Valley Spirit

--The Board of Revenue Commissioners which meet tri-ennially to determine the valuation of all taxable property, in the several counties of the Commonwealth, and adjust and equalize the same, had the following proceedings before it while Franklin County was under consideration.

The assessed valuation returned to the Revenue Board, by the Commissioners of this county, as the assessment for 1860 amounted to $11,043,877. To this sum the Board added one million of dollars as the Valuation for Franklin County, making the total valuation upon which the tax for the next three years would be assessed $12,043,877.

This action of the Board seemed unjust to Franklin County when compared with the valuation at which other counties of the Commonwealth, of greater wealth and population, are rated. Mr. Eyster, County Commissioner, together with Messrs. McLellan, Nill, McClure and Rowe, appeared before the Board, and by their representations convinced them of their unfairness in adjusting the valuation of Franklin County. The Board thereupon struck off half a million of dollars leaving the actual valuation for 1860 at $11,548,877, which is a reduction on the previous valuation of 1857 of $1,525,307. and consequently effecting a reduction on our State Tax of $3,781.25.

We have always contended that Franklin County was rated too high, in comparison with other counties, and thereby compelled to pay an unjust proportion of State Tax. As the valuation now stands we are placed on a more equal footing with other counties, and tax-payers should feel themselves under obligations to the gentlemen through whose instrumentality the reduction was effected.

--At a meeting of the Town Council, on Monday evening last, it was determined to extend the borough lines so as to admit the portion of Guilford township praying to be annexed. An Ordinance to this effect was unanimously passed by the Council and will be published in the papers, of this place, the present week. We described the boundary of the territory, desiring to be admitted, in an article published in the Spirit, on the Extension of the Borough, a few weeks ago. We extend the hand of welcome to Kerrstown, Broad-Lane, Ripper's Point, Clarksville, &c., and trust they will deport themselves with becoming dignity since we have extended the egis of our municipal authority over them. Couldn't we have some bon-fires over the "consolidation?"--This triumph over Old Fogyism certainly deserves some public demonstration.

--Our esteemed townsman Mr. J. K. Shryock delivered a lecture before the citizens of Hagerstown, recently, that we are happy to perceive is "cracked up" in the most complimentary manner by the papers of that place. Mr. Shryock is unquestionably an able lecturer, and without making any pretensions in that line, will mix up as much genuine wit and sound philosophy in his discourse as can be found in the efforts of any of the popular lecturers of the day. We are glad to find his talents and social qualities as highly appreciated abroad as they are at home.