The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1853-09-06
State Board of Equalization.

The State Board of Equalization met
the Capitol pursuant to Law, on the 5tl
day of August, 1853; Present, Hon, John
Sweg!es, Auditor General; Hon. Porter
hibbee, Commissioner of the State Land
Office, and Hon. B. c. Whittemore. State
Treasurer; o. c. Wiswell, Esq, Dep. Aud.
Genl, acting as Secretary.
The Board having taken the requisite
oath, was permanently organized by the
appointment of Hon. j. Swegles, as
Chairman, and adjourned to meet at the
Senate Chamber, Aug 16, at 8 A. M.
SENATE CHAMBER, Aug. 16-9 A. NJ.
Board met; the following gentlemen an
Peared and took seats as Delegates from
the following Counties:
ALLEGAN-E. B. Bassett.
BARRY-G. X. Beamer.
BERRIEN-R. w. Landon.
CALHoUN-I. Z. Crary.
GEYNEsEE d. +. Bennett.
HILLsDALE-F. NJ Holloway.
loNIA-l1iram Brown.
KALAMAzoo-E. i. Brown.
kENT-E. Caswell, G.. S. Hooker.
LTvINGsToN-E. +. Bart
MAooMB-W. Hnman.
MoNTcALM-C. w. Olmsted.
OAKLAND. III. Button.
OTTAWA. Eastman.
SAGINAW. w. Turner.
SHIAwAssEE-L. II. Parsons.
ST. CLAIR-H. Chamberlin.
ST. JosEPH-H. L. Steele.
VAN BUREN-J. Mckinney.
WAsHTENAw-A. Vandemark.
WAYNE-James Hammer, Henry Fralick
E. Hawley.
The Chairman laid before the Board a
table showing the valuation of The several |
counties as assessed and equaIized for the !
year 1853, with other statistics, and hav-
ing stated the objects to be attained by the
Board, requested from the Delegates pres
ent, In the order of their several counties. /
statements of such facts and circumstances
as might bear upon their action.
Mr.. Bassett of Allegan, stated that the
aggregate valuation of this county, as
equallzed, is two and one-thrd times !
greater than that of 1851-there are 15,- !
539 acres improved land in the country
greater part of this imperfectly improved,
being recently cleared timber land--384
log houses, 273 frame houses. Wild
lands assessed at full value. Improved
lands were valued according to character
and situation, at from 12 to 25 dollars per
acre, exclusive of houses on them, assess
ed at from 500 to $500 each. All per-
sonal property, not exempt, was strictly
and faithfully assessed at full value; thinks
rather higher than elsewhere. Horses at
from 40 to $125 each: oxen at from 65 to
800 per yoke, cows at from ID to S25
each, year old stock at from 12 TO S25.
Our landsare chiefly good, but we are re-
mote from market and with much govern
ment land unsold. We done raise wheat
or coarse grain sufficient for home con-
sumption. The new tax law was fairly
carried out. No case of refusal to make
statement under oath.
Mr.. Beamer, of Barry, said the valuation
of this county is three times greater than
chat of 1859. County new and imperfect
ly improved. Supervisors assessed at no
liked rate, but according to value, with in
tent to carry out the law strictly. Wild
lands assessed at real value, according to
quality, situation, DC. County is half tim ,
bered and half openings lands; situated
equally distant from Grand Rapids at the
north and Battle Creek at the south, which !
are our markets. Horses valued at from ,
30 to $3.50 each, oxen at about sos per I
yoke, cows at from 16 to 90 each. Law ,
generally and fairly carried out-but one !
refusal to take the oath, and in that case
here was no difficulty in getting at prop /
er assessment. Silly !;
Mr.. Landon, Of Berrien, remarked that G
n this County the valuation was 81 times n
greater than in 1851 Assessments made s
quite up to real value, in all but one towns {
which was raised by the Supervisors. s
Wild lands assessed at from 1875 to $3.50 Fl
according to character and situation.- 9
Average price of land, 81 per acre. D
Horses valued at from i25 to $50 dollars Il
ZACH, one as high as 500-one at 700 dol n
ars. =
o. "A