National Republican., 1875-12-02
in this once during the fiscal year

completed in this once during the fiscal year
eomprised:
/. The preparation Of the general tax books,
consisting OF four large folio velumes Of about 500
pages each, for the city Of Washngteni one of
about 200 pages, for the city ef Georgetown, and
one of about 400 pages, for the county Of Washing
ton, which, made up in duplicate; amounted To-
gether TO twelve volumes, containing more than
1900 pages, with about i've ledger accounts on
each or 25 900 in the aggregate.
2. The compilation Of the general assessment
book for the city of Washington, which, though
by contract, was done under the supervision, and
with the assistance Of the employees OF this ONCE
books but probablyis the indispensable book
of reference in all the city archives. 1t consists
tonly of one volume Of 500 pages. yet required
l,rreat labor and accuracy in its preparation be
icause IL alone contains in systematic arrangement
fall the particulars Of exact location, value and
Ownership for each piece Of property in the city OF
washington, viz: the number Of front and square
feet. the rate Of assessment.the total value OF
ground, and the namc OF the owner Of each lot,
sub-lot or part of lot in each square
3. The exact entry in the books ofall transfers Of
property effected during TIE past calendar year.
The Importance and compass Of this particular
labor may be estimated from the fact that since
my last report to date about 1000 sueh transfers
have taken place, many Of them involving "A diVt-
sion Of piece Of property into several parts,
conveyed to different owners, and nccessitatins
the alteration Of the former and the opening Of
accounts with the new taxpayer.
In addition &c these three principal classes or
work done in this Office, il must be observed that
itbeing in reality the only intelltgeuce ofhee for
all other District Offices well iOr taxpayers,
in all matters concerning the present OF past lcc2
ton, assessed value or ownership OF property the
applications for such information have been SO
numerous as 20 absorb much of the time of the
clerks and seriously TO interfere with their rc.sII-
lar work, for although under the present laws
the board OF assessors and appeal are sepa-
rate and independent their functions could
scarcely be exercised at all without constant ret
erence 10 this office. In similar manner, also,
other District Offices are compelled 10 make fro
qHeDt demands on IL; as, for instance, for the ex
animation OF bonds and bail offered, or for the
establishment OF ownership or location OF prop
erty on which special improvements are to be as
sessed, or claims are presented, &c. And, more
over. the natural growth and progress Of the city
ard District every year largely increases the la
Dor and responsibility OF the office, upon the
proper working OF which depends by lar the
kTrestest part OF revenue for the District govern
n~ent and the most important interests Of the
Tho total taxable real property in the District.
Tor the tseal year ending juno 80. 1875 as shown
to:
Washington SIS SIS 93+
Washington co6 6lnty S7sLis3
Total. .s93 l52 osl
The value of real Property in the District owned
by the United States Government, exclusive of
public buildings, as avn by n report made to
the Secretary Of the Interior March %, Is72, by
a eolnmi''ee appointed value said property SJs
Since that time the United States Gov
ernment has acquired squa res 6s7. 6Ss,
and two lots in square 65'3. amount
ing ........... d0j,51l
The value Of real property in he Dis
trict owned by the District govern
mcnt as shown by statements Nos L
2 and ), accompanying this report,
washington civ. ,............... .. 81 Oa3 $50
WashingtoWn county. ... $3.50
The value OF real property in the Dis.
trict owned by churches charitable IN
stitutioRs, &c, exempt from taxation
under the act approved March 3, JsT5,
as shown by statements Nos. T. and
G. accompanying this report, amOusnts
Washington 3,605. .622
Georgetown I79.556 |
Washington unty..................4.. =. 23I 500 |
Total. - stoI5.s7s |
Showing the total value o. real property
in the District. not including the pfI6-
lie buildings belonging TO the United
States Government, ON which no tslxcs
are paiG. To 81 ,97j,01S
1 beg leave to call your atteation' to the Iacr
that probably 100 new buildings have been
erected in this District since the last general
sessment, and that the time is rapidly approach
ing vi hen the annual assessment % such ne in-
Provements should be commenced, SO that the
preparation Of the tax books for the fiscal wear
ending June 80, 1877, be completeti q due season
for the prompt collection Of taxes for that year.
The new map Of the city Of Geprgetoan having |
mstieAlIy arranged by squares Ia the same N au-
ner as the city Of Washing TOP, wOuli respect
FULLY Ume nd tnat ine preparation OF
eral assessment beck of that city be ordered. In
making this recommendation 4 have no dou5t |
that the increased TevELus derived wouli in a |
short time than pay all the expense incurred
in preparing said book, and IL would add greatly
to the efficiency of this Vfbce and the convenience
of taxpayers by having Uniform system Of as |
FessTnent for the two cities. Washington and |
Georgetown. would alsOTScOmmend thai map |
be orceved for the county OF Washington, sucn /
being greatly needed, and ore of the most ef. /
fectiye means To facilitate assessments in the /
county, and would materially alt in making !
TRANSFER Of prOperty.
i would recommend that arrangements be made |!
for the nmcda tc repair. and. if necessary. the
production of all defective books of record in this
office, as. for inSlaEce. the general assessment /
books 0f lSs4 and lS3 the only copies in existence
being in such condition that they cannot possibly
last another year.
/ would recommend that numerical index of \
the rst Eve volumes of transfer books in this Office
he made Almost all the tax books for the years
from 1872 to l.ST being lost, great Inconvenience is
caused by the lack Of such an index. and the cost
Of purchasing one would he comparatively small.
inclose estimate of the amounts that will |
nc neeessary for the support Of this Office for the
Gscalyear ending June 90, 1877.
NJ assessment Of personal property for taxation
for the year ending June31, 1870, was returned to
this Office by the board of assessors.
Very respectfully. your Obedient servant.
WILLIAM MORGAN,
Superintendent of Assessments and Taxes.