Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1906-11-29
The Triennial Assessment.

dSSeSSOTS 10 IildkS Wiidt lS hHcWH 40
the triennial assessment of all taxa
bic property, for the purpose of es-
tablishing basis for the levying of
taxes. 1t is called the triennial as
sessment because it is made once in
three years; and the assessments
made in 1906 cannot be changed be-
fore 1909.
AS The assessment is the basis of
all taxation, it is evident that the
assessment placed upon taxable prop
erty by the various assessors, should
represent its fair, actual, just and
true value. All assessors, before
entering upon their duties, must
take an oath of Office and by this
oath they agree to assess all property
at its full, just and true value in the
market II will thus be seen that
the work of the assessor is of the ut
most importance to the county
and community. Upon his knowl-
edge of the value of property and his
fairness, impartiality and moral
courage, depend the equalization of
taxation and the just sharing of the
burdens of government among AL
the people.
There is just now much discussion
Of the question of the equalization
of taxes. That there is much injus-
tice and inequality in the raising OF
taxes is evident to every person who
has given the question any atten-
ton And that much of this .injus-
tice is due to unfair assessments is
equally true. The assessors of Sull-
ivan county havean important duty
to perform in the assessments they
are to return to the County Comm
issioners during this month and
next. And the taxpayers of the
County will await with much inter
est the result of their labors.
That valuable property has been
assessed at ridiculously low rates in
this county in the past and in gross
violation OF the law, is we'll known
to everybody who has given the
matter the least attention. In al
most all instances the village and
'arm properties have been rated
much higher according to their value
than have timber lands, coal lands
and manufacturing establishments.
In fact, study Of the various assess
ment books in the office of the Coun-
ty Commissioners will reveal the
fact that in many instances the own
cr of house and lot in one of the
towns ofthe county or the owner of
A farm in one of the townships, is
assessed at nearly the full market
value of such house or farm; but
the owner of valuable timber land,
coal land or manufacturing plant has
escaped with an assessment of from
one-fourth to one-fftieth of the real
value of such property.
The approaching triennial assess
ment should witness an end of such
as far as is possible. I'm
for Sullivan county, it is
now too late to correct this injustice
as far as timber lands are concerned.
Her wealth of hemlock forests has
almost disappeared. Only a few
tracts rnmain; but they are of inn
mense value and should be assessed
at their real worth, the same as
other property. What is hemlock
timber land worth in Sullivan coun-
ty today? Go and try to buy some.
The stumpage price of hemlOck is
from $500 to 900 per thousand feet
and of bark from $500 to 200 per
cord. An acre of fair hemlock land
will yield from 10000 to $4,000 feet
of timber and from six to eight cords
of bark. This gives it value of
from 1925. 90 to 10000 per acre in
the market. 1t is now assessed at
the paltry sum of $3.50 per acre!
Sullivan county has been conspicuous
as an easy victim in the matter of
these assessments. But the deplore-
able financial condition of the county
now requires the proper officials to
take cognizance of these matters and
see that just and fair valuation is
placed upon these lands, as far as
any remain. This will undoubtedly
be the last chance to assess hemlock
timber lands as in all probability
the last of the hemlock will be cut