The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1847-11-06

FINANCES or ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
QUALIFIED NorERs, &o.--Ws take the folloving
from the last number Of the Frankfort Com.
monwealth:
We are indebted TO the faithful and indef,,;.
gable public officer, Thomas y Page, ESQ. ID
Auditor, for the annexed tables: the first. giving
each item Of taxation and lis total value in the
State, for the years ie46 and lS47, showing the
increase and decrease of the valuation and each
item OF taxation; the second, showing the quail
he'd voters for lsiI-the revenue OF 1916 and
lsIi, and the increase or decrease in the rey.nu.
for said years. These tables exhibit the CRAFTY
ing fact that the revenue Of the Commo m wealth
for the present year exceeds that Of ls46, 49,
AZ ~. and gives the fullest assurance thai our
financial affairs are in a sound and healthy con-
diiion. There has been steady increase I'm all
the items of taxation, but the reader cannot fail
TO be struck with the extraordinary increase in
the amount subject to taxation under the eouali-
cation law While all interested in the pros
perity OF the Commonwealth have abundant,
reason 10 rejoice at her happy financial condi-
oition, we ieei well assured that her condition
might he inmeasurably improved by little
legislation in relation 10 the manner of enlist
ing taxable property. Upon the prompt and
faithful execution of that department of the
public service everything depends, Net only
the ability OF the State 70 meet her necessary
ANIMAL expenditures, TO pay the interest on her
debt. and preserve inviolate her faith and final
ly 10 sink that debt and relieve herself from The
greater portion Of her present burthen of taxa
ton; but there hangs upon the commissio ne rs
Of tax the responsibility Of saving the Lerisla-
ture from the necessity OF increasing the taxes
ror year or two past, those officers have dis
! charged their duties moderately well-we here.
I of .,f =
them 10 their duty and their whole duty-but
yet there is abundant room for improvement n,
and reform. The county courts, having the
power 10 appoint the commissioners, too often,
We have reason 10 believe, confer the office upon
Their fdvorites, without paying due regard TO
the qualifications Of the appointees. A desire
| 10 promote q friend or relative too often over
rides a proper concern for the welfare of the
state BY reason Of this course, on the part Of
Tile county courts, men are appointed commits
sioDerS Who have not the first quaific alton for
the Office In many other instances appoint
menis are made in all honesty. but without con-
/ sidering duly The importance of the office. An
idea prevails in the country that any man 10
competent 10 TIE Office of commissioner who /.
able 10 write legibly and 10 figure up his book.
Never was There more egregious error. The
office should be filled by man of intelligence,
experience, and sound Judgments thorough
business man, one who cannot be swerved from
the rsht line OF duty by "fear, favor or affec-
ton Efforts. We know, have been made to
call the attention Of the county courts TO the
importance Of selecting none but good men for
qmmissioners. In some instances these effort.
have not been without the,r effect; in other,
they seem but to have induced the courts 10 &c
| from bad 10 worse.
| We are not able 10 suggest any plan for the
remedy Of this evil except by exhorting the
county courts 70 great particularly in max ns
| the appointments. And, il might be well, in
stead Of distributing the county, as is now done
TO give the whole county to one man, and il
necessary let him appoint deputies In that
way we may hope 10 secure equality Of assess
ments in counties, at least. Ii has been sugges
ted that the power Of appointing the commits.
sioners should be taken from the county cour
and given TO the Governor; but il Is though
that the constitution confers the appointment
of such officers upon the court; il such is tn,
fair and legitimate construction OF the conslitu
ton, Of course ne legislative action can depriv,
| the court of that right.
| The folioping is each item Of taration and ia
total caius in tie State al Kentucky for III
gears le46 and lSi7, Shouting the increase ant
deereass Of the radiation, and sseh item o
farafion:
Items of Valuation Valuation Increase
| Taxation. sc. ls4G Isf.
Dollars. Dollars. Dollars.
Is- sO2 800 acres af Po li67s5543
Ie,i6s ,JO5 acres OF Id 12i,9f4,I6f S. les ,6e
ssIG02 inc. nncr.
4 $3.50 town lots S3e70,Gi
q JOG town lots "a SOC, le0 ,635, 81
| 1874 increase in lots.
f0,a nj ala A :. ialsl