1913 private laws – Ch.199 Sec.21

That in order to raise a fund for the expenses incident to the proper government of the city of Gastonia, the board of aldermen of said city may annually levy and collect the following taxes: I. On all real estate and personal property situated in the city, a tax not exceeding one and forty one-hundredths dollars ($1.40) on every hundred dollars value. II. On all taxable polls, a tax not exceeding two dollars on all residents in the city of Gastonia on the first day of May in each year, or who may have been so resident within sixty days next preceding that day, preserving the constitutional equation. Ill. On every four-horse omnibus, a tax not exceeding fifty dollars; on every two-horse omnibus, a tax not exceeding forty dollars. IV. On every dray or express wagon drawn by one or two horses, a tax not exceeding twenty-five dollars; if drawn by more than two horses, a tax not exceeding fifty dollars. V. On all carriages, buggies, sulkies, and other vehicles used in the city of Gastonia for the carriage of persons or for pleasure, a tax not exceeding fifteen dollars. VI. On every dog, a tax not exceeding ten dollars: Provided, a discrimination may be made within this limit on the different species and sexes of dogs. VII. On all dealers in cider, a tax not exceeding one hundred dollars. VIII. On all itinerant merchants or peddlers selling or offering to sell in the city, a tax not exceeding fifty dollars. IX. On every bowling alley and billiard table, and every bagatelle table and every pool table, and every gambling contrivance, the object of which is gain and for the use of which a charge is made, a tax not exceeding two hundred dollars, reserving the right to remove it or them at any time as a nuisance. X. On all keepers of eating-houses or restaurants, fish or meat or vegetables or breadstuff or fruiters, a tax not exceeding one hundred dollars per year. XI. On every circus which shall exhibit within the city or within a mile thereof, a tax not exceeding two hundred dollars for each day, the tax to be paid before the exhibition, and if not, to be doubled. XII. On every person or company exhibiting in the city or within a mile thereof stage or theatrical plays, sleight-of-hand performances, rope dancers, tumbling, wire dancing, or menageries, a tax not exceeding two hundred dollars for every day they exhibit. XIII. Upon every exhibition for reward of artificial curiosities (models of useful inventions excepted) in the city, or in one mile thereof, a tax not exceeding fifty dollars, to be paid in advance. XIV. On each show or exhibition of any other kind, and on each concert for reward, and on every strolling musician, a tax not exceeding twenty dollars, to be paid before exhibiting. XV. On every goat or hog running at large in the city there may be levied a tax not exceeding ten dollars, and every goat or hog may be seized or impounded, and if the owner, on being notified, will not pay the tax, the animal shall be sold therefor, after three days notice at the city hall. XVI. Upon every horse or mule or bull going at large, a tax not exceeding ten dollars. XVII. On every life, accident, fire, or other insurance company, a tax not exceeding twenty-five dollars. XVIII. On every barber shop, a tax not exceeding twenty-five dollars. XIX. On every shoe-shine outside of barber shops, a tax not exceeding ten dollars. XX. On every dray for hire, a tax not exceeding twenty-five dollars. XXI. On every photographer, a tax not exceeding twenty-five dollars. XXII. On every livery stable, a tax not exceeding fifty dollars. XXIII. On every meat market, a tax not exceeding fifty dollars. XXIV. On every trade stable, a tax not exceeding fifty dollars. XXV. On every company, person, or manufacturer who shall engage in the selling of pianos or organs by sample, list, or otherwise, a tax not exceeding twenty-five dollars. XXVI. On every individual, firm, or corporation engaged in the business of selling any one or more of the following articles or commodities, to wit, farm products, coffee, sugar, salt, meat, railroad stocks, and stocks and bonds of any kind for future purchase, sale, and delivery, commonly called futures, an annual tax of one thousand dollars. XXVII. On every bill-poster, an annual tax not exceeding fifty dollars. XXVIII. On every private automobile operated in the city of Gastonia, for business or pleasure, a tax of ten dollars per annum. XXIX. On every garage or place for storing, caring for, and repairing automobiles for profit or gain, a tax of twenty-five dollars per annum. Priv.34 XXX. On every place known as a penny arcade, or by any other name, where slot machines are operated by dropping coins in the slot, punch bags, weight machines, and other devices operated in connection with the others, a tax of twenty-five dollars per annum. XXXI. On every steam railway operated in the city of Gastonia, a tax not exceeding five hundred dollars per annum. XXXII. On every express office maintained and operated in the city of Gastonia, a tax not exceeding two hundred dollars per annum. ; XXXIII. On every telephone exchange or office operated in the city of Gastonia, a tax not exceeding two hundred dollars per annum. XXXIV. On every telegraph office operated in the city of Gastonia, a tax not exceeding two hundred dollars per annum. XXXYV. On every sewing-machine agency or dealer in sewing machines, a tax not exceeding one hundred dollars per annum. XXXVI. On every dealer in oil, a tax not exceeding one hundred dollars per annum. XXXVII. On every electric power company, a tax not exceeding one hundred dollars per annum.