Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-04-01

the people. The kickers must not for
| a moment delude themselves with the
idea that the adoption of bully-rag-
| cling tactics with the members of the
board of assessors will secure them any
advantages over their fellow citizens
for such will not be the case. The
man who meets the board in spirit of
| courtesy and fairness may rest assured
| that the members will not oblige him to
bear any extra burdens, on that ac-
count because of any personal abuse
that may be heaped upon them by less
courteous property owners. The men,
| bers of the board of assessors have but
one aim in the discharge of their Off
cial duties which is to treat every citi-
zen justly and to distribute the bur-
dens of taxation as fairly and as equit-
ably as it is in their power to do. Ger
tainly they will never overlook the
fact that the granting Of unmerited
concessions to any one taxpayer must
mean the imposing of unjust burdens
upon all others. The assessors have
many tales of woe to listen to as they
make their daily rounds, and still there
are situations which are not wholly
lacking in the elements of humor.
One question which the assessor is
obliged to ask is whether the property
owner is the proud posseSsOr of q dog.
In very many cases the answer will be
No, but we keep a cat" This cat joke is
as Old as the dog law. We think we are
conservative in saying that the average
assessor will have it sprung upon him
at least "a times d day, and the peculiar
thing about it is that every one VINO
imposes this af1liction upon his long
sufferance regards himself as the 0rlSi-
hatOr of it! Various assessors nave
had different ways of meeting the cat
joke. Some have greeted it with "ha!
ha." which, although mirthless. gives
at least the appearance of appreciation.
There are some who seek to escape by
quickly interrupting with "Oh, yes, l
presume YOU keep a cat" while others
have bent their heads meekly to the
blow and gone away in silence. For
the sake of humanity. we urge our
readers not to spring the cat joke upon
the assessors this year. 1t is really old
enough to be retired. 1t has grown a
full set of whiskers, and is getting bald
on the back of the head. By all means
give the cat joke a vacation.
1t isn't often that an assessor gets
the glad hand on his rounds. He is apt
to be regarded somewhat suspiciously.
One day weary Augusta assessor had
a most startling experience. He rang
the door bell of a comfortable house.
and Immediately mOtherly looking
lady opened the door, grasped him by
both hands. dragged him into the hall
and told him how glad she was to see
ll1ill. Tie hItNhCii SeihiS ehS so
worry odors of roast turkey, and it was
evident that ample preparations had
been made for his entertainment. He
could hardly credit his seEses, but alas.
pride goeth before a fall" The good
woman looked at him a little more
closely and an expression of consterna-
ton stole over her face. why; isn't
this Mr.. g" she asked, with some
hesitation.
No" he confessed humbly. Il am
only an assessor"
His fall from grace was immediate
and ;rrevocable. The assessor secured
IA statement Of the taxable property at
this residence and went sadly on his
way, but lie cannot refrain from sigh
of regret when he thinks of the good
things so rudely lost to him.
How would it do for every citizen to
give the board of assessors the glad
band this year? 1t might surprise
them somewhat, but they could not fail
| to appreciate the novelty of the situa-
ton, and besides they are all good fell
| lows and deserve just that kind of
treatment.