The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1892-02-06
THE ASSESSMENT
CITIZENS PROTEST AGAINST
THE COMMISSIONERS ORDER.
UNMISTAKABLE LANGUAGE USED.
A Committee Appointed to Draft
Resolutions That Will be Laid
Before the Commissioners
in Due Time.

A large number of the tax paying citiz ms
Of town met in the Council Chamber last |
night to exchange views on the orders
r Gently issued by County Solicitor |
Mlnogue and the County Commissioners
regarding the assessment to be made on !
Shenandoah properties.
A. ID. Cable president of the Borough |
Council, presided at the meeting.
+. g, Reese, assessor of the Third ward, |
stated that when the assessors went to |
Pottsville to get their books County |
Solicitor Minogue lectured to them for
several hours, instructing them on their
duties and laying stress upon the instruc-
ton that the properties must be asses sed at
the figure they would bring at private
sale. Mr. Reese said that the people of
town were protesting against the instruc.
tions. He also recited the experience of
the assessor in the Unions. The property
owners said they could not give the value
of their properties and he went to see the
County Com missioners, who replied that
they had already given the assessors their
instructions and they meant what they
said. The assessor then wrote TO the
commissioners, asking, "Will you refuse
to accept the books of the assessors if the
precept is not fulfilled ?' To which they
answered that they had already received
the books of assessors from GirardYille and
Yorkville and had returned the same
because the properties bad only been
assessed at one.third their value. Mr..
Reese said that if the valuation of Shensn
doah properties increased two.thirds more
it Twill make the aggregate assessment near
50 OOO0OO, which, he thought, would be
out of proportion. He asked that two
competent men be appointed to aid the
assessors In getting at proper assessments.
B. j. Yost asked if the County Com
missioners proposed reducing the rate of
taxation when increasing the rate of assess
ment.
Mr.. Reese stated that the commissioners
stated one day that they would reduce the
mills, but at meeting the next day they
adopted a resolution stating that they
need $50 600 year more for county ex-
penses.
James Bell, of the Fifth ward, thought
that if the rate of assessment is raised, the
mill rate ought to be reduced. II don't
think the County Commissioners should
come re and skin us out"
Michael Graham, Of the First ward, also
protested.
School Director Trezise, of the Third
ward said, ''As far as the School BDsrd is
conc rned we get just enough to see us
through the term. The increase of the
rate in town would affect us, because we
would then reduce the mills"
Mr.. Yost called attention to the fact that
few years ago after the assessors fixed the
valuation on the company property the
q uLty Commissioners reduced the assess
ment to the figure at which it originally
stood He thought il would be proper to,
appoint committee to see the commits
siouers.
Mr.. Reese said the company houses and
coal ands are on what is called the Will
IAN Jones tract and all breakers and all
improvements on that tract are assessed to
the company, but upon the return of The
books they show the properties are not
specified They app 'ar as acreage an
improvements, but the valuation still re
mains there
Mr.. Bell; What is the coal lands as
sessed at per acre 2"
ASSESSOR Cullen ana wered, TAT 1926, and
'reakers ut $4,000"
Mr. Bell said it was altogether too low
and that If proper assessments we're made
10 such cases the commissioners would soon
raise the money for the new court house.
NJ. p. Fowler said he owns an oil use
he will sell for from $50 TO 500 and that it
was assessed a. $40 last year. The houseis
on leased ground and he has leased it at 81
per month, He thought 1t unjust that his
oil house should b. rated almost rs high as
a certain property near the Lehigh Valley
depot bringing in sos per month, III we
are to pay for the new court house by un-
just taxation then we had bet or annex
ourselves TO Luzerne county" He thought
committee ought to be appointed to Sc
cure just system of taxation throughout
the county.
james Champion thought it would be
we'll to have competent committee 60
through the county and equalize the rate Of
taxation.
Assessor Cullen said the County Solicitor
told the assessors they should ask the ownsi
the value of his property and if they con
sidered the price given too low, the ASSESSOR
may stand on the street in front of the prop
erty and place value upon It, MIR. Culler
also said that the commissioners laid speciA