The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1888-10-05
THE TAX QUESTION.
No. VII.


In your paper of 3lst of August last asked
the three questions following:
First. Of toe counsel to the Board OF County
Commissioners, why he advised the Commission
ers that they had no power to re-assess property
when IL had been assessed by the general assess
oIs 10 cases In which 1t had been enormously as
sessed. or in which the value had changed since
he assessment.
"a. OF the Commission RS why they had failed
to re-assess property which had been erroneous
ly assessed, or had changed in value since II had
been assessed by themselves, when their counsel
had advised them that In such cases they mad
the power to re-assess II.
other CORPORATIONS were more entitled to low as
easements because they were embarrassed pecu-
MARTY than stragElnE esze9 Oh hariofd c0uh-
II has been two months since these questions
were asked. but no reply has been made In the
papers, 80 far as know, and no reply whatever
except that enc of the Commissioners told the
writer that / stated to them what the law was
too late to allow them to re-assess property De-
fore the date when the levy Is required TO be
made. ,,...
Is. On the 9Th day Of June last, 10 an article IN
10 the law and stated what the law was and what
their duty was under the law, and about the
same date went before them and demanded OF
them, as had a right to do as one OF the people
OF hartford county, that they re- assess the rail-
roads, and such other property as had changed
in value, or had been wrongly assessed.
intended to proceed TO show that there was
ample time after had verbally and in print
stated To the commissioners WHAT lne law 10 lOr
them to have re-assessed at least the railroads in
time for this years levy, but when had written
thus far was called for by friend to go to Bel
Air. Whilst there the Commissioners volun-
teered to tell me that they had investigated fur
Their and found that they had been wrongly ad-
vised as to what the law is, that they adopted my
views In regard to what was law and they intend
cd to proceed to assess the railroads and other
property as had stated the law required them
to do. This will enable them to reduce taxation
next year. at least from twenty to thirty cents
On the 800. according as they may DO diigent or
otherwise In the performance OF their duties
OF course am very glad they have reached
the conclusion and determination which they
have reached, as 1t will materially reduce taxa
ton to the people of the county and prove the
opening wedge leading to the abolition of the
present taxation system Of the State by which
the poor are made to pay the taxes of the rich.
Intend TO persevere in what have undertaken
IL IL takes the whole of my life. and promise the
people that IL they will act as free men, that they
will at no distant day be taxed like free men aud
not like slaves as they have been and are now.
Many poor man in the State of Maryland s
now paying from double to ten times the amount
Quires of him. and the shameful outrage must
and shall be broken up.
Let US congratulate ourselves that wide open
ing has been made, and let US follow up the at
tack until every person and every corporation in
the State pays taxes on what he or 1t sctually
owns and on no more; for as have often said,
the people of Maryland have far greater cause To
the people of l718 had TO rebel against the gov
eminent of King George the Third.
The old "Self-Sharpener' will rise again and
shake his name.
E. NJ. ALLEN.
Oct. I'd, 1888.