Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1871-01-10
EQUALIZATION OF TAXES.

The time being at hand when the prop
erty of our State, counties and cities, is to
be assessed for taxes for the year 1871,
few words on that subject might be appro-
pirate. We are convinced that heretofore
too little attention has been paid to the
eaalization of taxes. The manner in which
it has been done has resulted in injustice
TO the great body oftax payers, without in
tending to be so. We will take our own
county for example. We can go to the tax
books and point out large estates which
are not listed at more than Oi'e-hdJ of their
value By this means the State and coun-
ties lose large amount of revenue to
which they are entitled. The State and
the counties are not only deprived of that
which is Justly due, but it is also, as above
stated, very great injustice TO the tax
payers themselves. If every mans prop
erty was listed for taxation OH the same
basis, it would not matter SO much to the
taxpayers, but this is not the case. While
one man with realty valued at fifty thou
sand dollars is listed at twenty-five thou
sand, twenty-five farms valued at a thou
sand each, are listed at their full value.
This is manifestly unjust to twenty-five
men of small means, while one with larger
means is favored beyond what lie has a
right to expect
Examples frequently appear on our tax
books similar to the above, not always ia
voring the man of large means, but fire.
quently TO the contrary. Men have no
right to expect their property list
ed on the tax books for less than its
real vhIue, and if every mans
property was so listed, none could
complain. The only remedy that can be
suggested, is for the assessors to be more
careful in assessing property at its real cash
value. This is>what the law contemplates,
and no one has right to expect less. Any
thing short of this, is a fraud upon the
State. which those concerned would not
think of practicing toward private indi-
vidual.
If the property of Knox county was list
ed on this basis it would be at least g, 000,-
600 in excess of last years assessment.
Last year the basis Of taxation was not
fixed until in June, after which assess
ments were made so hurriedly that il was
almost impossible to approach correctness,
and the State and county no doubt lost a
great deal to which they were entitled
This wear the case is different, and care
full assessment will show that our figures
are not exaggerated.
One word as to particular class OF prop
ertv Our observation is that unimproved
r,al estate is scarcely ever listed at any
thing near the value placed upon it by the
owners.
The true policy is to tax such property at
;ts full value. Men who keep valuable un-
improved property have no right to expect
an annuity from the State and county for
doing so. Tax assessors should look to it,
and see that this class of property pays the
fnll amount due the State, counties and
corporaties. Such policy will exercise a
healthfui influence on our country. We
commend these thoughts to the attention
os all concerned We think our remarks
viii meet with approval from reasonable
NAN. We owe debt to our State, which
reasonable men do not seek to evade.