Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1913-02-03
AUDITOR MooRE's LETTER.
( ~ y = : ~. = =, $50 -
Believes Public VIII Join in Efforts
For Fair Property Assessment.

Auditor C. Lee Moore, in statement
to the, Commissioners Of the Revenue
I throughout the state, expresses his, con
:viction that the public will aid this
year in securing fair assessment OF
property for taxation.
A just and equal valuation OF prop
perty will, in the opinion Of the audi
tor, result in lessening the weight OF
taxpaying, since largely increased
revenues will come largely from those
insufficiently assessed in previous
years. While there will be burdens
in many instances. caused by faults
in the system, these are but temper
airy, for relief is in sight through the
remedial Legislation that is most prob
ably at hand.
While the letter is addressed to the
commissioners, over whom the auditor
has official supervision, it is in effect
an address to the public, showing his
attitude toward the whole question Of
taxation-that ne proposes to enforce
the laws as he finds them, confident
that the people, will cooperate.
The press of state is given credit
for the work it is doing in agitating
the question and in acquaintng the
people with the injustices and inaqual-
tiles Of the taxing system in Virginia.
The letter of the auditor is as fol-
lows:
Commonwealth Of Virginia, Office OF
the Auditor of Public Accounts, Rich
mond, February l, 1913.
To Commissioners of the Reverue:-
Gentlemen-Today you begin to
assess values and taxes for the year
1913, and supplementary to ny or
cuar of instructions issued you under
date of Jany. 25, 1913. 1 address you
this communication.
The agitation of the matter C tax-
alton has been of great bcnt it to
all the people of the State.
The clsar and forceful manner in
which the press has continued 20 en-
tighten its readers on this subject dem
onstrate its always eager purpoca and
desire to promote the public goes, and
SO potent and salutary in its infu-
ence the public eagerly responds IN
kind.
TIE people of this State have Today
better understanding of the laws
relative to taxation than they have
ever had before.
I think it important that The peo-
pie should thoroughly und and
that the ultimate effset of tic .@ita-
ton Of this question VIII
not increase the burden / of
taxation but that proper asse ment
against every taxpayer will ! 1duce
such largely increased assess, ! val
ucs, placing the burden of taxa IN on
every enc in proportion to lis r her
possessions as it should be. e; VIII
result in materially reduc ne thu
rates Of levies, which reducticl will
enure to the benefit Of all. ~.
1t is only necessary for The Heople
Of this Commonwealth to Nov
what is required of them by Ii Il to
bring about their observance Of hose
requirements. The people o. |'ir-
ginia are for what i. right an WI!
always act accordingly. The fc7 ex-
captions to this rule will fee very
much out Of place AMONGST heir
neighbors.
You are The officers charged j. law
with the duty of assessing PIC .'erty,
incomes, etc, and you will ;hi:, year
find the people ready and willing to
aid you in every way in their rover
to accomplish the services which they
nave chosen you to perform.
Why should anyone desire TO cvads
or avoid the taxation which the law
imposes? Why should any one seek
advantage over his fellow citizen in
the assessment Of taxes? Why should
anyone wish not to do his part in
aiding the government which "se
cures the enjoyment of life and lib
erty, with the means of acquiring
and possessing property?"
"Ail power is vested in and conse-
qusntly derived from the people"
The commissioner of the revenue
IS the servant Of tne people. These
people have enacted The laws which
1t is MS duty to enforce, and rely
upon the assertion + low make, the
people will stand shoulder to Shout
DIR this year and help in every way
to administer the law. The result
WI! be more uniform taxation. ass
esSments nearer the true values, ant
greatest and best Of ali, a people sat