The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-06-15
WORRYING WITH WEALTH
THE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION HAVE
ANOTHER BUSY DAY.
1t Is not Only the Poor But Many
Wealthy Landowners Make Earnest
Appeals For Acknowledgment
lions Today.
Landlords were lively Yesterday.

That the property OF this city and coun-
ty has not paid its just proportion of taxes
in the last score or more Of years will not
be denied. The effort 10 have it do so,
and thereby while increasing the much
needed revenue TO the county and State,
at the same time reduce the ratio OF taxa
ton, was q commendable piece OF legisla-
ton. The efficacy OF the law is being
demonstrated, and the equalization of the
new assessment values will admirably dis.
tribute the burden OF taxation.
The complaint against the old law was
that il was too lax in the first place, in
ellectual, besides under such a system
there was the widest possibility for dis
elimination, and the greatest Irregularities
were practiced. Hence the necessity for q
new and more explicit system.
The people at large will see the beauties
| and effectiveness OF the law after while.
They do not appreciate II so fully just now,
rs is attested by the throngs which crowd
| the equalization board room from the COM
mencement OF its morning session to the
closing Of the night session.
While great many do not openly OBJ
| jet 10 the increased valuation put upon
their property, they adopt another and
more plausible plan, !. c., TO object TO the
| difference in the valuation OF their own
property in comparison TO that of their
immediate neighbors. A man living in q
house that cost s., 900, ON a lot OF the same
dimensions as that Of his neighbor across
the street who lives in a dilapidated one
story frame, cannot see TO save his life why
he should pay more taxes than his across
the-street neighbor, and so on II goes and
would go on al infinitum ii the time Of the
board was not limited.
The Second and Fifth wards were gone
through with, and quite number OF
| passed cases were reverted TO and disposed
| OF. Besides this. the Louisville, New Or
leans 4 Texas railroad had its lists al.
| justcd at the night session, at which, also,
Mr.. 4. ii. White, the representative OF the
Kansas City Land company, was before
the board with lengthy and eloquent petit
ton praying for a reduction OF the com
pany's assessment. The discussion took
up great deal, aud even then had 10 be
postponed until this morning.
The property OF this company COM
prises ~ 1900 acres OF land in the south
eastern portion Of the city along Mcle-
moro avenue. Last year the property was
assessed at $1,000. Later in the spring
Col. Napoleon Hill sold the land to its
present owners for sl63,000.
II Is now claimed that the land was sold
in the midst Of the greatest boom ever
known here In the real estate market, and
that IL has greatly deprecated in value
since.
1t was returned on the assessment roll
at Sl25,0OO, and Assessor Smith
did not think this excessive at
the time he listed the property,
The petition states that the land has
been raised 700 per cent. over the assess-
mcnt OF last year, and deems IL out OF all
bounds OF reason, and asks that the assess
mcnt be reduced 10 $4,000
Mr.. White contcndcd that the land could
not possibly be sold now for 81, 200 per
acre. The board, Squire Slaughter being
absent, and Assessor Smith only being
empowered 10 vote when there IL n
tic vote in full board, compared
tho value Of other property in the
neighborhood, and by that standard came
10 the conclusion that a considerable re-
duciion should he made in order TO equal.
lie II with contiguous property.
Mr.. Iemaster was OF the opinian that
the land would not sell for moro than
81 900 peracre.
Squire Haynes said that he would vote
10 put II nj 100000
Squire Powell said no would think
fair valuation would be $4,000.
Squire Haynes said he would compro-
mise at s75, 900, and no less.
Mr.. Iemaster suggested that the matter
| go over till this morning, when Squire
Slaughter could be present.
During the morning session Col. II.
Dudler Frayser came before the board
with petition that they reduce the as
scssment on his dwclling-ho house out on
Union street. from $1,000 10 a more reas.
enable figure. Quite controversy arose
between the colonel and Squire Powell.
| The colonel iirst started out with an inn
porous demand but the squire soon made
him alter his tone by giving him TO under
stand that he could not bulldoze the
board. Then Mr.. frayscr began 10 COM
pare the princcly residences OF his imme.
date neighborhood with his "old and un-
improved house"
"I.ook at my friend Reeds place, said
he. "Why, ho has n stable ON II that cost
$500. ] have no stable on my lot, for
have never been able 10 build one; nor have
| kitchen, or any outhouscs. The lot u
bare save the old house, which | bought
years ago. All around mo are new houses
with the finest improvements, and ] think
that distinction ought 10 he made"
This did not move the board. hut they
took n careful inventory Of the property in
that ncighborhood, rs will be seen from
the list below, and in the equalization the
colonel got 81 500 pulledod hissiupcndous
assessment
While the board was figuring on the
relative values of these lots some by
standcr jocularly remarked, IDEAL with
him nicely, (mcaning Col. Fnyscr) gen
tlcmcn." The colonel smiled and said:
They treat mo all right all the time, OK
ccpt when INV friend Powell here gets in q
lick nj my railroad"
Squire Powell always do your railroad
Justice according TO my conscience and the
evidence.
This ended the colloquy.
James Gallagher got mad because the
board would not acccdc 10 his demands,
and said that he wanted 10 60 to the courts
and get justice. This made squire Powell
mad aud he told him In no Sunday-school
terms 10 90 and be BANKED.
The petitions like those Of the preceding
days al rccitcd the fact that their houses
were from twenty five 10 SIXTY years old.
Tho chimncys falling down and the roof
lets in the sun shine and the ain."
W. A. Carroll, l0Oxls0 feet on Avery
street, increased from $500 20 $500
@. n. Crosby. s2xl5l on Avery street,
increased from $500 TO 1900.
Mrs. NJ. 4. Boro, ASKS, northeast cor
ncr Second and Bcalo streets, $1,000 TO
Geo. Gillian. lox2o, Gayoso and Wei.