The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1910-06-28
pREDERIoKsBURa, va, TUESDAY, JUNE %, 1910
A LESSON FROM FREDERICKSBURG

The land assessor of Fredericksburg
has completed his work and has filed
his report with the clerk of the Cor
poration Court The assessed value
Of real estate in Fredericksburg, as
shown by the land books, is 81, i0S, 372,
an increase of $69S, 464 over the as
sessment of 1905. Real estate owned
by white persons shows an increase in
value of fl per cent, while the real
estate charged against. negroes shows
an increase of 33 per cent. in value for
the same period.
This is the first report Of the new
land assessment which we have seen
printed, and il should be a model for
land assessors all over the State. 1t
sets high standard of public honesty
and il shows an envable regard for the
spirit and the letter of the law. The
assessments may not be at a "fair
market value" but they are honestly
increased in proportion to the develop
ment of the town, and they are in
striking contrast to the assessments
now being made in some counties.
The Fredericksburg papers point out,
very properly. that the increase in the
assessed value of the real estate in the
! town does not necessarily mean an in
crease in city taxes. The new assess
ment will yield 50, 73S 80 the year more
than the old assessment. and this sum
may very easily be applied TO a reduc-
of the local levy, or, If the people so
desire, it may be used for municipal
Improvements.
1t seems almost impossible to make
this plain to the people, but the fact
remains: compliance with the letter of
the law and the assessment Of prop
erty as required by law would at most
increase taxes only for a single year
AS soon as the Assembly meets. if it
found the taxes yielded more revenue
that the State required, taxes could and
certainly would be lowered. The pres
ent low assessments, on the other
hand, actually work for higher taxes in
the end, since new taxes must be levied
where the old taxes do not yield suffi-
cient revenue, and these new taxes in
variably are levied where they can al
ways be collected.
The whole State will be glad to hear
how Fredericksburg made the new as
sessment. AS we recall the facts, when
the time came for Judge Goolrick to
appoint the new assessors, the Freder-
icksburg papers unanimously urged the
appointment of good men. After
Judge Goolrick had made his appoint
ment, the papers approved his selec-
tions and very frankly told the people
of Fredericksburg that the new as
SCISSOR and his assistants must enforce
the law. They pointed out the wisdom
of just assessment, they urged gen
eral cooperation in making a fair re-
turn, and they kept at il until they
convinced the good people of Freder-
icksburg that their honor depended on
the maintenance of the law. This was
all. The assessor had little difficulty
in discharging his duties; the people
approved his assessments and the
whole town has been benefited.
We commend the example of the
Fredericksburg press and the Freder-
icksburg people to the press and people
Of the whole State. If it is followed
everywhere. one of the greatest dis
graces of the Commonwealth will be
wiped out, and new era of integrity
will BEGIN Richmond Times-Dispatch.