, 1878-04-06

Work for the Convention.
SsArrLs, April 81. 1873.
70 fHB EDToas OF TIE DISPATCH:
While . discussion of the merits,
and dement's of the several candi-
dates for the State Constitutional
Convention is going on, would it
not be we'll to call the attention of
the people to some of the most i'm
portant subjects to come before that
Convention. with a view to q more
thorough investigation and study Of
them, than can possibly be had
during the few weeks of the Con-
vention. It is a we'll known fact
that many of our legislators, Sin
Convention assembled" are called
upon to act upon measures of great
Importance to the people, without
ever having given them any thought,
and without the time, and possible
means at hand, to enable them to
gain q knowledge and clear under
standing of the measures, and the
result is bad Hesitation. May we
not anticipate similar results in the
coming State Convention, consider
ing the fact that some of the candi-
dates are men who have never had
much if any experience in law max
ing unless these subjects can be
properly discussed before they con-
vene.
During our last Legislative As
sembly, clause was incorporated
into the Revenue Act" before them
creating Territorial Board of Equal
ization, said board to consist Of the
Territorial Auditor and Treasurer,
and three others auditor of q
county, or Assessor of district or
county, to be appointed from each
of the three Judicial Districts OF
the Territory. Being in the ''Third"
house at the time, I was told that
my chances we're good for a seat on
the Board. I went to work at once
to investigate the matter. The more
l looked into it the darker the way
appeared to me to accomplish the
objects sought. I could not see
how I could sit in Olympia and de-
termine what was a just and equal
valuation to set on lands in Yakima.
Walla Walla, Pacific, Clallam and
all other counties in the Territory;
Notwithstanding I felt that I was
probably as we'll acquainted with
the nature of the lands throughout
the Territory, as anyone who would
be on the Board. I called on Hon.
A. J. Dufur, of Portland, Oregon,
and through him obtained IN intro
ductjon to Ex-Governor Curry, of
Oregon, President of the State
Board of Equalization for Oregon.
From these gentlemen I obtained
much information in reference to
the workings Of their Board; also
their reports, etc., but they failed
to answer the question, satisfactorily
to my mind, as to how they could
arrive at an equal valuation Of the
lands in each county, without per-
sonal inspection. 1 returned to
Olympia and informed my friends
that I could not conscienciously
accept q seat on the Board if ap-
pointed, on the ground that I could
not see how I could do justice to the
people interested.
1 learned from the gentlemen re-
ferred to, that a wealthy incorporat-
ed wagon road company, in Oregon,
had refused to pay their assessment
as equalized by the Board that in
suit tho company had beat tho
State, and that the next Legislature
following had repealed the law Great
ing said Board. Notwithstanding
the act of the Legislature in repeal
ing the law. the gentlemen contend
that State Board of Equalization
was necessary. and that the matter
will be brought before the Oregon
Legislature this fall.
In resent conversation with the
State Board Of equalization for Califor>
MA, composed of the Governor, Con-
troller and Attorney General), learned
that that Board had been shorn of its
power to "equalize taxes" by decision
that it was Observation-Disclosures
their estate Constitution" was against
the act, and that they we're then press
ing the subject of a estate Constitu-
tional Convention" for the purpose Of
inserting this. among other clauses.
into their State Constitution. They
thought a Estate Board of equalizs-
ton" an actual necessity for the pro-
lection of the "State Tax" The Con-
troller informed me that the Board visi.
ted the most important counties in the
State. and made personal inspection of
the most important lands to gain their
information.
From the foregoing you will observe,
Messrs Editors. that this subject is a
matter of considerable importance to
the tax payers of our Territory, and
should not be acted upon hastily. 1t a
Estate Board of Equalization" is not
necessary, it would be unjust to burden
our people with its expenses.
In other articles for the DIsPATCH
with your permission. will call the at
tention of the people. as we'll as our
candidates to the subjects of assessing
'Poll Tax Especial School or Road
Take" s">.'our present method of repre-
sentation" and such other subjects as