The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1895-06-01
REASSESSMENT
Gov. Browns Views on This Import
ant Question.

Gov. Frank Brown was interviewed on the
duestion of a new assessment by the Balti-
more Ne,cs, and reported it as follows
II have never made public utteranee on
the subject, said he, ''in which | have not
favored reassessment of property in the
State. Ny views ON this subject are so well
known, and have been given officially so re-
Gently, that it seems hardly necessary for me
to go over the subject again. On the matter
of the kind of reassessment that would best
suit the whole people of the State, of course,
there is a wide difference everywhere. was
particularly anxious that the last Legislature
would have passed a reasseSsment bill, and 1t
seemed to me that suggested the most FEAST
bic means of securing that result. | recon-
mended in my message that machinery bill
be passed as early in the session as possible,
and the bill introduced by Mr.. Charles W.
Field was prepared by me. Its provisions
were almost identical with those in the Hayes
bill, so far as the method of levying an assess
ment went If this bill had been passed 1t
would have insured a reaSsessment of property
in the State.
''There would have been no backing down
then. If the Legislature did not then agree
on the kind of property that should be taxed
the assessment would have had to be made on
the laws as they now exist. On the other
hand, if the Legislature passed bill which
found could not sign there would have yet
been time to pass it over my head. AT any
rate. we would have had a reaSseSsment of
some sort This plan was, however. not fol-
lowed and we have had to go two more years
without revaluation of the property in the
State. As to my views OF the kind of reaS-
sessment that we ought to have, | can only
refer Won TO my last message TO the LegiSla-
ture If you want to publish my views on the
subject they have not changed since that time
and possibly will bear repetition.
Some of the most important sections OF that
part of the message which refer to revalnatlon
and assessment are given here as follows:
Il most heartily recommend that bill
providing for the revaluation and assessment
of property of this State be considered and
passed as speedily as possible after the organ
ization of your respective bodies. ] further
recommend that, in addition 10 the general
assessment bill. there be enacted a local law
for Baltimore city. authorizing and empower
ing the Mavor aud City Council to exercise
its own discretion in providing for the taxa
ton of the property within the corporate Inn
its for municipal purposes. In framing these
measures due regard should be given to the
condition Of the business interests. agricul-
tural and commercial, of the State al large,
including the metropolis of the State the city
Of Baltimore, from which the State Is deriy-
ing abOut two-thirds Of all the revenue re
eeiyed into lis treasury.
Extreme legislation is always dangerous
and attended by many difficulties. On the
other hand. conservative legislation produces.
as a rule. better results, and Is more sccept-
able to the people Of conservative common
wealth such as Maryland. The demands and
necessities for reassessment cannot be ques-
toned. but the subject is surrounded by many
dangers. In the present depressed condition
of the agricultural interests Of the State there
may be u tendency on the part OF the asses
sors 10 depreciate the values OF the farming
lands Of the State. so as to reduce the burdens
aftaxation This tendency. although natural,
would be productive Of evil Owing to the
fact of the large mortgage indebtedness ou
lands ia The counties. low valuations would
probably result in many FORECLOSURES. And #
there Is a depressed basis Of assessment IN the
rural districts. an increase must necessarily
follow IN the levy. Such INCREASE in the levy
would make borrowing ia those sections ou
the security Of real estate. very doubtful.
AN extremely inquisit0rial tax measure
NAV possibly base the effect Of contracting
the money capital Of the State, and thereby
checking is development. These Suggestions
are made for the sole purpose Of cooperation
with son. hook in making them only 10 the
best interests aud the future prosperity and
progress Of the whole people of the State.
ia order to simplify the mode Of proce-
dure. I have. ia the exercise Of my cousti;u-
iional power. determined to suggest to you the
propriety 81 separating the question ordinarily
presented by bill for the general rsvaluailon
Of property. very respectfully suggest snd
recommend that YOU iirs' pass blu embody
ing aii the provisions necessary for the rival
uaiion aud assessment OF al the property in
the State which shall BE- subject 10 valuation
and assessment for, State, county aud muni-
cipal purposes on June !. lsa4, for upon this
measure there can be iittie disagreement.
By the passage of such measure the new
valuation and assessment woald b. secured
The General Assembly San then, by a separate
bill. re-enaef ur amend and rr-enact. in sHch
manner aud 10 such extent - Is NAV deeu
proper. the sections Of the code - that shat
Is taxable aud what Is exempi from taNaiion
in this State shall be definitely asceEtsipcd
before the close u the session. lon vail then
know that a law Is in eNisiencs providing for
the proper valuation Of such proPes'is~ as rflli
te taxable on June !. 1884.