Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1919-03-27
TAX ASSESSORS
TAKE NOTICE
jackson, Mississippi.
March 9Th, 1919.

From inquiries from some Assessors
it appears that there is some misun-
derstanding 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 bene-
fit in making these assessments.
If the taxpayer make affidavit that
his HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE is
worth no more than $3.50, and you be-
lieve that it is a true statement, you
should not list any of the several
items thereuroer, appearing on the
tax list. Only one column appears
on the personal roll for it At least
seventy per cent of the taxpayers
have less han $3.50 of HOUSEHOi y
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 taxpayers for such to escape
their portion of the tax burden. All
HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE in ex-
cess of $3.50 has ALWAYS been sub
ject 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 OF 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 expensive
and handsome furniture. There are
art squares in some cities, which cost
more than $500 each. Unfortunately,
Mississippi has not many, whose
homes are adorned with such luXur1es;
but the fortunate should be glad to
paw their portions to the State Govern
ment, which educates the youth, pen
sions the Confederate Soldier, heals
the poor, when afflicted or crippled,
and cures OF cares for the insane; but
she cannot do so without money. The
none cannot be raised except by tax
alton. Every citizen honestly owes
his portion of the expense Of the State
Government. This portion is measur-
ed 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 escaping
taxation; this has been occasioned by
the omission of the names Of the var-
GUS kinds of it from the tax assess
ment blanks. Only one column ap-
pears 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 bur-
den either by not being listed or by
being undervalued. 1t is your duty to
see that property of all kinds is as
sessed for it's value; and, if not re-
ported or if u~ndervalued to report the
tax-dodger to the Supervisors and
District Attorney. 1t is your moral
duty, too, to the tax payers, who have
rendered honest returns because the
burden that should be borne by the
untaxed property will be borne by
other property, by "Old Beck, by
"Old Muley", by the farm Land and by
the widows humble cottage because
these things cannot be hidden from the
Assessors 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 political play
house. Fear not the politician, who
is trying to ride into Office, not on his
merits, but by making foolish promises
to abolish taxation; such promises, al
ways, result in an increase in taxa
ton. 3
Yours very truly,
D. L. THOMPSON,
Chairman of the State Tax Com