The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1919-03-27
TO THE TAX ASSESSOR

Jackson, Mississippi, March 8,
1919-From inquiries from some
Assessors, 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 furn-
ishing information for your bene-
fit in making these assessments.
If the taxpayer makes affidavit
that his HOUSEHOLD FURNI-
TURE is worth no more than $3.50
and you believe that it is a true
statement, you should not list any
of the several items Hereunder,
appearing on the tax list. Only
one column appears on the per-
sonal roll for it. At least, seven
ty per cent Of the taxpayers
have less than $3.50 of HOUSE
HOLD FURNITURE and are
exempt from assessment for same.
Surely, none except hotels or
rooming places have more than
$3.50 invested in beds and bed
ding, and it woul dbe unfair to
other taxpayers for such to es-
cape their portion of the tax bur-
den. ALL HOUSEHOLD FURNI-
TURE in excess of $3.50 has AL:
WAYS been subject to taxation.
There is no new burden imposed
by the termination; it carries 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
appeared on the Tax List Blanks
(although always taxable;) such
as cut glass, art squares, ma
hogany or other expensive and
handsome furniture. There are
art squares in some cities, which
cost more than $500 each. I'm
fortunately, Mississippi has not
many, whose homes are adored
with such luxuries; but the for
tunate should be glad to pay their
portions to the state Government,
which educates the youth, pen,
sions the Confederate Soldier,
heals the poor, when afflicted or
crippled, and cures or cares for
the insane; but she cannot do so
without the money. The money
cannot be raised except by tax
alton. 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. It is therefore your
duty to see that all property is
assessed and valued according to
law.
Much machinery has been >es-
Gaping taxation; this has been
occasioned by the omission Of the
names of the various kinds of it
from the tax assessment blanks.
Only one column appears on the
roll for this, but the termination
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. It is your duty to
see that property of all kinds is
assessed for its value; and, if
not reported or if undervalued to
report the tax-dodger to the Su-
peryisors and District Attorney.
It is your moral duty, too, to the
tax payers, who have rendered
honest returns because the bur-
den that should be borne by the
untaxed property will be borne
by other property, by sOld Black"
by Old Muley,' by the farm land
and by the widows humble cot
tage because these things can
not be hidden from the Assess
or's eye.
Do not listen to the walls of
the tax-dodger, who tries to bluff
you out Of doing your sworn duty
by threats to tear down your po-
litical play house." Fear not the
politician, who is trying to ride
into Office, not on his merits, but
BY making foolish promises to
ablish taxation such promises
always, result in an increase in
taxation.
Yours very truly
y Thompson,
choirnaan u tho State Iax1