St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1910-02-23
Should Have Equal Valuation of
Property.
Editor of the CALIFORNIAN:

Since George Caldbeck allowed his name
to be used as a candidate for lister, word
has reached me several times that certain
parties are circulating the story that my
only desire in wanting him elected is to
reduce nv grand list. For the benefit of
those who may be Influenced by the
above rumor, and as the candidate is
i'll and unable to take any part in
this affair. | want to state emphati-
cally that l have no desire to see my
grand list reduced. On the contrary if
there is any of my property listed at
low rate, would gladly agree to its
being listed at the maximum rate.
AS the heaviest individual tax payer in
St. Johnsbury, my only desire is to see
the grand list equalized and guarantee
that if this is done, we will reduce our tax
rate at least so per cent. the first year.
There is absolutely no necessity for a
tax rate of $2.35 in this town and l
want to go on record as saying that 1
would gladly consent to an increase of
Is or even so per cent. on my property,
provided other village property of like
value is increased accordingly. 1t is safe
to say that if this is done our tax rate
for 191 will not exceed 80 cents on the
hundred without increasing the grand
list outside of the village limits and the
pole tax payer would be reduced to 81 so
in place of $40 as at present, and the
farmers $25 cow would be taxed 20
cents as against So cents at the present
time, while his 500 horse would be 80
cents as against 1926. The wage
Garner who is struggling to pay for his
little home would have his tax rate at
least cut in two, Notwithstanding the
fact that these homes are as rule locat-
ed away from the main thoroughfares,
but nevertheless they are usually listed
for nearly their full value, while the bust
ness man, who ventures his all in his
undertaking can readily see how it will
affect him. Even the tax dodger would
be benefited as a low tax rate would
attract outside capital and give him an
opportunity to sell his property and
move to some other locality where he
could pursue his vocation. But let us
hope that after one year of honest deal
ing even he would not want to return to
the old rut.
If we are to improve business conditions
in ST. Johnsbury we must offer certain
inducements to manufacturing interests
to come here and locate, and at the same
time extend to those interests now 1ocat-
ed here the same courtesy that we extend
to new industries. What better induce
ment can we offer than a low tax rate?
This condition can be attained only by
the listers doing their sworn duty which
is as follows:
"I---do sOlemnlY swear that I
will appraise all the personal and real
property subject to taxation in the town
of St. Johnsbury so far as required by
law, at its true value in money, and will
set the same in the grand list of said
town at one per cent. of its true value in
money, and will faithfully discharge all
the duties imposed upon me by law, SO
help me Cod
Now, Mr.. Editor 1 wish to state here
that if George Caldbeck is elected, will
allow his opponent the privilege ofnaming
three men to go over my property, and IT
they find that it is assessed at a lower rate
than like property in this town, they will
be empowered to put it on the grand list
for what they consider its true value,
provided. however. that if Mr.. Bacon is
elected that he will allow me the privilege
of naming three men to go over like
property in this town and if they find
any discrimination that they be en-
powered to increase the valuation to
correspond with mine. All l wish for in
connection with this matter is that the
taxes be equa1ized, and am sure that all
good citizens will join with me in this
effort.
St. Jehnsbury has had bestowed upon
it numerous gifts in the way of public
buildings, ETC., and am sure that it was
farthest from the minds of the donors,
who were generous public spirited citi-
zens, that such gifts should be used to
enhance the value of property in any
! particular section of the town without a
corresponding increase in the assessed
valuation of.the property in that section.
Now, sir, these are a few of the reasons
| why | in common with a great many
other citizens desire a change in our
method of taxation. and we further feel
| that we are encouraging these unbusi-
ness-like methods by rejecting the same
listers year after year. To the minds of
| a great many citizens, it places a
premium on perjury to tax unimproved
real estate at 80 per cent. its value,
when the man who is unfortunate enough
| to have the same amount of cash has to
put it in dollar for dollar or make a false
return. IF real estate of this kind was
| appraised at or near its full value, it
!