Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1853-08-31
THE GRAND RIVER TIMES.
GRAND HAVEN, MICHIGAN.
WEDNESDAY EVENING, AUGUsTsl, 1853.


The proceedings of the Board, which met on
the 18th inst, are given at considerable length
in the State Journal Twenty-Five of the thir-
ty-five counties were represented. Shortly af-
ter organizing, the delegates by request of the
chairman proceeded in the order of their sever
al counties to make statements of such facts and
circumstances as might bear upon their action.
From these statements we gather that the law
has not been found so difficult of execution rs
had been predicted, that but little opposition to
its operation has been manifested, and that it
has generally been carried into effect through
out the State with entire good faith. We ex-
tract from the report in the Journal SO much as
relates particularly to this county, the whole be-
ing too lengthy to appear in our paper
"Mr EASTMAN, of Ottawa, stated that the agi
gregate valuation of this county is increased two
and three -fourths-fold it Is very new under less
improvement than almost any other--mOst of the
lands are pine which is in fact instead OF source
of wealth to it, an injury; they are for the most
part owned and cut of for lumber by non-res1-
dents, and the proceeds carried out Of the State
Out of about twelve or more large mill proprie-
tors eight or ten reside out of the State, and car
ry the profits of their business to other States
leaving the lands stripped of everything that gives
them value. The law was generally and fully COM
piled with. Three towns, however, assessed wild
lands mt 81 .25 per acre the Board raised these
sessments to $3.50; none assessed less in the coun
ty. There were but two refusals to take OATH but
little difficulty in these cases, to arrive at correct
estimates. There is but little personal property to
assess, except logs and lumber one-half of ii out
of the way when assessment taken. Population
floating. Steam mills assessed at from 81, 000 to
$4,000; Horses, 500 to Sl75 per pair; Oxen, $50
to $500 per yoke; Cows, $40 to $25"
No alteration was made in the valuation of
property in this county as equalized at the late
meeting of the Board of Supervisors. de-
duction was made in four, and an addition in
six counties. The aggregate valuation of tho
property Of the State as assessed last spring,
was $ll5547,75S 95, as equalized by tho Su-
pervisors 81 A,l49,l62 "a, and as equalized by
the State Board SSI2O, 362,474 3d.
1t was always a subject of complaint under
the old law that the new counties were assess
ed too high in proportion to the rest of the
State. The first years operation of the new
laws show that these complaints were not with
out foundation. The increased valuation in o.
tawa County is considerably less than three
fold. II is nearly five fold in Wayne, and with
in small fraction Of four fold throughout the
State. The results laid before the Board are
certainly of the most gratifying character The
law is not only found TO be practicable but al
so to answer its proposed ends much more sat
isfactorily than any but the most sanguine had
ever anticipated.
The following amendments only were Deem
cd necessary and expedient by the Board:
LIST, That the Lists may be taken by the Super
visor on his first going round.
ID, That no specific exemption should be al
lowed-if any, it should be certain amount of per-
sOnal property and household goods.
Sd, That the Board of Supervisors should have
power to equalizc the personal, well real es
tate as assessed in their several townships"
eN@ The most exciting local item we have
for publication this week relates to the collis-
ion of the Empire and Michigan. Weapproach
the subject with some reluctance not that we
would shrink from the performance of duty,
but we are aware that on all unusual occasions
rnmor is busy with her thousand tongues, and
actual occurrences are represented in so many
different lights as to render hopeless the attempt
to give full statement of facts and at the same
time be justto every individual.
The affair took place on Wednesday last, in
the vicinity of Battle Point. AS we are inform
ed the Empire came twice in collision with the
Michigan, and would have done so three times
had not the Michigan made successful effort to
shun her. The Michigan received some injury
and once came near being capsized. Report has
it that legal proceedings will be instituted we
shall therefore attempt to avoid producing an
impression on the public mind, further than
what already prevails, unfavorable to either
party.
. On arriving at this place, Capt. PARKS, of the
Michigan, entered complaint before II. GRIT
FIN, Esq, against Capt. SHOEMAKER and JAS.
MORAN, pilot Of the Empire, for threats alleged
to have been previously made respecting the
Michigan. The proof as to the alleged threat
enng and subsequent conduct of the parties
was deemed sufficient to authorize issuing
warrant. On being brought before the magis-
trate the parties made no defence but entered
into the usual recognizance with penalty Of
five thousand dollars to keep the peace.
AS related to us it seems impossible to ac-
count for what took place on the ground of
mere accident. The opinionis quite freely ex-
pressed that it was owing to wful acts on the
mart Of tho Contnin and pilot If tho Empire -