The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1895-12-28
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A Fraud on the Public.


| One of the worst evils of our ia,
! system is that of rendering property
at 40 or so per cent. of its marke
value, or at the lowest possible figure
that will pass the equalization board
This system is not only bad in itself
but it is the father of many others just
as bad. AS there is no fixed criterion
of valuation for taxing purposes, every
property-owner tries to have his prop
erty assessed ct as low figure as pos.
sible. Holders of taxable personal
property. seeing real estate taxed at
half its value, consider it only sell
defense TO evade paying on the full face
value of their holdings, and the result
is the concealment of facts. and many
disreputable subterfuges to evade the
tax gather. This works progressive
rascality, and the man who starts out
to dodge small portion of his taxes,
ends by eyading all taxes whatever, re-
gardless of the means. Why not tax
all property at its full valued 1t
would not increase the burdens, but
would tend to equalize them. As is,
this system Of valuation vitiates all the
economic statistics of the country.
The tax rolls afford the only means of
ascertaining the wealth of the country,
or any subdivision thereof. and makes
all estimate and comparisons to ally
unreliable. These summaries do not
even profess to show the value of prop
erty of any kind-merely the figures
at which the property is assessed. and
such estimates are not uniform any,
where, from the individual taxpayer
to the nation as a whole, We have no
means of computing the wealth of any
State or country. and all the time and
money consumed in the attempt is
worse than wasted--it is misleading
and injurious. Farm and Ranch.
The above is plain and unvarnished
expression of opinion on question
and system that is not only an evil in
itself, but gives rise to much injustice
that is actual oppression.
The idea among a large class of prop
erty holders is to not only lesson the
value OF property largely below the
price for which they would sell it, but
also consider it perfectly legitimate to
escape as much as possible tie payment
of their equitable share OF the burdens
Of governments.
1t is well known that the small prop
erty holders are assessed nearer their
actual valuation than those who are
large owners and thus there is seen the |
truth of the assertion made that there
s "a concealment of facts. and many
snbterfuges to evade the
lax getherers. -
A thoroughly just and equitable as
'essment will distribute the burdens of
government equally and proportionate-
y according to each citizens holdings,
ind thus remove many of the causes of
complaint now SO largely indulged in.
The equalization of assessments has
'een one of the problems that has pro-
'oked discussion and elected more at
empts at solution than aught else, as
is the basis of taxation for the con-
uct OF the public affairs of the people
nd so necessary to their welfare, pros
'erity. happiness and comfort. The
more nearly the true value of property
made by assessment. the cheaper the
ate of taxation and vice versa.
True value of property. as the Farm
nd Ranch expressly urges, cannot be
cached by methods that are simply an
ssessment for taxable purposes and
OF to show the real wealth in exist
nce.-Shreveport Times. ,