The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-09-24
THE STATES TAXABLE pRoPERr


THE STATES TAXABLE PROPERTY.
The completion OF the work Of the State
Board OF Equalization presents results that
must be gratifying to every taxpayer in
Washington. Not only is the total amount
OF taxable property considerably in excess
Of estimates, but it is found that the pru-
dent course of the Legislature in providing
slight increase of the rate will afford
return beyond the expenses for the year
notwithstanding the exceptional outlay in-
VOWED in the construction of new build
ings. and of the protracted session of the
FIRST Slate Legislature.
The total amount of taxable property is
$20l, 44S. 1876, not including that of Clailam
county and of Wahkiakum county. neither
OF whose returns had been received by the
state board up to the time of closing the
books. At the rate of 3 mills this will
yield revenue OF 100000. 1t cannot be
determined yet what the expenses will be
for the year. but upon rough guess they
will be from $4,000 to 100000 in excess of
expenditures.
II at the end OF the year this is found to
be the case IL viii probably be the pleasant
duty OF Republican majority in the Legis-
lature to remit portion of the tax-rate.
Even on the present valuation q rate of
IN mills would be sufficient. But the
rapid growth Of property values all over
the state VIII each year afford an increas-
ing total of available assets on the states
books. and the experience of the state
board is that If a standard were adopted
and equitably applied all over the state the
percentage might be very fairly raised.
Human nature crops out very decidedly
in the returns made by county assessors.
Those counties which cannot hope BY any
imitation OF values to rival the principal
counties, find compensation in placing
their proportion OF taxes at as low figure
as would be accepted by the state board.
On the other hand, the more progressive
counties are eager to present the most
favorable showing consistent with self-in-
terest With so low tax rate the burden
is not vexatious. but each year finds the
state settling down to stricter business
methods, and every section will be bene-
fitted by such change in the system of
appraisement as will most accurately rep
resent actual property values.
The official totals count fail to be received
with qualification by King county, as it adds
one more proof of her pre-eminence. but
that is a local pride which does not prevent
rejoicing at the marked advance ali over
the state.
The aggregate amount of taxable prop
erty. as finally equalized by the board,
gives the following result in some OF the
principal counties: King, s40,4l5. 9S5;
| Pierce. so7,9l2,945; Spokane, 500, 79a. $50;
Wha'com. $l40lo $50; Whitman. $40. 2l3,-
$50; Walla Walla, sIo.0i5.721; Chshalis.
Sc 2oo.5l9; Skagit. s5.93G. $40; Thurston.
s5,7ss3 93l: Kittitas. s5.673.326; Lincoln,
| $5.l3s.597.
| 1t is notable that there is so slight diff.
| ference between Whitman ana WaIla
| Walla although the former has 1000 more
| population. or 1901 to Walla Walla's
12,105. Thurston outranks Skagit in popu.
lation by 9.64o to S.694, but is behind her
in wealth. In Eastern Washington Lin.
coin leads Kiititas in the number of her
| people by 9.274 to 1854. but is behind her
in property valuation by s534,7a9 A very
notable discrepancy between these two
factors in economical progress is found by
| comparing Franklin and Skamania coun.
ties. Franklin's population is 693: prop
erty valuation. s9si, 1863; that of Skamania
TIA; property valuation, si99,s70. In one
| year Franklin has increased S34l, All; Ska.
mania only SAL sis.
Every comparison in the main, however.
indicates general development of re-
| sources; and some of those counties
which now seem TO lag need only the siim-
illus afforded by increased railroad facili.
ties and the enlargement of shipping traffic
! afforded by the growth of seaboard cities
to advance with the state at large. and
yield greater percentage of wealth per
/ capita.