Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1857-04-28
rrstorn the Richmond Examiner April III
Result of the .Re-Assessment.

tsThe result of the re-assesnent OF the lands OF
the Commonwealth has now been asceffhlned and
II scatters TO the winds the hackneyed reproaches
ofdecay and dilapfdatioR with which nofthetn
AboIitionism and an unworthy spirit OF dlsPaTage-
ment in the ultra Soutk, have been IN the habit OF
assailing Virginia.
The assessment II 1850 made the aggregate value
of the real estate of Virginia $274, 6so,226 The
assessment of 1856 makes this value S3T3, 424 o95
and shows and increase Of S9s T43S69. THIS last
assessment has been made TOO, under the influence
of iobied taxes, when q combination OF circumstan-
ces conspired to induce low state valuation as
possible. We know, a single instance where a hrm
was assessed under the last assessment at $40 the
pcre and was sold within three months afterwards
M Sss the acre The tendency in 1850 has been to
assess at full market values The tendency IN 1886
has been TO assess at the very lowest valuation and
we verify believe the real estate OF virg!na to be
worth nearer $3.50, 600, 600 than 31o,OOO,uOO:
But the official figures show 1913, 500 0t0 and a
gain OF 9s7500O0 in six years. the greater portion
of the increase being due 10 the new railroads OF
the State.
tits greatly to be regretted that this Springs
campaign will arrest the progress OF the incomplete
works of Virginia for years. The ciamor OF tue
opposition against taxation and=tbe charge OF Dem
ocraIic responsibility; for debt recommended ana
in chief part created by the opposition, will make all
the lcg ators shy of voting for any appropriations
when they win be held responsible for the taxation
necessary TO meet It. Westhiuk every man wlIFSo
10 the LEGISLATURE pledged against voting TOR any
work of internal Improvement. The Central road
will, therefore, abandon any hope OF extension ny
public means. 1t is TO be regretted that those WHO
Are so deeply in terested in the incomplete works
ehonId prefer he manufacture OF panic tothe con-
struction of railroad. But the canvass oil TINS
Spring will furnish either reason OF an excuse Ior
every legislator TO vote against any proposition W
give moneystoa raiiroad.%
The above presents picture both bright and
sad. 1t is cheering to see how rapidly Virginia
has grown in material wealth, her lands have been
reclaimed ard improved ; how means Of cheap trans
portation have penetrated them and stimulated
their developement until in six years, one hundred
millions of dollars have been added to their value
The railroads have been great means OF this
Improvement. They have cost us money, and this
We have to pay in taxes. Our taxes however are
lighter than in many other States.
The gloomier feature of the picture is clearly and
plainly stated by the Examiner. 1t is in the course
pursued by the opposition. The very men who
have claimed to be above Others the friends OF Inn
provements who have made merit of voting
away money with prOdigality that the Democrats
had to check-these men "re now raising clamor
over taxes which would have been higher if they
had bad their way they are doing 1t to ex-
cite an appetite in the people for the land money
which if obtained, would prove very trife 10 COM
parson with the uses TO which they say they wOald
apply it. If our whole annual quota wee applied
TO tightening our taxes W could scarcely feel the
difference. fit all were applied to new railroad
enterprises it would scarcely build three miles of
railroad year. Yet to obtain this magic sum-
AMI to ride into power the cry, the people are TO
be lashed into panic about their taxes made dis
satisfied when relief be had, and all further
State aid to railroads indefinitely postponed Such
is the first chapter in the history of the benecent
scheme of land distribution, in it's effects the
prosperity OF Virginia I-.4lerandriG Sentinel.