The Portland daily press., 1862-09-20
O f F CT A l..
ASScSSOrS, Notice.


NOTICE is hereby given that have been appoint.
ed Assessor of Taxes for the First Congressional
District of the State of Maine under the Act of Con-
gress approved July l, A ID. 1862 entitled can Act
10 provide internal revenue to support the Govern
ment and to pay interest on the public debit
In compliance with the provisions OF said Act and
instructions of the COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL
REVENUE, have divided said District into eleven
divisions, and appoint Assistant Assessor in each,
as follows:
The 1st division comprises the towns of York,
Wells kennebunk kennebunkport and the city of
Bddeford; JOSEPH BRAGDoH, Jr., of York, Assist
ant.
I'd division, the towns of kittery, Eliot, South
Berwick, Berwick and North Berwick; THEODORE
A. ROLLINS, of South Berwick, Assistant.
3d division, the towns of Lebanon, Sanford, Al
fred, Acton, Shapleigh and Newfcld; JOHN s. PAR
KER, of Lebanon, Assistant.
4th division, the towns of Saco, Dayton, Lyman
and Marlborough JOHN GAINS, of Saco, Assist
ant.
5th division, the towns of Buxton, Hollis. Lining
ton, Limerick, Cornish and Parsonsfeld; CHARLES
f. WELD, of Buxton, Assistant.
9Th division, Wards l, 2, 8 and of the city of
Portland; SAMUEL SMALL, of Ward in said city,
Assistant.
eth division, Wards 5. and of said city of Port
land AUGUSTUS I. GERRIsH, of Ward G, in said city,
Assistant.
sth division, the towns of westbrook Falmouth,
Gorham, Scarborough and Cape Elizabeth; DAVID
ToRREy, of Wcstbr0ok Assistant.
9th division, the towns of Bridgton Sebago, Bald
win, Standish Naples, Harrison and Otisfeld; LOT
c. NELSON, of Bridgton, Assistant
10th division, the towns of New Gloucester, Gray,
North Yarmouth, Cumberland, Windham, Casco and
Raymond; SEwALL n. GROSS, of New Gloucester,
Assistant.
11th DIVISION the towns of Freeport, Brunswick,
Harpswel1, Pownal and Yarmouth; HEZEKIAH B.
MEANS, of Freeport, Assistant
The act under which these assistants appointed
took effect the lst day of September instant.
Citizens residing in the large business centres of
this district have doubtless read 1t, and can hence
form their own conclusions in relation to its provis
ions: but as there many in the agricultural
tions who may have been unable to obtain copy for
examination, wish to call their attention to some of
its principles.
Soon after the rebellion broke out, Congress found
1t necessary to assess small direct tax on the sever
al States TO maintain the credit of the country. The
States being authorized to assume the payment of the
sum demanded OF them, had the power to assess it
upon all the property within their limits.
Farms and other real estate being, from their
ture more 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 Of that tax has been liquidated
and paid In order TO provide in part for the future
expenses of the war, Congress wisely determined to
raise money from the people without State interyen-
ton, and without taxing the producing C asses. To
effect this object, and TO make the tax equal in every
state. they have passed what has been termed an En-
else Act. Passing by the farmer, the mechanic the
fisherman, the lumberman, and many other pursuits
so essential TO prosperity people. this act
levies IFS light contributions upon the wealth. the
Injuries the pleasures. and business of the country
IL confines Its operations chiefly TO the cities, towns
and villages, and gathers its revenues from the chan
nels in which floats the money of the country.
III does not TAX real estate of any description, nor
with very few exceptions, personal property The
excess 40 ounces of silver spoons plate, and
riding carriages of all descriptions, valued with the
harness at SO and upwards must be assessed. With
the exception of these items there is not prob
ably farmer mechanic in this district within
the act These are taxed at sum so inconsiderable
that II u to be hoped every citizen who desires the
pcrpetuity Of his government WILL in this terrible cri
sis of its affairs assume cheerflly his proportion of
its necessary burdens. and if he is fortunately the
owner Of an article liable TO be assessed put value
upon il which shall bring il within the act. Ii may
be the only opportunity he will ever have TO conr-
butte dollar for the preservation of his government
The professional man - the retail trader whose
sales exceed one thousand dollars per yearthe man
ufacturer of any article the sales of which exceed
six hundred dollars per year-the hotel keeper-ihe
man whose yearly income exceeds six hundred dol
lars and several other epoymens are TO be assessed
II presumed all such conyersant with the pro-
visions of this act.
would call their attention to sections from six to
eleven, inclusive, and section fTffy-cight
These sections impose the duty upon every person
liable TO be assessed for tax license TO call imme
dately upon the assistant assessor and make up and
sign their several assessments If they neglect so TO
do he is required to increase their tax fifty per cent
and discretionary authority is vested in the assis-
tant or the assessor to make any abatement of this
amount. See section IL.
II will be perceived by careful examination of
these sections that Congress- relying upon the pari.
oism of the business men of the country proceeded
upon the hypothesis that every liable TO be taxed
would substantially himself and sign the bills
fixing the amount he was TO pay If the act, there
fore is complied with the assistant assessor Is but a
recording officer, who receives and properly enters
the lists delivered him by the citizen, and his duty in
relation to fixing valuation upon objects liable TO
taxation, is rather advisory than absolute. In order
however to prevent the selfish the Indifferent or the
tratorous from escaping their proper proportions OF
the public burden Congress has fixed the penalties
for their neglect prescribed in section IL.
Having been intrusted by the President with the
duty of seeing that these tax lats 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. He will give all persons the necessary in
formation 10 enable them TO comply with its proyis-
ions, and furnish blanks therefor.
NATHL G. MARSHALL.
Assessors office, City Buildings,
Portland Sept. l, 1862.
sept10eod3w