden. All should pay according
their respective ability and to the
ue OF the property returned 1or
Ration. =,
When property has been returned
taxation there should be no valid,
bsisting reason why all taxes LEVIED
On it should not be collected. The
bte and county have liens, and those
BIS can be enforced by the issuance
executions and levy upon the prop
y returned for taxation. Unless we
our duty in respect to these mat
the chances are that we will have
Other commission created by the
ksaturc. with another horde OF OF
holders whose express duty will
to collect taxes. I understand that
legislature now in session is con-
hplating the creation of just such
Office. In my opinion we have too
my commissions now, and too many
Ice holders.
0f still greater Importance to all
payers and to all our people is
way the money which is paid by
people in the way of taxes Tor the
ntaining our county and state gov
Rments is expended.
Officials Uniformly Honest.
During the years l have watched
lnty affairs and state affairs, both
rnty officers and state officers have
In uniformly honest, so far as l
oW but during that time | have
n thousands and literally hundreds
thousands and millions of dollars
d by overburdened taxpayers vast
and Squandered, and in many in
noes for political purposes only,
tor which the people received no
oiiI w HdlGNEI.
There is not business concern
the state that could exist for twelve
nthS If run in the same slip shod
inner as our state government is
palIy and generally run; and tiie
te government could not run unless
nad almost unlimited power to tax.
ltIemen, the power to tax is the
Wer to destroy. We are now fast
CHING the danger line. Those who
Fclsee the power of taxation should
coed with great caution, and should
sure that the money raised by
alton Tor the benefit of the whole
pIe, Tor the support of our county
state governments, is wisely and
nomlcally expended, and that value
keved IS had for every dollar paid
our people. Anything less works a
dt injustice and necessarily Grip
Our industries and places unjust
uehS upon an already overburden-
by Tar the largest part of all mon
ldiSed by taxation, by the state,
LOT roads, schools and pensions.
are OF greatest importance. No
VIII seriously dispute the fact that
need better roads. They are help
III every way. We also need bet
S'nools Tor the education of those
"lN take our places in the
lI'Hre. But while we need good
w. better roads and better schools