Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1896-09-16

These land notices are for tracts aver
aging 120 acres, making a total of
about 315, 900 acres while the area of
our county Is about 772.SO0 acres, so
that over two-fifths of our land is about
to be sold for taxes, to say nothing OF
town lots. If this land can be let 60
for taxes how can it be considered
worth its assessed valuationp And
how much more is on the verge Of the
same condition. Add to these condi-
lions the fact that our foreign holders
will probably abandon much more Of
our Land and allow the taxes thereon to
go unpaid. and you can begin to realize
our condition. Can you wonder that
our best farmers are without exception
asking, How long before the whole
burden will fall on us?''-''How can we
ever hope to pay it?'-"We must simp-
ly abandon our homes and save what
little personal property We have"
1t may be said that our tax levy is
not high enough, but will say that it
is my opinion and it was the opinion of
our Honorable Board of County Com
missioners, that a heayier levy would
simply result in more abandoned lands
without raising any more taxes, and
the advertised list is sufficient to prove
that view of the matter Is correct.
You will also notice that our total
tax levy for 1S95,as shown by compar-
ison of the tax levy with the assessed
valuation as given in the clerks report,
was near per cent. And for 1896 it
will be fully that, while in 1888 it was
but three per cent. Thus have our
burdens grown in proportions to our re-
sources, by reason of the decrease In
| our valuation and the requirements of
interest and sinking funds.
Take into consideration that of 5000
cases on our court docket since 1888,
1748 have been foreclosure cases, while
many farms have been given up to sat-
iSfy the mortgage without any suit, and
that few farms owned by residents,
that are unincumbered, remain; and
the fact that we are constantly cut
short In our crops as we'll as the prices
| therefor, and you can see a few rea-
sons why universal gloom is settling
| down over our tax payers.
IF our real-estate were assessed at
its real value our percentage would be
much greater. Our condition is this,
more taxes, less value; less value, high
er rates; higher rates, personal proper
ty leaves; personally leaves, population
goes; population gone, business stops;
business stops, the land is yours, and
what will you do with it? Is this of
any interest to you? We think 1t is.
AS people at present feel, most of us
are talking of the time when we will be
able to leave; and as the burden of tax
alton increases every man of good bust
ness sense and judgment who cannot
avoid taxes is bound to leave. Values
will continue to decrease. A property
less population will be left, and your
bonds which are depreciating will be
almost valueless. Would 1t not be bet
ter to cut the burden to such a point
that land owners can and will pay their
taxes, and give to our people courage
to make renewed efforts to save their
homes. secure homes, pay their public
obligations and make the bonds you
have left as good as gold. We hope
and trust that you can see your way
clear to aid and cooperate with us in
attaining this end, as we believe the
time is near at hand when the facts of
our situation will compel you to see it
as we do. and in the meantime we do
not want to leave our homes.
1.-The injunction will probably be dis.
solved soon to allow what has been
collected to be paid.
eff you favor plan of refunding on
a scaled down basis to such a point that
we can promptly pay interest and pro-
vide sinking fund to eventually pay
principal, please write me.
The object of this circular is to event
ually get the debtor and creditor to.
gether and arrange a satisfactory, bust
ness-like, straightforward settlement.
Yours truly,
| l.. E. BEALs, Co. Atty.
|