Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1859-01-07


a total Of $s,532, ,eO2.e9. The balance in
tho Treasury, therefore,. at the commence
ment of the present fiscal year, was $780,
1885.
The levies Of each year produce tho ro-
ceipts Of the next year. The receipts aud
disbursements Of the current year, there
fore, can at present bo only estimated the
levies only, which were made in part under
the acts Of tho last, and in part under tho
acts of preceding sessions, are certain. The
taxes paid, and to be paid, into the Treas
ury during the current year arise from these
levics. Referring you to former commuui-
cations for information relating to former
years, shall state summariy the amount
Of taxable values and of taxes levied in
1858. Tho total number Of acres listed
for taxation was 25,29s,96s. Tho valua-
tion Of these lands was $437, 1893, 80 that
of town and city lots, &l53, 1e2.S15; that
of chattels, $3.50, 0,5l4,0e4; making the ag
lgregato valuation Of all taxable property in
the State 40,so0,03l. The taxes lovied
for general State purposes were, for Sink
ling Fund, Sl,047 ,902; for general State
purposes, 1857, ,206 for Common Schools,
SI,259,092; for District School Libraries,
$s3,920; in all, $2,97s, 1872. The lsvies
for county purposes were, for county expen-
ses 81, l30,030; for bridges, S361 1885, for
the poor 222,471; for building, s320,s54 ;
for roads, $3.50, ,435 for railroads, S4G2, ,A30;
in all, $2,s49,220. The levies for town
ship, city and other local purposes were, for
township expenses, 2e4,051; for schools
and school houses, $1,43s,sl1; for city,
town and other special taxes, sl,633,sl6;
making total for township and city taxes
of $3,956,676; to which add for delinquen-
ces and forfeitures, S572,630; making the
aggregate of county and other LEGAL taxes
Of $6,77s,52s.
A slight degree Of attention to these
facts viii correct the common notion that
the addition to existing taxation of new
levy of some fraction of q mill cannot be Of
much consequence. The levy for school Ii.
brarios is $s3,92O; yet the ratio is but one
J tenth Of mill 1t is the aggregate of
such rates, which, considered separately,
and without reference to the sums produced,
seems SO inconsiderable, that constitutes the
. total burden Of taxation.
While these considerations must recon-
mend not to the General Assembly only,
but to tho local authorities even mora en-
phatically, the dutiesof prudence, ,forbearance
and careful economy, there is yet something
in tho objects to which the revenues are de-
voted which may reconcile us in some
measure to the taxation which we bearS--
A very large proportion Of all the public
income is expended directly for the com
mon good. The leyios for schools, schoo
houses and libraries amount, for example, to
t S2,7S1,S22, or nearly one third Of the tax
es 10 all forms and for all purposes. Ye
, who would dispense with our schools, school
! houses, or librariesl Who docs not know
, that this expenditure is more than REIN
/ bursod in the enhanced value Of property
: and the augmented power Of the people
5 To taxation for these and similar pur
; poses, the proceeds being honestly and eco
r nomically applied, the people cheerfulJ
t consent. They murmur, and Justly mpr
s mur, when their burdens are augmented
f beyond tho proportion Of benefits, by i'm
providence, waste or peeulation. For th,
: look to County Commissioners, Township
] Trustees, Boards of Education, and cit
o and village councils, even more than TO th'
! General Assembly. It cannot be too deep
i ly impressed on the public mind that th
discretion committed to these local authori
s ties, however limited and guarded, must bs
: necessarily large. and that in respect TO th
c imposition Of far the largest proportion
. of taxes, they constitute the r0al lsgisia
j lures Too much 70 cannot be exercisot
C in the choice of citiz,ns to ill these impor
z tant positions.
0 To ensure tho safest and most boncfcia
workings of our financial system it seem
IS desirable that assessment, leyy collection
# and disbursement DO brought as closely to
= gether as possible. l can see no good rea
n son why assessments may not be made an
equalized, lcvies determined and duplicate
/ prepared during the last quarter of eacl
/; fiscal year. This would bring levies int
l. close proximity to collections and ensur
f the most exact proportion possible betweei
IS values and taxes. Nor do | perceive VIII
r County Treasnrers collecting revenue 70
II bl0 Otdeo Sbohiu bOI w IVtiuHeN 10 fcppi
IS their collections at brief intervals, in tn
@ same manner as the collectors on tho cs
If mails, and hold them subject to the draft c
Y the Comptroller, or why their final ssttiG
@ menls with the State Treasurer Should b
of delayed to the late day now designated .
e law.
Is Each years income should, as nearly P
y is practicable, pay each years expenses
g and no money shonld remain in tho Trca
o ury except what is needed for current di
j. bursoments. The act passed at your lat
IF session, providing for the semianOual co
1t lection Of taxes was, in my judgement
c. wise step in tho right direction, and ar
d glad to know, has given general satisfaetio
G in It's practical operation. The act autho
e izing drafts BY the Comptroller upon th
in County Trcasurers, for the taxes collected
10 December, jdstpast in order to their appl
v cation to payment of tho interest duo c
" the first Of tho current month, was anoth
10 stop towards the same end. Justly obno
ious to censurc as was tho practice Of CO
IN Letting from the County Tr0asurers by sir
ne liar drafts, in advance of their regular Sc
Is Elements, large sums TO be added to larl
I'd balances already in the Treasury or TO SUI
of ply the place Of large balances fraudulent
C. abstracted, it can now hardly admit Of que
he tion that our safest future position viii /
nd to pay our January interests from Decor
ho hor n nj ouF Julv tntorasfs from LAM, eoIIo