Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1930-10-30
TO THE ELECTORATE OF MOTs--
GAN COUNTY =


our worthy opponent regarding the
reduction of Morgan county's debt
from $400,00000 to 100000
90, we wish to say that we still
| feel proud of it. There is no part Of
the gasoline money that goes to pay
debts. nor has your tax levy been
raised and besides you have the
12h 20 and 1919 reductions on
realty. The interest on Morgan
county's debt for the year 1927 was
| $18,700.00, and for next year it will
be $8,000,00 Are these differences
of any Importance to taxpayers?
4! fear some of us are not serious
enough regarding our obligation.
Yes, some of Morgan county's
debts are road and bridge bonds.
We also have bonds that are not
road and bridge bonds. For instance,
in the year 1922 there was a bond
issue given on the children's home
| property for S10,000.00 payable ST.
100000 per year at 5h % interest.
In the next year, 1923, the chill
dren's home was sold for IS, 10000
and the money placed in the bank to
draw 20 interest up until the time
it became exhausted as expendi-
lures for the child welfare board
We have paid $1,00O.00 per year on
the bond issue and still have two
more years to pay. The total inter-
est on the above issue amounts to
$3,025.00. We are not only out our
children's home, but also the pro-
ceeds from the sale of it, which
have been exhausted for two I'D
years and we are still paying on the
bond issue, and are levying a tax
for child welfare purposes besides.
We still insist that the work in
the auditors office has almost
doubled, on account of secondary
road construction, without extra
cost to the taxpayers. Following is
a copy from our records of the
amounts paid deputies in the aud
itor's office over period of eight
years, four years. 1923 to 1926 in
elusive, were under my predecessor
and were as follows:
1928, $2.134: 1924, s2.213.33:
1925, $2.040; 1926, $2,18402
The following four (4) years,
1927 to 1880 inclusive, are under
my administration:
1927. $1,96S62; 1928. 1920;
1929, 1920; 1880, 1920.
These statements can be verified
by our books at any time.
In order that we may be able to
get the facts before the public re-
garding the system under which the.
real estate reductions were made,
We are printing the following letter
from the State Tax Commission of
Ohio
Mr.. H. w. Gordon, Auditor,
Morgan County
McConnelsville, Ohio
My Dear Mr.. Gordon
Your letter under date of October
8, received. We offer you sincere
apology for our long delay in send
ing you statement relative to re-
valuation of real estate in Morgan
county. We have regretted very
much. that in quite number Of
counties this problem of modifying
property values has gotten into
politics.
With reference to your coun-
ty, however, we may say, that
SO far as the Tax Commission
has knowledge or information
as to reduction or proposed re-
duction in value of real estate,
You have not only cooperated
with the Commission but in
each case initiated the action
which resulted in an approNi-
mate decrease of 121a for 1929
and 1919 for 1880.
Very truly yours.
THE TAX COMMISSION OF OHIO,
John S. Edwards,
Commissioner
The above letter is on file for in
spection in the auditors office at
any time.
i defy anyone to produce ~
statement from any state inspector
or anyone else that they have ever
found our books off one penny. or
that we have ever had to procure
help to make monthly balance.
The cost of inspection in 1927
was large as the county, townships,
and municipalities were all exam
med that year and was the examina-
ion of the books of a period from
1925 to 1927. which time with the
of but four months. vas
lnder my predecessor Since that
ime the only money that has been
paid state inspectors for county
work of any kind was $4,000. and
)art of this expense was necessary
n the collection of back taxes.
which amounted to approximately
100000
We are not making these state
nents for the purpose of notoriety.
'ut for the purpose of defending
What we know is right.
II. W. GORDON