Letter from W. H. Mims to Mississippi Governor James L. Alcorn; June 3, 1871

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Letter from W. H. Mims to Mississippi Governor James L. Alcorn; June 3, 1871

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People

Alcorn, J. L. (James Lusk), 1816-1894 Hewson, H. F.Mims, W. H.

Events

Taxation

Organizations

Mississippi. Executive Department Railroad Railroad--Mobile and Ohio Railroad Company

Occupations

Adjutants Commercial agents Secretaries Tax Assessors

Places

Jackson (Miss.)Wayne County (Miss.)Waynesboro (Miss.)

Page 1

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Waynesboro, Wayne County Miss,, June 3^rd/71

His Excellency
Governor James. L. Alcorn
Jackson
Miss.,

Dear Sir,

I write you in regard to the Assessment of Rail Road property in this County. As I understand, sec. 1. Chapter 4^th of the laws of 1870, I think Rail Road property Taxable, as it distinctly says all corporations and likewise improvements.

But some say the Charter of the company has not expired, There is near 200000 acres of Lands in this County held by the Mobile & Ohio Rail Road Company and about 30 miles of Rail Road running through this County, which together with the proportion of rolling stock, would be quite an item, and the Company have given notice to their agents to not receive Mississippi Money for freight or passage, and the Citizens think it strange that after the 20 years is out from the date of the Charter (sept, 20^th 1850) that they should go

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unassessed, when at the same time they are receiving rents issues and profits from a portion of these lands, and hold the land up at prices that people can hardly afford to pay thereby keeping out actual settlers who would cultivate and keep adding to the wealth of our County and state And the Rail Road is most assuredly and improvement that should be taxed You will excuse me for giving my views on this matter, but to show you the the condition of the affair, and with the law as I understand it,

Am I right in my Opinion and shall I proceed to assess said lands and improvement, I would of written the Adjutant General, but think he would not like to answer a County Official, If I have tresspassed in asking you this pardon me,

Hoping that you will have the desire information forwarded to me immediately

I am Your^s Most obdt,,ly,

W. H. Mims
Assessor,, Wayne County Mississippi

Page 3

PRECIS.
[gap]

No'. [gap]

Executive Office,
State of Mississippi,
County of Wayne

From W H Mims, Assessor
Address Waynesboro
Dated June. 3. “71.
Received —
Answered —

In reference to the assessment of R. R. property

JAMES L. ALCORN,
Governor.

H. F. HEWSON,
Private Secretary.