Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1881-10-02

An Important Question BEFORE tho
Board OF Equalization.


Tomorrow closes the duties of the
Board Of Equalization for the season.
The most important question claiming the
attention Of the Board has been deferred
until tomorrow. We allude to the valua-
ton. OF the railroad property within the
borders Of Eureka County. The subject
was brought up yesterday, but after a
heated discussion between Commissioner
Campbell on one side and Assessor Wal
lace and some heavy taxpayers on the
other, the matter was finally laid over
until tomorrow.
The Central Pacific has been assessed at
IS, 1000 per mile in this county. A written
application has been fled with the Board
for a reduction to So, 200. The E. q P.
was assessed at S., 500 and asked a reduc-
ton to $4,000 per mile. The Central Pa
ciic paid last year on So, 900 and the e.
& P. on So, 800.
We have not talked with the Board and
do not know what their action may be to-
morrow. 1t was rumored on the street
last evening. however, that the majority
OF the Board seemed inclined to q reduc-
ton on both roads rather than incur the
risk Of involving the county in litigation.
Such has always been the position Of Com
missioner Campbell. He cannot therefore
be accused of inconsistency. Under the
circumstances. the taxpayers are naturally
turning to Commissioners Smith and
Mikel to keep up the valuation. The atti-
tude OF Commissioner Smith is we'll I'M
derstood to be for the figures returned by
the Assessor. The position Of Commits
ainnar MiGal ia not on -n1l nn1arafooJ tt
we are correctly informed he has not thus
far committed himself to either view of
the question.
These railroad assessments are creating
much discussion and agitation among the
smaller taxpayers of the community. A
vast majority of the people concerned be-
lieve and assert with emphasis that the rail-
roads are worth as much now as they we're
last year. Any lower valuation bids fair
to create such q storm Of indignation as
no man will care to Withstand. The NUT
terings are deep and loud. In friendship
to the Board, we say to them frankly that
they cannot afford to ignore the deter
mined will OF 80 great q preponderance Of
the community in this vitality important
matter. Right or wrong, their motives
will be severely impugned II they do.
There will be brought to bear tomorrow
a strong pressure to keep up the ASSESS
ment. Assessor Wallace was out last night
with a petition having in view the main
t~enance of his figures. The. petition was
largely signed. There is no particular
clamor for an increase Of valuation, but
there is a settled and demonstrative con-
yiction that it should not be reduced be-
low the rate OF the two former years. The
SENTrNEL's advice to the Board is to stick
to the Assessors figures. They cannot err
in so doing. II their action p~recipitates a
lawsuit, that will be the fault of the peo-
pie, not theirs.
There has been a general movement all
along the line to assess the Central Pacific
at SIG, 900 per mile. The Central Pacific
cares nothing about the difference ON our
81 miles, save as precedent for the guidance
of counties Of greater mileage. Several Of
the counties have equalized the road as
high as $4,000. They will be getting off
cheap enough if we let them down at SO, 900.
In conclusion we say once again that the
Board should proceed in this case with
caution and elaboration, and at the same
time with due regard for the express desire
OF those they represent.