The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1899-05-30
UNJUST ASSESSMENTS.

1uAtuS dllu UNSATISFACTORY.
We do not wish to be severe to the
individual assessors; they are under
paid and overworked. They are placed
under every possible disadvantage and
the law is such that in many cases
there is practically no course from in
justices.
In our last issue, and in this the Re-
VIEW has given the figures as taken
from the assessors books on many
items of Importance, and we would ask
our readers to look carefully over some
of the discrepancies brought to light.
To commence at the beginning we
find that the total vote of the county
for President in 1896 was 1863, while
the assessors books of the county show
but 1853, loss of over 800. The polls
should include many who are not voters
and it is we'll known fact that at no
election are all the possible votes cast.
Has the county decreased in population
or have the assessors missed from 800
to 500 in their assessment rolls?
In Iowa township there are 116 male
dogs and but female, in West Side So
males and not female to their name.
This proportion is carried on through
out the county, there being 1888 male
dogs and IS females. If this is true all
we have to say is that if we were a
good. live, healthy dog we should move
to some more favored cline where the
difference in taxes did not play such
havoc among the fairer sex.
If you will look at the figures in the
REVIEW of May 26th you will fad that
in East Boyer township the average 2
year old colt is worth 5000, while in
Charter Oak the average year old is
worth just $l4.OO less. Among the
grown up horses the difference is just
as great. In Washington township
they are worth S44 80, while in the
neighboring township of Denison they
are valued at 5000. and in Manila
they are worth but. S24.90.
The average one year old heifer is
worth $3.50 in Boyer, $12.OO In Morgan
and 500 90 in Charter Oak. Two year
old heifers are worth $35. 90 in Paradise
and only $3.50 in Morgan. A Union
township cow IS worth $3.50, while q
West Side mixer is valued at $50 80.
The Denison township cows are worth
$33 10 on an average. Steers also seem
to vary in value according to location.
In Nishnabotny they are worth S6O.uO,
while in Paradise they are rated at
$3.50.
The .Arion hog is buster; he is
worth $500. The Dow City hog is hot
after him at $3.50. The Vail hog is
rated at $3.50, while the hogs Of Char
ter Oak are cheap guys at 81 % on the
average. In the townships the hog
values vary from $500 to $3.50. This
difference seems slight, but according
to these figures the 16,2O6 porkers in
Union township would be taxed $751;
S91 so, while 10000 hogs in Morgan
would be taxed on valuation basis of
but $S1, 200 90.
| Sheep are worth $500 per head in
fifteen townships, but in West Side
township and the city of Denison they
are worth but 800.
Morgan township has no taxable We
hicles-not one. In monies and
credits the strangest freaks show them.
selves. If you had not seen it in black
and white would you believe that the
farmers Of East Boyer and Morgan
have not a red cent? If you went into
either of these townships and told the
farmers that they did not have a cent
coming to them we fancy you would be
kicked from the Center school house
clear across the township line. The
farmers of Willow boast of monies and
credits to the extent of 5000. Nishna.
botny has 1876 in cash over and above
its debts, and jackson. claimed to be
the richest township in the county, has
1915. The rich farmers of Hanover.
who have s12,O92 ahead and Otter
Creek with Sill, $50, really ought to dc
something for their poor neighbors in
Morgan, while Washington and Union
with over So 600 each should be willing
to help East Boyer.
Do you see the injustice of this? Do
you understand that on account of the
time limit, especially in the matter of
monies and credits the Board of Supe..
visors is POwERLEss TO ACT?
We dornot believe there is precinct
in the county in which the monies and
credits are assessed at their full value,
and some of the assessments are worse
than ridiculous. The figures point their
own moral, but something must be
done. If anyone will give US valid
reason why 1000 MORE hogs in one
township should be worth $4,000 LESS
than those in another township we will
drop the question entirely. This is a
matter for the farmers to think over
and to talk about. 1t is of as much
Importance as the Philippine question
or the free coinage of Bryan at 16 to l..