The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1919-03-28
STATE TAX COMMISSION MAKES
STATEMENT TO ASSESSORS.
Jackson, Miss, March 9Th, 1919.
TO THE TAX ASSESSOR

from inquiries from some Assess !.
ors it appears that there is some mis-
understanding as to how the blank
for the assessment of personal prop
erty should be used in listing certain
classes Of personal property. This
letter is written for the purpose of
furnishing information for your ben
eft in ri king these assessments.
taxpayer make affidavit that
~ HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE is
worth no more than $3.50 and you be-
lieve that it is true statement, you
should rot list any of the several
items hereunder, appearing on the
tax list. Only one column appears
on the personal roll for it. At least,
seventy percent, of the taxpayers
hive less than $3.50 of HOUSEHOLD
FURNITURE, and are exempt from
assessment for. same. Surely none
except hotels Or roOming places have
more than $3.50 in vested in beds and
bedding. and it would be unfair to
other taxpayers for such to- escape
their portion of the tax burden. All
HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE in ex-
cess of $3.50 has always been subject
to taxation There is no new burden
imposed by the itemization; it car
ries the law, which has been in effect
since the creation of the State.
There are many Injuries in the
HOUSEHOLDS of the rich or well-tO-do,
which have not heretofore appeared
on the Tax List Blanks, (although al
ways taxable;) such as cut glass, art
squares, mahogany or other expen-
sive and handsome furniture. There
are art squares in some cities, which
cost more than $400 each. Unfor-
tunately, Mississippi has not many.
whose homes are adorned with such
luxuries; but the fortunate should be
glad to pay their portions to the
State Government, which educates
the youth, pensions the Confederate
Soldier, heals the poor, when afflicted
or crippled, and cures Or cares for
the insane; but she cannot do so with
out money. The money cannot be
raised except by taxation. Every
citizen honestly owes his portion of
the expense of the State Government.
This portion is measured by the value
of all taxable property owned by the
citizen. 1t is therefore your duty to
see that all property is assessed and
valued according to law. -
Much machinery has been escap-
ing taxation; this has been occasion
ed by the omission of names of the
various kinds of it from the tax as
sessment blanks. Only one column
appears on the roll for this, but the
will add much to the rolls
Diamonds, jewelry, cut glass, art
squares. rugs, automobiles, solvent
credits, merchandise and many kinds
of property other than the above are
escaping their proportion of the tax
burden either by not being listed or
by being undervalued. 1t is Your
duty to see that property Of all kinds
is assessed for it's value; and, if not
reported Of if undervalued to report
the taX-dodger to the Supervisors
and District Attorney. 1t is your
moral duty, too, to the taxpayers,
who have rendered honest returns
because the burden that should be
,orne by the untaxed property will
De borne by other property, by "Old
Beck" by "Old Muley," by the farm
and and by the widows humble cot
age, because these things cannot be
hidden from the Assessors eye.
Do not listen to the walls of the
who tries to bluff you
'ut of doing your sworn duty, by
hreats to ''tear down your political
lay house." Fear not the politician
sho is trying to ride into Office, not
n his merits, but by making foolish
to abolish taxation; such
always result in an increase
n taxation.
% Land Owners:
The first of April is the date of ex-
iration of the peEod of redemption
f lands from sale by the Tax Col
ector in 1917. Check your receipts
or 1916 carefully against your land
umbers to prevent your not know
ng of the sale of your land. If any
as been sold, it should be redeemed
t once.