The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1889-10-15
STATE AND COUNTY TAXATION.


So far, the general expression seems
to be as to the present assessment roll,
''let it stand" the idea being that any
equalization other than a horizontal
reduction might be unequal in its re-
suits.
To illustrate how the assessments
are kept down in the several counties
in the hope of evading just proper
ton of state tax, may be cited Clack-
amas county, returning, in 1888, an
assessment roll of $2,340,214, when
thatcounty is worth $40, ,OO0, 900; Wash
ington county, with S2,665,60O, when
its value is nearer S1sOOO,OOO; Multi
nomah, $23, So, ,4S5, when one street in
the city of Portland would sell for
more.
The aggregate for the entire COM
monwealth was, in '8S, but $85,OOO,-
600. On an honest basis, the assess
ment would be S3O0,000,O00.
This, we believe, shows the necessity
for state board of equalization.
At present three and tenth
mill tax raises S317, 7,805.6S. On a
just assessment one mill tax would
have been enough.
Here is the point THE Historian de-
sires to make.
While it is true that Clatsop county,
on a S6,000,OOO valuation, will, under
the usual iniquitous swindle, have to
pay largely more than she ought, is il
not probable, or virtuously possible,
that our example in making an honest
assessment will have the effect of
eliciting similar action from other
counties.
Before smiling at this apparent YER
dancy, note the motive.
There is a big advertisement in this
Rich people, poor people, desirable
immigrants, home seekers, go where
they are invited, where wealth in.
vested insures reasonable expectation
of success.
With a $6,000,0O0 assessment roll
Clatsop county can point intending
emigrants to very low tax levy; halt
what it was last year.
"What are your tax rates?" is the
question most often asked, and the
answer has scared millions of would
be invested dollars away from this
county.
A low tax levy is magnet to cap
ital. A high assessment means low
tax levy.
In the rivalry of different section
and counties of the state this will ap
pear to Clatsop's advantage, and oul
erring sisters, blushing at their tur
pidity will be shamed into honesty
and quickened into imitation-no
through any moral awakening, buf
because they will realize the neces
sity of showing their wealth and stand
ing or of being distanced.
For this reason we advocate tn
temporary extravaganza OF paying
more than our customary share t.
the state, for it is but seed that vii
bring satisfactory harvest.
In one sense it is a pity that it wa
not on the city assessment roll the
advance step was taken, for then M
part of it would have to be sent T.
Salem, but even though it is on tn
county roll the advance is made, tn
money sent there is not lost. 1t is
good investment.
But in the event of any cinch, an
evidence on the part of other count
assessors to let Clatsop county be con
spicuous in its exhibition of honesty
the county court can have string b
the roll, and not let an official tran
script be sent to the state capital, o
officially confirm any assessment Gal
same Yamhill last year, till return
are heard from other counties.
There is no hurry: true, the roll il
supposed to be made up and in b.
September 1st, but last year othe
counties were dilatory: Clatsop cal
go little slow this year, and still no
be last.
The secretary of state sets ClatsoI
county's required quota this year a
$9.263.29: so that whatever our basi
this year, it is not till next year tina
it will begin to count in the amour
charged TO and expected from thi.
county on the state tax account.
PRICES on tin have advanced il
London and New York. It has beer