Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-11-08
TOtal-....s42,O Oh ,O53 s3l us go 81, 1872 oS3
Grand total .sl9 ca 69l s3635o l72 ss5 ,seo. $50

1t Is to be regretted that the records of the
general assessment for the fiscal year 1871 do
not furnish details by districts, as the work had
been done by the officers of the late corporate
by wards, which for reasons of emergency and
economy was simply ratified by the present
territorial government.
However. even the totals of 1871, as exhibited
IN the foregoing statement, present much
valuable information when compared with those
Of the fiscal year 1872, and to appreciate its full
weight, it will be well TO remember that the
standard of valuation of real estate assumed by
the ancient rS9iB1s, namely the cash figure of late
sales in each vicinity, has not been altered by
law, and hence Is still acted upon by the present
funchoBaries, and their estimates, therefore
are tantamOunt TO current cash market yalues
at the time Of each assessment.
The most general comparison of the two last
fiscal years already develops an excess IN the
aggregate value OftsNable property OF this Dis
tTict II le.2 over that Of1S1l amounting to more
than eleven million GOllars-Or an increase Of
value OF about - per cent, but further glance
over the late subdivisions betrays that the
county, or late Levy court. displays no share.
and Georgetown bat little, In this advance,
while Washington city alone shows rise of
more than ten millions in its real estate.
This remarkable advance, within one single
year, admits of but one explanation, namely
that the confidence Of the people in the new
ordeT OF things was 30 strong s. to enhance the
demand for, and the prices of, real estate in
'hiS Unprecedented ratio, and it was frmest in
that portion of the District, where public i'm
prOvemtEts were anticipated in the earliest
moment and upon the largest scale.
From these unquestiOnabIe facts 1t is but
reasonable TO infer that, if the mere anticipa-
ton OF public Improvements in a moment when
they scarcely existed in programme, could ac-
comPlish such favorable results, the present
general assessment for the fiscal year 1873, now
IN Ircgr, -, when large portion of these con-
template d public improvements are completed,
and numerous private Improvements and enter
Prises have followed their steps, will exhibit
still larger figures.
This Ia ference is ccrrOborated by the unani-
nous opinion of the superintendent OF assess
m6nts 10 whom we are indebted for this
interesting informstion) and his district asses
sors. who have little doubt but that the ratio of
increase this year will be fully as great, If not
greater than last year, and the aggregate value
OF taxable property will probably reach, If not
exceed, one hundred millions of dollars.
Nor IL this ALL for when il Is considered that
this immense stride of progress, within an
almost incredibly short period, was accom-
piished nearly by home capital and home enter
PRISE only, ana that the time has scarcely been
reached when congressional assistance and the
influx OF favorable agencies from other parts OF
The United States will give an additional impe-
tus to the thrift Of this District there IL no
prophet required to foretell that this ratio of
advance will continue, and II will be not much
more than i've years from the Inauguration of
the present territorial administration when the
value OF taxable property Of that day will
have doubled itself.
Ihis Is certainly q powerful vindication of the
progressive policy and sound economy of the
BOARD OF public works, whatever minor mistakes
may nave crept INTO the details of their vast
functions, and such results must silsncs the
ioudest OBJECTIONS against all OUTLAWS incurred In
efecting them.
lie issue Of the pending assessment is looked
LOT with great interest, and 1t is to be boped
mat The coming report of the superintendent.
viii furnish ample details in regard To the
character and location Of the private improve
ments IN each district during the last wear. And
That 1t will contain proper suggestions to tn
legislature bow TO encourage further OK osres
II this direction.