Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1895-01-11
LOCAL..
The Re-ASSSS99SSnelt Of 1895.
FARMERS MAKE IT 4 NATTER 0f DIS
CUSSION.

TOO HIGH AS COMPARED WITH EAST
ERIN CGuNTIEs-A FIFTY PER CENT.
REDUCTION ASKED FORA MORE
EQUAL ASSESSMENT WANTED-REDJC-
TION IN STATE AND COUNTY EXPEN-
SEES WANTED,
&C. sc. &C.
FIsHERsvILLE, Jan. 5.-Ihe meeting Of
farmers of this section, called to discuss
the reassessment Of lands, was called to
order, aud MI. Chas. Brooks was called to
the chair, and J. r. Kempel WAS made
secretary. The object Of the meeting
having been stated, Capt. Coiner offered
the following
PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTIONS.
Whereas, In the last five years, the
products of our farms have Deprecated
greatly in value, and consequently our abil-
ity to pay taxes has been lessened in like
proportion, and, whereas, our adjoining
sister States Of almost equal area. wealth
and population, are governed equally as
well, at cost approximating one half of
our State and County expenses; therefore
be it
Resolved: LIST. 1t is the sense Of this
meeting that the assessment Of our lands
ought to be reduced commens urately.
End. We do most earnestly demand a
reduction in our State and County expen-
ses, In spirit Of fairness and in practi-
cal and statesmanlike manner.
LOW PRICES AND TOO MANY OFFICERS.
Capt .Coiner said that in the last five
yeats our products of the farm had depre-
ciated in value about one-half, and our
lands were worth to-day in proportion to
the value Of the products therefrom, while
cur expenses were increasing all the time.
We had too many officials to pay, and if
we did not get our taxes decreased, we
would be bankrupt. Other counties were
proposing to reduce their assessments, and
we certainly should have our lands reduc-
ed.
The Chairman stated it would be well to
express some idea of the amount of reduc-
ton.
ASSESSMENT ALREADY TO HIGH.
DR.. Hanger SAID he thought the lands in
the Valley should be reduced more in pro-
portion, than other sections, as our lands
were assessed so much higher than lands of
equal value in other parts Of the State. If
it would probably be more than the reduc-
ton in the price Of farm products. If the
assessment Of lands is reduced, then the
rate of taxation will be increased, and per-
sonal property, bonds, &C., would have to
bear their equal and proportionate part.
REDUCTION OF STATE AND COUNTY
EXPENSES WANTED.
Hon. G.. w. Koiner said he understood
the object of the meeting was to discuss
the reassessment of lands, and this was a
very opportune time to consider this i'm
portant question. The fact was the Val
ley Of Virginia was bearing the burden of
State expenses, with some help from South
West Virginia. The farmers pay from IS
to 80 per cent. Of the taxes of the State,
which was altogether unequal. Two rem
edies he would suggest; one was the reduc
UlOI VI tcDCS0iilClU Oll 1tsllllo3 ttuu ar
other was to cut down and simplify
the expenses Of State and county. This
could be accomplished by a State Conven-
tion, if we would send representatives who
desired this kind of change. Our expen-
ses, if we had government like Tennessee
OF North Carolina, should be about one
half of what they were now. Itemized &C
counts should be required Of all State ard
county officials. of every dollar that is
spent. that the people who pay the taxes
may know where their money goes. ..-
Virginia spent last year $37 Geo. to pro-
tect the oyster interest, when those beds
should yield half million revenue per year.
These oyster beds belong to the people Of
the whole State. and not to any one section.
500, 600 per year was offered rental for
Pocomoke Sound, for ten years, but the
Leg islature refused to allow the Governor
to accept the contract. Salaries of officials
should be REDUCED OF the number curtailed,
and thus lessen the burdens of the people.
If all these matters were looked into, the
burden on land might be reduced.
TOO MANY OFFICIALS.
Mr.. Mason said he was glad to see this
move on the part of the people, to tighten
the burdens of taxation, which were becom-
ing well nigh unbearable. Before the war,
with one-third more territory than we now
have, the whole government was run for
$46S, 1000 per year. We have too many Off
Gals to pay, and the number should be
]essened as we'll as the salaries. We send
three-fourth lawyers to legislate for the
farmers, who are greatly in the majority.
MI. Brooks said the most practical ques
ton for us to consider now was the reas
sessment Of our lands, and while we are
willing to bear our proportionate share of
the burdens, we desire an equal reducti on.
We want simply to find out what our land
is worth, regardless of any other question
OF interest. The extremely low price Of
wheat we are told has come to stay, and
being only one:half the former price, GER
tainly our lands are not worth what they
formerly were, All the products Of land
wheat, hay, wool, horses, In fact all the
farmer produces is extremely low, and the
producer cannot 60 on at this rate much
longer. If we do not raise our voice in
our own behalf. no one else will. If we
have our lands valued at their true worth,
then it will cause the people to demand a
reduction in expenses.
Dr.. Hildehrahd said he hoped the gen
tlemen present would express an opinion
as to the amount Of reduction they thong hit
would lie right and in keeping with the
present prices of produce.
EQUAL1z4NG VALLEY LANDS WITH
: OTHERS.
MI. Paul said he would like to know if
there was no way to equalize the assess