Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1872-02-13

TIE Re-assessms snt of Lands.

Two bills have passed the present Legis-
lature ior the re-assessment of lands of the
state. One OF these, under certain conditions,
authorizes re-asSessment to be made in indi-
ylduai cases. on the application of the party
The other provides that upon the petition OF
a majority Of the landholders in any county, OF
upon the petition of majority of the super
Visors OF county, or upon the petition of a
majority of the landowners in any township, II
shall be the duty of the county judge to ap.
| point and associate two freeholders with the
assessor tor the county, who shall proceed to
re- assess the lands in such county or township.
! The lands, Of the State were re-assessed in
i1S7O.
| 1t is ordered now that that assessment shall,
| upon the conditions specified, be revised
We regard this as one of the most unfortu-
nate steps which could have been taken by the
General Assembly The object in view is to
place the assessments lower. It is argued that
the value of land is its market price, and as
very low, particularly in the tide-water and
southside counties. We think it probable that
lands have not declined in the Valley, and but
little in the Southwest.
The consequence will be this The burden
OF taxation will be thrown on the Valley, the
Piedmont country, and the Southwest. The
lands IN the East and on the Southside will be
put down at the lowest figure, to quiet the
camor about taxes. As they are not saleable,
there will not be the same motive to put up
the assessment which exists where there is
prospect OF selling Lands are never saleable
when there is little money in the community.
For example, the lands in Caroline county are
now assessed at about So per acre but we are
informed that they do not bring more than half
this when offered for sale. But we all know
very well that landowners will not sell at these
low figures. They believe that the land is re-
ally worth great deal more, and they hold it
unless the sale is forced one. They look to
better times.
The question arises how will the Western
counties relish the payment OF the bulk of the
taxes? We fear there will be great discomfort,
and We believe that the legislature ought
promptly to retrace Its steps on this subject
We do not think any measure could have been
devised, if special effort had been made to do
so more calculated to ALLEVIATE the two great
sections Of the State And the creation Of any
feeling of that sort will do infinitely more hurt
than the payment OF a few more dollars per an
mum On thousand acres of land. This very
legislature proposed to overhaul the rate of in
terest due on the public debt; the proposition
of the majority Of the Joint Committee on the
subject is to pay only three per cent. for II
years This would authorize reduction of
the tax rate from fifty cents to isay) thirty
five on the one hundred dollars, as matters
stand. But it is probable that the re-assess-
rnent will necessitate the maintenance of the
rate Of fifty cents so that, after the work is
done, the people will fancy that they are 30
better off than they were before. And IN the
Western counties they toiN not be any better off
they may be worse Off. Aud. as for the East
ern counties-and the Southsde--a man with
large tract Of land will be relieved Of the pay
meut Of few doiiars-that will be all. There
will be no substantial relief to the East, al in
crease OF taxation, perhaps, IL the West, and
the development OF an antagonlsm and bad
feeling between the rich and the poor sections.
1t is astonishing 10 us that the Legislature
did cot see the drift of this bill. 1t is not a
party duestiOn-We mean not a question be-
tween those who have been arrayed against
each other on the Debt question:; it is Ques-
tion that might divide the supporters OF the
New Funding Bill as readily as the support
ers OF the Old Funding Bill. We all know
very we'll that the matter of taxation is one
OF the most delicate to deal with in the
wcrld. 1t is one with regard to which the
people are not often reasonable. The impo-
sition of triAng tax will sometimes lead to q
revolution. And what our Legislators have done
is this: They have necessiiated the raising Of
the nominal rate of taxation; one Of The most IN
A man will much more cheerluily pay tax of
10 cents than one Of 90 cents on the $l00, al
though they amount to precisely the same
thing aad the action of the legislature, while
it will not actually increase the taxes, will do
SO n appearance, and be the occasion of dis
content at no distant day--perhaps. lose some
Of the present members their seats. The Val-
ley members aad the Southwestern members,
if there are any such, who voted for this meas
ure, are in great danger. What they will have
to say to defend il, we are at a loss to under
stand. We know very well that people in one
section are not going to assume other people
burdens. They have already been complain
ing, and now il will be verse.
There is another objection to this law from
the standpoint of a man who is unsound on the
question Of the rigid payment Of debts; 1t is
this at present ii mans land is offered for
sale under decree OF the court, it has to bring
three -fourths Of its assessed value, it cannot
be sold. Now If the assessments are put down
the land will go. For when you re-assess.
you re-assess my land as well as yours, whether
want it re- assessed or not. And SO my land
will be sold by the sheriff.
The bill is a mauy-edged tool, cutting in sun
dry directions. fraught with jealouses. discon-
tents embarrassments to the State. hen
it rs understood, growl will come up from the
Vale, that will make Itself heard, we will war
Richmond Enquirer.