Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-07
Total collections on previous

IOtal COilecllOu1 on pitfiDN'
year..... ....... .,...' ..$l'o'Vf VI
SO that really the amount collected on
the assessment for the fiscal year, end
ing September 80, 1891, was Sl,7oS, S5l.Sl,
less H76 sOlO4. or s., 532, O57.27. This deduct
ed from the $2,OA, ll0.1 assessed, leaves
unsolicited. or delinquent, $5l2D534l, or
more than % per cent. of the total
amount. OF the amount so delinquent
as thus shown, large part was due ON
land.
The assessed value Of real estate for
that year was 1906 ,036,0M. which, at 40
cents on the 500 of assessed value, would
have yielded $l,22l1H, but the amount
paid on real estate, exclusive OF the
amounts collected on the taxes or pre-
vious years, was $95S,7i2.S5. Thus II APP
pears that the delinquent taxes on land
alone I'm one year amounted TO 6J,4Jllo.
A norton of this amount has doubtless
been paid during the present year and II
we estimate it at the amount paid during
the fiscal year. ending September 80,
1897. on the taxes Of the preceding year
1. e.. at S7f571.Gj-there still remains IN
paid 1886. g305O, or nearly enough TO pay
the increased interest soon to be paid On
the bonded debt of the State.
This is the showing for one year. IL 1t
has been as unfavorable In preceding
years. and prior TO the act OF lSso-6 IL
was doubtless more so, the amount now
due the Commonwealth on account or de-
linouent taxes must be immense. rms
money belongs to the State, and that the
State needs 1t is too well known 10 require
comment. Every party pledge and patrl-
otto impulse impels US 10 make intelll-
gent and determined effort TO collect 1t,
before resorting TO an increase OF taxa
ton. The laws in force prior to 1870 D
were found wholly inadequate for such
a purpose, and If the law Of 1878 VIII
enable the State to collect its dues, then
i'm that particular at least it has merit.
That il will do so seems to be generally
conceded. A few days ago the following
statement appeared in your paper: Hen
rico landowners are paying their taxes.
The fact that land agents ara at work III
Henrico confiscating property on whlch
taxes are delinquent has caused great
rush Of taxpayers to invade the Trea-
surer's office at the courthouse, and Urea
surer Brauer is doing a land-oificc bust
ness" This Is but a repetition or the
reports that come from every section OF
the State where the law has been put in
operation.
But aside from this view of the matter,
is It not right that all who own property
should pay taxes on it? The whole
theory of our government and the express
declaration of our Constitution is that
taxation shall be equal and uniform.
This equality and uniformity is not pre-
served by making the assessment merely,
but only by equaliZing public burdens in
enforcing payment alike from rich and
poor. Many who pay their taxes promptly
do so at the cost Of toll and sacrifice.
Are they not entitled TO some considera-
ton as well as those who year after year
shirk their responsibilities and contribute
nothing to the public Golfers, until threat
ened with loss of their land? And not
only this. but who then clamor loudly that
their property is being confiscated, and
that the patient old Commonwealth,
whose strong arm has shielded them I'm
all their delinquency. Is laying violent
hands upon their rights.
Is IL true, as claimed. that the law OF
1878 is an anomaly OF harshness and in
justice in its provsions2 Let US see
That II has resulted in some cases OF
hardship Is not denied. but what general
law however benefcent in it's object or
guarded in it's provisions. Is exempt from
such consequences?
The persons who are affected by fits
provisions can be divided into but two
classes:
J. Those who own the land when II is
sold for delinquent taxes. and who also