The Portland daily press., 1862-10-23
Assessors, Notice.

NoIi. Is nereoy given that have been appoint
ed Assessor of Taxes for the First Congressionsl
District of the state of Maine under the Act of Con-
gress approved July l, A. ID. 1862 entitled aAn Act
10 proVide internal revenue to support the Govern
ment and to pay interest the public debt
Ia compliance with the provisions OF said Act and
instructions of the CoMMIssIoxER or IxrrpS.a
REVENUE, have divided said District into eleven
DIVISIONS and appoint an Assistant Assessor in each
Wells hennebunk, kennebunkport and the city OF
Bddeford; JOSEPH BRAeDoS, Jr., of York, Assist
ant.
ID division. the towns of Kittery. Eliot soutb
Berwick, Berwick and North Berwick; THKopoRE
A; ROLLINS, Of South Berwick, Assistant.
"a division, the towns of Lebanon, Sanford, Al
fred, Acton, Shaplegh and Newfeld; JoHx s. Par
KER, of Lebanon, Assistant.
4th division. the towns of saco. Dayton. Lyman
and W marlborough; JOHN GAINS, of Saco, Assist
ant.
5th division. the towns of Buxton. Hollis Lining
ton, Limerick, Cornish and Parsonsfeld; CHARIFs
L. WELD, of Buxton, Assistant.
9Th division. Wards /, 2, 8 and of the city of
fortland SAMUEL SMALL, of Ward in said city,
7h division. Wards s, and Of said city of Port.
land AUGUSTUS I. GERRIsH, of Ward 9. in said city.
sth division, the towns of westbrook. Falmouth.
Gorham, scarborough and Cape Elizabeth; DAVID
ToRREY, of Wesfbrook, Assistant.
9th division, the towns of Bridgton Sebaeo Raid.
win, Standish, Naples. Harrison and Otisfcld; Lor
C., NELSON, of Bridgton, Assistant.
10th division, the towns of New Gloucester Grsy
North Yarmouth, Cumberland windham. CISCO and
Raymond; sEwALL n GROSS. of New Gloucester,
Assistant
1lth division. the towns of Freeport Brunswick.
Harpswell, Pownal and Yarmouth; HEzEKIAH III
MEANS, of Freeport, Assistant.
The act under which these assistants appointed
took effect on the lst day of September Instant. ~
Citizens residing in the large business centres of
this district have doubtless read IT, and can hence
form their own conclusions in relation its provs-
ions; but as there many in the agricultural sec.
uons who NAV have been unable TO obtain eopy for
examination, wish to call their attention to some Of
its principles.
Soon after the rebellion broke out. Congress found
It necessary to assess small direct on the sever
States, 10 maintain the credit of the country The
states being authorized to the payment of the
sum demanded of them had the power to assess il
upon all the property within their limits.
Farms and ether real estate being, from their na-
fure. moro exposed than other objects of taxation
would suffer severely from the constant draft for
money created in sustaining the government during
this war and they could not long endure the burden
direct tax would impose upon them.
Maines proportion If that tax has been liquidated
and paid In order to provide in part for the future
expenses of the war, Congress wisely determined 10
raise money from the people without State interven-
fion and without taxing the producing asses. To
effect this object and to make the tax equal in every
State they have passed what has been termed Ex-
cise Act Passing BY the farmer. the mechanic. the
fisherman, the lumberman, and many other pursuits
so essential TO prosperity as a people, this act
leyies its light contributions upon the we ilth the
Injuries the pleasures and business of the country
II confines its operations chiefly to the cities, towns
and villages and gathers its from the cham
nels in which floats the money of the country.
IL does not tax real estate of description, nor
with very few exceptions, personal property. The
excess ove- 40 ounces Of silver spoons or plate and
riding carriages of all descriptions valued with the
harness a. s75 and upwards must be assessed With
the exception of these two items there Is prob
ably farmer nor mechanic in this district, Within
the act These are taxed at a sum nconsiderable
that il l. TO be hoped every citizen who desires the
perpetuity of his government will in this terrible cr
its necessary burdens, and if he is fortunately the
owner of an article liable to be assessed put yalue
upon 1t which shall bring it within the act. 1t may
be the only opportunity he will ever have contri
butte dollar for the preservation of his
The professional mas = the retail trader
sales exceed one thousand dollars per year-the
utacturer of any article the sales of which exceed
six hundred dollars per year-the hotel keeper-the
man whose yearly income exceeds six hundi ed dol
lars and several other employ be assessed.
Is presumed all such are conyersant with the pro-
visions OF this act.
would call their attention to sections from six to
eleven, inclusive, and section ffty-eight
These sections impose the duty upon every person
liable TO be assessed for tax license to alimme-
diately upon the assistant and make up and
sign their several assessments If they neglect so 10
do he is required to increase their tax fifty per cent,
and no discretionary authority is vested in the assis
tant or the assessor to make any abatement of this
Ii will be perceived by q careful examination Of
these SECTIONS that Congress relying upon the patri
otism OF the business men of the country, proceeded
upon the hypothesis that every liable TO be taxed
would substantially himself and sign the bills
nNlng the amount he was to pay If the act, there
fore Is complied with the assistant assessor is but
recording officer. who receives and properly cutters
the lists delivered him by the citizen and his duty in
relation TO liking avaluation upon objects liable to
taxation is rather advisory than absolute. In order
however prevent the selfish, the indifferent the
raorous from escaping their proper proportions of
the public burden Congress has liked the penalties
for their neglect prescribed in section IL.
Having been intrusted by the President with the
duty OF seeing that these tax ats properly pre-
pared, and seasonaby delivered TO the collector of
this district respectfully request all good citizens
within il to call Immediately upon the assistant asses
of the assessment district where they reside and
deliver him lists required in the sixth section Of
the act. lie will give all persons the necessary in
formation a enable hem q cOmDy with ifs
ions, and furnsh blanks therefor. I
NArH,L G. MARSHALL.
Assessors Office. CITY Buildings,
Portland. Sept. l. 1862.
septl0eod3w