The Union Daily Times

The tax problem is one of civilization's major problems. Of that there is no doubt. And the almost universal unrest that prevails in our state goes to prove that South Carolina has not solved the problem wisely. It is certainly unfair for Union County to pay tax on 28 1/2 percent of property value basis while Greenville County pays only 7 cents on its property value basis. It is manifestly unfair for Hampton county to pay on a 36 per cent basis, the highest basis of any county in the state. There is the greatest sort of difference. Hampton county comes first, Union County comes second, at the head of the high rate. Inequality of taxes is the greatest curse of our present tax system.

Tax discrimination is another cause of great unrest. The stamping of notes, which taxes the poor, the borrower, should be abolished. The stamping business is a breeder of discontent and the producer of rascality anyway. No matter whether it be soap, soft drink, silks, satins, face powder or perfume, no honest business can continue to exist under a 20 per cent tax added to the regular taxes that already exist. The first thing the legislature should do is to abolish the stamp tax, abolish it root and branch.