Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-03-22
lid land in each county

This shows an increase for the decadeoi
10, loo polls, and a gain on estates ofS57.-
.j01 ,920 1.-THE value of wild lands be added
to the value of estates we have a total valu-
alton of 1924, sll ,46o, and a total gain in the
cadc OF So ,652 $40. In the decade pre-
vious to the last we gained in polls % 500,
while in estates we gained S6l 900 1913.
While the increase OF polls in the last de-
cade did not keep pace with the increase
from 1850 to 1860 in estates the increase
was more Had it not been for the war
we should probably have held the same or
a larger ratio in polls, AMI the valuation
been considerably augmented if the COM
missioners made specie their basis, which
they probably did rs near as they could
under the fluctuations of the currency and
values. All the counties show u gain
in polls except Lincoln and Waldo. and
all show gain in estates. Considering
the drain made upon our population and
resources by the war, and that the last ten
wears have been occupied largely in pre-
| liminarv operations for manufacturing
and improving our railroad facilities,
forming sort of transition period in our
affairs, also that our shipping and naviga-
ton interests suffered severely by the re-
bellion, we make fair exhibit The
manner in which the commissioners CON
Quoted their work is stated in their report
AS follows, with recommendation that
some new plan be devised for taking the
valuation in future.
During the first two months of the ses-
sion we were engaged in n careful eX-
animation of the returns made to us, not
inc the several methods adopted by asses
sors in valung property and making their
return, and entering i'll our books such
statistics and facts as would enable us to
determine the true basis of property, and
the various standards and claSsficatious by
which we might arrive ut satisfactory re-
suits. Very much of this time however. was
consumed in hearing parties in explanation
of their valuations. and the peculiar cir
cumstances of each ones locality.
All the live stock returned from each
town was averaged and standard adopted
for the State, and the stock brought to that
standard, from which we varied 5 to 20
per cent. as locality or quality might in
dictate Navigation classified, and the
value per ton OF each class ascertained.
All stocks brought to Il standard and the
amount of money noted. By these stand
ards and classifcations the same species
of property in different sections could be
readily compared. and aided us materially
in equalizing all the property through the
State
As the law creating the commission did
not provide for any return of the number
and value of the townships known a.
wild Lands" except those sold during
the last decade. it was deemed expedient
to invite the owners thereof to appear be-
fore Us and give the requisite information
Many of them responded to the call, aud
late in the session gave Us what in their
judgement they considered to be the rela-
tive value of a considerable portion of
these lands This, with the detailed ac-
count of the number of acres and their
value, furnished us by Hon. Parker p
Burleigh, Land Agent, aided US very much
in determining their value.
In equalizing and fixing the value of es-
tates. real and personal returned to us.
we have adopted as basis that indicated
in the resolves. Making the total amount
of ratable estates, exclusive of wild lands,
to be $2l9, G66, 504, and on wild lands,
So, l56. $50. making a total of S224,S22,-
$50. showing an increase Of So Goa ,729
over 1860. But as the basis adopted is
somewhat higher than in sixty, the full
amount should not be considered as actual
increase.
The conflicting methods adopted by DIFF
ferent sections of the State in placing val
ues upon taxable property-the confused
and incomplete returns made of such prop
erty, rendering the work of the State val
uation so extremely difficult and unsatis-
factory-warrants the Commission in rec
ommending in the most positive terms,
that some plan should be devised to Sc
cure a uniform basis of valuation through
the State.
1t should also be made the duty of the
County Commissioners, or some authority
to make return of all plantations that neg
lect to do SO according to law, and also
make return of all wild lands.
GLNLPaI NEADa