National Republican., 1876-11-20
BOARD OF ASSESSORS.
Transactions Of their otiee.

The board Of assessors, who entered upon
their duties in July last, have completed re-
port of the work performed and transmitted
the same to the District Commissioners.
It states that at the outset the board er-
countered formidable difficulties. The Office
was in chaotic state; not field book, sched-
ule, appeal, nor scarcely anything else neces-
sary for speedy prosecution of labor was in
readiness.
Many of our citizens, for reasons unknown,
withheld their returns of personal property
until very recently; others have failed to lake
any returns whatever, and In compliance with
law the assessors are now engaged In assessing,
from the best information they can obtain,
personal property of delinquents. On the
whole, however, they have not been entirely
unsuccessful in the discharge of their duties.
The exhibit shows that schedules of per
sonal property have been distributed as fol-
lows: In the city of Washington, 10,74S;
Georgetown, 635, and county, $40. Total,
12,0O3. OF this number 6,46S (2,29S being
blank) have been returned, representing in
value for Washington SIC, 1886 $50; George
town, S1,S6s, ,26s: county, s3st.OSO. Total
amount, SIS, ,6ss, ,59s.
VALUE OF BUILDINGS ERECTED
and not before assessed in Washington, 81
6lO, us; Georgetown, s110, 500; county, s105,.
$50. Total, 81, ,S26, ,025. Value of improve
ments and additions to buildings not hereto
fore assessed in Washington, 1897 ,475;
Georgetown, s4,700. Total, SS42, IFS. Land
in county of Washington not heretofore as
sessed, SIC, ,223. Total value of real property
not heretofore assessed, So, lie, ,423; from
which deduct on account of appeals and old
buildings torn down or removed, s292, ,726;
making an increase of s., 2,SS5 ,667 over the as
sessInent of 1S75-'76.
To further the efficiency of the Office and
promote the ends of good government 1t is
recommended that the present system of
using both letters and numerals in the desig-
nation of lots be abolished and that numerals
alone be used, which will be amply sufficient,
as the use of both of them creates confusion.
The simplifcation of the present tax sched-
ules is recommended; also the immediate
preparation of a numerical book for George
town. This is indispensabiy necessary from
the fact that in many cases the descriptions of
property heretofore given are defective and in
comprehensive. The map of Georgetown is
incorrect and needs attention. A plat book
for the county is needed, showing the various
divisions and subdivisions of farms and tracts
into lots, their location, &c.
1t is also recommended that the Office of as
SCISSOR be placed on the same footing as the
other heads of the various departments of the
District government, by regular appointment
for term of service parallel with them. The
advantages of a permanent system are fully
set forth. Within the past five years the pop
ulation and
REAL ESTATE VALUE OF THE DISTRICT
have largely increased; as q consequence, the
ordinary duties of the Office require longer
time and greater skill and Judgment. In ad-
dition, the assessment of personal property,
with its large amounts and delicate dIscrimi-
nations, greatly prolong the time of necessary
service, and call for mature views gained only
by experience. In view of these facts it would
hardly seem necessary to declare that wise
and economical administration of the duties of
the office demand an abolition of its present
temporary tenure, and its creation into what
it really is, one of the most important posts
under the government. Its permanent organi-
zation is earnestly urged.
The report states: awe have but one more
suggestion to make, one that has been so
frequently and clearly presented that it needs
but mention to commend 1t to your honorable
body and all others interested. 1t is, that the
Congress Of the United States, custodians of
an immense real estate situated within the
District of Columbia, should make an annual
and fair appropriation in lieu of taxation of
public property toward the support of the i'm
mediate government, from which 1t so largely
reaps benefits. In public documents and
messages, from those of the President of the
United States to all officials interested In the
administration of efficient government of this
District, in able speeches in both Houses of
Congress, and in the exhaustive reports of
committees that have considered this subject,
the fairness of such appropriations has been
placed beyond controversy. Such a step on
the part of our patriotic legislators would but
result in the diminution of taxation as far as
it is now felt to be burden, in increased con-
tentment among our taxpayers, in extensive
public Improvements for the good of all
parties and in more thorough administra-
tion of the school, sanitary, police and fire de-
psrtments.
The following estimates for support of this
Office for the fiscal year ending June so, 1873,
compensation of $4,000 each, SIC, 900; two
clerks, 81 400 each; one clerk, 81 200; one
messenger, $12O; distribution of schedules of
personal property, purchase of books, station
cry, &C., 81 ,OOO-making total of S15,720.