Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1867-09-14
LOCAL MATTERS.
More About the Assessment.
ELLswoRrH. September 9. 1867.

assessment of Personal Property seems TO be
about all there is of interest at present, and
as | have frequently seen my name mention
ed in connection herewith. would like to
trouble the readears of your valuable paper,
TO make known few facts. etc.
Some time since / noticed an article from
A. Morse. in regard to the equalization of
River Fails. in which he claims the farming
lands of River Falls average 1915 yer acre.
while the farming lands of Oak Grove aver
age but 1915 per acre. Now Mr.. NJ. knows
as well as / do, that sach is not really the
facts He is well aware that there is in the
village Of River Falls, outside of the plated
lands. some ia acres, valued at $35, 000.-
This includes three mills, and much of the
most valuable part of River Falls. Whereas,
River Falls. Hence, for convenience sake,
and to test the relative '. e of farming lands
of River Falls with Oak Grove, this ia acres
Of $35 900 value, was dropped, and 60 per Ct
added to the balance, making the farming
lands of River Falls average the same as Oak
Grove lands, which was S775 per acre. OF
course, the so per ct. was finally added 10 the
$35 900 with the rest hence the farming
lands Of River Falls, including nearly one
half of the village, average 1915 per acre
Now | am very much surprised that Mr.
Morse should so wonder, when he in fact, pro-
posed this same thing to me he advocates.
that ii was the only true way to come at it,
and think so myself The facts are. Nj
Editor. he urged the Board for two aud half
days, with all the eloqueUce at his command
TO raise the assessed valuation of River Falls
100 per cent. and now that it is raised but
so per cent, he is struck all ahack. 1t seems
to me he has been taking items from A. J. or
p. V. n, and has been round the circle of
assessment.
Again, in your last issue, find an article
from Morse & Tozer, in regard to my pub
fishing certain article that did not reflect
much credit or honesty upon certain parties
therein mentioned, providing the items there
in set forth were true which, Mr.. Editor.
have no means Of finding out. | have no
doubt that each and every man mentioned in
said article listed their property fairly and
fully in fact, have evidence in my office to
that effect and the only reason OF my visi-
ting those of River Falls was to learn how
they. or the assessor. got at this average
monthly value. The law says a merchant,
etc, shall list his or their average monthly VAL
ne. Now ! was aware that some of our as
sessors did not understand how to get at said
monthly average for instance, certain man
reported to the assessor he had at the com
mencement of the year 81 900 capital, and
about the same each month through the year.
Now in this case the assessor divided the 900
by II, the number of months in the year.
which would average $83, the amount listed.
Whereas, it should have been 81 900. Such
cases, think. lay within the province of the
Clerk of Supervisors. ITO correct. but where
person has listed his property with full un
outstanding Of the law, and the assessor I'M
dcrstands the same, and the statement is pro-
peyly sworn to- think the Clerk has no pow
er to deal with it have examined the as
sessment law very carefully, and can find no
authority for the Clerk TO go behind per-
sons oath. l think this would come within
the province of the Grand Jury. II person
has been omitted by The assessor, then it is
the duty of the Clerk TO see that his or her
property is listed, and he is in such cases yes
ted with same power as assessor.
Messrs. NJ. d 7. say that it was understood
that this article was to be kept private, and
was presented TO me for my encouragement
Now l deny the assertion as far as / had any
understanding Of the matter, and for my en-
couragement. ] need none any further than to
know my duty. would ask why should it
be kept private 1t was matter that inter-
ested each and every taxpayer in the county.
Why not make it public, and let the world
see the inside as well as the outside of the
matter? / think. Mr.. Editor, it would have
been all right if River Falls had not been
mentioned; such is implied in their last ar
ticle. If they have launched their boat against
the home tide, they are the ones to row it, and
not blame others for their msnap.
would simply ask here, is it the intention
of the county to forestall the action of the
Legislature, and make the Clerk of Supervi-
sors the county assessor Such would seem
to me to be the facts. would very much
like an explanation of this subject from our
District Attorney, and if have been wrong
or have misconstrued IT, law. ] am ready to
make all atonement in my power. l do not
wish to evade or shrk one iota of my duty
and am ready and willing, at all times, to be
corrected.
As far as the equalization of property is
concerned. find nothing in the action of the
County Board that conflicts with the law
They have Cart. LIST and ID, Sec. %, Chap
53S. laws 1869 power to raise the valuation
of any town, village or city, and to lower the
same when too high, as in their opilion have
been returned below or above their tue val
ne provided that such Board shall not re-
duce the aggregate of the county below the
amount returned by the assessors. Not one
word is said about their not having power to
double or treble the aggregate amount of
county valuation as returned by the ASSESSORS.
The whole trouble ARISES from the fault or
conniyance of the assessors. If they will, as
they are in duty bound TO do, assess proper
ty, both real and personal. at IFS true value,
there would be no cause for complaint fIom
this or that individual. and every one would
then pay his or her just proportion, and each
one would be satisfied.
am glad to see so much interest manifes-