Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1882-03-03
A Plan for Insuring Sheep Owners
Against Loss.
Editors Tandicator :

Editors Via.dicator:
Your full and very clear report of the
proceedings of the last meeting of tire
Wool Growers Association of this county
has elected frequent comment and excited
no little interest among the wool growers
of Virginia.
In view of the large amount of money
invested in sheep and the ineMciency of
the present law to afford protection, and
the utter impossibility of passing through
the legislature the bill recommended by
the said Association, I beg leave to SUBJ
NIT few suggestions for the considera-
ton of those interested that may possibly
be taken up and matured into a plan by
which they will be fully protected against
the loss of sheep by dogs.
Taking the experience of the fiscal year
ending May LIST. 1881, as fair average of
the loss that will be sustained from year
to year in the county of Augusta land the
same will apply to all other counties in the
State) and the last report of the Wool
Growers Association as basis of calcu-
lation, I will endeavor to show how tho
desired protection can be had. There were
in the county May LIST, 1881, 14,76S sh eep.
the assessed value of which was SAL ,SS3-
average per head $40. To the same date
there were 754 sheep killed by dogs, the
assessed value of which by appraisers, in
Guiding costs amounted to $2,723. 5O--aver-
age per head $3.50; difference in assess
ments of 80 cents per head, making $678,6o
more than the assessors value, which
shows that the appraisers assessed the
dead sheep too high or that their owners
did not give them in at their cash value
(presumina that the sheep killed were an
average).
The whole gross dog tax, penalties added,
was ST. ,761.05, the aggregate cost for JUS
tees and appraisers fees, delinquents &c.
was 1881 sc; about $500 more than the net
dog tax $3.50. 81 with which to pay 50, 1923 so
tho justices and appraisers fees alone
being $507.75. A good thing to be JUS
tice or an appraiser, but bad law that re-
quires 5000 more to collect and distribute
its benefits than the net gain is. All will
agree therefore that the present statute
absolutely needs amendment.
Isuggest that the law be SO amended as
to do away with heavy costs incident to
it's enforcement, and to require every one
to accept of the assessed value, flor exam
pie 1910 per head and if the sheep are
worth more let them be given in at high
er valuation, thereby saving at least JUS
tices and appraisers fees, 1907, rs; and then
in addition levy specific tax of. 8 per
cent. upon the assessed value, SAL 1888, TO.
be applied exclusively to the loss of sheep.
by dogs, which will be 81 ,256,49 added to.
the net dog tax $3.50, 81, will yield So 037, 81.
The 754 dead sheep valued at $2,7O per.
head would amount to 5000 80 deducted
| from the net dog tax and license tax of
per cent. will be So O35,36, which will
pay for all the sheep (754 killed) and leave
surplus of 1856. The loser will have
only to 60 to the assessors books and as
and make affidavit TO the number of SD, zen
| killed by dogs and claim the assessed alue
per head. In order to pay this extr A tax.
which is about cents per head ey ira; the
or over will only have to add a'oout one
third pound of wool to each tlV zee or one
half pound of fat to eac}l mutton al
Staunton retail prices and ne will be fully
Reimbursed by receiving 100 per cent. for
his sheep instead of a pro rata of 2Sa per
cent. as he did the last year.
This plan would be in every sense mu
tual protection association sanctioned by
law and the results the same as that of the
East Augusta Fire Insurance Company or
the Valley. Mutual Life Association.
W. A. MCCUE.
Fort Defiance, Feb. rs.