Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1868-06-12
AsscSsfneut.-Taxes. Sc.

That our present County Board Of. Equali-
cation are gentlemen, who. firm position and
personal knowledge and observation, are as
we'll quilted TO Judge OF the relative value
of property in the different towns and pre-
cincts as amy three men in the county. is
fact which few, il any, will attempt to dis
putc They are old residents, and their per-
sonal knowledge of all the county and its
property has been necessity, to great ex-
tent, Oh their part. Still, they may differ in
judgment, or opinion. from many Others whose
opportunities may have been equally as good.
That there is chance to get fairer equali-
cation this year than we have ever had be-
fore. there is little reason TO doubt, from the
TACT that tie resources for definite knowledge
of particular localities are better. Et|
The tabular statement presented by tn.
Board, shows an increased valuation of sever
al towns, and reduced valuation of few,
from last years assessment. Among the lat
ter we find Oak Grove reduced about t,cessty-
one thousand dollars. This is not easily ac-
counted for. Oak Grove, as a farming town.
is not excelled in quality of soil. or proxim-
ty TO market, by any town in the county. Its
lands are also very generally impro ed, and
are yielding handsome return to their own
ers. As a town, it has more acres of good
land, IN proportion Ia the whole number, than
any other town, and yet We and that town
valued at only seven dollars per acre, and on
l. III, ~
is claimed to be-the best township of farming
Ezland, all things considered, there is in Pierce
county, and few there are who dispute this
claim. Clifton has more valuable farm bull
dAngs. bnt not great many OF. them Attic
same time it has more acres of worthless land
in proportion to IFS area The same may be
said of River Falls. The wealth of Trenton
and many other towns. is in her timber =
Ellsworth IS more valuable on account of ITS
prestige as The capital. This f,ct alone more
than doubles its valne.
Last year the entire village of Sunrise. in
the town of Martel, was valued at Sl.0S0.-
There is one lot in that village, with its i'm
proponents, worth more than three times this
sum. How such assessments can be made is
beyond the power of common men to con-
cieve. 1t is not probable that this is fair
criterion for the balance of that town. To b.
sure the Equalzing Board doubled the valua-
lion Of the village. but this was tfifing. as il
was spread out over the entire town East
and middle Martel are not very valuable, by
the acre. but West Martel, which includes the
village, embraces fine farms and farming
lands aud valuable improvements.
There is no way to get our assessment fair
ly adjusted but to cali attention 10 these seam
too late. Let all the facts be brought to light,
and let every person, as well az every town,
exhibit not only willingness. but desire to
share Their burden of taxation. We ought TO
consider it a privilege to pay just and equita-
bic taxes, if we desire the protection which
our government guarantees to persons and
property. Our school taxes are not among
the least of our public expenses, but We slio'd
pay them cleerfally, as IL is for the public
good to have children educated. They are
public property, so far-sas the general well
being of the community is concerned. and
the property of such community should edu
cate them.
at The, adjourned meeting Of The Board,
let every town be represented, and that fer The
purpose of divulging facts and furnishing
more light. Let them all ask for a higher
rather than lower apportionment. Get some
one town up to affair valuations, and bring
others to correspond with it, whilewe seek to
cut down, it is cut down. and every fresh cut
increases the danger to all the rest. - ~
A. N.