New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-04-20
COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENTS.

between the State and municipal assess
ments Of city property as triumph Of the
latter over the former. The State assess
ment for 1874, collectible in 1875, is
sl35, 944,s 35. The city assessment for
same period is SIG, 295, sos. Assess.
ments are made upon the returns of tax
payers, except in such cases of arbitrary
assessments as result from the refusal or
neglect OF property holders to report
values. We can suppose an honest man
will make the same return to State as to
city officers, but he will always give him
self the benefit of doubt in questions of
valuation. The tax levy is certainly
burden in this city too great to be borne
without complaint. The city assessors
claim to have made difference of S16.-
GAG, 331 in favor Of the taxpayers, and the
Picayune promises a still farther re-
ductlon OF twenty per cent, providing
separate set Of assessors can do the
work. Honestly there can be no
difference in the sum total of assess
ments, even if separate assessors were
employed to lay each distinct tax. Few
property owners would sell at the figures
they give assessors, and yet their returns
might be very nearly right as to actual
values. 1t is rare for man to complain OF
the under assessment of his property.
The charge has frequently been made
that the State assessors undervalue large
properties and incomes, with the accom-
panying charge that they do thus for
consideration as dishonorable to the tax
payer and giver as to the assessor and
receiver. Instances are not wanting to
show that such has sometimes been
the case. A remedy of all such evil
doing would result in an increased sum
total of assessments instead of reduction.
A State assessor found tightening taxes at
the bidding of wealthy corporation
should be Immediately brought to grief.
For his protection he should as quickly
expose those who tempt him by bribery to
shift the burden Of taxes from the rich to
The poor. The pittance of the small tax
payer is not enough of an object to in
1uence dishonest assessor, and the poor
man generally pays an honest tax, tax
hat could be greatly reduced if the rich
nan paid in the same proportion. Under
are exceptional cases. The |
instances that have been brought to light |
'nly serve to show that few wealthy tax
payers have been favored and we believe |
hey have not been successful enough |
o materially reduce taxation. We
believe S135. 944, S35 to be fair valuation
If real and personal property in this city;
J stricter system of assessment might in
rease the figures. It's decrease by
SIG, 600, 900 is problem which the small
axpayers should inquire into. They
hould see who reaps the benefit. In con-
idering the items of discrepancy the tax
aver should remember that the State
SCISSORS assessed. 81, 900, 900 on the Jack
on railroad property, 100000 on the
railroad, and $4,000 900 on
be Morgan road. The city assessors lev
I'd $500, 900 on the jackson road and
lothing on the two other roads named
Iere is 81, 200. 900 of the amount set down
y the Picoyetne as being in favor of the
COR and distre ssed taxpayers of New
'rleans. If the State assessors, as
harged, have favored a few of the
'ealthy in keeping assessments down
} Sl35, 100000, what are the small
wners to think Of Sis, {, 900 laid bv the
ty assessors? Relief for the poorer tax
aver can only come by reform in expense
udgets, and the consequent allowance of
sduced rates Of taxation. Next to the
mount of taxes to be paid the inequality
assessment is to be complained of. 1t
FUNDS well to say city assessments would
3 reduced $40, 900, 600 if certain individu-
S wer.-.- lake up the rolls. Such reduc-
on would please heartless corporations
i'd persons amply able to pay taxes, for
le benefit would accrue to them alone.
be honest poor man, who can not vary ]
70 value of his small property, whose re- (
IN is the same at all times to all assess ]
s, gets no comfort or advantage in the {
I'M total reduction which has been effect
by undertaking the property of the I
Oh. Economical and equitable assess
ents are needed in all cities. Letting c
It assessments to those who will report (