The Sauk Centre herald., 1896-12-24
CENTRE HERALD
CHAS. F. HENDRIX Editor.
SUBSCRIPTION $l.5O PER YEAR.
UNEQUAL TAXATION.

FL
THERE are two classes OF property
that always catch it unequally. as co M
pared with the great mass OF the as
sessed valuation in every community,
viz: the homes of the thrifty men who
have by dint of industry and frugality
acquired title to residence, and are
still, perhaps somewhat indebted tor it,
and organized banks. And one has not
to enquire very deeply to ascertain the
reasons for this lscriminatiop-both are
so plainly and visibley uncovered, and
the actual values so easily estimated
that they are entered upon the roles ct
nearer approximations of true values
than any other classes OF property. Dis
tinct reference is not here made to the
conditions existing in this CITY, for the
statement is appliable throughout the
length and breadth OF the land. These
two classes of property stand practi-
cally as units for measurement OF all
values. The real values of stocks OF
goods, of mixed personal assets, OF busi-
ness blocks and large structures are not
easily estimated and as rule cannot be
accurately ascertained, hence the as
SCISSOR, very naturally, must form Ills
Judgment largely upon the representatives
OF those who have direct interest in
undervaluation for taxation.
TO such an extent has this evil grown,
so far as banks are concerned that it is
the purpose to take the matter into the
courts. The state board disqualification,
last fall, believing that 1T knew more OF
local values than the local assessors
of this county, went away out
of their proper field OF action, and
greatly increased the assessed valu-
ations of the First, the Merchants and
German American National banks OF
St, Cloud, and the First National Bank
OF Sank Centre.
The banks above named were raised
from 60 to Is per cent. and they ap-
pealed to the Board of County Commis-
sioners last week for an adjustment OF
taxation, and a recommendation was
made to the state auditor for aOate-
ment. The following figures from the
proceedings of the Board, taken from
the Journal Press will give clearer idea
OF what is proposed, as well as the JUS
tice of the claim:
The First National of st. Cloud is val
ned by the state board at soc, ,492; the
commissioners recommend an aoate-
ment of S14, ,647, leaving it at $51. .647.
The Merchants was left at SIT ,3O6, the
commissi oners ask for an abatement OF
$17,O29, leaving It at $6O,2T. Inc
German Anerican was valued at @Io.-
OLA. the amount asked to be abated IS
SIG 532 and the balance is $5S, ,521.
The First National of Sank Centre was
nlaced at S39, 500: the abatement pro-
posed is Sc, $500, leaving it's value at
$4,000. :,
The banks as equalized by the councils
urior to the raise of II and So per cent
respectively by the State Board OF equa-
lization stood as follows:
First National. .................$oo,o $50
MoTCnanCS
German Acknowledgements. fo,o0A
Add the 331s per cent winch 1t is con-
sidered fair and proper to raise their
valuation to these amounts and the as.
sessed valuation will be that Indicated
above.
The First National OF Sauk Centre
was equalized by the local board at
S25, 900. and adding the 20 per cent
proposed the taxation value OF the1n-
stitution is placed at $50, 900.
1t will be observerd that the First
National Bank of Sank Centre was as
sessed bv the local assessor 13 per cent
higher than the st. Cloud banks, before
the raise by the state board,
AS compared with other property 1t
will be observed that the valuation, II
the petition be granted, will still be
higher than the average of property IN
the city. Similar action taken by the
holders OF modest home steads, proper
ly presented, would undoubtedly re-
suit in decreasing the burdens OF tax
alton where they fall heavily.