ducing the assessors to come down,
the taxes ranged from two and a half
to four per cent,—honest men who in
conscience could neither swear down
their valuations nor use any just
means to bring down the assessors,
having the burden of taxation to
bear. But under the new laws the
power to reduce taxation by dishonest
oath making djo» not exist, except
wo believe under dangerous restric
tions. The assessor* are bound un
der stringent laws to assess at full
value all property. Valuations are
therefore tolerably full and uniform,
and the result is, that the taxes are
actually lower upon general tana
property and of course lower upon
lauor. In some towns the entire tax
is below one and a half per cent
But the question is, will the shov
ing, dishonest and selfish few who
commonly wound public opinion by
one means and another, rest conten
ted with tax laws which compel
them to pay equal taxes with other
men? We think they will make a
drive at the legislature for some
amendment which will enable them
to avoid doing their duty as tax pay
ers. They will ask for swearing
down privileges, or tor depriving the
assessor of the right and duty to
search tor concealed valuables, «&c
Advisory and Complimentary.—
Since iho very polite request of
lasi week was sent out, asking per
sons indebted for the Herald to pay
up, we have received many answers,
usually expressive of k’o.d good will
and of well meant advice as to se
curing more prompt payments.—
We copy a few of these epistolaries,
omitting the names which we should
be pleased to use, hut their appear
ance might give offense:
Smelser, Dec. 18, 1868.
