The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-06-17
RECEIVING PETITIONS.
THE LAST PUBLIC DAY BEFORE THE
BOARD OF EQUALIZATION.
The Board Will Continue Their Work in
Secret Session Until 1t is Completed
The Assessment Figures win be
Varied Some.

Yesterday was reception day at the board
of equalization rooms
II was the last day for the anxious land.
lords to file petitions.
There was constant stream of people
flowing in and out of the rooms all day,
The board did not undertake to pass on
any of the petitions. 1t was as much us they
could do TO receive and file them.
Many Of the petitioners wanted TO explain
further than they had set forth ON paper
but Squire Powell in his pointed way said
mo, sir; we will not hear any long windcd
speeches this day. Besides Il is too hot,
and we do not wish 10 he overcome with clio.
qucncc and heat too
Lawyers, bankers representatives OF rich
and powerful corporations, widow women
whose all isa little weathcr-bcatcn cottage.
hrawny handed dmymcn. who had wisely in.
vested their hard earnings wcll-to-do col
orcd people all hustled and jostlcd against
each other in the scramble To gain the
boards attention and impress upon them tho
rank injustice OF Assessor Smiths good
work
The adjustment of the bulky assessment
books the hearing of the thousands Of com.
plants that are made, Is no small task. In
TACT II is one of the most laborious undertak-
in this county in q long while.
Under the law the board were 10 hear and
consider complaints from the propcrty-own-
crs for two weeks. The time expired ycstcr-
day afternoon, hut the work OF the board is not
half Finished. They have until July /.
From now until then the board will en-
dcavor 20 go through the books and have
them ready TO turn over 10 the county
trustee.
Their sessions hereafter will he with closed
doors aud thus shut out from public annoy.
ancc the work will progress faster, aud they
may probably he able Ia conclude the work
within the time allotted them.
With the stcadicst kind Of work they can.
not more than 20 through with the petitions
now before them In weeks time.
one thing has been clearly demonstrated
---at least on papcr--and that Is there are
more old houses, dilnpidntcd.nnd falling
down In this city than the oldest inhnbitnni
had any idea of Hut In furnishing the board
with this startling information these same
petitioners prove another aud moro whole
some fact aud that i their ncighbors linz
mcdintcly around all own fine, brand new
houses, some Of them costing fabulous sums
In keeping with the "old house" theory
an amusing incident occurred yesterday A
wcll.to-do owner presented his petition
praying that his assessment be cut down,
NAhANiAN AftN Wv NANhhh NNN AlRA Nllll NNlNu
but little, but that the house was on L. last
legs"
Squire Haynes happened 20 know the
house when II was built aud lust how old
the structure Il. Ia his dry, quiuical way
the squire began IN question the owner, aud
finally made him admit that the house was
not more than year old. But" quickly
observed the owner 1.-THE house was built
ont Of old lumber"
The assessment will In the course Of the
equalization be- cut down considerably, but
II j. estimated that IL will be on an average
of about q, per cent. over that " last year.
Assessor Smith " constantly with the
board aud closely observes all the changes.
lie stated yesterday afternoon to TnE ArrEAL
reporter that hc did not think that the r..
ductions would aggregate moro than 500,
ODO, and probably not more than 2jO,OJo.
While The board are acting IL all eases with
uAs uluao.t fairness. they evidence a spirit To
uphold the assessors figures as nearly NJ
they conscientiously can DO 10 aud adjust
| the differences in valuations.