Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-09-07

The following address to the Su-
pervisors OF the state shows what is
coming Ia the next assessment. and
should be studied and understood by
every taxpayer:
The Board OF State Tax Commits
sioncrs for the State OF Michigan
desire your earnest cooperation In
carrying into effect Act No. l54 of
the Public Acts for for the State OF
Michigan for the year 1899, being An
amendatUry act to the general tax
laws Of the state; also the other
amendatory acts OF. the Legislature
for this year, and all passed with a
view to solve the problem OF equal
and just taxation, and more effect
ually to carry into operation the scope
and scheme of the General tax laws
of this state, of which you are doubt
less familiar.
Such amendatory acts we herein en-
close.
To that end we call your attention
to said act No. l54, and specially to
Sec. $50 and subdivisions thereof No.
IL, 2, 3, 4 and five; also sections Nos.
ll52 and 1853. A careful study Of
these provisions, and IL is necessary
that you should do so, without quot
Ing at length, will show the legal
relations we stand to each other.
These provisions are clear and, with
our dnty In view, permit OF no vio-
lation.
You will observe that no little In
novatioE has been made In the line
OF taxation, whereby all the property
of the state shall appear upon the
rolls to meet its just share OF the
public burden.
The general tax law has heen ma
terially changed in many particulars,
and notably section Is, requiring you
to obtain from every person of full
|age or sound mind, the property
statement, under oath, written and
subscribed TO. The former law was
permissive, or you may" do so; but
the present law is mand atory, or you
shall" do so.
. "The assessor can not legislate. He
has to do solely with administering
the law" Not, we take it, In spirit
OF domination, having the power
= but with duty and justice to all In
the broadcast application of the Law
for true taxation purposes.
We will cheerfully receive from
lyou any suggestion or complaint
whereby efficient administration, Il
: the full intent and spirit Of all tut
3 laws relating to taxation, may by oh
i tanned.
. The center thought of the mem
y bers of this Board is to reach equal
ity In taxation over all the propert.
within the state, general and specific
so far as this may be accomplished
under the law; with malice or pre-
;, judice toward none, but exact equal
e ity, IL this is porsible, to person, cor
: poration and property within on
d state.
RI It's perhaps needless to say to you
e after you have read and studied tn
: said act under which this Board !
e formed, the duty is clearly put upol
4 us to zee to it, that you put upoI
i your several rolls all the propert
h subject to taxation, within your as
t sessing district at true cash value
& even allowing review by this Boar
q for that purpose and making com
t plant in your failure to do so. Blu
p we assume this you will do, becaus
: Of the law and the pleasure that a
e ways comes In the performance Q
J. plain duty, without tie Board bein
:, compelled to invoke these mandator
provisions upon you by like enact
n lnent put upon this Board as some o
,e its mandatory duties and requll
:. ments.
|. Accordingly we offer you our sci
Is vice and the force of our Office tina
J. these results may be obtained.
?, The rolls for this year have bee
(, made and reviewed under existin
law, but with your help much may
d accomplished in preparation for tn
b assessment for 1900 and comm
n years.
I. At this time It is not deemed net
re essary to note In detail the divers
e. methods and schemes employed bu
D, which is common or general unde
D, standing, whereby property subjet
u to taxation escapes taxation or is ne
put upon the rolls for one reason {
another, or under such valuatio
that often rank inequality tax,
j. place.
IT To avoid the criticism In these r