The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1842-09-09
For the Spirit ofthe Age
THE LISTING LAW.

Mr. EDITORIALS the third Tuesday o! Sep.em.
Der is near at hand, the day fixed by the statute
for the meeting of the Listers of the several coun-
ties to average the appraisal Of real estate, as a
basis Of taxation for the neat FIVE years, am desi-
lous of calling the attention Of those who may COM
pose the convention TO be held at Woodstock for
the county Of Windsor, to The proprie:y and i'm
portance Of close and strict scrutiny into the
several valuations of real estate of this county.
would not impusn the motives, nor dslrust the
capacity ofany one that has been empowered 10
act rs lister. But 10 err is human, and there
are reasons why the examination of the appraisals
should be thorough and minute. For the next five
years the towns are to be assessed in their como
rate capacities for the State and county expenses,
for the inleres, and perhaps principal of The State
debt, according to their several valuations; ard
these valuations mostly made up on real estate
under the new listing law. 1t is then just and
equitable that these appraisals should be equazed
as near as possible; and in doing this apprehend
the convention will deem il necessary 10 make
some alterations at leas, in the lists tina, will be
presented.
Perhaps there never was time when men even
of sound discriminating knowledge and upright in
tenlons would be more at alance in their views
as to the value Of property either real or personal
than the present. This diversity Of opinion though
honestly entertained must necessarily produce I'M
equal results; the natural consequence of long
depression of business of lmos, every kind, and
the consequent falling in prices Of agricultural pro-
ductions. nm aware that there will be inequality
in the valuation Of what little personal property
that is liable TO be assessed bu, this the convention
cannot reach; yet hope this consideration will
prompt to greater diligence in col vic,cling wha,
does come within their jurisdiction.
1t is not within my knowledge tina, there exists
grea. and striking inequalities 10 the apprasns of
many of the towns in this county; but do say
that in one town at least, and that not very I'M
important one, that both the personal and real es.
tate is valued from 20 10 25 per cen. less than in
some other towns, and less by one fourth than in
one of the towns adjoining Some other parts of
the county may he as low; iii is SO | have not
learnt the fact It's conjectured that rsry ueal-
Thy and influential indipiaual of that town has
exercised an undue influence over the minds Of
the Listers. SO il is much 10 be amented and
| trust that town will receive n seasonable rebuke
from the convention by doom that will equalize
it with its ncighboring towns. 1t is a law of nature
that wealth has its influence and its power; bur
we should suffer no man or combination of men
however vast their possessions, TO gain such an
tendency over public opinion as to bend it to base
and sordid motives, or control il for sinister and
selfish purposes
1t is true tina, as regards the internal expenses
Of the several towns /; matters not whether the val
ualIon of taxable property be high or low, provi-
ded be equal among the inhabitants, bu, our State
and county expenses are Lo inconsderable sum;
and these necessary burdens should be borne e.
qunlly according 20 our means; though inequality
TO some extent must exist, ye, whenever i, can he
corrected it certainly should be, and lrus, il will
be.
That the present listing law in some parts il de.
(ecliye think must be obvious to every rejecting
mind; and !. will undoubtedly be revised, pruned
and shaped to meet the wants and conditions Of
the people. and ultimately become productive Of
the greatest good TO the greatest nun.bei when ad-
minislered in its true spirit, The basis. the ground
work of it is republican, its main principle, that of
assessing the real owner and allowing set off for
bonafide Indebtedness ~ well enough provided il
can be sufficiently guarded agains, frauds 1t needs
the combined wisdom Of the mos, candid reflect
ing and n,ellisen, par, ola future Legislature to
Perlec, it, and make j, acceptable to an enghlcn-
ed community. TO conclude Mr. Editor, permit
me to say that should you deem this worthy Of
publication, aud insert ii in your next number, you
will oblise ono who has no oihr views in furnish.
ing il but 10 promote the ends Of Justice and fur
Their the designs Of equal rights Being plnin
common farmer and unacquanted with writing for
the press, regret my inability to do that justice
to the subject Tint many others might,
A LISTER.
Sept 3, 1912.