Gloucester County Democrat., 1897-04-22
THE ASSESSORS.

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work of fixing values on which the county
and local governments will be maintained
All the members were present except those
from Clayton and Mantua townships
Samuel Avis, of Woolwich. was chosen
Chairman, and John Redfeld, of Wood
bury, Secretary.
In order to bring the subject up for dis
cussion, Assessor Marx Clement, of West
Deptford, moved that farm property be as
sessed as near the assessment of last year
as may be.
Mr.. VIM. G. Cattell, of Deptford, opposed
the motion, on the ground that Assessors
are sworn to assess at true value. and as
the price at which farms sell at private sale
fix the value, he did not see how he was
going TO assess farms at previous value,
when that value was much greater than
the land will now sell for.
Mr.. Jacob Ballinger said that farms had
been sold in his township at Sheriff sale at
less than the value of the buildings, but he
did not consider forced sales fair criterion
of value What are we do with village
property, he asked, if farms are assessed at
less than the cost of the buildings. He
said that the farmers were not the only suf-
ferers from the present conditions, house
owners suffer because the tenants are un-
able to pay half their rent
Mr.. Samuel G.. Platt, of Logan, said that
without doubt we must reduce the val
ustion of farm property. How could we
assess a higher price than was paid at a
bona fde contract; and il we reduce where
property has changed hands under such
conditions how could we maintain the
valuation of the adjoining property that
had not changed owners If we reduce
values then we must have a higher tax
rate, if present expenditures are main
tanned, but that will hasten the realization
that economy must be practiced in county
expenditures. His knowledge of village
property was that rents were the same as
before, and values had not fallen in proper
tion to farm values.
Mr.. John Redfeld, of Woodbury., said
that if farm values were reduced, the value
of city and village property had also fallen
they stood or fell together.
Mr.. Platt, replying to Mr.. Redfeld, said
that decline in revenue caused decline in
va ne, and in the present case, farm values
fell first-city property would follow, unless
there was change.
Mr.. Cattell said that farm which few
years ago sold for $3.50 per acre was recently
sold for $5l per acre, and he had to be
guided by such evidences of value.
Mr.. Mark Clement said that farms in
West Deptford were assessed higher than
in any other township, but in going around
he found few kickers. His people, he said ,
understood that if the valuation was lower
ed the rate must be raised they also un-
get our full share of the school funds.
Mr.. William s. Richman, of Franklin,
said that while prices of produce were
what they are, farmers must be favored.
Mr.. Charles D. Nicholson said that Mr..
Clement must remember that there was
difference between the farmers in West
Deptford and those in the lower townships
The frst-named could go to market and
get home the same day, but those in the
latter were a longer time from home, and
often the expense was greater than the re-
ceipts. Assessments must be reduced and
he was going to reduce them, because he
must be governed by the price obtained for
lands at private contract.
Chairman Avis solYed the question to
the evident satisfaction of all the members
by making the following as a substitute for
Mr.. Clements motion.
THAT we assess all property in our re-
spective townships, both farm and town, at
full and fair value as in our judgment we
believe the same would sell for al bona
fde private contract; making only such re-
duction in value as is just to the other tax
payers in our township
Mr.. Clement accepted the amendment,
and it was adopted.
Mr.. CattelI moved that bank stock be as
sessed the same as last year as follows:-
First National, Woodbury., $10O-par value,
$50; Farmers and Mechanics Woodbury.,
$145-par value, 500; swedesboro bank,
$147-par value, 500; Woodstown bank,
$3OO-par value, 500; Glassboro bank,
$l56-par value, $10O.
This motion was adopted.
Mr.. VIM. c. Cattell was unanimously
chosen to make up the abstract for the an
ual meeting in July.
Adjourned to meet on the second Mon
day in July at o'clock a. m.