Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1868-01-14

1t Is estimated that not more than
$4,000 remain due to soldiers on ac>
count of extra pay. The war fund,
as a distinct fund, is no longer neces
sary. therefore concur in the rec
omendation of the Secretary of State,
that it be closed, and all claims
growing ont of the war be hereafter
paid from the general fund
g Persistent efforts have been made
to secure a final settlement of the
claim of the State against the Gen>
eral Government on account of ex-
penses Incurred in connection with
the war, but up to this time such set.
tlement has not been effected In
addition to the sums heretofore paid
$131 1924 have been allowed the
State during the past year leaving
unadlusted accounts to the amount
of about $248,000. 1t is possible
that portion of the claim will final.
ly be disallowed by the Treasury
Department, under the strict rules
which govern in the settlement of
such accounts. Should this prove
true, recourse must be had to Con-
gress for relief. The claim is in ev~
cry respect jus: and correct one,
and do not doubt its ultimate liqui>
dation by the Government, in the de.
tense and support of which Wiscon.
sin made disbursements which form
its basis
There was expended from the
Governors contingent fund during
the past. year 81, 163 II, leaving a bal,
ance Of S2,310,74 in the fund.
OF the appropriation of $500 made
last winter for the Chicago Charit>
able Eye and Ear Infrmary, of indi>
gent Wisconsin soldiers suffering
from diseases of the eye or ear, con-
tracted while in the service, there
has been expended 1891 Oh.
In transporting from Germany TO
this place the Tank library collection,
it was found necessary to expendS3,
1880 of the $500 appropriated for
that purpose. Including this valua-
BILE addition, numbering 5,186 vol~
umes tae Historical Society Lii
brary now Plumbers 81, 1877 volumes
6,5l7 having been added to it during
the last year.
The aggregate valuation oftaxable
property in the State, as equalized
by the State Board of Equalization,
is S211 ,479'319.36, being an increase
since 1865, OF s57,212, $4,000. The
last Legislature failed, much to The
detriment OF the public interest, to
agree upon any change in the laws
tor the assessment end collection of
taxes. That these laws need amend.
ment and revision no one at all famil.
lar with their working can for a
moment doubt. AS they are now
executed very large portion of the
value OF all property entirely escapes
taxation. | quote from the valuable
report of the Secretary OF State on
this subject.
"The lamentable fact stands out,
that the assessors do not generally
govern themselves by the painest
provisions Of The law. The ASSESS
ment returns Of nine tenths of the
counties of this State, exhibit evil
dences OF palpable violations of the
law, in eases where there is no dan,
ger or possibility of Misrepresentation.
Not only Is large amount of prop
erty omitted from the rolls, but, in
most cases, what property is assessed,
is assessed at only one haifits real val
ne. And these assessments are made
under their official oaths, by men OF
the highest standing 10 the commui-
ties where they reside. The most
perfect law in the world, if executed
upon the same principles, would
prove a most miserable failure.
AS examples of the value placed
by assessors upon their official oaths
may be mentioned the following
facts
SIN one county the County Board
Of Assessors, after having taken the
oath to assess all property at its act
! ual cash value as provided in the
law, Immediately passed resolution
to assess all property at nifty per cent