River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1875-02-12
Taxes-AssesSments.

Now that the taxes OF the county are
nearly all paid for this fiscal year, it
may not be amiss to call attention to
some things in the history of our fnan-
ces, and make some suggestions in re-
lation to assessments. We take it for
granted, if unjust determinations have
been made, that the good people of the
county will be moro than willing to pro-
vide against repetition of the same in
the future,
In 1861 cry of injustice went up
to the County Board Of equalization
which caused more feeling on the sub
iect than had ever before been known.
and it brought about revolution in
the county. We will not go over the
whole ground, but will give some
glimpses Of th... matters from that time
to the present for the purpose Of ena-
bling us to arrive at more definite con-
cusions.
That year the assessed valuation of
this town was $145,604, while that Of
Trimbelle was $34, 1877. The board
raised the valuation of this town twenty
per cent, and that of Trimbelle seventy
FIVE per cent. Other towns were raised,
some fifteen, and some as high as fifty
per cent. AS equalized our valuation
was S1S6,724, that year. In 1861 it
was S198,057; in 1868, it was $685.
222. For 18G4-5-6, we find no record
on the books of the Co. Clerk. Meth.
er do we learn much about the history
of our financial transactions during
those eventful years
Again in 1867 the farming lands Of
River Falls were raised sirty per cent,
and the viildge property taeo per cent.
This brought our total valuation, as then
equalized, up to $321 ,46S. In 1863
it was, for the second time, re-
duced, leaving it at 1919, 600. Ia 1870
our farming lands were raised twenty
five cents per acre, and our total valua.
ton was S397 1924. No alteration IN
1871, and our property stood as return
ed, at S406,116 Our farming lands
were raised fifty cents per acre the next
year, and cur village property was
elevated from S88,O00 to 100000. In
1873 our total valuation reached S422,-
943, and stood as 1t was returned.
But in 1874 we find our village prop.
city elevated from 100000 to Sl40,-
600, and our farming lands raised
seventy five cents per acre, making our
land valuation 1875, 1857, or about one
fifth the valuation of the en- tire county.
1t seems to US that there is, and has
for a long time heretofore been, an un-
Just discrimination against this town in
this respect. We are not disposed to
murmur or complain, but we ask for
candid hearing before our neighbors,
and then for an impartial decision at
their hands in the future. We are
aware that they have the power to vic.
timize US, bat we do net believe they
have disposition TO do it when the
facts are fairly before them. Aud,
believing thus we design to present more
facts aud figures in the future
numbers Of our paper to which We shall
invite candid, careful attention.
1t does not seem possible, under any
lew Of the case, tina. it is just or equit.
able for the town Of River Falls to pay
one fifth Of the county taxes. We
know that it does not possess one fifth
of the wealth Of the county,
nor do we believe 1t possesses one eighth
of it. If not, why arc we continually
saddled with an unjust burden? Is it
because we have but one member In the
County Board? We trust not. Aud
yet we know not the cause. But there
is an error somewhere. 1t cannot be
possible that other enterprsing, wealthy
towns in the county will ask US to
pay their taxes.
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Report of school District No.