The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1865-11-29

IL 1
Equal and Uniform Observation-Disclosures
The more we look into the subject of
State taxation, the more conclusive be-
comes the evidence that sweeping
reformation of asses Sments is demand
cd not only by compliance with the
organic law of the State but by public
interests no less than by public justice.
The figures cited in our columns
Monday certainly showed that the val
uation on which taxes have been as
sessed for years, is far below the pres
ent actual value of the property in the
State We deem them to have shown
even more, that the valuation was too
low when made, in 1886. That it was
much too low in 1860, we think capable
of proof.
Comparing the United States census
of 1850 with the assessors returns for
that year, We find that in the fifty coun-
tics now composing this State the CEN
sus exhibits SG4, ,sg7 worth of real
and personal property owned by cili-
zens of the counties, in excess of the
amount on the books of the assessors
and taxed by the State. The amount
taxed by the State in 1850 was in round
numbers SLOT 600, 900, while that shown
by the census which the State was en-
titled to tax was Sl7l, 900, 900. In Clay,
jackson and Mcdowell counties the
assessment exceeded the census return
by small amOunts. In all the others,
IL fell greatly below in Ohio more than
Sl0,0OO,OOO; in Hampshire, IS, 600, 900; In
RFnR1Fn nH.rsa =
more thnn $3,OOO,OOO; and in Hancock,
Harrison, Kanawhn, Marshall and
Monroe, each, more than 81, 900.
How are these differences to be ac-
counted for? The return TO the asses
sor was for taxation, that to the census
tHker was not. All the renl property
was put down by the assessor at the
low fixed valuation; it was given in to
the census taker at what 1t was worth.
SO, too, the personally was given to the
census taker at its actual value, and to
the assessor, perhaps something below,
for circumstances alter values as well
Hs cases.
In our estimate, we conjecturcd that
the present valuation of property in the
State was S92, OOO, 600 less than it ought
to be. The figures of the census show
that it was sG4, 100000 less five years
ago; so we feel safo in saying that esti-
mate was far below the mark; for it isap-
parent that the enhancement in thelast
five years has been much more than
s2s,0OO,OOO in the entire State.
We should remember that UNEQUAL
taxation is oppression. 1t is in effect
contiscating one mans property for the
benefit of another. If A. is compelled
To pay as much on $500 worth:of horses
or money us B. pays on 81, 900 worth OF
Land, when the law says each kind of
property shall be taxed equally, it is
evident that the law is violated and in
excusahle wrong is done. This is lust
what our tax law in its present opera
ton results in; and the proportion of
injustice is but little below that named.
We cannot doubt that with such fncts
before them, the Legislature will hasten
TO remedy this great evil at the coming
session. The exemption of slaves un-
der IL years of age and the valuation
of others Mt $500 only, in the old State,
was a parallel in principle, but not in
magnitude in this part of tho State.
That inequality exists no longer. This,
too, is an evilof the old regime entailed
upon us. 1t becomes us to eradicate It
at the earliest possible moment. HOG
%S
CLAIM FOR $500, 600 AGAINST THE City
or BosToN.-The COMMONWEALTH gives
the history OF II most extraordinary
claim which is made against the city of
Boston by Mr.. Charles Burrill of Brook
line. When the city was paying pre-
miums ofSl2j to recruiting agents for
each volunteer furnished by them, Mr..
Burrill, who was in the employ of the
city MS recruiting officer, went to
Washington, and, AS he says, labored
with the Congressional COMMITTEES to
induce them to allow naval recruits to
lee credited on the quota of Boston. He
afterwards copied from the books ofthe
receiving ship ut the Navy Yard the
names of about 1000 seamen enlisted
from Boston, most OF whom were credi
ted TO the city. Mr.. Burrill now claims
Sl25 for each man, or in all, about $780,
000. The Mayor refuses to pay him.
Hchas cOmmenced IA sui, and has retain
ed seven lawyers, Gen. Butler being
one ofthem.
FALL IN DOMESTIC GooDs.-The New
York Journal Of Commerce thinks that,
though ali classes Of dry goods show a
decline, THAT it does not follow from
amy known facts that staple goods may
not be as high in the spring ms they
have been this fall. Producers will
crowd their looms and duh opening
mny create panic in prices, but the
cAuses which have stimulated. and sus-
tanned the speculntions of the last two
years are by no means removed, or in
process of removal" ON thesnIne sub
ject the FfndRcia' Chroaicte says:
Goods of all kinds are RAPIDLY acc,,-
mulnttng, very much against thcwishes
of holders. The bottom is not Vet
reached, but Il further reduction of i've /
or seven per cent, will bring about n rI,.ll
action, and the trade which will surely |
follow thHt reduction will soon clear tho |
market of the present accumulation. |
Prices are not yet down to those of the I
last week in August, Mt which time trade |
commenced 50 briSkly. The long period |
OF dizziness which has followed the nm |
warranted advance of September and !
October VIII suggest more cautiousneSs
should trade again spring up"
a i