Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1890-06-28
THE COUNTY ASSESSOR
SPEAKS.
Editor Desere. Nelrs.

Editor Desert Nelrs
In your issue Of June %, 1890,
you, in an editorial, make It appear
that the assessor Of this county has
gone beyond reason in the valua-
ton Of property. You say that the
valuations are excessive, that there
is no substantial reason for it, n
plain and rational Interpretation of
the revenue law does not justify it.
the effect will Ice bad, etc.
As to the effect Of the uperati0n Of
the law l am not responsible f5T,
but for the valuation Of the property
am, and know that the property is
not valued beyond its market value.
The property Throughout the Terri
| tory has been, believe, put up rs a
rule from 100 TO 800 per cent. The
assessors would unanimously have
voted against this measure, nut be-
ing controlled by the laws OF the
land, were compelled 10 submit and
perform the duties imposed uuOn
them by the following provision Of
law:
sec. :. That a new section, num-
bered 2J26, l. hereby enacted as
follows: .J26c. The assessor and
his sureties shall be Liable on his
official bonds fer all taxes on
property within or known 10 the As
SCISSOR 10 he as-essable within the
county, which through his wilfll
failure or neglect is unassesSed, or
which has 10y him been assessed at
less than the cash value"
1t is and has been known that the
property OF this county has not been
valued 10y the assessor ut more than
% per cent. Of its value before this
year. Although our law provided
that the property should be valu, q
ut n fair cash value, the assessors
thought they had some discretion in
the matter, and so used il and pub
llcly published that at n meeting OF
the assessors Of the Territory it was
agreed to'value all property ut 80
per cent. Of its value.
But the legislature thought best 10
reduce the rate Of tax and increase
The valuations 70 a cash value. aud
provided that il the assessor did not
assess property at a cash value. the
county attorneys should commence
a suit against the assessor and his
bondsmen for the recovery Of the
revenue lost through his 1.-THE asses
snr'sl neglect TO assess at a full cash /,
value.
Now. Mr.. Editor, challenge
you or any one else to point out 1
single instance where property is I
assessed at more than its market |
value, saving errors, or for more
than II could have been sold for ON
January l, lS9)-as the law says all
property shall be assessed rs valued !
on the frs day Of January. You
say "A plain and rational Interpret
alton Of the revenue law does not
Justify the placing OF the PROPERTY
al a cash valuation" lift does not
mean this why does it provide a
penalty, if the measure Is
not carried out. L DO not
wish to he held responsible for the
Dl1nders Of other people and in
order that | might escape being an
Instrument in the hands Of the law
o rob the people, l rendered my
designation To the county court,
citing forth nay reasons and the ,
lardships that would necessarily
ollow through the operation Of the ,
aw, but as some one had TO do the
YORK the court informed me that
hey would hold me on my bonds
Or the return Of the assessment .
oils, and in performing this work
have only done my duty aud :
laced myself and my bOndsmen
eyond the reach Of the law.
JESSE w. Fox. JR..
County Assessor. ,
SALT LAKE CITY. June 2Sth,
$50.