The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-08-11

- S,0IO,4Ot w
Increase in 1890. .... $67,S39 II |
These figures, as we then said, are en-
couragi1g. They show a good state OF
things; but must not be interpreted to
mean too much. We therefore add that the
Value of real estate as assessed
with taxes for 1880 was. $251 ,242 ,5OS 90
Deduct the value of real estate
as ascertained by the re-as-
sessment in 1880. ....... 234 ,272 95l w
Decrease. ..........s 5000 551 SO
In other words, the taxes of 1880 were
based upon the assessment of 1875, (better-
ments included
Some of our Democratic contemporaries
have committed the blunder of not distin-
gushing between the permanent and the
annual assessments. Nobody has yet paid
any taxes under the new assessment. The
tax collected on land last year amounted to
$l.256, PIP 81. The tax on land this year
will amount to about $1,l71, 475-some
eighty thousand dollars less. But this will
be Offset by an increase OF $4,000 in the
capitation tax; $4,000 in tax on personal
property 81, 600 in income tax AID $31 900
outlook is bright. The business of the State
will not allow the low assessment OF 1880 to
reduce the States revenues Dispatch,
Aug. Z.
We publish the above table, with the DIS
patch's reference to it, that all may under
stand the trimming tactics of the Bourb m
faction. They are aware that precon-
certed arrangement was carried into effect
by the Re-adjusters to reduce the assess
tfy their plan to repudiate portion Of the
debt, and as the basis of plea Of inability
20 pay more than 8 per cent. on what they
recognized as the debt-$19, 500, 900. They
know that although the assessments were
reduced,as it was arranged it should be, the
aggregate of values is greater under this
reduced assessment than it was I'M
der the assessment of 1S75-showing an
| increase of wealth to the amount of 25 per
cent, and an increase of ability to pay to
| that amount. From the showing of the
deduction, under the assessment of 1880,
| had the guage of values for 1875 been ap-
piled to the assessments of 1880, instead of
gross revenues to the amount of 50 SIS, 4S7,
there would be over $4,000, 900 -an amount
sufficient to meet all demands against the
State and leave surplus in the treasury.
This shameful device to rob the creditors
and dishonor the Commonwealth, adopted
| by the Re-adiu sters and accepted by the
Bourbons, demonstrates that there is no
difference between them. The latter pirate
| about the honor of the State and the dis
grace and dishonor of reputation, yet sub
stantially accept the arrangements devised
to effect reputation. They know that the
assessments have been designedly decreased,
yet with this knowledge, they deliberately
announce that they will in no contingency
consent to an increase in the rate Of taxa
ton, although an increase of 25 per cent.
would not impose any additional burthens.
according to intrinsic values, than was
borne under the assessments of 1875. Be-
fore another assessment is ordered. the
values Of the State will, no doubt, be in
creased so per cent. Yet if the method of
estimating there adopted and practiced by
the Re-adjusters and endorsed by the Bour-
bons, be recognized,- there would, in all
probability, be no more revenues than I'M
der the assessments of 1875. The benefit
would be made to accrue to the debtors and.
not the creditors, and the debt remain as
it is, with defaulting treasury every year.
It is about time that the people who feel
some interest, in the r, putation OF Virginia
and have some respect for the decisions OF
the Courts and the sacredness OF contracts.
were taking hold of the matter. Such dis
reputable devices as these two democratic
factions are resorting to for political power,
will do more harm to the State and all her
interests, and impose greater burthens upon
the people than an increase of so per cent.
in the rate of taxation would entail. 1t is
policy of downright disbonesty-a DELHI
crate purpose to rob public creditors. dis
honor the seal of Virginia, and infict ire
parable injury upon every relation that the
Commonwealth holds to the world.
The Republicans of Virginia will force
these two Democratic factions to embrace
reputation and the people of the State to
give their sanction to it, or repudiate them
and all of their pretensions. The opportu-
nifty will be given to declare for the honest
payment of honest debts, and to place the |
State in position that her past history, her |
present interests and her future welfare de- |
mand size shall occupy. We viii then un-
derstand how much sincerity there is Ia the /
extravagant expressions of honesty, of \
jealous regard for the fame of Virginia, |
which have been sounded in the ears of the \
country ever since the debtquestion became
subject OF discussion and agitation. 4he
business interests of the State cannot afford l
to longer tolerate this trifing with interests
so grave. Every consideration that enters |
into public character and credit appeals to |
the true people of the Commonwealth to
reach up to the demands of the occasion,
and forgetting and Ignoring partizan feel.
ing an prejudice, unite in common eff
fort to rescue Virginia from the dangers |
that the two Democratic factions are pre-
pairing for her.