The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1892-09-03
SINGLE TAX DEPARTMENT.


single tax bill for the District OF Column
bia from the district commissioners,
Congressman johnson believed he had
made as much progress in that direc-
ton as possible. He therefore took up
q new line of operations. He believed
that if the house of representatives
would examine into taxation matters in
the District of Columbia it would be
strongly inclined to pass his bill. So he
drew up the following resolution for the
appointment by the speaker OF an in
vestigating committee of three:
Whereas, The board of assessors arc
about completing an assessment upon
property in the District ct Columbia,
and from an estimate furnished by the
district commissioners to the committee
on appropriations It. eppears that this
new assessment is to exceed the old by
only 25 per cent; and
Whereas Said old assessment-on the
land values alone in the district is $780,
600, 900, when it should be more than
$500, OOO, 900; this shows an extraordi-
nary naturalization, and what is still
worse, the greatest injustice between
the valuation of land used for business
purposes, which in many cases is as
sessed at less than IA per cent OF its
true value, and land used for residence
purposes, especially where the small
homes are situated, is assessed at from
70 to so per cent. of its true value, while
in many cases land held for speculation
is assessed at less than 10 per cent OF
its true value. The foregoing facts
were brought out by an expert valua-
ton on enough land in the district to
furnish an average. Apublic hearing
was held by the commissioners in which
this subject was thoroughly discussed,
and after a careful examination they
say s'the figures embraced in these
showings seem to have been carefully
and conservatively prepared, and
Whereas, The new assessment should
not only show the true value of the
property in lawful money, as required
by law, but should also preserve an
equality in assessment of the land in
different localities, and not bear more
heavily in some sections than in others;
therefore,
| Be it resolved, that select committee,
consisting of three members, be ap-
pointed by the speaker, which shall
have power and authority to investigate
and report upon the method of ascer-
tanning land values by the board OF
assistant assessors in the District OF
Columbia; to inquire whether there is
in the assessment now being prepared
discrimination in favor of any section
over others; and generally to inquire in
to all alleged inequalities pertaining to
the assessment of land values.
Such committees shall have power to
send for persons and papers, toexamine
witnesses under oath, may employ a
stenographer and one clerk, and shall
report the result Of its investigation to
the house, with such recommendation
as it may deem proper to make. The
expense of such investigation shall be
paid out of the contingent fund OF the
house.
Mr.. johnson presented this resolution
on April ID, soon after the reading OF
the journal. No sooner was it read
however, than Mr.. Holman, of Indiana,
chairman of the committee on appropri
atoms, made objection as the resolution
involved expense, against every form Of
which, except that relative to pensions
he sets his face. He said he thought the
matter should 60 to one of the standing
committees of the house. But Mr.. Say
! ers, of Texas, also of the appropriation
committee, and ardently in favor of the
resolution, rushed over to Mr.. Holman
and whispered that what this spe
cial committee aimed at was greatly
raising the assessment of land in TIT
District of Columbia, thus causing ;
very much larger volume of revenue t.
come from local source, and proper
tionately reducing the share of distric
expenses that the United States treas
NY will be called to bear. Mr.. Holman
saw the point at once-the committee
would cost a little something during it
investigation, but it would effect al
immense saving to the general govern
ment in the end by making the distric
pay its own expenses. He immediatel.
withdrew his objection, and walking
over to Mr.. johnson, said to him pr
vately: Your idea is magnificent /
is one of the best things have hear
this session. If you carry it through i
, will make you big reputation"
, Meanwhile, Mr.. Dingley, of Maine
renewed the objection, whereupon Nh
Sayers ran over to him and held brief
whispering conference, the consequence
of which was the withdrawal by MI
Dingley of his objection, probably o.
the same grounds that Mr.. Holman ha'
| withdrawn his objection
The resolution met no further objec
ton, and was unanimously adopted
, The speaker that afternoon appoints
' Mr.. johnson chairman of the commi'
tee, and associated with him Jos. 3
: Washington, of Tennessee, one of tn
9 members who introduced five chapter
|, of Protection or Free Trader" into tn
Record during the tariff debate, an
James w. Wadsworth, of the Thirty
| first district of New York a very fair