Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1859-12-01
For the Democrat.

For the Democrat.
Mr.. EDIroR:-We propose 10 make few
remarks In reference, to- another item OF
.upwaranted cx,ravagan:e." as Mr.. Phil
tips is pleased to call ii. he says That,
1.-The real estate Of Laporte county was
appraised for 1851, Of ST Joseph county
for $3.50, of Marshall County for S9O4.--
We are not posted. in reference to the
amount. that it cost to appraiso the Coun
ties referred TO. but will take it for grant
ed--ar present, that the above figures are
correct. Now let US institute a compari-
son. between Marshall aud Laporte Coun-
ties. In Marshall there is four hundred
and forty~ne sections; in each of these
sections there was, OIL an average. OF be-
tween and different descriptions; for
each different owner, blank had to be
filed. containing description Of the land,
Sec. Town sud R,nge, the number of
acres. value, date owner and appraisers
names. and copy or notice Of the same.
left with each resident land owner. Ours
is limbered County. and the greater por-
ton. divided into small parts--ihe Apprais-
ers were required BY law, to personally in
spect each piece. and very many times. they
had 10 obtain the assistance Of others, in
order xped G their business. Each de-
scripiion Of lands was plated. and was APP
praised on actual view. The Deputy APP
oraiser., Mr.. Rank. Mr.. Knobblock and
Mr.. Hedrick are old settlers among US. AID
it is certainly not very charitable view to
entertain of these men. that they had made
oath. that they had been necessarily en-
ploye,, more days. than they really were.
The citizens of ssarshall county will be
slow to believe that these men. made oath
10 any more days than they were ac."S''y
employed. Tho Appraisers valued the
lands, as the law directs, ut its actual cash
value, the same as if they were appraislng.
for the payment OF just debt. Ii the
lands in ST. Joseph county. were apprais-
ed at lower figures. the Board IF equaiiza-
ton. should have increased the valuation
there, or rendered II here
The county If Laporle is very different
from Marshall. A very large portion Of it
is prairie and Marsh. Mr. Orr, the APP
prais-r. is one among the first settlers in
thar County. was acquainted with every
farm on the prairie, and most likely every
one in the county. along the Kankakee.
there are tens of thousands of acres Of
marsh lanI. which varies but little in val
ue. Mr.. Orr. being SO well acquainted
wi h the lands, that he was not under the
necessity If uniting the corners and ira
cling the lines through. He only had to
call on the farmers. All tell them how
much he valued their lands and improve
ments. and set the same down in book,
furnished him By the Auditor. and left no
notice of them The marsh land was more
easily appraised than the prairie land. if
possible. he could see thousands of acres
at one sight. and a. i. wa. owned mostly
by non-residents. he appraised section
after section. without being under the ne
cessily of going on to AN acre of it. By
adopting this course. Mr.. Orr saved a
great deal Of time and expense to the Coun-
ty. Mr. Klinger learned from the Board
of Equalization. when in session here. that
not single county Except Marshall had
strictly complied with the laws.
We have no fault to find with the ap-
pralsers Of other counties. if they could
dispense with portion of the require
ments of the law. But it seems tc US. that
orr appraisers should not he censured for
strictly complying acM the law. Had
they persued the same course that other
appraisers did their bill would have been
materially lessened. Yet. owing to the
courses above enumerated. it would. most
likely, have been "a large AS that OF La
porte, We have set this matter as we con-
ceive, in its true light. and we leave the
public to Judge whether. under all the cir
cumstances. Mr.. Phillips has not done our
Appraisers injustice.
T. MCDONALD.
Plymouth. Nov. 90. 1859.