Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Letter to Editor
April 23, 1816
Portland Gazette, And Maine Advertiser
Portland, Cumberland County, Maine
What is this article about?
Letter to printers critiques excessive costs of land tax assessment in Massachusetts as reported in the Gazette, contrasting it with local efforts, and accuses democrats of hypocrisy in now supporting taxes and offices they once despised for personal benefit.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
MESSRS. PRINTERS,
I hope the Farmers and others who have to pay a Land Tax will notice the statement in the last Gazette, of the sum which the mere assessment of this tax cost in this State. The number of assessors and assistant assessors, in Massachusetts, is 213, and the assessment cost, twenty-seven thousand eight hundred and thirty eight dollars; which, divided equally among the whole number, gives to each, one hundred and twenty six dollars, a sum equal to what is given to the three assessors in this town, who have double the work to perform in making the tax, which the assessors under the direct tax have.
The time was when there was nothing so odious to the democratic party as a Land Tax or the sight of tax-gatherers. But the cunning ones now pocket the fees of office, and of course Taxes, Standing armies and High Salaries, are at once converted into publick blessings. In this consists the Glory of Democracy.
I hope the Farmers and others who have to pay a Land Tax will notice the statement in the last Gazette, of the sum which the mere assessment of this tax cost in this State. The number of assessors and assistant assessors, in Massachusetts, is 213, and the assessment cost, twenty-seven thousand eight hundred and thirty eight dollars; which, divided equally among the whole number, gives to each, one hundred and twenty six dollars, a sum equal to what is given to the three assessors in this town, who have double the work to perform in making the tax, which the assessors under the direct tax have.
The time was when there was nothing so odious to the democratic party as a Land Tax or the sight of tax-gatherers. But the cunning ones now pocket the fees of office, and of course Taxes, Standing armies and High Salaries, are at once converted into publick blessings. In this consists the Glory of Democracy.
What sub-type of article is it?
Persuasive
Political
What themes does it cover?
Taxation
Politics
What keywords are associated?
Land Tax
Assessment Costs
Democratic Party
Tax Gatherers
Political Hypocrisy
What entities or persons were involved?
Messrs. Printers
Letter to Editor Details
Recipient
Messrs. Printers
Main Argument
the letter highlights the high cost of land tax assessment in massachusetts (over $27,000 for 213 assessors) compared to local efforts, and criticizes the democratic party for now embracing taxes, standing armies, and high salaries as blessings after previously opposing them, due to personal gain from offices.
Notable Details
References The Last Gazette For Tax Assessment Figures
Compares Massachusetts Assessors (213, $27,838 Total, $126 Each) To Three Local Assessors With Double The Work
Notes Historical Democratic Aversion To Land Taxes And Tax Gatherers