Funding for the digitization of this title was provided by R.J. Taylor, Jr. Foundation.
About The Columbia sentinel. (Harlem, Ga.) 1882-1924 | View Entire Issue (July 3, 1922)
4 ANOTHER WORD AS TO GEORGIA STATE POLITICS. (Continued from Page One.) income tax upon his handsome salary, there fore, he can well afford to advocate a plan by which the incomes of other people will be ble-taxed. Governor Hardwick does not have to pay any income tax upon his salary; therefore, he can well afford to advocate a system which would double tax the incomes of other it seems a strange thing that a man who pays almost no taxes at all, should apparently have gone wild on the question of taxing people. ft - i What tax does Governor Hardwick pay, and where does’ he pay it? It’s a fair question; let him answer it. Let him show a tax receipt, as the highest and best evidence. W here does Henry Fulbright pay taxes, and how much does he pay? How much does Clayt Robson pay, and where does he pay it ? How much do the Nabobs of the Capital City Club pay, and where do they pay it? How much does John Slaton pay, and where does he pay it? i asked Henry Fulbright whether his as¬ sessors collected a tax on the hundred million dollars of idle gold piled up in the Regional Bank of Atlanta. It was a fair question; has he answered it ? He has not. His assessors did not assess that gold for taxation. The tax collector of Fulton Coufity did not collect one cent on that hundred million dollars ■ of idle gold. T » ’ ' K. the Fulbrightism taxes wash-pot and the cooking stove; it taxes the bed and t)je house¬ hold furniture; it taxes the plow and the hoe, tlie ax and the spade; it taxes the wagon, the harness and the trace chains, as well as every farm implement that goes into the production of the cotton and the corn that feed and clothe the American people; but these vast hoards of wealth like that which I have mentioned go scot free, and they pay none of the expenses of r the State, while (enjoying every opportunity which the State affords, and all the protection i .given to them hv our laws. Is it fair that such an unequal system as this should continue? If it does, our people will be ruined beyond ' redemption. I In tho one County of Emanuel, my infor ’ mation is that five hundred small land owners have been sold out of house and home for taxe.s, during this year. What are those people to do, when the sher¬ iff drives the family away from its little home and its little farm, and puts them into the big road; the wife, and the children, do' and the penni¬ less husband—what are they to in the name of God? , What has happened in Emanuel, has hap¬ pened throughout the State, in some Counties to a less degree, and in other Counties to a * greater, hut the situation is general and a one, ; it, means the destruction of the small land own • er, and the absorbtion of all the wealth into Hie hands of the few. The grinding power of taxation, together with the contraction of the currency and tho terrible tariffs, which cause our people to have to pay such tremendous prices for the necessa¬ ries of life when they buy them in the stores, are all pushing the common people toieard the Niagara, over which they will go down hope¬ lessly, unless this wild demand for more offices and more salaries and more, taxes is stopped. After all is said and done, taxation is con¬ fiscation, to the extent that the Government needs revenue to support it in carrying on its functions. This confiscation is a necessary evil; but when Hie Government goes crazy with extrav¬ agance?; when those in office become cruelly re¬ gardless of the limits of reason and modera¬ tion; when they multiply overhead expenses un¬ til the pyramid is standing upon its apex in¬ stead of upon its broad base, what can happen except some kind of revolution? I see by the Now York papers that there are nineteen men in that State alone, who ad¬ mit under oath that their net incomes each gear equal a million dollars, or exceed it. Previous to our Civil War, we had no mil¬ lionaires, but now, under the contraction of tlie currency, and tlie special privileges given to Na¬ tional Banks, and the enormous tariff rates giv¬ en lo our manufacturers, the yearly incomes of hundreds of American citizens, who are rob¬ bers at heart, exceed a million dollars. \\ here this is the case, there must be many millions of men who have no net incomes at That is so in the State of Georgia. We have specially protected men in our State, who are rolling in wealth, such as Croesus never pos¬ sessed, such as Solomon never possessed, such as no king ever possessed; yet they never get THE COLUMBIA SENTINEL, THOMSON, GEORGIA. enough, They want to go on from million to million; and they do not seem to care a curse how many millions of men, women and children are dragg ed down to destruction, into vice, and to crime, to suicide as a final escape from conditions which have grown intollerable. From one letter which came to me on June 6th, I quote the following: * “Dear Senator: I am moved after reading the last issue of your valuable paper to give you a little light on the maneuvers of Fulbright in Thomas County. This County has received special notice from hint and one J. F. Roberts, a special tax collector, or something, ap¬ pointed by Fulbright. In early summer, one J. F. Roberts,\jras presented to the board nf commissioners at a hurriedly called meet¬ ing. The chairman of the board alone knew of his busi¬ ness. He explained to the board that he was a special ; tax agent, appointed by Fulbright to collect back taxes I from citizens who had failed to make returns had ■ and been assigned to work among the Yankees of this town who had moved their residence here to escape taxation in other States. He said he had been working for the State all the year and had reached a settlement whereby he would get about $60,000 for the State from two parties, and that on the same basis these parties wanted to pay the county about $110,000. He said he customarily receiv¬ ed 33 1-3 per cent but had agreed with the chairman of our board to collect it for 25 per cent. Our board lost Us head and fell for it. Ten per rent is the legal limit and, by the way. that 10 per cent is only to be paid under the Fulbright act of 1913 to an auditor appointed by the local board of “tax equalizers.” This man Roberts stated he only wanted an oral agreement with the board to pay him and wanted no re¬ cord made, and that Fulbright required him to audit the county’s books for two years thereafter, free of charge. A week later, he turned up with the money, and of ferred to settlo with the county commissioners. Our chairman had had secret meetings with Mr. Roberts in Atlanta, and that Roberts bad without au¬ thority already collected this moincy when lie first ap¬ proached the board. Our Commissioners were hot for the money which Roberts hold, and sent a committee to Atlanta to con¬ fer with Fulbright. Mr. Fulbright told this committee it was perfectly legal for them to pay Roberts 25 per cent and they were getting a bargain at that, and had Graham Wright, acting Attorney to give them a written opinion to that effect. So, this committee accepted from Roberts the money after allowing him 25 per cent. Mr. Roberts had nothing to do, practically, in col¬ lecting this money. These taxes were due from the es¬ tates of two depeasod Yankee residents, Mr. Hanner and Mrs. Dustin, and a full return of their holdings had been made to the Ordinary's cofirt of this county. But our commissioners were bulldozed into thinking there was no other way to get it except by paying Mr. Roberts. He told the board that Fulbright would not allow them to examine the records in ilia office to see from whom the State collected back taxes, unless they employed Mr. Roberts. Tlie commltteo, sent to Atlanta, reported that it LOOKED MIGHTY ROTTEN, While they were in At lanta, Mr. S. G. McLendon told them Roberto was a boot¬ legger, and In tho presence of Fulbright told them that Roberts hnd just let Governor Dorsey have several thou¬ sand dollars, taking Dorsey’s note. And Mr. McLendon further said he had information that Roberts had through the keeper of the restaurant at tho Kimball House, sent Dorsey several thousand more. Tho appointment of Roberts, under the Fulbright Law, is made by the Gov¬ ernor and Tax Commissioner.jointly.” Bear in mind Hie list of Counties that has already been published, and tlie amount of ex¬ penses incurred by each in supporting this dou¬ ble set of tax officials. In addition to that list, which will lie repro¬ duced so that you can compare one County with another throughout the State, I will add the fol¬ lowing: In McDuffie County* the cost per annum of assessing the taxes is approximately $240. This, of course, is in addition to the paying of the tax receiver and Hie tax collector. McDuffie is a small County. Conditions there have undergone no substantial change, ex cept as made by the contraction of the currency which began in October, 1920; yet this small County has to bear the expense every year of three tax assessors and one clerk, in addition to the tax receiver and the tax collector. Whore is the necessity of assessing the pro¬ perty of a small County like McDuffie every year? Why should not "the assessment made this year stand for next? Why should not the as¬ sessment of last year liave stood for this? There is no excuse for it under the sun. In Pickens County, my information is that the annual cost of assessing Hie property is $500. What changes are going on in Pickens that the property has to be re-assessed every year? What fluctuations in land values are taking place in Pickens which necessitates a permanent hoard of assessors, aggregating $500, and ad¬ ding that much to tho burdens of the tax pay¬ ers? In Houston County, the expense of assess ing the property is $912 annually. What ehang es are going on in lloustoij County that the land should Wave to be re-assessed every year, at a cost to the tax payers of $912.00? I would really like for somebody to tell me why it is that the farms of Houston County as sessed last year, should not have returned for the same assessment this year without having had to pay out so large a sum as $912.00. t Carroll County is one of the largest and most flourishing that we have: Mr. J. O. Hol¬ loway writes me that one of the tax assessors told him recently that the three assessors charge $5.00 a day for their services and work¬ ed about twelve days each year. This would be $180 for the three. Allowing for the clerk, the amount would go to something over $200.00; but how can you explain the difference between the small expense in Carroll County, and. the large expense in Houston.? In Randolph County the cost of the tax as¬ sessment in 1921 was $294. In Marion County, the expense was $197.- 50. In Early County, the expense of adminis¬ tration was $475. In Charlton County the expense was less than $100, if I properly understand the letter written to me by the clerk of the Superior Court, Mr. J. D. Baulerson. Why should it cost, $912 in Houston, and $240 for a small County like McDuffie? Why should Charlton be taxed with less than $100 and a County like Troup with more than $1,880? . Talk about equalization—there never was! less equalization than there is right now in Georgia, and if this damnable law remains on onr statute book, the situation will grow worse and worse. Below is given the -whole list of Counties heard from: County Cost Bacon .................. . . . $ 136.00 Baldwin ............... 455.00 Barrow ................ 341.00 Ben Hill............... 300.00 Bibb .................. 764.00 Bleckley ............... 429.67 Brantly ............. 49.00 Bulloch................ 780.00 Burke ................. 297.00 Butts................. 450.00 Candler ............... ... '371.36 Chatham ............... 615.00 Chattooga .............. 182.00 Clarke ................ . .. 125.00 Clay.................. , . . . 64.00 Clayton ................ 154.63 Clinch ................. 360.00 Cobb .................. 900.00 Coffee ................. . . 431.00 Columbia .............. 180.00 Coweta ................ 360.00 Decatur............... 531.45 DeKalb ................ ... 1,200.00 Dodge ................. 600.00 Dooly .................. , ... 500.00 Douglas............. ... 431.00 Emanuel ............... 882.00 Fayette ................ 100.00 Floyd . ................. . ... 1,200.00 Forsyth............... ... 280.00 Franklyn .............. .... 200.00 Fulton................ 3,978.00 Glascock .. .............. ... 104.40 Gordon ................ ... 323.33 Grady ................. ... 1,400.00 Gwinnett.............. 500.00 Hall.................. , ... 600.00 Hancock ............... 494.75 Haralson ............... 175.00 Hart .................. 280.00 Heard ................. 270.00 Irwin................. 300.00 Jackson ............... , ... 300.00 Jasper ................ ... 410.45 Jeff Davis.............. 109.00 Jbnes................. , ... 150.00 Lanier................. ... 518.00 Laurens............... , ... 1,212.00 Lincoln ................ 194.00 Lowndes ............... 788.88 Igimpkln .............. 122.00 Macon ................. 180.00 Madison ............... 224.74 Milton .................. 291.00 Mitchel ................ 220.63 Monroe ................ 915.00 Montgomery ............ 217.00 Morgan ................ 100.00 Muscogee .............. ... 1,393.55 Newton ................ 765.00 Oconee ................ 228.00 Paulding............... 300.00 Pike .................. 265.00 Polk .................. 285.00 Quitman (Brookes Co.) . . ... 166.00 Rabun ................ 154.00 Richmond ............. 990.90 Schley ................. 50.00 Seminole .............. ....' 87.00 Stewart . . ,............. 380.00 Sumter ................ ... 1,200.00 Talieferro ............. 149.00 Tatnall .,.............1 378.00 Taylor................ 132.50 Thomas............... 790.00 Tift ................... 150.00 Treutlen ............... 154.00 Troup ................. . . . 1 882.24 Turner ................ 77.00 Union ................. 254.00 Walton ................ 348.26 Waxren ................ 54.00 Washington. .........,.. . 228.00 Webster ............... 260.00 White ................. 140.00 Whitfield.............. ... 300.00 Wilkinson ............. 343.65. Worth ................ 183.04 Liberty .... 487.88 Greene ..... 450.00 Putnam .... .75.00 Wilkes..... *•* * * ----- 466.50 jWaiker ..... 216.00 Dade ....... • 60;00 Stevens ..... 145.00 Miller ...... . 122.65 Elbert ...... 1,122.95 Chattahoochee 99.62 ‘ 40.134.52 Total of 10 Counties listed above 3,235.69 43,370.12 ADVERTISEMENTS. FOR CONGRESS. To the Voters of the 10th Congressional District of Georgia: I am a candidate for the 68th Congress to succeed myself, subject to the rules that have been adopted by the Congressional Executive Committee of said District. f have endeavored during my incumbency of office to care for the interest and welfare of the people of fhe District, and 1 respectfully invite the closest scrutiny of my record on which I stand for renomination. The constant session of Congress during the past two years has deprived me of the opportunity and pleas¬ ure of visiting you as I would have done had circum¬ stances been different. However, I felt that my highest duty required that I remain at my post and discharge the duties of my office to which you elected me. If it. Is the wish of the people of the 10th District that I be returned to Congress, I shall continue to give iuy unstinted efforts to serve them to the best of my ability. The experience that I have gained, and my fa mlllarity with Departmental work, enable me to better serve you in the future - Thanking you for your hearty and generous sup¬ port in the past and trusting that my record and candi¬ dacy will again meet with your approval, I am, Yours sincerely, CARD VINSON. TO THE VOTERS OF THE THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 1 hereby announce my candidacy to succeed mysglf as congressman from the Third District of Georgia in the 68th Congress, subject to the Democratic Primary of September 13, 1922. Since I have been your representative, I have been faithful to the duties of the office and have served you to the very best of my ability. Actions speak louder than words, and, as you are familiar with my course in Con¬ gress, I shall not announce any platform of principles, for my .past record is the best guide as to what my fu¬ ture course will be. If my course has met with your approval, I earnest¬ ly and sincerely solicit your influence and vote in the coming Primary. Charles R. Crisp. FOR CONGRESS. Tb the Voters of the Seventh Congressional District: I hereby announce my candidacy as Representative from the Seventh Congressional District of Georgia in the 68the Congress, subject to the Democratic Primary of September 13, 1922. As your Representative in Congress, I have devoted my best efforts to every Individual and business interest in the district and state, and believe the experience I have had better qualifies me to render more efficient service in the future. I appreciate your endorsement of my record in the past, and promise continued faithful service if e’ected. GORDON LEE. . Take advantage of the “Club Card,” at $1.50 each. No club smaller than five. . REDUCED SUMMER “FOR YOUR VACATION” To destinations in Arizona, Arkansas, Canada, . California, Colorado, Idaho, Missouri, Montana ,Ne\v Mexico, Texas, Utah and Wyoming. Choice of going via one route and returning another Also to New York, Boston and points east. Choice of going via steamer from Charleston or Savannah and returning via rail. Also to Mountain and Seashore Resorts lo. cated in the Southeast. For further information regarding schedules and rates, apply to the undersigned: J. P. BILLUPS, General Passenger Agent, Atlanta & West Point R. R., Georgia Railroad, Atlanta, Ga. Take advantage of our CJub Cards at $1.50 each. No club smaller than five. BOOKS BY THOS E. WATSON ON SALE AT THE COLUMBIA SENTINEL, THOMSON, GEORGIA. THE STORY OF FRANCE; IIVOLS. Regarded as standard authority in France; haa been translated into French, and used as text book .in French colleges. \ $6.00 per set, Delivered. NAPOLEON; I VOL. Richly illustrated; also used as a standard work by the French schools. 52.00, delivered. LIES AND TIMES OK THOMAS JEFFERSON. Illustrated, and written in the interesting Style which this author’s books follow. $1.50, delivered BETHANY. The only novel Mr. Watson wrote; covering several years of the period of the Civil War, and aflerward. Giving an intiinate view of the Old South, as the author rnd his forebear* had lived it. A pathetic love-story runs through the entire story. $2.00, delivered.
