Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1859-12-07


rs" The late message of his Exccllency Gov. Run
nss, amongst other useful reforms, recommends the
assessment Of the lands Of non-reslents at uniform
rates with other lands Of similar quality in the same
section of country in which they lic The evils re-
suting from the present mode Of assessment is we'll
| described in his own words:
IS 1t may be safely estimated that near three
frths Of the wealth of our citizens consists of real
estate, and vet it will be found paying little more
than one-third of the annual revenue collected
by taxation, while the holders are deriving large
! profits from the capital invested. This wide diff
ference arises chiefly from the imperfect manner
of asses ment, the absence of minimum rate be-
| low which lands should not be assessed and last
| y, from the impossibility of rendering the tax
available under the sales of the collector, from
| the mperlectness of titles which they convey
The present law provides an umpire in case of
disagreement as to the value Of properly in the
assessment and while its provisions reach the
resident, they do not the nonresident landhold-
der, who gives in his property when and where
it suits his convenience, and upon his own terms.
1t is impossible that the assessors of Travis, Bra
zoria or Bowie should know the relative value Of
land in each of those counties; and if: they did
the law is remediless in their hands. The assess
ment of the lands of non-residents should be made
either at the Comptroller's Office or by the Coun-
ty Courts of the county in which they are situa-
ted upon the return of the assessor thereto, or
by the assessor and collector himself of the coun
ty in which the land lies las in ordinary cases.
where it is given in for assessment by the owner
himself. or his agent, or if it lies in morgan
lied territory, it could be assessed by the Comp
troller at the average value Of other land OF sim
liar quality"
In the absence of a minimum rate, the non-res-
in hiqI md NJ G bnor
comparison with their actual value, or show the
slightest regard to the constitutional aa palorem prin
cple. Besides, this, the public roads lead through
his lands. enhancing their value more than five hun
dred per cent. the nonresident paws no road fine
and is liable to demands for his services IN work
on the highway, long as he keeps out of the conn
ty Our citizens either work the roads or nav
their fines the nonresident has his lands increased
in value the roads worked or near his lands, while
he can stay away and give in his property to
Mt any rate he chooses 4 tax such lands for the
benefit of the public roads would be advantageous to
the country. Such who suffer their lands to lie
unoccuped, should have them taIed for road improve
ments and purposes of general utility. The present
road laws bear the settler and citizen pretty heari-
~ while the wealthy resident andholder escapes.
Ns5, From the Independent Monitor we learn that
aie citizens Of Hopkins getting excited the
yslsa qnestion Of the county boundary and county
site These have been fruitful source of dispute
tde the People Of that county for several years,
an1 ii sses that The matter cannot be adjusted until
the centre OF he county is determined upon, and the
boundary lines stttled. The people recently assembled
in mas meeting at sul ,at SPRING., heard speeches,
got excited. asi bs,ke up With not svsry atsiasae
state q feeling.