The French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1896-1912, 1908-06-04

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that the Assessors, sometimes at
least, are altogether unreliable, if
not dishonest, that either frauds
or, if they prefer the assumption
fools. One year my tax was over
SIG, 90; in 1906 it was about So, 90
and in 1907 just about double
that, though my acreage exactly
the same, and no additional build
ings.
The assessors might possibly,
claim that that's not their fault but
that my own agent had given in
too high a valuation; but if the
Assessors. efficient, and not swim
dlers, but honest fair-minded
men, this aim should be to equ-
alize such discrepancies. It is
quite sure if any agent has given
too low a valuation; they would
have increased it. If therefore
my agent had given it in at too
high a figure, certainly the ASS
essor, if not simply political pir-
alter, would reduce the assess
ment on a basis about the same
as that of adjacent, acreage and
n
buildings duly considered.
| am no tax-dodger, and pre-
pared to pay, as a nonresident,
my taxes fairly and squarely; but
know of a case where a small
tract of land some 9 acres, with
two small cottages, had to pay
a tax of only about $500 less
q do not include tax on personal
property)than a tract of 18 acres
on. which a goodibrick cottage, and
a large new house, practically Of 3
stories, and one of the finest in
the neighborhood. The differ
ence in valuation on the two
properties was only about $500:
yet the owner of the larger tract
though in the market and desire
ing to sell out, refused to exchange
tracts, even when $500 three
times the difference given by
the assessors was offered to boot
This tantamount to a confession
on part of the owner of larger
house and tract, that his assess
ment unfairly low or mine un-
fairly high.
On my return from Florida,
recall discussing with acertain
person, who is now l understand
an aspirant for Senatorial honors
the plan I had suggested of pub
fishing the Tax Reports on Real
Estate mot personal property an
nually,
This would be Honorable, did
not merely disagree with me but
actually resented my suggestion
as though it had deem a thing
personally offensive. The ques-
ton naturally suggests itself, why
this aspirant for political perqui-
sites, should so strongly object
to the plan | had proposed;unless
he knew that he was one of the
favored few who was paying less
on his holdings proportionately
than some of his neighbors. Oh
course the published Tax List Oh
Report proposed by me- would pre-
vent any such favorotism in futu-
re and | can we'll understand why
the Pets, politicians and others
would oppose a plan that woulC
enable the public, to scrutinize
their tax returns-annually YET
this is the only method, or at least
the surest method Of preventing
unjust and dishonest discrimina-
ton.
I say this, not without some
trepidation. as on the occasion
referred to, and after this, let us
say BIG Che considers himself
such at any rate)showed clearly
that he had much rather cannon
ade, than cannonize me,
| wrote last winter from Flor
ida to the County Assessors, beg
ging them to let me know why
nv taxes in 1907, about doublel
over the taxes for 19O6;-and as
they made no reply.I can onl!
Assume they had no good grounds
flor doing so but knowing me t.
be a nonresident, with scan
chance of any redress, they ig
nored my very legitimate claims
on their consideration In making