Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1858-08-21
c. % MN u MIC A L E D. /.
New Assessment Law-How twas pesssd-Its
Merits

cry, throughout the State, against the
New assessment Lar; and [ perceive,
that the amiable Madison ARGUS, feels
disposed to require the Democratic Party,
to inscribe "TAe repeal Of tie ne,o ASSESS
nsent Lar, upon its banners, for its raj
lying cry during the Fall Election; as the
great, the all absorbing principle of the
contest.
Well it may succeed in leading its CO.
boots up that hill, for they seem to be
easily led, aayvhere; but, apprehend
that like that formidable King Of
France, who, as the old distich has it,
Marched up the hill wiM 10000 men"
they will have to ''narch down again"
without accomplishing anything, particu-
larly note worthy; for it Is universally con
coded that the law is imperfect, and there
will be no one to oppose important amend
inents to it; but if the ARGUS attempts
to force the State back into the old system
of assessing, when the burthen Of taxation
was sadded almost exclusively upon the
real property of the State; when the
money shd0ers, spectators and hGcursent
koers ,(who should, if there is to be any dis
elimination be made to fell the weight OF
taxation the heaviest,) were exempted to
a very great degree from taxation-then,
perhaps there may be rebellion in his
camp; some of his political frie DIS may
desire to take sides with the Republicans
in that fight.
1t is | think much to be regretted, that
the Bill introduced in the Assembly by Mr..
Hawley of Waukesha, which was the bill
perfected in and passed by the Assembly
during the previous session,did not become
a law, instead of the present one.
The history Of the existing Law, is to
the best Of my recollection, as follows
Mr.. Bennett of hook Co., introduced an
Assessment Bill in the Senate early in the
Session, which it was reported, was sub
stantially copy Of the Ohio Law. This
Bill was perfected according to the notions
Of that body, and passed with but a few
opposing votes; but it did not reach the
Assembly, till late in the session, when the
compilation of the r. s., was under con-
sideration, and therefore did not receive
immediate attention. Near the close Of
the session, it WAS taken up in Committee
OF Whole, and a large share OF two even
ings spent upon it; when on being repor-
ted out of Committee in thin house 1t
was killed, by small majority. Mr. Haw-
ley's Bill, also shared the same fate but if
the House had been full | think that the
result would have been otherwise. On
Thursday evening, preceding the final
adjournment which took place at 10
O'Clock, A. M. on Monday, a joint Com
mittee was moved for the purpose prepar
ing an Assessment Law,which should meet
the views Of members; it being generally
understood that the hsti'1g feature Of the
laws of other States should be incorpora-
ted in the Bill to be reported by that Com
mittee. The Bill so prepared, was tro't
in late on Saturday evening, { think about
10 O'clock read once, and passed, under
a suspension of the rules, which required
a two-third vote for that purpose. So it
is perceived that the slight consideration
which the Bill received-was had, during
the exciting events usually attending the
close of a session; and on that occasion
the excitement ran unusually high on ac-
count of an effort being made for the pas
sage of the Rail Road Bill reported by the
Investigating COMMITTEE, which was vlo-
lently opposed byaPerry H. Smith and
Others. 1t is no wonder then that the Law
was not made entirely consistent and sat
isfactory.
We knew that the then existing law was
insufficient, that the proposed Bill embrac-
the listing feature: that the equallzlng
boards provided in it were constituted so
as naturally to effect a just and fair e.
qualization and that it would embrace
within its scope, a class of citizens who
though receiving from the public the lar
gest revenues with the least labor; yet
had always contrived to avoid taxation, or
if taxed at all, always more lightly than
any other class of citizens. These things
we knew and so took the Bill as it was;
knowing also, thatsan attempt at altera
ton or amendment would under the cir
cumstances, resultin its entire defeat
/ have one general objection to the law,
based upon the conceded weakness, l will
not say total depragity) Of poor hunaan
nature. 1t presumes every man to be
honest ia the matter of taxation, and that
all men are disposed, voluntarily, to re-
turn just and true account Of their per-
sonal property. A presumption Of Lar
| believe, though very far from being au-
tholized by facts, for | think it will be
found that the exceptions are sufficiently
numerous and salient in their character, IL
this instance, to impeach the wisdom of
the legal presumption.
Now, let me ask, if any one, any citl-
zen oe the State, whatever his business or
condition, is honestly DESTROYS to contribute
his just proportion towards maintaining the
Government which protects him. Can be
not do SO without iuconyienence,u under this
much abused law? Unquestionabty. -
And again let me ask, if any citizen Is dis
posed to manage by trickery, euasson or
coacealment, SO as to avoid a just return Of
his property, and the payment OF his pro-
4 Il j, u - ,ynad rffs So1a z