The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-07-16
THE TROUBLES BEFORE THE
BOARD OF EQUALIZATION AND
APPEALS.


OF Equalization and Appeals, who have
i been in session for the past week at the
City Council chamber, have difficulties
in their way that will detain them, yet
some days before they will be prepared
to hand over the tax books TO the city
collector, for him 20 make out his bills.
One obstacle IN their way of speedy de-
liberstons is the wide difference between
the city Assessors returns OF the assets
ot tha Inherent banks, and the sworn re-
turns OF the proper bank officers. Mr..
Smith, the Assessor tor the district in
which the banks are located, has
thought it proper to make the
assessment correspond to what the banks
are assessed by the county and State
assessor, believing, we presume, that
those figures are nearer correct than any
others vet offered. To this the banks
have taken exception, and are prepared
TO prove by counsel that no such change
should have been made. The Board
have given the bank officers new blanks
10 fill out under oath, which will be ac-
cepted by the Board as satisfactory.
" neither the banks desire TO take advan-
tage OF this offer We are not advised, but
to morrow has been appointed by mutual
consent for conference between the
Board and the banks, when al differ
ences will probably be adjusted.
Another difficulty before the Board
that is arousing more interest than the
preceding mention, because more persons
are interested, is the increased valuation
placed on real estate on the Island. 1t
appears that the changes made In this re-
spect have been many, and the increased
assessment will reach $4,000.
To this increase the parties effected
mostly object on the ground OF hard
times depreciation Of property, poor
paving tenants and other causes Incl
dent to general business depression, and
therefor appeal tor u return to the old
valuation. The city, through the Board,
| looks at the case differently. 1t IS
claimed that on this side OF the river,
real estate has, for number OF years,
been assessed up to its iuli cssn value
and in many instances more than what 1t
could be sold tor to-day. While on the
Island, property has beon gradually and
surely advancing because Of the steady
increase OF the population OF that ward
and the demand tor property; and fur
! thermore the former assessor had
made no change IN the valuation
of real estate OIL the Island for number
Of Years except in isolated cases. For
these reasons the Board thinks-unIess
We except one deeply interested member
whom good taste should forbid serving
!
while the Board is NJ work on that wa-d
the increased assessment in most cases
| ought TO be maintained.
The Assessors, Mr.. Smith, has been
abused in round terms by unthlnking
people Tor what they might call
over othciousness, or medding
with what had better be left alone, but
the gentleman Is, no doubt, u conscien-
tious person and is endesvoring to do his
duty in accordance with the oath pre-
scribed by law, Il section Of which reads
as follows;
oIn their assessment OF real estate, the
assessor shall describe, rs accurately as
posslblr, each separate parcel OF real
estate. being careful to equatizs the several
assessments according to the jar cash
rat,se Of each pGrcct ShC'ct"g no JaUOr TO
one ocer another, or to one part OF the
city over another.
Mr.. Smith was engaged Al one time IN
the capacity OF bOoK.keeper to build
or and contractor for the erection OF
buildings In the city, and mad then an
excellent opportunity OF learning the
real value of much OF the improved prop
erty in the city besides preparing hun to
readily and accurately judge the worth
OF property. Inis experience JudIciousIy
exercised ought 10 emlnently tit him Tor
his duties OF course be is Liable to make
mistakes. and the Board should notify
ali property owners, AS is required by
law. when changes have been made, 50
they can express their grievances, If any.
In this connection it might be worth
while to mention the tact that the ques-
ton has arisen whether an assessor has
the power to change the valuation OF
property ia individual instances. 1t Is
stated tnat as the law requires there shall
/ he \ revn,uAt,on Of real estate every five
wears aud at no other tune, except when
! improvements nave been made, can there
be a change. TINS question, along with
| others that NAV come up, Will be taken
I under consideration by the Board.
+ Investigating Prison Labor.
PITTSBURGH July l4.-TRe committee