The Green Forest tribune., 1908-05-01
HAVE A CONSCIENCE
If You Can't be Honestbe Hon.
 est as You Can in Assessing

est as I Ou Gan 1n Assessing
 The Tax Assessor has adver- tised that he will commence his annual roundup of the county on Monday, June 1, and it is about time you were beginning to figure little on how you are going to give in your property, so to make your taxes not seem so high, as they have appeared to be this year.
 The trouble with this tax busi- ness is that it is not equally or properly distributed. The big end of the burden has to be borne by the people of ordinary means. The man who has a couple of horses a few hogs, COWS and other stock and handful of household goods and farm i'm plements, has but little room in which to dodge values, no matter how artful he may be.
 The rank and file of the tax payers are as a general rule too severe upon their conscience when it comes to the placing val nations upon their goods and chattels for the purpose of tax assessment. We have known people to list their stuff at an appreciated value, but these are rare exceptions and the extremes nine times out of ten will run in the other direction.
 Taxes are so high that it is no wonder many cringe when it comes to handing in valuations that have to be sworn to, but one oath should be just as sac- red as an other and the passing of few d ollars from ones pocket should be no incentive to com- nit perjury. Life is to short and death too certain for that. Don't do it.
 Read the following oath care- fully, and we might add prayer fully also, for being sworn is rather a solemn thing. Here is what you have to subscribe your name to after you have listed your property:
 'I,-, do solemnly swear Cor affirm) that the list of prop erty, with it's value as now rendered by me, is just and true account of all the property I am required by law to render as subject to taxation in my own name or right, or-that any other person for whom I ought to list taxable property; that I have estimated and put down the value of such property, not at what it might sell for at forced sale, but at what would be it's fair market value, SO help me God"
 Rather strong document isn't it ? As Dr. Poynor would say ''it tastes considerably of the keg."
 The Tribune opines that a more genuine sensation was never sprung in Carroll county than would follow an instruction of the circuit court to make grand jury investigation of tax lists.
 The Tribune calls attention to this matter in this way that people may be made to take some candid thought upon matter that many are prone to treat lightly.
 The tax burden will never be properly proportioned, high or low, until equitable values are given to the assessor.
 While the rate of taxation is too high for comfort, it is not so bad when many come to think of the amount of property they had that escaped taxation altogether. The rate would not have to be nearly so high if the valuations were greater, hence it can easily be seen where the man of small means has over his share to car. ry.
 There are many other evils at. tending our system of taxation, but the one just discussed is the only one that the remedy is vested directly to the people.
 If STVf