The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1867-01-17
AUDIToa OF STATES ANIMAL HE
PORT,

Wis 'ul PvIlaht uOcuHcut'
The report recapitulates the state
ment of receipts and disbursements as
given in the Treasurer's report, and
gives a detailed statement of estimates
OF receipts and disbursements for 1867
The total estimated receipts are
S. 25l .404 OIL, and disbursements S4,.
923. Jig 9G. which will leave in the
Treasury, Nov. Is, 1867, balance oi
1928, ,287 O5.
On the 5th Of Nov, 1885, the funded
debt Of the state wa5.--....- sl2Sl29l4 a
On the 18th Of Nov, 1866, itwss.... ll.sl476s "A
Decrease during the year......-... iO97 2I0 81
The Auditor says that the Finances
of the State were never in as favorable
a condition as at the present time; and
her credit in the market is not sur
passed by that OF any other State or
Government in the world. With such
notifications of her revenue and tax
laws, and such measures Of economy
and encouragement to capital and en-
terprise, as are suggested in this re-
port, and steady adherence to just
principles, an uninterrupted career Of
prosperity awaits her"
A thorough revision of the acts re.
lating to our finances and taxation is
recommended and as this will require
a great amount Of thought, care and
labor. such as cannot be given during
session Of the Legislature, the Audi-
tor recommends the appointment Of
three Commissioners for that purpose,
to report to the next General Assem-
bly,.
A revision Of the law for the valua-
tion Of Railroad property for taxation
is recommended. so that The President
and Secretary of Railroad Company
should swear TO the value OF their road
giving under oath q statement Of its
gross and net earnings for each Of the
three years next preceding The one in
which the return is made, Of it has
been so long in use, il not such length
Of time as il has been in operation y
These returns to be made to the Audi
tor of State IN such forms as he Ehal
require, and submitted 10 State
Board of Equalization, OF the Auditor
Treasurer, Secretary and Attorney
General of the State, who shall certi.
fy the equalized values to tie County
Auditors for taxation. Under the pres
ent system the poorer roads have paid
much greater taxes than they should
while the richer ones have paid much
less.
A change in the mode Of revaluing
real estate is recommended.
Let revaluation be once more
made, upon personal view and inspec
ton, and equalized by.a State Board
after which require the County Audi
tor to keep register of all sales ot
real estate, made up from the convey
ances, presented at his office for trans
fer, and transmit copy of it annually
to the Auditor of State, once in five
years and submitted to a State BoarC
of Equalization, to be composed of ont
member from each county, and one
mem Der from each city of the first an
second class, and the Auditor Of State
and a revaluatiOn can be made by {
per centum of additions or deductions
which will place real estate on the du
plicatcs for taxation at its true value
in money, us determined by actua
sales in the market. The Local Boards
continuing to edualize values in tn,
cities and counties, respectively, as a
present The abolition of the Office 0
Assessor is recommended, the duties Il
be performed by the Township Clerk
who shall keep record of all assess
ments of personal property, improve
ments and new structures on lands, anC
return full copies to the County Audi
tor.
The abolition Of a number Of unnec
essary expenses is recommended. a
mounting in the aggregate to 300
In regard to exemptions of proper
ty from taxation, the Auditor says: :"
would abolish all exemptions saw
those of property owned and used b!
the public, and that held by religion
literary and charitable institutions, from
which private gain is not sought TO b
made; and to relieve the exremel,
poor from taxation, l would requr
the County Auditor to omit from
the duplicate all assessments OF person
al property amounting to less thai
fifty dollars" The evils resulting frnr
the exemption of United States bond
are tersely stated, and, while the Stat
cannot of her own action rem 9dy thes
evils, she has a powerful voice in th
councils of the nation. which should b.
heard in behalf Of such remedies n
may be rightfully afforded BY the Gov
ernment.
IL Is advised that the statute for th
taxation of banks organized under th
laws Of Ohio be repealed, and tn
shares in such Institutions be take
against the holders at the places wher
the banks are located. If the rate q
interest is raised to what is regarde
as reasonable standard among busi
ness men, it is thought all opposito
to the payment of taxes upon nationO
bank shares will disappear
Turnpike stocks amounting to Sl4O
526 10 were sold during the year, AN
the amount applied to the payment
like amount Of The funded debt {
the State. saving an annual expend
: ture Of SS.43l Sc to the Treasury.
The sale of the other public worl
belonging to The State is advised.
The term of Office of County At
, ditors it is recommended should expir
Oct Is instead OF the fret Monday {