The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-08-25
ForThree Hours Commission
ers Heard Complaints.
ILlEGALITY is CHARGED
Tax-0ayers Say Messrs. c. D. Arthur and A.
E, Glenn are Not Freeho'ders of the
County---1e.urns Not Made
July 1st.

thINNJ C'N DNoAU
the county court room and heard com
plant after complaint and petition after
petition from taxpayers, nearly all from
Raleigh township, asking that the assess
ment on their property be reduced. Some
property owners were there IN person and
some were represented by their attorneys.
Altogether it was a large gathering in the
court room.
The Board started out to hear and de-
/ eide on each petition separately, but 1t
was soon seen that this plan would never
do, and on motion of Mr.. Johns 1t was
decided to hear all the complaints one
after another and then meet IN executive
session and determine upon them without
interruption.
The ball was set rolling by a complaint
from New Light township, Mr.. w. f.
Sanding appearing for Mrs. SanderllnS,
II. G.. Sanding and Sanding Brothers.
Mrs. Sanderlin's property consisted of 2So
acres assessed at 81, 200. 1t was asked that
this be reduced to $500. A horse belong
ing to H. G.. Sanding was assessed at $75,
whereas it was claimed that it was worth
only $50. Sanding Brothers cotton gin
was also assessed too high, it was urged.
MI. Sanding plead nightly before the
Board, giving the five minutes allowed by
the Board TO edCn petition. ne CldIScu
enmity on the part of the tax assessors
and violation Of oath, and was so bitter
that the Board had to call him to order.
The assessor was present, and after a
statement from him the Board voted 10
make no change in these assessments, ex-
cept to reduce the assessment on the
horse to $50.
Then the Raleigh complaints were
taken UP.
A petition was read from Mrs. Lizzie
l.. Belvin asking that her property be
reduced from SIC, 600 to 81. 900. 1t was
assessed formerly at $4,000. One piece,
at Polk and Elm streets, had been sold
to Mrs. Christopher. The home place
was assessed at $40, 600, and the Avent
Perry place at $500.
Tax-Assessor Martin stated that
the property was on the Hills
boro road opposite the Cameron
place, and they considered it one
OF the handsomest suburban places. The
property fronted on the road, and the
residence was a fine brick one.
Mr.. Hardin raised the point that the
property was not bringing any income, and
that it should not be rated as a piece of
property that was used to make income.
Mr.. w. n. Jones said that, while he
had no special interest IN this piece OF
property, he thought that the point raised
by Mr.. Hardin should be considered by
the board. If a person choose to I'M
prove and b~eautfy a place for a resi-
dence, it ought not to taxed at the same
figure as if it was bringing an income. In
some cases the assessment of this kind
of property amounted to confscation. 1t
did seem to him that the assessors and
listtakers had been keyed up tC
bring up assessments and not take down
in any case.
Mr.. Calling, County Attorney, said that
the assessors had tried to follow the in
structions of the Tax Commission, to fine
the real value In money, which 1t would
bring at a sale IN the usual way. He
did not consider that a discussion of tho
methods of assessing was in order be
fore this board.
Mr.. R. H. Battle said that there wa:
one point he wished to make. The Law
had not been complied with, either as tt
the appointment of the assessors and list
takers, or as to the time of making re
turns. 1t was required that the assessor
be free-holders of the county, and twt
of them were not free holders. More
over they had not made their return!
by July list, as required by law. MI
Battle moved that this beard should de
termlne the average amount or lncreas
IN the different townships and then reduce
the increase III hdletSa LOW ISuip 10 INA
amount. This he considered was tn
duty of the Board Of Equalization.
Mr.. Perrin Busbee then stated the pc
sition of the petitioners he represented
that the assessment was null and void
because the returns had not been mad
as required by law, that Mr.. c. D. Al
thur and Mr.. a. E. Glenn were not free
holders.
Mr.. Arthur interrupted to state tina
he was a free-holder, and could show hi
deed for the land he owned.
Mr.. Boushall thought that Mr.. Battle
motion should be put at once, on tn
general question.
Mr.. Green said Mr.. Battle was nc
a member of the board, and Mr.. Gatlin
added that the Revenue Act made T
provision for the board hearing the lcga
side OF the questions.
Mr.. Johns made a motion that tn
board hear all complaints, examine ther
carefully and determine upon them i
executive session.
Chairman Green put this last motion
and 1t was carried by a vote of 16 to
Mr.. Battle then read the application
Mr.. A. b. Stronach, that the aasessmer
of his store be reduced. 1t was raise
from /$12,500 to $4,000.
This relief he asked on the ground
discrimination between this lot and tW
stores Oh opposite side OF street, Mr.
Swindell's building, assessed at $14,G0
and T. H.Rriggs' Sons, assessed
ST., 900, raised to $18,500. 1t is not elaine
that these properties are assessed too loy
but that applicants is assessed too hie
in comparison.
Mr. Stronach's warehouse on Harge
street, raised from $500 to SO, 500. I
would take $4,000 for it.
Dwelling house All North Bloodwort
street, raised from So, 700 to $4,000.
Jacob. S. Allen has offered to build f,
applicant a house of equal
tions for 1000. Twenty-Five dollars D
month is good rental value for the plac
Five acres on north side Of Nor