The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1862-10-10

O F f ICI A l..
AssessnI,s, Notice.


NOTICE is hereby given that have been appoint
Ell Assessor of Taxes for the First Congressional
District OF the State of Maine, under the Act of Con-
ress, approved July l. A. d. 1862, entitled "An Act
y provide internal revenue to support the Govern
ent and to pay interest on the public debt"
In compliance with the provisions of said Act and
tstructions Of the COMMISSIONERS OF INTERNAL
t.EvENUE, have divided said District into eleven
visions and appoint an Assistant Assessor in each.
. follows
The LIST division comprises the towns of York,
Wells, kennebunk. Kennebunkport, and the city of
i;iddeford; JOSEPH BRAGDoN, Jr., of York, Assist
ID division, the towns of Kittery. Eliot, South
i'erwick, Berwick end North Berwick; THEoDoRE
\. ROLLINS, of South Berwick, Assistant.
Sd division the towns of Lebanon, Sanford, Al
red, Acton, Shapleigh and Newield; JOHN s. PAR
Ter, of Lebanon, Assistant.
Atm DIVISION the towns of Saco, Dayton, Lyman
nd Marlborough; JOHN GAINS, of Saco Assist
9th division, the towns of Buxton, Hollis, Lining
t)n, Limerick, Cornish and Parsonsfeld; CHARLES
1. WELD, of Buxton, Assistant.
9th division. Wards l, 2, and of the city of
Portland; SAMUEL SMALL, Of Ward in said city.
It'll division. Wards s. and of said city of Port.
hnd, AUGUSTUS I. GERRIsH, of Ward6, in said city,
9Th division, the towns of westbrook, Falmouth,
,orham, scarborough and Cape Elizabeth; DAVID
4oRREY, of Westbrook, Assistant
9th division, the towns of Bridgton, Sebaeo Bald
win, Standish, Naples, Harrison and Otisfeld LOT
y, NELSON, of Bridgton, Assistant
. 10th division, the towns of New Gloucester, GRAY,
forth Yarmouth, Cumberland Windham, Casco and
raymond; SEwALL n. GROSS, of New Gloucester.
Assistant
18th division, the towns of Freeport Brunswick.
Iarpswell, Pownal and Yarmouth; HEzEKIAH b.
MEANS, of Freeport, Assistant.
The act under which these assistants arc appointed
look effect on the LIST day of September instant.
Citizens residing in the large business centres of
ms district have doubtless read it, and hence
orm their own conclusions in relation to its provis-
'ons but as there many in the agricultural Sec
ions who may have been unable to obtain copy for
examination wish to call their attention to of
It's principles
Soon after the rebellion broke out Congress found
1t necessary to assess small direct tax the sever
al States to maintain the credit of the country The
States being authorized to 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 theinna-
ture, 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
Names proportion Of that tax has been liquidated
expenses of the war, Congress wisely determined to
raise money from the people without State interyen-
effect this object and to make the tax equal in every
State. they have passed what has been termed Ex
else Act. Passing by the farmer, the mechanic the
fisherman, the lumberman, and many other pursuits
so essential 10 prosperity a people. this act
ev1cs It's light contributions upon the nth, the
Injuries the pleasures and business of the country
1t 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 uoes NOT TAX real estate OF any description, nor
with very few exceptions, personal property. Tho
excess owe 40 ounces of silver spoons plate, and
riding carriages of all descriptions, valued with the
harness at S15 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 taxed at a sum so nconsiderable
that II fs TO be hoped every citizen who desires the
perpetuty of his government WILL in this terrible cri-
sis of its affairs assume chcerfuly 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 /, within the act. 1t may
be the only opportunity he will ever have TO contr
butte dollar for the preservation of his government
The professional man - the retail trader whose
sales exceed one thousand dollars per year-the
ufacturer of any article the sales of which exceed
six hundred dollars per year-the hotel keeper-the
man whose yearly income exceeds six hundI cd dol
lars and several other employ TO be assessed
1t presumed all such are conversant with the
visions of this act.
would call their attention TO sections from six to
eleven, inclusive, and section nty-eght
These sections impose the duty upon every person
liable 10 be assessed for tax license cnimme-
dately upon the assistant assessor and make up and
sign their several assessments II they neglect 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 a careful examination OF
these sections that Congress, relying upon the par-
otism of the business 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 a valuation upon objects liable to
taxation is rather advisory than absolute. In order
however 70 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 II.
Having been intrustcd by the President with the
duty OF 4oeina that tbesesx lias properly pre-.
pared and seasonably delivered to the collector
this district respectfully request all good citizens
within il TO call Immediately upon the assistant
sor OF the assessment district where they reside and
deliver him lists as required in the sixth section OF
the act; He will give all persons the necessary In
formation 10 enable them 10 comply with its proyis-
ions, and furnish blanks therefor.
NATH'L G. MARSHALL.
Assessors Office, City Buildings,
Portland, Sept. !, 1862.
septl0eod3w