The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1874-07-07

COuutt IA ~
State 10 sol
Road-' 800
Hasi~-at'
Total. s75 9O|
"What, Sir" said I, "do you pretend
to-say ylthat out of S75 80, only 9l4 20
is for all county purposes, including the
County Indrmary, and taat 347 10 goes
into our town and township treasuries?"
"Yes.Sir," was the reply, "every cent,
except what the Treasurer gets for col
lecting 1t, and if you don't believe it
take the books and figure for yourself"
He showed me the levies and found
he was correct. I then asked this ques-
tion:..
"Is nothing taken out of the s47 70
to pay the Auditor, Commissioners, In.
Urinary Directors, Jurors, Prosecuting
Attorney, States witnesses, road and
bridge expenses, keeping the poor DC ?"
"Not cent" was the reply. "No
one gets copper out Of it, but the
County Treasurer, until it goes into the
town and township treasures! Your
proportion Of all the expenses to which
you have referred comes out of the
8l4 70.".
I then thought I would go homo and
inquire how it was that nearly two.
thirds of all the taxes I paid we're levied
by our local authorities, and sec what
became of the money.
But thinking had not vet got quite
at the truth, and that so much had been
said about the terrible extravagance of
the County Commissioners, would in
quire about the prospect for 1874.
that surely where there was so much
smoke there must be come fire. / said,
"Mr. Auditor, l have returned about
the same amount of property this year
as last, and l want to know what the
State and County authorities will do
70: US this year."
/ thought I would trip him there.
Swell Sir" said the Auditor, ION the
same valuation of $4,000 your taxes
will be 3S5 90"
"Thunder! What! an increase Of
nearly ten dollarsf' exclaimed I.
"Yes Sir" said he. but the State
authorities, under Democratic rule, have
decreased, the State levy 3 cents, the
Commissioners have decreased the
County levy l3 cents. but your town
and township authorities have increased
their leyies Al cents on each 800 of
valuation. This year You will paw for
town and township purposes, 86l 80
County 10 80
State I" Q 60
Road 3 90
Total, $85 90
Your State taxes are then decreased
80 cents, your County taxes SO 90, and
your township and town taxes increased
$l4 TO-"
Well, Mr.. Editor, I gave it up, and
was glad was cited to the Commission.
ers and their Ring. for further found
out that the county taxes, on $1,000
for the year
1872, was sl6 &c
1873, IA 70
1874, 10 &c
the road tax being 80 each year, and ]
thought if Jimmy Armstrong, and biz
associates, with that pole, had thus
done so well in pushing down the coun
ty taxes, the people Of the county vii
certainly increase the length ofit bv re
electing him this fall by at least 1000
majority.
While we were talking, an Indignant
tax.rayer from Washington township
came in, and was in about as bad hu
NOR as l had been.
"Mr. Auditor" said he, II have jus
finished paying my rent, and / want t
know where the money goes"
"How much did you pay in 1873, al
together ?" asked the Auditor.
sNearly 925," was the reply.
"Then," said the Auditor, after look
ing at his books, 'your real and per
sonal property is valued at little owe
81, 500. But will count it at 1,500
As the levy for 1873 was $1 60 tha
would give s24 as your whole tax. o
that there Was for
State purposes, IS 2
County Z 3
Road l s.
Township" 3 8
Total, 824 90.
"Do you say, Sir, that more Of m
money goes into the township Treasur.
than into the County Treasury7" wa
the rpetulant inquiry.
,.Yes, Sir, 80 IS more"
@Well, we have heard 80 much dow
in our end Of the county abou. the ez
travagance in county affairs, that
know it will be more this year," said th
Washington man.
The Auditor looked at his books an
said: "Oh, no, you will only pay on th
same valuation, for 1874, for all purpt
J, ses, 822 TO-"
"How is thatr
"Well. for this year you will pay fc
State purposes, only "a 8
County a 5
Road B
Township" 10 i
Total, 822 20.
"Hold on, Mr.. Auditor, / see ther
will be decrease Of 81 80 in my tot
tax, but the township tax Increases 9
cents. How's that2"
"That / can't tell you. I only pl
on the tax duplicate, for township pu
> poses, what the township officers levy,
said the Auditor.
: "Why, according to that" said th
: Washington man, ''my State tax will |
: decreased As cents, and my county ia
? 81 IS, while my township tax will
increased go cents, and that l will pa
more for township purposes than ] vi
D for County and State purposes both
"Yes, Sir: because the county lev
has been decreased Is cents the Sta
! levy 3 cents and the township levy il
J creased 4 cents, per 600 valuation
} replied the Auditor.
H. swell, said the Washington tax pa