GENERAL COMPARISON. While the general result of the investigation as to proportionate assessments, are clearly brought out in the text analysis of the various tables, there are a few comparisons which may with profit, be set forth in the present place. Reference to the table on page 61, will show that the Grand List of the State on October first, 1895, was $444,321,927.00, an increase over 1894 of $30,062,971.00, a condition most gratifying and for which the people of Connecticut have reason to be most sincerely thankful, not merely for the amount of the increase of revenue to the towns thus secured, but more particularly because the Assessors of some towns have deemed it their duty to uphold the majesty of the law, and insist that in their towns at least, property should be set in the list at its actual market value. Further comparison, however, reveals the fact that the Grand List of 1894 was $2,064,296.00 less than in 1893. Examinations of the returns from the different towns for those two years, show that this condition is explained by the fact, that the town of Bridgeport reduced the amount of its Grand List from $54,301,107.00, in 1893, to $46,760,148.00, in 1894, the decrease in this one town alone, it will be noticed, being more in amount than the reduction in the entire State. And, in this connection, it should be stated that the Grand List of Bridgeport, in 1895, has grown to $56,847,856.00, by reason, it is said, of the close observance by the Assessors of that town, of the State Law having reference to the valuation of property for purposes of taxation at full value. It may be added, that the Grand List of the entire State has increased in five years (1891-1895) $71,447,480.00, or 19.2 per cent. Thus, it would seem, that the increase of taxable property hardly keeps pace with the natural increase in population and wealth, which can be accounted for in no other way than by the continued undervaluation of ratable real estate, and the habitual concealment of large amounts of personalty. The low rate of assessment, in many large towns, while keeping the amount of the Grand List at a low figure, has no appreciable effect in lessening the amount paid in taxes, for, the lower the ratio of assessment, the higher the rate of tax, and, of course, a lower per cent. of tax would be the result, did the rule prevail of assessing at full value. Νο Personal observa tion. Personal obser- By visiting vation. mercantile es- As returned rule. signed a certain dis-rance Stock as by the owner. No Sworn list of own- Insurance and Assessed at No By Assessors knowl- Sworn statement Sworn statement of owner. Knowledge of As- Inquiry and per- By personal sessors of improve-sonal examina-investigation. ments made, and tion. recent sales of prop erty in immediate vi cinity. No Assessors knowl- Sworn list of Owner's state rule. edge of the value of owners. adjoining property with which compari sons are made. ment. E rule. the Assessors usually vass the town and sworn state have knowledge of ascertain as near ment. |