The vidette. (Iuka, Tishomingo County, Miss.) 1912-1967, 1919-03-27
Jackson, Mississippi,
March 9th, 1919.
TO THE TAX ASSESSOR :

sors, it appears that there is some
misunderstanding as to how the
blank for the assessment OF personal
property should be used in listing
certain classes of personal property.
This letter is written for the purpose
OF furnishing information for your
benefit in making these assessments.
1.-THE taxpayer makes affidavit
that his HOUSEHOLD Furniture is
worth no more than $3.50, and you
believe that it is true statement,
you should dot list any Of the sew
eral items hereunder, appearing on
the tax list. Only one column APP
pears on the personal roll for it. AT
least seventy per cent. of the tax
payers have less than $3.50 worth of
HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE, and
are exempt from assessment for
same. Surely, none except hotels
or rooming places have more than
$3.50 invested in beds and bedding,
and it would be unfair to other tax
payers for such to escape their por-
ton Of the tax burden, All HOUSE,
HOLD FURNITURE in excess OF
$3.50 has ALWAYS been subject to
taxation. There is no new burden
imposed by the termination ; it car
ries the law, which has been in effect
since the creation OF the State.
There are many luxuries in the
Households of the Rich or Well-to-
do, which have not heretofore APP
peared on the Tax List Blanks (al-
though always taxable) such as
cut glass, art squares, mahogany
or other expensive and handsome
furniture. There are art squares in
some cities. which cost more than
$500 each. Unfortunately, Missis-
sippi has not many, whose homes
are adorned with such luxuries !;
but the fortunate should be glad to
pay their portion to the State Gov
eminent, 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 Govern
ment. This portion Is measu
by the value Of all taxable n
owned by the citizen. 1t is ~
1872 -a-.-s ~ ss,
erty il assessed and valued accos
ing TO law.
Much machinery has been escap-
ing taxation; this has been occas-
oned by the omission of the nam es
OF the various kinds of it from the
tax assessment blanks. Only one
column appears on the roll for this,
but the itemization 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 portion 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 its value
and, if not reported or if underval- |
ued to report the tax-dodger to the |
Supervisors and District Attorney. |
1t is your moral duty, too, to the |
who have rendered hon.
est returns because the burden that
should be borne by the untaxed
will be borne by other
by odd Beck" by ''Old
Muley," by the farm land and by
he widows humble cottage because
.hese things cannot be hidden from
he Assessors eye.
Do not listen to the walls of the
.ax-dodger, who tries to bluff you
out of doing your sworn duty, by
hreats to tear down your political
play house, Fear not the politi-
ian, who is trying to ride into Of
ice, not on his merits, but by max
ng foolish promises to abolish tax
ltion; such promises, always, re-
'ult in an increase in taxation.
Yours very truly,
d; L. THOMPSON,
Chairman of the State Tax
Commission.