The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-04-02
PUTTING UP THE ASSESSMENTS.

PUTTING UP THE ASSESSMENTS.
The tax blanks are now in the hands Of the
deputy assessors, and they have been given
some remarkable instructions that are of in
terest to every taxpayer. At the meeting on
Wednesday night 1t was impressed on them
by the Democratic assessor sfthat if fhe county
is to have enough money for expenses next
year the assessments and real-estate appraise-
ments must be kept up" The cry is ever for
more, more. Yet this same party of economy
and reform" is very careful to never put any
undue burden upon its friends-the saloons
are spared, and the weight is laid on the own
ers of homes who are thus obliged to make
up the amount that should be taxed upon the
liquor traffic. Statistics show that, proper
tionately, indianapolis has more owners of
homes than any other city in the country.
The Democratic party, with its mind ever on
future success, turns to them instead Of to
the liquor-seller. More money is needed, and
the mechanic, the clerk, the butcher, the
baker, the merchant, the day-laborer-any-
body but the saloon-keeper is called on to
make up the needed amount How many
men who own homes, or who have homes
partly paid for, like this kind Of discrimina-
ton? The assessment is to be kept up be-
cause the party wishes to spare its friends.
The worst feature of this is the fact that
real estate in this county is already assessed
at higher rate, relatively, than in any other
county in the State, and the county is there
fore paying balance that properly belongs to
sponsfble for this opinion, and he is Demo
GRAFT who is in position to know Of what he
speaks. Farming lands in Marion county are
to be assessed at $40 an acre, while equally
good land in Madison county, adjoining, is to
be taxed at but $25 an acre. The difference
in favor of Madison is, therefore, so per cent.
The farming-land owners Of this county, acre
for acre, pay 60 per cent more into the State
treasury, and the only explanation is that
Democratic officials are more intent on having
plenty Of money than to administer the affairs
of the people in an economical manner. More
money is needed More to keep up with the
remarkable increase of expenses, as shown in
the management of Center township. Very
much more money is needed, so that the value
of taxablcs must be raised to meet this Dem
ocratic demand. More money is needed, for
the expenses of this township under Demo
cratic control are increasing at the rate of 800
per cent. in four years. Four years ago it
took about 81, 900 to conduct the business of
the township. 1t now takes over $40, 900, and
still the cry is for moro. How long will the
people of Center township and of Marion
county stand this imposition
County Commissioner Sahm supplements
the words of the assessor by repeating the in
struction to lay as heavy burden as possible
upon the home-owners of the county. 1t was
he who, when commissioner elect went be-
fore the legislative committee and prayed that
the limit Of taxation be removed, so that more
money could be dragged from the people. Yet
the Democratic party, when, the proposition
was made to slightly increase the tax asked of
the saloons, did all in its power to prevent the
increase. Now it is different. The house
holder must pay more than ever, and more
than the taxpayers of other counties. The
Democratic idea is free whisky and higher
taxes. Democratic officials are FESTIVE under
any restraint, and would like to have freerein.
More money, Mr.. Mechanic, if you please; we
want to spare the saloon keeper, for he is the
party's best friend A pretty plan, isn't it'