The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-08-10

vi INV puAuVDc Su"p WV ROoh
mortals have to bear in this world,
Taxes are by no means the least
We are enioined by scripture to bear
each others burdens; but l have
never yet seen the christian or sin
ner, that will cheerfully shoulder the
burdens of his neighbors Taxes; no
matter how deserving or how needy
he may chance to be, consequently
take it, that this burden is the most
grievious Of all others. Our neigh
bors are always ready with their
sympathy and prayers, they are not
even chary of their advice, but l be.
lieve we have no authenticated in
stance of one neighbor or friend
paying another's Taxes. Hence it is
very necessary that every tax payer
should feel it his bounden duty to
himself, to bis family and communi-
ty, to examine into this matter of
Taxes, and if there. is anything
wrong to ventilate it so plainly and
thoroughly "that the wayfaring man
though fool" may know just ex-
actly what's the matter, and precise.
Iy who should bear the blame in the
premises.
"With these few remarks" l will
proceed to tell the readers of the
COURIER what know of the assess
ment of Wapello county tor the year
1871. This information was obtain
ed from the assessors books of the
several townships, in the Office Of the
County Auditor.
In comparing the assessments OF
the horses of the different townships,
Pleasant is the highest average $50
nearly, (more than they will sell for
on years creditD and COMPETING
the lowest s34 the average, The
highest average assessment OF horses
in any township, aside from Pleal-
ant, is about Sal.
The cattle in the several townships
are very nearly an average, although
there are a great many steers in some
of the townships (Competine, for in
stane,) Competine's 3 and 4 year old
steers, worth from $50 to 500 per
head. average very nicely with
Pleasants old razor back cows.
The wagons in the several town.
ships average from SIS to s32 except
COMPETING whose average Is s22 and
Pleasant $50. We of Pleasant Tp.
feel aggrieved and slightly indignant
when we see the Comretine fellows
passing our doors on their way to
market, Haunting their Bays and
fancy skewbalds in our faces, at an
average assessment of s35 per head,
harnesscd to their gay carriages and
Shurtluff wagons at the low price OF
s22 average, while zoe sneak off TO
town with our plugs and mustangs ut
an average assessment OF $50 drag
ging our old wooden spindle broad
treads at $50 as our average.
This discrepancy in the assess
ments between Competine and Pleas
art ia horses and wagons alone, will
compel Pleasant Township TO dis
gorge between four and five hundred
Of her hard earned dollars in Tax,
more than Competine, in proportion
to the real value OF the personal
property in the two townships.
Now there should be . remedy for
all this. Let the coming legislature
pass an Act compelling the Assessors
to compare notes before they tran.
scribe their work; or il The Legisla-
ture fail to pass such very neces'
sary law, let the people be little
more particular who they elect il
this important Office. Ii the Town.
ship has but one man qualified ioi
: this important office and he play
off, in this way,I would advise them
| to import another without delay, M
any cost. INQUIRER.