The true northerner., 1895-10-18
The Equalization Of Taxes.

been persistent in its endeavor to
show that the equalization of taxes
by the board of supervisors from
year to year has done great and
growing injustice to the township
and village of Paw Paw, and that
South Haven has been the principal
beneficiary of such injustice. Fre-
quently we have quoted from the
South Haven newspapers, articles
showing the growth and financial
prosperity of the corner and calling
attention to the annual visitation of
poverty upon that township and
village just about the time of the
fall meeting of the supervisors.
We have shown the farming lands
of Paw Paw township to be assessed
so per cent higher per acre than
South Haven's valuable fruie lands.
We have compared the business
interests of the two villages-South
Haven boasting nearly twice the
population-and have tried to honestly
show the injustice of assessing South
Haven village $4,000 less than
Paw Paw.
We have compared the per capita
assessments of the two villages and
townships, and have shown the aver
age South Haven resident to be as
sessed less than half the amount Of
his Paw Paw neighbor, and all this
while South Haven has been boast
ing Of its wonderful growth in pop
ulation and wealth.
We have called attention to some
specific under-assess ments in South
Haven, notable among them being
that of the Williams Transportation
Co., which has been assessed at con-
siderably less than one-sixth of the
value of its boats alone.
We have tried to show the inius-
tice done in taking $12S,745 from
the undervaluation of South Haven
when the equalization" was made
in 1894, while practically nothing
was taken from Paw Paws roll by
the board.
All the facts, figures and argu-
ments heretofore presented have
been brought as they appeared to
the attention of every member of the
board of supervisors, and it is use
less 70 reiterate them here.
The following article from the
South Haven Sentinel of last week
tends to strengthen and substantiate
the claim of the NoRTHERNER that
South Haven is undervalued:
"A South Haven dispatch to the
Kalamazoo News, Wednesday, is that
September 2Sth of the present year
shows S343,637.3S on deposit in our
banks, with cash on hand OF over
100000 while Paw Paw, the county
seat and second town, South Haven
being the frst), in the county, with
ali the county money deposited,
shows deposits less than 100000.
Allegan, a sister town shows deposits
not to exceed $250,000. The popu-
lation tributary to our banks is esti-
mated at 1000, which gives an av-
erage deposit of $50 for every man,
woman and child. From July to
Sept. 2S the deposits have increased
$165,000, which is largely attributed
to the proceeds of peaches and other
fruits. From statistics gathered the
returns from peaches during that pc
riod were 100000, Of which over
one-half has found its way to the
banks. Verify, South Haven and
vicinity is at the 'front.'"
In view of all the facts and figures
bearing on the matter, Paw Paw has
reason to expect that the equalization
made by the honorable gentlemen
who compose the board of supervisors
now in session, will do a great deal
towards equalizing in truth the bur-
dens borne by the various townships
of this county. If justice is not done,
it cannot be claimed that the injus-
tice occurs through lack of knowl-
edge as to the facts.
The NoRTHERNER verify believes
that an assessment of South Haven
village at 80 per cent more than Paw
Paw village would be none too much,
but rather too little difference be-
tween the two, as based upon the
real value OF the wealth of the two
places.
We also believe the lands of
South Haven outside the village are