Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1851-07-31

lnat tIllS is not correctly returned, is tn
general opinion throughout the State Fraud
ulent and evasive answers are given to th
assessors, and although means are sometime
taken to insure correct return, it is proba
BILE that proportion amounting to one-ha
of the money at interest in the State, is ne1
er discovered by the tax collector, and SO sus
ceptlble is this description of property of con
cealment, that it may be doubted whether til
most ingenious legislative expedients vii
ever be able to reach it to much create
extent.
The tax upon money atinterest adds larg
amount annually to the income of the Com
monwealth, but its indirect operation is no
beneficial. The citizens of the border coun
ties invest large sums in the adjoining States
where money is not taxed, and thus eyad
returning such amounts to the assessor. Ii
the larger cities, and particularly in Phila
delphla, investments in the United State
stock prevail to great and increasing exten
this decription of property not being liable
to taxation for county and State purposes
As necessary consequence, the difficulty o
borrowing money on real security--a matter
of Importance to the farmer-is daily becom
ing greater.
The fact that money at interest is taxable
for local purposes, the amount levied being
often double or treble that levied by the State
increase the temptation TO concealment.-
Were this otherwise, much larger amount
would no doubt be returned for State taxa
ton, and less driven from our borders: but
whether an immunity which would throw
the whole of the county school tax upon real
estate and VISIBLE personal property would
be advisable, is worthy of consideration.
While, as already stated, an increased de-
gree of accuracy has been effected in the val
uation of real estate, the exceptions are of a
character to call for serious attention. Too
many cases still remain, in which assessors
adhere to the old plan of estimating property
at rates varying from twenty to thirty per
cent. below its real value This may be in but
limited lumber of townships in particular
counties, yet the aggregate is considerable,
and its injustice to the rest of the tax-paying
community is obvious. Although assessors
are sworn to assess property at it's real value,
means are found by which too many satisfy
their consciences, and yet make true estimates
so far belew fair valuation, as to retain the
goodwill of their neighbors, and insure their
own reelection. Instances have occurred in
which assessors, who had done their duty
were defeated when candidates for reelection;
and when restored to office, found the views
as to the value of property so singularly
changed, as to lead to the suspicion that some
understanding on the subject before their E.
lection was precedent. There is an evi-
dent temptation to neglect of duty involved
in the present mode of appointing assessors,
which makes its defects evident, without en-
abling the board to suggest satisfactory rem
edy
The discrepancies, which by previous boards
in relation to income from trades and occu-
pations, and from salaries and emeluments
of Office still exist, and just and accurate re-
turns are evidently needed to an extent, pro-
ducing serious loss to the revenue Any def
cheney in the amount of these objects of tax
alton, operates the more injuriously, as the
tax in our case is one, and the other two per
cent.
While this body has no doubt of the value
of central board, for the revision of the pro-
ceedings in the several counties, they are salts
fed there are defects in the present organiza-
ton, which go far towards impairng its eficien-
cy, and which can only be counteracted by lay
ing before its members, and placing in their
power, the means of procuring the amplest in
formation. The numbers representing, as they
10, particular districts, have naturally their To-
cal interests and predictions. Designating,
rs they do, the witnesses who are examined
before them, they are not likely to select those
whose estimates would tend to increase the
valuations of the authorities at home. In ad-
usting the amounts subject to taxation in the
various counties, spirit of sectional partiali-
ty and mutual accommodation, must always
have an influence, and that of a character not
likely to promote the object for which the
Board was established. But with the best
there are other disadvantages
at present constituted, the Board is large,
is members are brought together from all
parts of the State, and often with but little
before their meeting, of the reve-
hue details of the Commonwealth These
sessions are limited to a short period, during
which they are obliged to obtain, by such
means as are in their power, the greater part
4 4lx,,f II