Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-03-21
4 FAITHFUL PUBLIC OFFICIAL
Who Makes Clear His Record and I'M
pales His Accuser.

To the Editor of the Globe.
Having read the report of the Public Ex-
amiuer Knox, which was published II your
issue of the 18th inst, in which he shows the
result of lis investigation OF Ramsey county
affairs. l deem 1t plain duty that l owe to
the taxpayers and citizens of this city and
county that l should make some explanation
IN regard 10 the matter. especially so far as bis
report relates to the Office of county auditor.
DELINQUENT TAXES WITHOUT PENALTY.
The public examiner, IN his recent trip
through the records of my office, lays especial
weight upon the loss of interest TO the county
by allowing delinquent Taxpayers 10 pay their
taxes in 1915, after the time fixed by law,
without charging them interest at > per cent.
per month Tor the period exceeding the legal
limit. l feel Ike returning thanks to my cen
serious critic for giving me an opportunity TO
explain the records OF my Office IN this re-
spect.
| did not receive the books from the treas
urer until June 7th, 1875 and had only twelve
DAYS in which to copy and compare the delln-
uuent list and file it with the county clerk. A
failure to have it filed with the clerk at the
time required by law would have inValidated
powerless 20 collect the taxes from
those who were absolutely delinquent.
Some twelve or fourteen hundred taxpayers
had filed their statements with the county
treasurer before the time allowed by law ex-
pired; setting forth their desires and readiness
to make their payment. There was no 10 per
cent. penalty that year for the non-payment
of taxes and hundreds delayed until the very
last day taking their chances upon tie county
treasurer being able 10 receive
the money and make out the receipts. As a
matter Of course it a physical impossible
ity for the treasurer to supply the receipts, and
he accordingly returned the books to me- with
the applications made by parties desiring to
pay.
AS nv entire clerical force was ct work in
copying and comparing the delinquent list as
already explained, had to plete that and
make the sale legal or stop 10 make
out receipts for the list of names
fled with the treasurer and thereby lose the
legal grip upon those who had not made such
application. 1t was impossible TO 90 both.
IL tie law had been at present., adding ten
Fer cent. penalty, the situation would have
been different regarding loss TO the county.
ny no. advertising the list OF applicants to
pay as delinquent may be what the
public examiner would term broad
and cheerful spirit of recommendation and L
feel proud to say that have always conducted
nv Office on that basis, so far as complying
with the spirit and letter of the law will per-
NIT.
That the public may see whether l acted in
ANY spirit of personal or partisan favorltism,
l present herewith list marked
Exhibit AZ of those who had flied
their statements ana applications
TO nav before the legal linn
it had expired, and whose names
were not printed in the list as delinquent. A
perusal of that list is sufficient refutation of
the public examiners attack upon me upon
this point.
From June eth to September 30th there were
1886 auditors statements made out without
Interest, and the amount collected was Sl9l,-
T5739 More than one-half of these were
paid in June and all but 1874 were paid
in June and July. The judgment for tax of
1874 was not entered until September 9th, and
the sale did not take place until October ID,
1875 All but fifteen of the omitted state
uents were paid before that date.
There is another feature that is worthy OF
consideration. The county not at that
time receiving interest from banks on deposits.
and all taxes paid were placed in the banks to
lie without interest until the following Octo-
Der settlement. AT that time, also, no money
could be sdrawn for any fund prior to that
settlement. There was great business depres-
sion upon the country and "a cheerful spirit OF
accommodation" to the honorable and ordinarily
prompt tax payer was certainly within the
spirit of the law. If they had been taken by
the threat on the first of June many would
have been compelled to 60 the banks and Dor.
row the money at Il per cent, and the identi-
to the banks TO lie four months
without bringing any revenue 20 the county.
The wrong which the public examiner charges
ne with il this matter not for my person
a. emolument, but against the community of
tax payers. | submit to the public of this city
and county the question whether l was justi-
fed in accepting the tender of payment as SO
far complying with the law to relieve those
Taxpayers from the penalty OF interest, (which
ia all that could have accrued 4 and if
they censure me for this broad
and cheerful spirit of accommodation
1 low to the verdict, though with a clear con-
science on my own part.
by the board of abatement by the following
resolution, adopted August II, 1876:
WHEREAS, It's the opinion of the tax committee
that the interests of the various funds will be pro-
NOTED by renting the interest and penalties on the
tax of 1875 for prof. pit payment; therefore be it
Res0lUed, That the county auditor be authorized
10 receive the original amount of tax with the cost
OF printing, up to the day OF sale.
This sale was not had until December 18th,
1916. The public examiner this resolution.
but as it did not suit his purpose, he gives no
credit for this, but makes his censure as though
II hefeA sA.o"' 49, 'piA'1 "uAen
[ may be pardoned in saying to
be unworthy of public examiner or any other
honorable man, he seeks to raise class cry by
stating that extended favors to the rich and
oppressed the poor, from the fact that 276 per-
sons, meaning poor persons, We're compelled to
pay interest in 1875 on their taxes of 1874.
None of that number made application to pay
in June or July. If they had done so, they
would have received the same treatment
which was accorded to all. The list of names
heretofore referred to for the year 1875 tax of
1870 shows whether or not have been partial
to the rich and oppressive to the poo- in the
administration of my office.
OF those who paid IN 1875 without interest.
400 paid less than $50, on valuation of about
1900, and over 500 paid less than $50 in taxes.
These were in hundreds of cases, men who had
by industry and frugality secured
little homes for their families,
and I Mead nuilt1 to ha wing an esneciallv deem