The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1879-01-18

Bonds outstanding ...................$ IA, 0G0 90
Currency certificates. 81 90
Certificates OF Indebtedness to
trust ds......................... 2,23S,O00 90
Total ........................... ,252 057 90
The Indebtedness of the counties, cities,
towns, villages nd school districts in the
state amounts to SO, 1871 1880, according to
the returns received by the secretary of
state. The total ascertained public indebt-
edness of the people of Wisconsin is, there
fore, $12,0S3, 2l5.50-somewhat.ies than two
and seven-tenths per cent. Of the total as
sessed valuation.
ASSESSMENTS.
The values of all property in the state
subject to taxation, as returned by the as
SCISSORS for the past two years, are as follows:
1877. 1873
Personal property ...S 1852, 481 90, 077208 90
City aud village lots... 1881 992 103, 399 469 70
Other real estate.... 1872, 95SS1 $50, $685. 9O4 81
1851, 354 $3.50 $40, So 80
Assuming that the sales of real estate, as
returned by registers of deeds, afford an APP
proximately correct ratio of the assessed
to the actual value of all property, the tax.
able property of the state in 1877 ted
to 1921, S71 $50; and in 1873 to 1887, 083, 700.
1t is to be borne in mind that this is only
the property represented upon the assessors
books, and is exclusive of the property ex-
empt from assessment by law, and that
which is concealed and omitted. | think
it safe to say, therefore, that the value of all
property in the state of Wisconsin to-day
exceeds thousand millions of dollars. and
it is quite probable that the property not
by law exempt from assessment amounts to
that sum.
The public indebtednessis, therefore, but a
trihe more than one per cent of the actual
value of the property which contributes to
its payment, instead of two and seven
tenths per cent, as might be inferred if the
distinction between actual and assessed val
uations was not constantly kept In mind.
1t is important that the facts in regard to
such matters should be known by the people
no less than by Legislators, that we may de-
ceive neither ourselves nor others.
The influence of the public belief is an
important factor in the science of govern
ment. When taxes are levied at the rate OF
three to five per cent, there is an appear
ance of extortion which enables the dema-
gogue to incite uneasiness and dissatisfac
ton; whereas, if property was assessed at
its true value, the rate of taxation would
be so much decreased that it would be i'm
possible to arouse so much of unfounded
suspicion in regard to the administration of
public affairs in the several spheres of gov
eminent from the school district to the
state. If we continually assert and hear
asserted that we are poor, that taxes are
burdensoRe, that the times are dull and
hard, it is the inevitable law that we shall
come to think SO, without regard to facts or
reason.
AXES.
The total tax levied in the state for the
yesr 1877 was $8,031 ,62S, and amounted to
81 500 on each hundred dollars of the state
assessment of 1923, 500, 300 The purposes
10 which this tax was levied, the respective
amounts and rates are as follows:
Rate
State tax.........,..........S 64s,153 80 1880
For interest and priuci-
pal on loans from