Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-04-11
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The County Assessments.


One would think that a somewhat con-
spicuous experience in connection with
county assessments and taxes would make
the owner of the controlling mind of our
English local morning contemporary
little careful about investigating matters
Of this kind before too freely giving vent
to his feelings. 1t Is hardly necessary to
review in detail his amusing experience
in Being left off the assessment list some
years ago on account of the mistake OF
a Republican assessor and not through
the wickeaness of one opposed to
him politically. 1t appears that
some OF the county assessments have
been raised this year and among them
that on itt property Of the gentleman in
Y asslion, Though tide rsiSips Of Them
-.4.~'-s--~s.- eountJ hss -. been gee
eral enough TO make the statement cor :.
rect that the levy court has made gen.
ersl increase of the county assessments.
What then are the facts of the case Thew
appear TO be simply these: Draper A.
Dewees, the assessor Of the Third district
and Republican, came to the conclusion
that the assessments of many OF the prop
critics in his district were too low, and to
the best OF his ability proceeded to apply
the remedy. In pursuance OF what he
considered the duties OF his office the
assessment on the property Of the gentle.
man already referred to was among those
raised. This is the rock bottom
Of the wouid,be outcry against the work
or the Democratic levy court. We would
frankly ask our Republican citizens gen
orally whether under the circumstances
they consider il Just to try to make the
Democratic party shoulder the entire
blame of the raising of the assessments
made honestly aud to the best of hia iudp-
ment by Republican ASSESSOR. The
idea may not be entirely acceptable
or agreeable, but wouid ii not be more
fair all around for those Republicans in
the Third district whose assessments bave
been raised to belisve that the kepubli.
can assessor in that district found that
bis assessments were not 80 fair as those
in other districts, and that juslice re-.
quired that he raise his assessments?
The gentleman the higher assessment
of whose property has made him speak
most feelingly, recognizes with all others
who understand the simplest principles
OF taxation TINT exemption of some is
but the higher taxation of Others. Don
| sequently if tine assessment Of his prop
| erty and that Of othersin the Third district
was low In proportion to assessments in
other districts, that comparative exenp-
ton was but the higher taxation OF tex.
payers III the other districts That this 40.
seasons work Gaa been generally approved
by Levy Court shows that the mtmbers
Of that body coincide with him ID MS
judgment Of the yaiue OF the property in
that district. II oanuot be said tAat the
coGrs has injuiioinusiy approved ali
hI8her assessments, for such is not the
fact. For example, in one locality where
hu ssseasor has erred in his Judgment.
many assessuents were lowered 80 per
cent. Let US urge the collection Of all
taxes intending poll taxes, INT don't ist
ns be unjust IN our conclusions and gen.
efaIlza unfairly from comparatively Jew
\ CAseB.