Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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' 4 r>. - 1 PAGE TWO . s THE CLINTON CHROWCLE, CUNTON, 8. £. . THURSDAY, JULY SO, I>25 ? e DR. D.J. BRIMM DISCUSSES THE TAXATION QUESTION Presbyterian College Professor In Thoughtful Letter Urges Equity and Simplicity For Taxing System. To the Editor- of The Chronicle: I am not an authority in political •conomy. I make no claim to being a tax expert. I believe “Ux experts” are only experts in finding new sources of revenue to tap. 1 am der cidedly shy on having a say in this | matter. 'The tax question is, and has long been, the question uppermost in the minds of our people. Shyness has held me back from expressing my Ideas before, and 1 hope those who read this communication and differ 1. Let every man, woman and wage earning child, white and colored, pay an income tax out of what they make, adjusted to bear the large part of the expense of economical administration of opr public affairs in the state and county. All alike receive the benefits of organized government, and to pay for it in proportion to what they make is surely equitable. 2. Let every man and'woman of vot ing age pay a poll tax, except those not allowed* to vote. This whether from me-^and many will, no doubt—I they vote or nbt and not exempting will give me credit for being honest ( teachers, preachers or others who can and sincere evbn though they think , vote. Every one required to register to me idiotic, as men seem prone think about those that they differ with. I hav* no selfish interest to subserve or guard. I am one of a very large group of citizens of our state who were not represented in the tax conference, except indirectly—a when reaching 21. Poll tax might well be made two or three dollats in stead of one. Allow no one to vote in a primary who has not paid his or her poll tax for previous year. 3. No exemptions for living expen ses, dependents, or public service. A salaried man. It is just here that the j person who gets a salary for holding great danger of opposition to my • some public position has no business ideas lies, inasmuch a^the most of us ; bp exempted any more than one seem to thick that the other fellow who earns the same salary by dipt of ought to pay the expenses of organiz- his own enterprise. To exempt theju ed government while we enjoy the >' class legislation and unfair. Think benefits. But perhaps I ought to over it coolly. Just as good men and speak for that very reason, and surely women will seek these public positions no one-can charge me with seeking f ii there is no exemption. Every right- to protect' personal interests they see what I have to say and sug gest. i What I propose will doubtless be deemed sufficiently radical, but some times a radical proposal may serve to bring about a better adjustment. I am not a disciple of Henry George, although his “single tax” was aimed at simplicity and equity and therefore when j thinking person should sorely be will- makers and thinkers in this field. Heally simplicity and equity are what we need, along with anything that looks to the greater prosperity of our State and of its citizens individually. Theftg. .three along with personal mo rality are the"four points of the‘com pass that guides me in my thinking, and really I may be called a “single taxer”, but in a different, sense. “Suf ficiently egotistic,” you will say, but the “I’s” will vanish from here on/ Before laying down the framework of a proposed tax scheme, sdme pre liminary retrial ks would seem in order —maxims, sp to speak. No system of taxation is fair that bears more heavi ly on one class than another. No sys tem is wise that discourages enter prises which build up the state and •furnish remunerative employment—to people. N<b* system is desirable that fosters a spir.it of dishonesty in seek ing to bear his share of public ex pense. Exemption for dependents furnishes too fine ;a loophole for throwing the burden on some one else md weakening oneself morally. 4. A stiff tax on every dog; require them to be registered, and do away with those - that are not. Require of ficers to enforce this law and do not leave it to the chairman of-the school board.. As it is now, while some pay their dog tax, thousands do not and t!:ere are tens of thousands of use less curs running at large, spreading hydrophobia, and destroying multi plied thousands of dollars worth of pioperty in sheep, chickens, eggs and partridge nests. ' Likewise tax every <*at thaT is allowed to live. Worthless cats destroy countless birds every year that are real wealth to state. v.. 5. Tax every gun and pistol from an air-gun to a high-powered ,rifle and expensive repeating shotgun and require them to be reported for taxa tion. The tax should -be proportioned rate because they are protected. Sure- 1/ this will invfte the influx of foreign capital and stimulate the develop ment and improvement of railroad facilities. 13. Tax on motor vehicles, except farm iricton, and on ctsbline,' to hr used on the highways and roads. They get the benefit and can afford to pay it and most generally are will ing to do so. 14. Either exempt all religious and (benevolent gifts (listed) or none. What is given, to God. and for the benefit of mankind hardly seems fair ly, taxed, even though a man gd?e 90 per cent of his income. To make a certain per cent exempt is to leave loopholes that people will- and do use. Money spent on poor kin is neither religion nor benevolence. Probably it is best to encourage people to give liberally by not taxing. We need have no fear that they will give too Wpch. — ——- 15. No surtaxes. In this semi-so cialistic murk that we are in at pres ent, most people seem to think that wealthy people ought to be penalized for being rich, but on a percentage basis the pool- man gets just as much protection as the rich man. A man who qan honestly make $100,000 a year ought not to be penalized for it. f If he doesn’t make it honestly—bring ing about unjust legislation or by re straint of fair competition, for ex ample—he should be dealt with other wise. - Men should be encouraged, as Johm.Wesley said, to make all they can and save all they can an(^ then give all they can. 16. Ordinary gifts not counted as income, but inheritance, whether much or little, counted as income. Property other than money, received by inheritance, to be appraised by a sworn jury. 17. A heavy penalty for failure to return taxable properties, proportion ed, however, to the amount that should have been returned. 18. Auditors can receive the returns and make explanations and .there ITEMS QE INT KREST. FROM CROSS HILL Lavmi Baptist Sanday School Con ing at Ml Gallagher. Cross HU1, July 20.—In point of in terest and constructive effort the meeting of the LSurens Baptist Sun day School convention^ at Mt. Galla gher last Friday waa one 6f the best. The program for the morning session called for discussion of topics relative to enlargement. Dr. Weston Bruner spoke of Enlarged Enrollment, Rev. J. L. Corzine, state secretary of rural schools, discussed an enlarged pro gram of Teacher Training, and C. A. Power addressed his discourse to or ganized Class Efficiency. All of these were splendid efforts and ulong the line of progress. The general sub ject for the afternoon session was im provement. J. L. Corzine of Colum bia and Dr.'E. V. Hudson of Cross Hill, emphasized the importance of improved teaching in two interesting and impressive addresses. Following this as a kind of climax, to tfie day’s program, Rev. B. F. Carson of Gray mant in tqachers training. Dr. 5- V. Hudson of Cross Hill, was elected to this place and will work in conjunct ion and under the advice of the asao- piation executive board. It ia hoped that through this field worker many or;all of tha schools will introduce teadher training classes and also adopt methods of increasing attend ance. "7 ’ The people of Mt. Gallagher enter tained the convention in their accus tomed generous manner and were happy in their abundant and cordial hospitality^ to which the convention responded in a resolution of thanks. A hearty welcome was extended the visitors through sn appropriate speech by Rev. Mr. Roundtree of the Metho dist church, to which the president responded briefly. After selecting Langston church a^ the next place of meeting and electing the present offi cers for another year, the convention would be no need for a tax commis sion and a host of revenue men. But two blanks would be needed and these much simpler than those now in use. 19. The head of a. family would make return for himself, wife and minor children- whose wages he con trols; all others for themselves. 20. Perhaps the ape exception to the above scheme would be these the hunting preserves owned by wealthy Northerners. They should be taxed heayily. This plan would encourage every form of legitimate industry and ex ploit none, as the farmer who has been trying to feed us and the corpor- Court, made one of the strongest ap peals of the day, “Evangelism as the Paramount Purpose of Sunday School Work.” His appeal to teachers and parents to win and hold the children and young people for Christ was es pecially strong and touching. Two important objectives for this year were Set before the schools of the as sociation in a final address by B. Y. Culbertson of Maddens. These two aims, enlarged attendance and im provement in teacher training, is urged upon every school as the mini mum effort during this conventional year. , Rev. -H. J. Snyder of J, Poplar Springs, one of the new pastors of the association, led in a half hour de votional service at IQ o’clock, laying a spiritual foundation for the day’s exercises in jiis Scriptural reading and adjourned, being led in a; v closing prayer by the pastor of the entertain ing church. Rev. Lawton, of Green ville. RECEIPT 7? See that you get one with every cash purchase that you make here. 1 They are valuable—save them. We give 50c in trade for $10.00 worth of Cash Heceipjs. This means a saving of 5c on every cash dollar that yon spend here. The average family can save over $5.00 a year in this way. . - » SADLER-OWENS PHARMACY AT UNION STATION ' TEL. 100 Impressive "comments^ The convention took a step forward when a resolution introduced by Dr. Bruner was adopted placing a man in the field to aid the schools Jn their effort for improve- BANKERS SlSmf COMPANY Greenville, S. C. tJ .j* ■. DEALERS IN: Cotton Mill Stocks Municipal Bonds First Mortgage Bonds i% # We are interested at all times in buying and selling LYDIA COTTON MILL 7% GOLD NOTES. * Vt. (Get your name on our mailing list.) but pretty stiff. Some time ago wt! ations with their weekly pay saw a boy whose father had armed him with a gun and sent him out to slaughter,- bri-nging home t-wo moek- in'g-birds in triumph. The father is have been exploited heretofore. man can complain, since each pays ac- amr cording 1 to-what he has ma farmer Who lives off his farm ing loopholes for tax-dodging. No (sion goes. A heavy tax on guns system is sensible that leads to i would save many a useful bird’s life; Wr a law-abiding citizen, as the expres-j the merchant who lives out of his store would have to keep account of ar.d a heavy tax on pistols a good many would useful money’s going out of the state instead of circulating here?' No system is probably save equitable that will bear down on any j mizens’ lives class at a time when they are hard, '6. In detejjpining the income, the bit. No system is commendable that discourages immigration of worthy citizens and investment of capital. No system is defensible that tends to tax legitimate business out of existence. No system is tolerable'that does not touch all alike, because all get the protection of the state. It is equita ble for every one to bear his share of the public expense. It is just, where g special class is benefited, that they should bear the brunt, pay the tax that insures their benefit, the state merely acting as agent to collect their dues. It is right to employ our sys tem to tax illegitimate enterprises out of existence (such as loan-sharks, bucket-shops, carnivals, and bagnios, lor instance.) On this subject of tax ation we might learn some things from God and His Word, if there were not so many people practically following Mr. Darrow in their attitude toward the Old Book. These maxims Vtay be fairly regarded as trite hut they seem to be often last tight of, at least when the legis lature is in session. Ohe more preliminary remark be fore springing the proposal. The gov- dfnor did not ask the conference to make suggestions as to retrenchment in our annual budget. But to '‘pome it would seem that if our legislators need advice as to how to secure money, they also need some kindly ad- wite as to how to spend it. In this New Time of appalling extravagance, (i.-ly deduction would be the necessary expense of earning the income—not including improvements or enlarge ments—and listed fully in statement. To deduct for improve- ments and enlargements furnishes too fine a loophole again. Sinking funds rnd reserves and bad debts and inter est—except on money borrowed to ci rry on the business—not exempted either. More, loopholes. 7. Income from bonds and securities not exempted. There should be no tax-free securities, as has been well shown by experience. People will buy them just the same, at perhaps a lit tle lower figure, because of their soundness. And those who do not care to buy them will use their money productively. 8. No tax on lands under cultiva tion, or on real estate used for homes, or what he used as that is part of his income. For these as well as wage-, hands and salaried people to keep carefuL accounts would be promotive of thrift. For each one, even the most obscure, to pay his part for the public weal would develop interest in the state, as a corporation of which sworn ^dit is a stockholder. Probably few who pay taxes under our present sys tem would have to pay nearly as much as they pay now, while a vast number would pay who never paid any before. As the percentage would vary from time to time, it would be everybody’s interest to see that expenditures were kept within bounds. ~- D. J. BRIMM. JUST RECEIVED a car load of Nis- sen Wagons. Buy one of eight sizes that we eai^ show you. Prices right. Terms reasonable. Call telephone 3902. The Bell Company, Renno, S. C. - Si’ <* buildings otherwise used productively, nor on stocks of merchandise, nor on live stock, nor on machinery/except cars and trucks. This will encourage more cultivation, more owning of farms, less moving to town, more owning of homes, more building of homes to rent, the influx of immi- giants and manufacturing enterpris es. It will help railroads and other traction lines. Gates wide open to industry of every kind. 9. No tax on personalty, sales, fer tilizer or legal instruments. Will The Clinton Produce The men who run the big stills in the oil refineries, who watch the flow of disrillatef in "look box”, know the game. They stimulate trade at home and ownei^ the state and those who feed from the- ship of things worth while, do away public trough seem determined that with much nuisance, and encourage the social entity we call “the state”, farmers to raise better crops, improve ?hall i^ot be behind the most spend- their holdings and have better stock thrifty citizens in the matter of spend- ’ and equipment. ing the people’s money. Certain in-j 10. No tax on original forest tim- terests are ; like the daughters of the 1 terland, nor on land properly refor- Offers the following prices for Poultry: Hens .... 17c per lb. Fryers .... 20c per lb. Roosters 7c per lb.— Delivered at their plant in Clin-j: ton. Prices will change weekly. The above prices are for the coining week. borse-leech, ever crying "give, give,” while other interests are made to suf fer and almost starve—more funda mental and deserving interests at that. While a penurious and picayu- piah policy is not to be advocated or iolqrate^ certainly there'is room for and J oftll ■ for, more of public economy is manifest. To bound forward Several million dollars a year means that we shall bound into a quagmire before we know it. At any rate, much 1 •f what we do spend could easily be better spent. Remembering oiir maxims and ori enting ourselves by the four funda mental considerations of SIMPLI CITY, PROSPERITY, EQUITY and MORALITY, our proposal will be laid down in numbered sections, so that they, may be ruminated over seriatim. Lack of space ’ prohibita extended argument on the pointa, but intelli gent reflection must be depended on tp see the force and sweep of each. ested, but not including old field pine. Advantage perfectly evident. 11. Heavy tax on idle land, includ ing old field pine, both in country and town. Pasture without taxation, allowing so many acres to the animal actually grazed (mean nig horses, mules, asses, cattle, sheep, goats, hogs, but not geese.) Anybody can see the advantage of this. People who are now holding large tracts and numerous lota and adding lands to lands, to the detriment of the state and the com munity, will begin to fall over one another to get rid of this surplus, that some one ought to be using to produce wealth. ^ ^ 12. Though it may sound like her esy, no tax on corporations as such, not even the railroads, inasmuch as tl.eir employees and owners and stockholders will pay income taxes. In case, however, of non-resident ownership^ the incomes of non-resi dent stock will be taxed at regular ~fleUo Daddy - don't SUd a naekadefta yoor pocket when too home to** M. - > are skilled hands who have been refining oil all their livesr Inspecting die various “cuts” has become almost Second nature. Such experience always leads to one thing —uniform high quality in the product. - It is the same in every department of thla company. At every stage in the refining, shipping and marketing of our products you will find that the men in important positions have had lifelong experience in the oil industry to fit them for their work. Sometimes their skill goes even further back, for it is based on that of their fathers before them. It is only natural that sudfi sound experience is reflected in the quality of “Standard” products. r*- s «► \ \ STANDARD OIL COMPANY (New Jersey) I ■'f * ’ 4 4 ' i t* STAN DARD *4 GASOLINE V 1 7 A PRODUCT OF 5S YEARS’* EXPERIENCE IN REFININO N. \ l > V,. V. u. 4 / * 4. 1