The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-01
JOBS AND JoBBERY.
a Pine Opportunity Afforded shystcr
Tax Atforncys-Litigatto Made Easy.

The following Is taken from the Nashville
Herald Of Saturday afternoon;
Tho public eye is closely scrutinizing that
feature Of the revenue bill as reported by
Joint conference Of Senate and House Com
mittces relating 10 the appointment and
powers Of Tax Attorneys.
These have heretofore been known 10 the
law, but their privileges were much more
restricted than In the bill as offered several
days ago aud II Is TO the added powers that
investigation Is directed and much comment
being ndulged.
A few words by way Of explanation will
make clear a situation which has already
been the subject Of warm contest aud
promises a struggle In both branches Of the
Legislature Of an important character. I'm.
der tho act Of 1857 Il Is made the duty Of
Attorney. Generals 10 bring suit ngnint any
persons, company, firm or corporation"
whose property has not been assessed, or has
been inndcquatcly assessed. II is significant
that he acts not only upon information fur
nishcd by officers Of the State or County
touching such failure 10 assess or improper
assessment, but he may or must open lUim.
ton upon information furnished by 'any
person"
Again, the Attornoy.Gcncsll received 20
per cent Of the amount Of taxes recovered,
In the one case that per cent Of the whole
value Of tie specific tax levy enforced, and
| IN the other onc.iifh of the amount Of addi.
tional tax allowed over the inadequate a.
sessmcnt which hc manages TO have In.
| creased.
The act, II Il seen, gave tho Attorney. Gen.
| ernl surveillance over the entire body OF
| State taxes 10 Tar ~ their non.nsscssmcnt or
| improper assessment was concerned, his
scrutiny covering all classes of citizens from
private individuals 10 corpOmtionA More.
| over, his rewards for either enforcing or en-.
larging an assessment we're made very lnrgc,
and. 10 still further incito him 20 litigation,
he was allowed TO proceed upon tho barcst
basis Of information, the law relieving him
Of the responsibility of acting solely upon
the advice OF its officials aud enabling him
10 rely for the facts upon which he was "a
set the machinery Of the law In motion
upon the representations Of private Indiyid.
uals.
Tho power thus entrusted 10 Attorney.
gcnernls N easily seen WIS great. While
It's lust exercise would bring into the State
Golfers its neglected or inadequate dues, yet
the opportunities 10 Involve every class Ol
citizens In litigation where the rights Of the
State were doubtful or very intangible, were
not only untrammelod bus invited under th,
impulse Of the heavy commissions offered
and the slight basis Of Information demanded
for beginning suit The presumption wa
that the Attorney General. being an Officer
II tile State would be slow 10 disturb assoss
mcnts made In due form of law, and III,
power 10 attack assessments was thus con
strnctivcly regulated for the prevention o
J extensive aud harmful Intrusion upon ih'
results OF assessments upon the body Of citi
zcns by the agents having that matter IL
charge. IN other words, the state, desiring
to secure all the rcycnue due IL, called upoi
n class Of its most responsible officers 10 nc
. as agents for the discovery of hidden prop
, crty and ~ proper assessment but at th'
same time presumed that las conception o