The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-09-15
EQUALIZATION MATTERS.


tion Nave about completed their labors.
tween the act creating this board and
the revenue law are such that it has
not been possible to accomplish all
the law intended; but from what has
been permitted us to know of their
proceedings and recommendations,
both in regard to the revenue law
and the act creating the board, there
is no doubt they have rendered etli-
cient service, and it will be well for
the legislative assembly, which will
convene in October next, to carefully
examine their recommendation and
suggestions.
The character of the gentlemen COM
posing the board is such as to war;
rant the presumption that their work
has been thorough and practical.
The territorial auditor, Hon. Il. NJ.
Reed, and the territorial treaurer,
Francis Tarbell, Esq, have been fa-
miliarized with the workings of pre-
sent laws, and of the necessessary flu
ture legislation. OF the elective men,
bers, Hon. Il. c. Frary, one of the
first judicial district, has been mem
ber of the Territorial legislature, is
a gentleman of culture, fine ability
and high character, besides being
well informed in revenue and tax mat
ters. Hon. G.. \. Reed, of Pacific
county and member from the second
district, has also been Il member of
the legislative council. He has had
n large varied experience in all the
details of county affairs, having been
commissioner, auditor and assessor
for periods extending over many
years. Being clear-headed and prac-
tical coupled with his iliarity
with the work in hand renders him
"the right man in the right place.
c. w. Young, Esq, of the third dis
trict, has given the duties of the
Office much thought. He is highly
educated and has had II number of
years experience in the couduct of
large business affairs, which renders
him an important factor IL the work
of the board.
Their report will be made to the
Governor in detail; which we hope to
lay before our readers in the next is
sue or at an early date.
The following is summary of such
of the recommendations, suggestions
and instructions of the board rs will
be made public at present:
TO reduce the time for making as
sessments and to compel the assessor
to appoint sufficient number of dep
uty assessors to insure its completion
within the specified time, for which
service, if properly performed, the
county commissioners shall allow
reasonable compensation, the object
being to save time, SO that. by carry
ing into effect other changes recon-
mended by the Territorial board, ses-
sions of that body may be held before
the meetings of the county boards of
equalization.
The present revenue law fails to pro-
vide such returns from the county au-
ditors as are absolutely necessary for
| the use of the Territorial board in
kmaking comparisons as to the rela-
Tive assessed valuations of the several
counties of the Territory, so the board
| has prepared blank form of summa-
rized statement, to be made and filed
with the Territorial Auditor at Il date
prior to the time recommended forthe
meeting of the Territorial board, and
such summary will furnish COM
plete statement of the aggregate
amount and assessed valuation of all
property, real and personal, with the
number. character and description
thereof separately expressed, said sum-
mary to form the basis of comparison
| by means of which the Territorial
board may determine whether any
class or kind of property, in any
county, has been assessed relatively
too high or too low.
They have made such recommends
tions as to needed changes in pres
ent laws and additional legislation as,
if carried into effect by legislative en-
actment, it is believed, will harmo-
nize all the conflicting provisions of
law relating to the assessment and
equalization of taxes in the Territory.
They have also framed such rules
for the guidance of assessors, county
boards of equalization and county au.
ditors, AS they have reason to believe
will more clearly point out to such
officers the manner IN which their du-
ties should be performed under the
law.-Oiympid Courier.