The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1899-03-16
Editor PUOt :

Editor Pilot:
| notice that there is considerable
speculation as to who will be our next
mayor and board OF aldermen 1t is
very proper that such important mat
interests and welfare OF the city is
largely dependent on the integrity
and business capacity of the mayor
and board of aldermen.
But | notice that nobody seems to
give any thought as to who will repre-
sent the city on the county board
which at this time | think is very i'm
portant. In examining the proceed
lngs of the last county board, see
that at its annual session in November
last the city of Manitowoc was raised
in valuation the very nice sum of
SlS2. 755 while the total valuation of
the county was raised only Sl6S, 8S7 or
the sum of S23,S3S less than the
amount that the valuation of the city
was increased which would make that
sum of $50, S3S retroactive in its char
acter, or in other words, count double
or would mean raise of $3.50, 405
which is more than two per cent. of
the total valuation of the county. The
total amount of county and state tax
including county school tax paid by
this county in the year 1898 was SIP,
$50, and of that amount the city of
Manitowoc paid about 81, 500 90 or a
trltle less than twenty per cent. which
goes to show that the city of Mantle
voc is paying about one fifth of the
general tax of the county. The excuse
given by some of the county members
of the county board for raising the
valuation of the city is that the valu
alton of the city was raised last year
by the local assessment about as much
as the county board raised it. As to
that statement it is true, bet what was
the object IN raising the valuation by
the local assessment? 1t was for the
purpose of providing means whereby
we could issue bonds to make improve
nents in the city, as under the law
the city could not make any further
issue of bonds without increasing its
assessment. But does not the sur
rounding country derive benefits from
any improvements made in the city2
Does it not increase the value of real
estate throughout the whole county?
For example take the real estate in
Milwaukee comfy You cannot pur
chase one acre of land in that county
less than $4,000 per acre and from
that to $4,000. What is the cause ?
Certainly it is the growth of the city
of Milwaukee. Now if this city should
decide to make further improvements
it will necessarily have TO issue more
bonds and in order to do that it will /
be necessary to further raise the as
sessed valuation OF the city. Now If |
this should occurs, is the next county |
board going to take advantage of the |
great sacrifice we are making and !
make Us pay a greater proportion of |
the general tax. For that reason l |
say that the city should be represent
ed by the very best men obtainable |
of party. When the city
OF Manitowoc pays one fifth OF the |
general tax OF the whole county in Its |
present condition it is paying an IN
Just and unreasonable share, as the |
writer could clearly demonstrate If
time would permit. The writer was
a member of the county board for sew
sral terms during the years 1880 to
1890 and at that time the city paid
about Is per cent. of the general tax
IF the county which was considered
l just and reasonable proportion. even
~ the country members of the county
board. In examining the proceedings
notice that the record does not show
hat the report of the committee on
and equalization of the
asst county board was opposed by any
members from the city. At least there
vas no minority report presented, no
notion to rerefer, to amend or IL any
way oppose its adoption. except to