The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-07-13

Since 1894 the conditions that affect the
value OF real estate, in the business quarter
and on the principal residence streets in
particular, have materially changed, and
these changes have operated to enhance the
value OF property, Large expenditures for
concrete walks, but more especially for
matchmaking the streets, have had their
influence in enhancing the value of prop.
erty. An inspection OF the annual reports
of the city officers will afford light on this
subject. Business blocks and residences
on the macadamized streets, with concrete
walks on either side, are more desirable
than those on dirt or clay roads, with plank
walks or no walks at all. The introduction
of the electric railway adds materially to
the cost Of administering the city govern
ment, and adds also to the value OF real es-
tate along its tracks and in localities adj
jacent to its course. O,her causes, more or
less direct, have also contributed, in four
years growth Of the city, to enhance the
value Of property. 1t would not be tiatter.
| ing II this were not the case. So the new
appraisal OF the listers is naturally, and
necessarily, higher than the old.
Every man has constitutional right, or
right or privilege Unborn, to grumble about
his taxes-a liberty many take, from what
ever source derived-and the right seems to
| extend, also, to the official valuation of his
property for the purposes of taxation. The
appraising officers inevitably share in the
dissatisfaction felt by property owners
whose share OF the burden of public taxa
ton is increased. II it is clear that these
officers have been incompetent, the fault is
very likely at the or of the grumber, to
the extent that he participated in their cleo
ton. But If the officers upon whom their
fellow citizens imposed an onerous task
have simply done their official duty have
been true to their official oath, with only
such abatement as must be allowed for hui
man liability to err, it is very ungracious to
find fault with and denounce these faithful
stewards Here is the requirement the law
places upon these officers, and which they
take an oath to obey:
"The listers shall appraise each item Of
such property at such sum as they would
| appraise the same in payment Of just debt
due from a solvent debtor, having regard to
the current value OF such property, and the
sales thereof, other than auction sales, in
the locality where ii is situated"
The valuation OF the property for purpos-
es OF taxation, it is everywhere stated in
the law, shall be "ts true value in money!"
and the elements Of such valuation which
the listers shall consider in making up their
| alignment are set forth in the foregoing cita-
ton from the law.
| Some property owners, the valuation of
whose property has been increased have
appealed from the judgment of the listers,
| and the board of civil authority will hear
the appeals on Friday. If the appellants
are able to show that their property has
been listed for more than "its value in
money" for more than men of competent
judgment would "apprsise the same in the
payment of Just debt from solvent debt
or, having regard to the current value of
such property" in this city, and in different
localities in this city, they are entitled to
relief
But, on the other hand, men Of compe-
tent judgment are saying that real estate in
this city excepting, possibly, some farm
property in the outlying regions-is listed
far below "its true value in money"
Property owners who are candid, and
whose real estate has been materially adj
| vanced in the recent assessment, are ac-
cepting the situation philosophically, and
frankly admitting that they would not sell
their land, stores and buildings for from
twenty-five to fifty per cent more than the
appraisal. Instances showing how wide is
the difference between the assessed value
Of property and the selling value have come
to the surface occasionally in deals and
negotiations Of recent dates
In the matter of rented real estate, il the
annual income therefrom is from ten to
twelve per cent, or more, Of the listers APP
praisal, as it apparently is, the owners
should bless their stars that their property
is not in some other communities where its
taxable value might be appraised less ra-
tionally.
SO the listers are between two fires, but
it seems to be clear that they have, at the
least. kept far inside the letter and spirit of
the law in making their appraisals. Very
likely the majority of the appellants, when
they take sober second thought OF all the
circumstances, and understand that the in
crease in appraisal has been general, that
it is demanded by law and warranted by all
the material facts affecting the value OF
their property, will withdraw their appeals.
Certainly it would be unjust, as general
proposition, to release the appealing prop
erty owner, and leave the other without
relief An increase in valuation does not
necessarily mean larger tax. The larger
the grand list, the lower the rate the
smaller the list the larger the rate. 1t
would be far better for the community as
whole, and for the individual taxpayer,
financially, and more wholesome morally,
If both property owners and listers obeyed
the law relating to assessment for taxation
in its full letter and spirit. The people of
this community are deeply interested in
such ohediance nv nuhlic off cials and in