The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-03-11
VANCOUVER INDEPENDENT.
THURSDAY, MARCH II, 1850.
The Revenue Law.

The absurdities and onerous burdens
of the new revenue law are beginning
to excite much comment among the
people, and well they may when it is
understood that every farmer in Clarke
county must come to Vancouver to
make his assessment himself, between
the lst and 10th of April, or else pay
Just such penalty as the assessor may
choose to put upon him. OF this law
recent issue of the Olympia transcript
says.
The hardships which it imposes
upon taxpayers, not so much in pay
ing a legitimate tax but the unwar-
ranted trouble and expense in being
assessed: the opportunity it gives dis
honest officials who carry out the pro-
visions of the law to Cypress and bur-
den the taxpayers; its conflict with
the organic act, makes it worse than
the 'blue law of Connecticut. With
every session of the legislature, a gem
eral tinkering of the revenue law has
been enacted, each time enacting
more oppressive and unwise statute.
If the taxpayer has to appear at the
assessors Office and give in list of
his property on the first of April, why
is so much time given the assessor af-
forwards to make the assessment of
the county? The proper way to find
a mans land is by the county records
as will have to be done under the
present law in the case of non-resi-
dents: but this law provides new one
to survey it and mulct the owner in
fines. While we do not believe any
assessor will he heartless enough to
take all the advantages this law gives
him to injure the taxpayers, yet 1t
gives him the power to fine prop
erty- holder almost without limit, with
out the latter having redress. 1t Is re-
troactrive in assessment of the year
previous-with double assessment;
matter that is in direct conflict with
the organic act. That this law Will IN
crease the expenses OF the taxpayers
is certain. The former laws were Elf
cient for the collection of the taxes,
when they were rigidly enforced. Had
an act to legalize the selling of delin-
quent property passed, there would
have been little need of anything else.
This new law was gotten up after the
manner of old states, with thickly set
tied communities, where money is
more abundant than here, and where
there are none of the difficulties of a
new country. Hundreds of taxpayers
in the territory are now delinquent,
not because they desire to avoid their
taxes. but because they have not the
money to pay them. Many have bor-
rowed money to pay them, and others
would do so were it possible. How Is
this law going to make it any better?
The counties will be nearly bank
rupted by its operation.
The people in Whatcom county do
not propose to stand the burdens i'm
posed upon them so unjustly, and at
public meeting recently passed the fol
lowing resolution:
lst that we hereby express our ut
most disapproval of the revenue law,
and consider ii oppressive, unjust and
incapable of execution: I'd, that we
have heard with Just pleasure of the
intention of our assessor not to attend
at his office; Sd, that he be requested
10 assess the county IA formerly; 4th,
that we hereby pledge him our full
cordial support in this action.