Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1871-03-22
For .he RattsulaE 8 JsHrHa!-
THE LAST ASSESSMENT.


Concerning the assessment. and tax on lands.
The people generally think them wrong,
And this is the burden of my song.
Some time ago these wise men thought
The day drew near at which they ought
The assessment place within the hands
OF the proper ones to assess our lands.
By little search they all were found,
And thew were men we all thought sound.
The first they did, it was TO take
An oath that they would justly make
The assessment of our lands Alright,
That none might grieve and say 'twere spite.
The work was done The assessors thought,
And ms such they had faithfully wrought.
And thence their assessment did return
To those who seldom do adjourn.
On examination, George tn wise
Said David, Sans come trsH revise.
WsU have way, make some trouble.
And hence they did the assessment double.
George knew the law, and knew il all,
THry2 power to raise but not to fall.
And those IRE think are assessed too low,
We will put up for fear they blow;
And those ,gs think are assessed too high,
The right 20 lower, do deny,
And George. the wise then did proclaim
That have equalized the same.
The assessment having been revised.
A thcy supposed, and equalized.
George sent lis trio on n mission
To hold what they did term, session
Of appeals; for those agrieved,
That they might come and be relieved.
The young and old, the rich and poor,
All made their entrance at the door,
And all with one accord pressed round
The three wise men, who there found.
Some were there from the '' 'Fadder-Land,'
And some from 'Erin'S'' beat strand
Declaring that they ne'er did see
Such an unjust thing in the .-aUfs country"
There we're those who work, for accomm cd ton
Asking release from their occupation
Tax imposed on them they said,
Because they happened to have trade:
There we're those, who push the plane,
And many others need not name;
There were lawyers. doctors, merchants too,
and the little man who makes the shoe
To pinch the toes, of some around
And no better shoemaker can be found.
Each for himself his grievance told,
And some in 4 spirit very bold
Declared. that they wouII never pay
The tax assessed on them that day,
And in future, notes would take
OF those who come their votes TO make
And hearing all this dear Editor.
I finally CONCLUDED. Commission
Had better labor at his trade,
Than sit and rear all this TRADE,
bout the injustice he hud done.
To rich and poor 30 old and young.
Some charged the clerk with having soEgbt
Ont th- position he has got
BY representing to these wise men,
That he could labor With his pen,
And save our county, by and by
The necessity of being taxed so high
That he would labsr for one half
The amount they paid the other ''calf,'-
That he hal something else to DO,
Than sit about and smoke and chew
That, in the paper be did edit,
He would there give, these wise men credit
For all their great ard brilliant acts
y akins assessments ard icvying tax
That he would form and print th cir blanks
Eor aothing more. nor less than thanks
Nov then examine the settisment m lde;
You'll ind Georges promise laid in the shade
Tor surely be gets much more than"B,1
And if any doubt it. examine and see;
For there you n ind, for services rendered
BY George, the clerk. the sum Tn HuDlrsf '-
he printing bill, too. come in as q cbares,
Which Of itself is nearly as large;
BY reference thereto. yJuIl see its mix
Between the two papers. esre,, auafre3.~,g ,gaty,ir
Now, reader, beg if you have the time,
Examine the settlement OF L3frftssR ,,yty-a,ius -
And then know. with me you II agree
IAa- the i5c:rine oc George Is carried doltto T -
lhst the power 70 raise in Commissioner lies
But the power TO reduce. George sternIy denies
iog viii there, reader. find the published amount,
"S-r-.l hr,HarcI and WHsty, as William s account;
The printing II. too. was sm extra charge,
Bus .tIl my dear reader, it Is not 80 large
Way dis grca; difference 1 cannot explain.
Aa; 90 some. I've no doubt, it seems very plain.
I'es-tsiuly has raised the Taxpayers ire,
Ana where there is smoke, there surely is Ere:
Tbs FIRE will eukin5le, and thesT.ro be rent.
Ard 'hen good by T4rse HsHRrsa PR esRf.''
And oh, what loss I've no doubt. some exclain;
Give yourselves alarm there will two Tem1in
To educate him, who shall be successor
" samuel the lst, whom III term the progTessor-
The only way friends. TO set matters right,
i for every taxpayer TO enter the fight,
10 'ay aside party and politics too.
Ind pay to him tribute, to whom tribute Is due
Select from your number 2 suitable person,
Who Is ft 10 fill this important position
Don vote for man who has nothing to Do,
tor no such a man will ever suit You you
Int vote for a man who has som mething to show,
- the fruit Of his labor, and sweat of his brow
man who has enough education
10 know how to simple reduction,
And will not say TO those who come and lament,
lo1E assessment'srsda aced thresAHaared, per cent
Now, my dear reader, it has taken some time
say what I've said IL kind of blunt rhyme;
1Ia rs ny muse, is shout taking her fight
close with the hope, thst all viii come ight
ana IN the future, IRE will take the prscaution,
mat tn. men we elect adr7nes no foolish NOTION.
Yours muchIy, ACHIEVED
'isH DAT ALL ?''-Two dutch farmers
at kinderhook, whose farms were adjacent,
were out in their respective fields, when one
heard an unusually loud hallowing in the d.
rection Of gap in high stone wall, and
ran with all his speed to the place. and the
following brief conversation ensued "Shon.