, 1889-06-25

UNEOTlL ASSESSMENT.

WV ~
The Omaha Republican takes up the
question Of unequal and discriminating as.
sessment and treats 1t in a very clever
manner. Speaking OF the small assess
ment returned by reputed milhonaires it
says: Universal tradiuon hints with
uncanny emphasis at the shudder produc-
ing fact that many a skeleton has been
uncovered in the closets OF the rich. And
tradition probably knew what in was talk
ing about, though evidently it has been
bribed to remain silent on one or two
other matters which certainly could not
have escaped its notice just within the
heavily panneled portals Of those who are
known TO be wealthy.
But assessors-you probably know
what an assessor is-cannot be bribcd to
keep secrets-and to. them the poorer
portion of the public may consider itself
indebted for a series Of recent and re-
markable revelations concerning a mar
velous state OF afairs existing in many OF
0maha's palatial residences.
at has long been one Of the commonest
Of suggestions entertained by people of
small means, and who travel the more
lowly walks OF this city, that the large and
very elegantly appearing residences were
richly and superbly furnished. This idea
has been hold To for the reason, doubtless,
that the men owning them are, in a ma
iority of instances, possessed of ample
means beyond what is necessary to build
houses Of the class mentioned and, too,
for the reason hat these castle owners are
generally men who have acquired luxuri-
Gus and fastidious tastes, and have a
sharply defined idea of the fitness of
things, particularly as concerns private
surroundings. That this idea is so gene
raj and in fact is a correct one, will 60 to
make the announcement hat it is stupen-
duously wrong, all the more sensational.
Again, it has been Just as commonly
supposed that the bankers and big bust
ness men of Omaha had silverware, solid
and plated, upon their tables; that they
had pictures-hne and expensive ones,
too-on their walls; that they owned val.
liable horses and carriages; wore some
iewelry, a diamond ring or stud, and at
least a good watch; had money in the
bank and owned some stocks, bonds or
other valuable commercial paper. The
sensational revelation referred to includes
simply astounding facts in connection
with this idea, also.
1t then gives a list OF n dozen of the
wcalthiest citizens and shows what returns
OF personal property they made to the as
SCISSOR. As an instance: Speaking in
all soberness the other day, at a time
when his honor as a gentleman and his
reputation for truthfulness was at stake,
Mr.. Linniger stated that he had no furni-
lure, no carpets, nc pictures, OF anything
whatever of that sort in that fine resi-
dence which his guests claim is crowded
full of costly art and treasures. He
stated that he had no silverwarc, no Jew.
elry, no diamonds. Those magnificent
diamonds which he wears are only bright
bits Of imagination on the part of those
who know him. When he was asked if
he had a watch, he replied: Yes, | have
n couple of themes apiece" General
Lowe sand all the furniture, counting ev-
cry piece, great and small, in his house
wasn't valued at more than a total of
$500. He had no watch, no iewelry,
s~ilverware, or anything of that kind, nor