Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1862-01-23

| tne sun oi ylSo,UVU-
The amounts levied for local purposes, fo
the year 1861. were:
| C0unty 81 326,l40 4:
Loor J42,J25 II
lsoad 430,253 -Ss
| bf1oge S24,490 IL
bullding .---.----- 26i .9o7 81
township. 5Z5,xc0 D
| Sub-DIst. School d School House ,375, 1862 81
City, Town and Borough. ... l,560,194 q
Other special purposes. 535.026 Al
Making total of of..S7,0l4,748 81
Of the several items. save only the poor tax
it is believed that at least thirty per cent
may, without serious and with but temporary
dctriment to the people of the State, be with
held from the several special purposes, and
made ap plicable TO the general treasury, thus
constituting principal means of providing for
the wants Of the General Government, without
any increase of the present gross amount Of
burthens upon the public. In this crisis Of our
beloved country's great tribulaiion and needs,
it behooves our public authorities, as well as
private indiviuals, TO forego many of the COM
forts and luxuries of times of peace and pros
perity. and exercise rigid economy and prudent
sclf.denial.
have, therefore, to recommend to your ear
nest consideration the adoption OF suitable
means to effect this purpose.
The system Of taxation now in force, il faith
fully executed. is. perhaps, in the main, as per-
feet and equitable rs can well be devised. The
object of the law is to bring upon the duplicate
all the property in the Stale at its true value in
money. So far as property, visible to the sever
al assessors is concerned, this object is, gener-
ally, well attained, but there is reason to fear
that isuisi6le property, particularly money and
credits, to a large amount, escaped taxation.
therafore recommend that more severe penal
ties, certain of enforcement, be provided tor
failures to give in to the assessors this species
of property. The citizen who willfully at
tempts to evade his just proportion Of taxation
for the support Of the government that protects
his person and his property, should be deemed
a criminal, and punished as such.
The mode of listing railroads for taxation al
50 requires attention. Great inequality must
necessarily exist under the present system. To
secure uniformity. equality, and full valuation
in the assessment of this large interest, | would
recommend the creation of Board of Assess
Ors for that Lpeclal purpose: but, to avoid the
creation OF new officers, and consequent ex-
pense to the State, recommend that this Board
consist Of the several County Auditors Of the
counties through which the road passes. This
Board, thus constituted. should be required to
me. t at the principal office OF the company,
and there, after inspection of the books of the
company. assess the total value Of its property,
and distribute the same to the several districts.
From this assessment an appeal should be al
lowed to the Auditor of State, or other suitable
State Board. by every company feeling itself
aggrieved: and such board might, also, super
wise the assessmt nis Of the various Boards of
County Auditors for the purpose of equaliza-
ton. BY this means. defects now existing nay
be remedied with irifing expense TO the State.
and it is confidently expected that large addi-
tional amount will thereby be added TO the du-
plicate.
1t is hoped that all new causes of expendi-
ture may be avoided and that every effort to
promote economy may be made. 1 am, howev-
er, constrained, from sense of duty. to rec
Dmmend the continuance of the recent law, au- |
Ihorizing County Commissioners to assess a
AK for the support of the families of our troops
turing the war. The provisions of this law |
we're wise and benefcent. and have prevented |
much distress and suffering.
The charters of the several banks of the |
State created by the Act of February "a, ls45, |
will expire cd the 1st of May, 1866. In view |
VI the very extensive interests Involved in any |
udden change of the monetary system of our |
State, it would be wise that the future policy |
If the State on the subject of banking be early |
made known; under ordinary circumstances.
therefore,, would invite your attention to this
ubject at this time. You are, however, aware,
hat the Secretary OF the United States Treasu-
y has recommended measure which, if adopt
ID, will have a most important bearing upon
he subject; hence. deem it advisable, for the
present at least. TO abstain from interfering with
he matter. Should Congress dispose Of the
ubject at an early day, may deem it my du-
y to send youa special communication during
Tour present session.
1t may be advisable at this time, however, to
onsider the proprieiy of promptly relieving
he banks from their disability of paying out
he paper of institutions that do not redeem
heir issues, on demand, in specie. 1t is
;nown that the demand notes of the General
as also the notes of nearly all The
'anking institutions of our sister States, are
ot now redeemed in coin on demand; hence,
ur banks are unable to receive, in payment Of
lebts due them, or on deposit, any of this vast
description of currency: for, not being permit
ed to pay it out, of course they cannot receive
safely. This condition of things must neces-
arily affect the credit and circulation of the is
ues Of the Federal Treasury, and greatly Grip
lie it in obtaining means to prosecute the war.
treat rs the evil oi tolerating by law a suspen-
ion Of specie payments, 10 any extent, Is
nown to be, it is better to endure it. than to
mbarrass the Federal Government in obtain
,g means to vigorously crush the rebellion. /
ave, therefore, to recommend that yoH ot once
uthorize the several banking institutions of
ne State TO offer in payment Of their issues,
hen presented for payment, the notes of the
ederal Government, payable on demand.
The broker or Shylock, who may wish to
oard his money. in times like the present,
hoilld not complain if he is offered the notes
the Government from which he demands pro-
,ction for his person and property.
1t is, I believe, conceded by all, that the
anking institutions of our State now in exist
ace, have been managed with skill aad integ-
ty. and with degree of hberality to our Gov.
'nment, highly commendable; it would. there
re, be ungenerous to presume that their man
yers will attempt to make improper use of the
lief now recommended; but be the risk Of
lis great or little, We must risk everything ne I
.ssary to put down tho anholy rebellion.
The banks availing themselves of the prori-
ons of the law recommended, should be re-
lired to furnish the State, in proportion 10
eir capital respectively, with PR FUNDS neces-
ry to meet the interests on our bonded deot' a
Long years of quiet, prosperity, and seeming
eedom from danger, have led Us practically to
sreeard the safe maxim, "ln peace, prepare {
r war" q
Let the experience of the past year induce us !.
be ready, at all times, to "nip in the bud" =
" rebellion within, and promptly repel any G
vasion from abroad. Such preparation will p
|, an ever present guaranty against temptation
commit any breach of the public peace. A
orough organization of the militia Of the
ate should at once be commenced and eonsin-
d. This force, numbering about 35O.OOO men =
ould be divided into companies. regiments, 7
igade and divisions, and each should be well o
icered. The companies should be mustered a
least twice in each year. as companies; and r
or.. L., aach vaar m ra0i u,anfa | Y