The Portland daily press., 1888-10-23
TAXES PROMPTLY COLLECTED.
A system Which PIeases the People
of Fairfield.
Especial to the Press. -

FAIRFIELD, Oct. 19.-Meeting Mr.. Hiram
E. Tuck, with his tax book in hand, CONVEX
sation naturally drifted to the tax question,
and his method of collecting. In 1876 after
passing through the experience common to
so many towns who adhere TO the old time
manner of collecting, and suffer heavily by
abatements, Fairfield accepted the offer of
Mr.. Tuck to collect the taxes for 3 per cent,
and pay the entire sum into the town treasu-
ry on or before the date of the next annual
meeting. No one thought the work could be
done. No one expected him to succeed.
Men had labored hard and been three or four
years closing up their accounts, while the
town was annually called upon to
make heavy abatements. The offer of Mr..
Tuck was eagerly accepted, as he was known
to be methodical business man of ability.
The result proved the wisdom of the choice
for before the first of the succeeding March
the entire tax was collected and paid over
not one cent abated, only the errors correct
ed.
For twelve years Mr., Tuck has acceptably
filled the trying position, seeing the tax
grow from about fifteen to twenty-eight
thousand dollars, yet gathering it all in be-
fore the appointed time. And for several
years before the first of January. In ali
a commitment. or sell one cents worth of
property, neither has the town been called
upon to do more than correct the errors in
assessing, so natural in a town the size of
Fairfield. He has seen the voting list in
crease from six to seven hundred to between
of the town grow surprisingly fast.
His method is as follows: As soon as he
receives the tax book, usually about the 10th
of May, he begins the collection of the poll
taxes, looking with interest after each tran
sient, until the three dollars is safely secur-
ed. Not one is allowed to escape. His So
licitude for them leads him to watch closely,
for often they are slippery fellows, though
great per cent are as reliable as any voters
in town.
Property holders were, the first year, al
lowed to fix the date when they would pay,
and Mr.. Tuck was sure to meet them prOmpt-
ly. Latterly they understand that one-half
will be called for during September, and the
balance before the first of January. and that
no discounts are allowed, but all must be
paid. 1t is surprise to one not familiar
with the method to see hew readily the peo-
pie have fallen into line, and how they ap-
preciate their tax collector. He is today one
Of the most popular men in town. The fact
is, the good results following the prompt
collection of the taxes, the freedom from the
extra burdens of interest on orders, and the
attachments, which came back on those who
always paid willingly, has satisfied people
that 1t is the only true method, and while
Mr. Tuck is ready to do the work for two
and one-half per cent he will be his own
successor.
The amount formerly lost by abatements
on poll taxes more than pays the entire cost
of collection. The town is saving money by
the system, and our people laugh in their
sleeves as they read of town after town set
tling with bondsmen for deficiencies extend
ing over a series of years, and occurring no
one knows when, or at the heavy abate-
ments made because of deaths or removals.
The system has worked we'll in this town
why would it not in every other in the State
SETH.