Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-11-30

Inc DJef1 Of ELeto ooSeSs0xU nave COM
plssed their 6fst annual report. The ~.
SCISSORS make the following suggestions and
statements regarding their work:
BY sec. chap. 1903. CT the scts Of 1891
this beard u required 70 make ssposs "a
the Gsve,nor and couacil ofis pscceediaes
nd Include thsfein . tabular statement Of
oil ststis;ics derived from the returns from
local sssessois,
The returns from Q smsll number Of
towns hsys not been recefsei. We were
ls.s iu zsttiEg tie blank returns info The
hands Of the LEGAL sssessoYs hecsnss our
erection came 20 lsss in the ssssion Of tbs
Legislature. We hope TO make some i'm
pfovsments 10 the blanks and have thsm IN
the hands Of the assessofs before he in
victories are taken rext yssr, 10 thas IL vii
not be the tssk IL must have besn this ysss
10 give the Information.
We gave the tabuiAdons Of ths fssuyss
- far - we have them, sna while thsy are
not - full - they might hsve been under
more favorable csrcamstascss, we must
commend the town ssseaoss for doing a.
veil ss they did considering the time snd
other conditions Of sll concerned 10 their
making.
The board have 80 far held the meetings
required BY law in the counties Of Hancock,
Warrington. Knox, Aroostook, 3omeYset
and Piscaaqn.s. We have heard ell that
the assessors snd others in.ers ssed In the
ssversi towns desired TO say, snd have ssth-
cred such information ~ We could. The
testimony taken. we have placed on Gle for
use In msking our report Of tqualIz atom to
the nsxi leg tslatufe.
AZ this time We shall make some sussss-
tisns - to legislative enactment We deem
important, TO the end that sueh Suggestions
my engage the ate alton Of the people And
tber validity or the want Of IL determined
by them before the session.
We recommend the enactment Of Q Law
requiring the meeting Of town asssssors IN
country conventions, At such times and
places ~ the board Of State ASSESSORS may
name. and where they shslI be present
Toe town ASSESSORS to bring the town tsx
books and answer such questions pertaining
to ihs vsustion Of their property in their
respective towns - the board may put to
hem.
We find very vide difference In the
Standard Of values adopted by the asses
sors Of different towns. even in the same
county. IN . cerain county one DO Ard sets
the average value Of horses A. 1874 while an
other board in the ssme county sets the N
~ si33 81, In other counties he variation
10 nearly ss much. With cows it varies
from $40 TO so. oxen from si7 80 TO so,
sheep from 81 to 81, swine from 81 to SO,
thsse figures all applying to averages.
Bank stock, than which We have little
property with ~ stable and we'll understood
market or cash value, runs from so per
cant. below par to 20 per cent above par
oa stocks Of practically the same
market value
The mischievous and unfair practice Of
placing value less than fair cash value
pertains to . great degree. Some towns
using ONE half. some two-tbirds, aome
three-fouribs, some 30 per cent and soms
msging . difference bet~een real snd per
sonsl estate 10 the PEI C snt used IS . stand
ard. What 10 . fair. cash vaius OF The
property in the several towns, 10 the ques-
/ on demanding careful consideration. Is
II the sum that would be realized from
sale by auction or from sale In any given
time or IL il such value a. would cam
mend Itself to men Of good Judgement. all
tIs circumstances and conditions Of the
time being considered.
In the valuation Of mill property there /.
very vide difference Of opinion, espe ciAl-
ly woolen mills. The knowledge Of those
who from interest Of any kind have had
opportunity to investigate the matter.
would lead to a far better understanding
Of this kind Of property.
Many towns In their endeavors 10 heIp
themselves. exempt from tax.tion by one
means and another, the property e. manu-
fsctufir esta blishments for Q term Of years.
10 seversl instances only the mills have
been built in the towns exempted, and the
owners have gone scross the river. into an
ot5er town. 10 locate taxable property to
very large amounts, without apparently
thinking OF exemption. IL ~ enterprise
which practically eonfesses that IL cannot
bear It's share Of the pnblic expenses likely
to prove profitable one to locate? Does