Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1867-01-10

The first aud second,clsss, and the Auditor
Of State, and revsluation can be made by
per centum ofaddtious or deductions, which
will place real estate on the duplicates for
taxation at Its true value in money. ss de-
termined by actual sales in the market
The Local Boards continuing TO equaize
values in the cities, respectively, as at pres
ept. The abolition ofthe Office OF Assessor
is recommended, the duties to be perform
ed by the Township Clerk, who shall keep
q record Of oil assessments Of personal pro-
perty, improvements and new structures on
lands, and return full copies to County Au-
ditor.
The abolition Of q number Of unnecessary
expenses is recommended, amounting in the
aggregate to $117, 500.
In regard to exemptions OF property from
taxation, the Auditor says: II would abol-
ish oil exemptions save those Of property
owned and used by the pxbhc, and that
held by religious, literary and charitable TN
stitutions, from which private gain is not
sought to be made; and to relieve the ex-
tremely poor from taxation, would require
the County Auditor to omit from the du.
plicate oil assessments Of personal property
amounting 10 less than City dollars" The
evils resulting from the exemption of Uni
ted States bonds are tersely stated, and,
while the State cannot of her own action
remedy these evils, she has powerful voice
10 the councils OF the nation, which should
be heard in behalf OF such remedies as may
be rightfnlly afforded by the Government.
II is advised that the statute for the tax
stiou Of banks organised under the laws Of
Ohio be repealed, and the shares in such in-
stitutions be taxed against the holders at
the places where the banks are located. IF
the rate Of interest is raised to what is re-
garded as reasonable standard among bu.
siness men, it is thought all opposition TO
the payment Of taxes upon national and
other bank shares will disappear.
Turnpike stocks amounting to Sl40,526 10
were sold during the year, and the amount
applied to the payment of like amount of
the funded debt Of the State, saving an an
nual expenditure Of $s,43l SO to the Treas
ury.
The sale Of the other public works belong
ing to the State is advised.
The term of ofic, OF County Auditors it
is recommended should expire Oct Is in.
stead of the first Monday of March, as now,
thus giving the outgoing officer time to set.
tie up the business of bis entire year. The
increase OF the compensation of County Au.
ditors in Counties having less than $4,000
voters is recommended. -f
The large balances necessarily in the
Treasury, it is thought, may be made q
source of income, by their deposit in Banks,
at interest, or investment In Bonds.
Domestic insurance companies should be
required to make sworn statements OF their
true condition. to be reported annually to
the General Assembly. A bill is to be in
troduced into the Senate the current ses.
sion which will remedy most Of the defects
Of our insurance system, and its passage ia
recommended. The passage of law for
the regulation offoreign insurance compa-
pies is alse recommended.
Arguments are presented in favor of rails
ing the legal rate Of interest to 73 per cent.
per annum.
Accounts against the General Govern.
ment amounting to 81, 354, TOO 10, for ad-
vances on account of the rebellion, have
been transmitted to Washington for settle
ment, on which there have been received at
sundry times $1,90l 1865 II. Other ac-
connts have been prepared for presentation
to the General Government, making the to-
tai indebtedness OF the United States Gov
crnment to this State 81, ,053,639 40, and it
is believed the largest portion Of this amount
will be ultimately allowed. All proper ex.
ertions will be made to effect speedy ad
justment ofall the claimsof the State agains,
the National Government,
Appended TO the Auditors report are the
report of the Resident Engineer of the Ma
tional Road, abstracts Of duplicates, returns
of personal property, fees Of County officers,
financial and statistical tables, enumeration
of the blind, deaf and dumb, insane and
idiotic persons, distribution Of funds, and
valuations of railroad property by the Local
and State boards.