The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1908-11-27
THE NEW ASSESSMENT OF
FREDERI&


The new assessment of property of
this city has at last been finished.
There has been for years a Necessary
demand for reassessment of property
within the corporate limits for corpora
ton expenditures.
There were several weighty consid-
erations which made a resssessment
necessity. The city has been carrying
for years large bonded debt-a bond
ed debt too large for the size of the
town, and therefore a nindrauce to its
prosperity. Then, there is constant
increase in the cost of administer ing
the municipal government. The bond
ed debt had its origin in the unfortu-
nate Civil War. when we had to pay
heavy indemnity, levied upon the
town, also the building of the Peunsyl-
vania Line r. r. The balance was very
largely made up by the expense of neces-
sary public Improvements But however
created, the interest on this debt must
be met, and it is heavy burden on
the taxpayers. In addition tn this,
IN some way. We are advised that
large floating debt has been created,
and which will also have TO be met.
OF course, it was bad business in the
Board of Aldermen to permit the crea-
ton Of a public floating debt, even if
the city had had no bonded debt, but
it is inexcusable with public such as
ours. Still it must be paid and it can
only be paid by the taxpayers.
Bal reassessment of the property
OF Frederick City was crying necessi-
ty by reason of the unequal and unjust
former assessment.
Real property of small yalue-say
property of the value of thousand
dollars aud less, was as a rule taxed
fairly and fully aud often at its full
value, while property w,rth two
THOUSAND aud over, was As rule, taxed
at little if any, over half its value.
While the very valuable residences aud
public buildings were often not taxed
onefourth OF their value.
TINS condition b IS exis ed for wears.
Tae assessment of the prop -rty ia
Freierick City, for corporation pur-
poses has been for years outrageous.
There has been a large numoer of
taxpayers in this city for years, enjoy
ing the privilege of being exempt from
paying about ons-half Of their taxes.
There is only one true rule of taxa
ton, and that is, that every citizen
shall pay taxes on every dollar of hi.
real and personal property. II every
body was honesg aud patriotic enough
to do this. the burden woald be lighter
for all, aud nooo ~ would sutf.r
wrong or Injustice. Bat people will
not voluntarily act honestly in the
payment of taxa. and they have to
be compelled oy law to do s..
Under these conditions the new as
sessment was made. OF course, we
cannot go into the details, for we are
not familiar with them.
We, however, do know that the as
sessment has been deliberately done.
The assessors were given unlimited
time in which TO do the work, and it
has been tae most expensive assess
ment of property in city the size of
Frederick, that has ever been made
But the assessment has been well
done and honestly done.
We do not mean to say that there
has not been any mistakes m lde.. That
WAS not to be expected. But the theory
aud system adopted was correct and
we believe that the assessment is just
and accurate. There may be of course,
4 rare exception or some special reason
why mistake was made. We have
not heard of single case. where any
properly has been assessed at a value
above what the owner would take or
've1 ask for his property. and We
ilubt if there is single case where
he owner would sell his property for |
he sum that the assessors placed upon
l..
Or course you will hear people COM
plain that property should not be as
essed at its full value. We ask, why
lot? If the public expenditures de-
nand it, it will have to be, and the
public debt of the city demands it.
But If all are fairly aud honestly as
sssed, nobody has a right to COM
lain. OF course those who have been
Practically exempt from taxation will