Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1867-08-22
Owira geous .fffenpf 20 Strindic
fhf Tar Tsauefs OF fhf Nfafs.


Owfra geons .fffempf 10 Sirindfc
fhe Tdr-f'Gyers OF fhe state.
The Commissioners Of our county
were startled a few days ago BY the
receipt Of communication from the
Auditor General of the State, calling
for the payment Of nearly sll 900 In
addition TO theamount Of tax that had
been regularly assessed aud paid in
1866 and 1867 Their surprise was
all the greater when they also recoiv-
ed letter from the Commissioners OF
the "loyal" county Of Lebanon, max
ing inquiry about this extraordinary
demand. IL seems that similar claim
for additional taxes was made up on
Lebanon, and the Commissioners OF
that county desired to know whether
our Commissioners intended TO payit Z
We have this statement from Geo. w.
Bruckman, Esq, the County Commits
sioners' Clerk, and from Isaac r. Fish
er, Esq, County Treasurer, As these
officers are aware of no law in the
State that authorizes the levy Of extra
taxes upon the several counties, it is
evident that this demand is nothing
less than bare-faced attempt to make
up deficiency in the revenues Of the
Commonwealth, by a swindlc upon
the taxpayers.
In 1866, law was passed relieving
real estate from taxation for State pur-
poses, and the Radical party made q
great boast about it during the last
election canvass. They claimed the
credit Of taking a heavy burden from
the shoulders Of the taxpayers of the
Statej and last winter an effort was
even made to abolish the tax on per-
sonal property, by apportioning GER
tam amounts TO the several counties,
which they might raise IN whatever
way they saw fit. This measure did
not become a law, however the State
Treasurer himself having serious
doubts as to its practicability.
The law and the practice have been,
and now are, for the Board of Reve-
nue. Commissioners TO assess a certain
amount Of tax upon each Of the coun-
ties, which assessment is based upon
the return made by the Commission
ers of the several counties, giving the
valuation Of the personal property as
sessed. On the Sth of June, 1866,
circular was sent to the Commission
ers of Berks county, stating what
amount would be required of this
county for that year, TO wit: ss,623 SO.
This was paid punctually, and the re-
ceipt is in the hands of the Treasurer
The assessment for 1867 was received
in the same way, and was paid by the
Treasurer.
But on the 4th of July last, the com
munieation above referred TO, was re-
ceived from the Auditor General. claim.
ing that Berks county was owing the
State s., ,434 "a for the last year. and
tho same amount for this year max.
ing an aggregate Of Sl0,S6G 0S. t.
would appear, therefore, Chat while
the "shoddy loyalists' havo been de-
luding the people with the idea that
they are reducing the taxes, they are
really engaged in a secret attempt to
cover up tho deficiency that their mis-
management of the State finances has
caused, by an illegal assessment upon
the taxpayers.
We are pleased TO learn that our
Commissioners are not disposed TO
comply with this unheard of demand
for additional taxes after the county
has faithfully and fully settled her in
debtedness to the State. This claim
may bc all right, according TO Geary
but II is an infamous extortion, and a
big swindle, according to our appre.
hension Of the case. How long will
Tho people of Pennsylvania submit to
such gross deception and downright
robberyl Ia
The Commissioners had laid their
axes according to the assessments
'ent from Harrisburg. They were
in the usual manner, and paid |
'ver to the State by our Treasurer.
f this additional "shoddy tax" is to
20 paid now, a new assessment must
20 made for the county, and all the ex-
'enses Of collection must be added to
t. AT this rate, the officials at Har.
isburg could come upon us every two
II three years, with q trumped up
lain Of .arrearages. We hope our
itizens, without distinction of party,
will give this matter due considera-
ion, for as Taxpayers, it concerns
hem all. The County Treasurer has
he documents, notices, receipts, etc,
n his hands, TO convince every sensi-
10 man that this whole affair is n con.
emptible attempt to "raise the wind"
y financial trick that deserves no
etter name than swindling-Read-
1g Gazette
We have not learned whether the
hoddy pdytriots at Harrisburg have
lade the same raid upon our county
r not, but we presume that every
Copperhead' county will bo called
pom topay this loyal dividend, which
nothing more nor less than State
,bbery. /;
JUDdr WILLIAMS The Republican