The Portland daily press., 1862-10-14
O F F ICIAL.
Assessors Notice.

NOTICE is hereby given that have been appoint
ed Assessor of Taxes for the First Congressional
District of the State of Name under the Act of Con-
gress, approved July J. A. ID. 1862 entitled IAN Act
to provide internal revenue to support the Govern
In compliance with the provisions of said Act and
instructions of the COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL
REVENUE hare divided said District into eleven
divisions and appoint an Assistant Assessor in each,
s foows
The LIST division comprises the towns of York,
Wells, kennebunk, kennebunkport, and the city of
Biddeiord; JOSEPH BRAGDoN, 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.
Sd division the towns of Lebanon, sanford, AL
fred, Acton, Shaplegh and Newfeld; JOHN s. PAR
KER, of Lebanon, Assistant
4th division, the towns of Saco, Dayton, Lyman
and Marlborough; JOHN GAINS, of Saco, Assist
ant.
9th division, the towns of Buxton, Hollis Lining
ton, Limerick, Cornish and Parsonsfeld; CHARLES
Z. WELD, of Buxton, Assistant.
9th division. Wards /, 2, and of the city of
Portland; SAMUEL SMALL, of Ward in said city,
Assistant
7th division. Wards 5. and of said city of Port
land AUGUSTUS +. GERRIsH, OF Ward6, in said city,
Assistant
sth division, the towns of westbrook, Falmouth,
Gorham, Scarborough and Cape Elizabeth; DAVID
ToRREY, of Westbrook, Assistant
9th division, the towns of Bridgton, Sebago Bald.
win Standish, Naples, Harrison and 0tsfield 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.
18th division, the towns of Freeport Brunswick.
Harpswell, Pownal and Yarmouth HEzEKIAH b.
MEANS, of Freeport, Assistant.
The act under which these assistants are appointed
took effect on the LIST day of september instant
Citizens residing in the large business centres of
this district have doubtless read it, and can hence
form their conclusions in relation to its provs-
ions but there many in the agricultural Sec
lions who may have been unable TO obtain copy for
examination wish to call their attention TO some of
its principles.
ii necessary TO 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 il
upon all the property within their limits.
Farms and other real estate being, from their ma
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
a direct tax would impose upon them
Names proportion If that tax has been quidated
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 interview
effect this object and TO make the tax equal in every
State. they have passed what has been termed an Ex.
else Act. Passing by the farmer the mechanic the
fisherman, the lumberman, and many other pursuits
so essential to our prosperity as people, this act
cvies its light contributions upon the we th 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
II does not tax real estate of any description nor
with very few exceptions, personal property. The
excess owe. 40 ounces of silver spoons plate and
riding carriages of all descriptions. valued with the
harness at SIS and upwards must be assessed. With
the exception of these two items there is not prob
ably farmer nor mechanic in this district, within
the act These are taxed at a sum inconsiderab,e
that il Is to be hoped every citizen who desires the
perpetuity of his government Will in this terrible
sis of It's affairs cheerfully his proportion of
its necessary burdens and If he is fortunately the
owner of an article liable to be assessed put value
upon II which shall bring it within the act. II NAV
be the only opportunity he viii ever have 10 contr
butte dollar for the preservation of his government
The professional man - the retail trader whose
sales exceed thousand dollars per year-the man
ufaciurer Of article the sales of which exceed
six hundred dollars per year-the hotel keeper-tbe
man whose yearly income exceeds six bundled dol
lars and several other empoyments are to be
II is presumed all such conyersant with the pro-
visions OF this act.
would call their attention 10 sections from six to
eleven, inclusive, and section fty-eight.
These sections impose the duty upon every person
liable TO be assessed for tax license TO call mme
diaiely upon the assistant assessor and make up and
sign their several assessments If they neglect to
do he is required 10 increase their tax fifty per cent
and discretionary authority is vested in the assis-
iant or the assessor TO make any abatement of this
amount. See section ii.
1t will be perceived BY a careful examination of
these sections that Congress, relying upon the patri-
otism of the business of the country proceeded
upon the hypothesis that every liable to be taxed
would substantially assess himself, and sign the bills
fore Z Complied with the assistant assessor Is bur
recording officer, who receives and properly enters
the lists delivered him by the Citizen and his duty in
relation TO fixing a valuation upon objects liable to
taxation is rather advisory than absolute. In order
however TO prevent the selfish the indifferent the
tratorous from escaping their proper proportions of
the public burden, Congress has fixed the penalties
for their neglect. prescribed Ia section IL.
Having been intrusted by the President with the
duty of seeing that these tax hats properly pre-
pared and seasonably delivered TO the collector of
this district respectfully r9sBest all good citizens
within II to call immediately kpon the assistant
of the assessment district where they reside and
deliver him lists required IN the sixth section
the act. lie will give all persons the necessary in
formation 10 enable them TO comply with its provis-
I ions, and furnish blanks therefor.
NATH'L G. MARSHALL.
Assessors Office. City Buildings,
Portland, Sept. l. 1862.
septl0eod3w