The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-04-04
THE BURDEN OF TAXPAYERS
Effect of the Proposed Extrayagant As
sessment on Real Estate Values.
How the Determination of the Democratic Of
fcials to Keep Up the Excessive Appraise-
ment Is Regarded by Taxpayers.

Commissioners Sahm and Reveal and Assessor
Messick seek to protect themselves from the in
dignation- of the taxpayers, by saying that they
did not favor a high appraisement in their
speeches to deputy assessors. They merely told
them to observe equitable assessments, but not
to forget that there was necessity, under the
restricted levy, to keep the duplicate up to it's
present valuation Even on the SIS, 900
value, real estate has in many instances been
rated at its taxable strength, great
err than what it would bring in
this market. Hardly day passes" said gen.
tleman connected with the auditors Office, that
purchasers, who contemplate buying certain
pieces of property, do not come here to examine
praised values. They do not purchase, because
they have been offered the property at much low
er figure than that on the duplicate. know Of a
dozen cases of this kind within the past few days.
This disastrous effect on the real estate market
will be continued, even if it is sought to keep the
duplicate valuation at its present figure. The
evil does not end here. Under equalized values,
which do not look to a decrease in the aggregate
real estate tax valuation we will continue TO pay
on this excess large State tax, while the rest of
the State pays only on a two-thirds valuation"
ers and assessors do not benefit their position
by wanting the public to know just what they
did say to the deputy assessors. 1t is in rela-
ton to those speeches that they have tried to
hedge on what Commissioners Sahm and Re-
veal and Assessor Messick talked about in pri-
vate. 1t has not been denied by either Of them
that the increase Of valuation thought necessary
to keep the county pot boiling, should be
at least $500 900. ''The Democratic
YESTERDAY a,s ss m s1s
low appraisement, when it can be done effectu-
ally on real estate, and one that will continue
for six years, because they fear to encounter
any deficits on the present rate of expez 'itures
during their administration. In a few months
the Legislature can repeal or amend the English
law. restricting the levy to 33 cents, and then a
higher levy can be maintained. But real estate
appraisements. already enormously high, are
to be be kept up, and II possible the
duplicate, through that means and an in
crease of personality, raised to $780, 600, 000 When
the Commissioners, if real estate appraisements
are not decreased, have the opportunity to levy
more than 80 cents We will have both an ex-
treme high levy and burdensome appraise-
ment 1t is a nice future Democratic officials
are promising taxpayers All this load must be
horne by the city property. and the greater part
by male bondh0lders and renters A vote for
Rodgers and Palmer means an Endorsement of
this outrage on the people"
People," said County Auditor Adams, ''are
abundant opportunities to know from the growl-
ing, grumbling anu swearing that hear every
day. They come here, and find that they are
paying on values greater than what they ask for
their property. 1t is about that time they get
hot"
Citizens are greatly troubled by the present
appearance of taxation" remarked Colonel
Walker, one of the Auditors deputies 1T will
serve to bring Republicans out to the polls on
Monday. They are getting mad"
ic1 hat nv fhao oe he
ocratic commissioners and assessors scheme to
keep up the taxable values and wait the chance
of the next Legislature repeating the restricted
levy law when Indianapolis will have large OK
cess Of appraised over actual values, Eastern
capitalists have to purchase city pro perty
The other day trade was on for the purchase
of certain property in the center of this city
by an Eastern moneyed man. The holder asked
$1,000. The Eastern gentleman proposed to
give $30, 600. After considering the proposal,
the holder offered compromise sum. and the
would-be purchaser had made up his mind
to accept the offer, when the efforts Of
Commissioner Sahm and Assessor Messick, to
keep up the value of taxable real estate, became
public. He declined to consummate the pur-
chase. Other like instances have occurred.
Thus money is not only being driven from the
city by Democratic officials, but what is here
would welcome the chance to escape six years
more of excessively high real estate values.