The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1890-08-07


law than any previous one.
Noble Baldwin, did, not wish the
question decided on personal preju-
dice. lie liked this law because it
was more systematic than the form
or methods 1t provided for the
assessor being q resident OF his dis
trict. The assessments in the
speak district varied very much
from one year to another, because
the assessors did not know the dis
trict. The board of equalization
was another improvement. As stated
hy the Minister they had increased
revenue while the taxes were more
evenly divided and there was less
complaint. The total expense of
collections was, moreover, less than
under the old way. lie did not say
that this was the best law that could
be had, but here was a more system
attic method than any that had pre-
cedcd it. All he and other planters
wanted was fair taxation and they
would not shirk taxes that were fair.
With an office in the district and
several wears tenure OF Office, the
assessor made study of his bust
ness, and there was no dropping out
of properties without assessment as
formerly. Let the Governor cues.
tion stand on its own basis. The
Governors had little or nothing to
do but to receive the taxes and
transmit them to the Government.
Rep. Marques thought all this
waste of time could have been
avoided if the proposition to defer
the items had been accepted. He
differed from the Minister in regard
to the uatter having no connection
with the proposed amendment to
| the law. III assessors were to be
abolished, what was the use of vot-
ing their salaries. He agreed with
!. those members who considered the
Office useless.
Rep. Nawahi was in favor Of the
postponement of the items. He
should think there was ''more sys-
tenn and "better equaization, !"
when there never was session
when so many petitions to refund
taxes had been received. In one
case blind man had been taxed
and in another a boy. This was
system, and equalizati IN! Adjoin-
ing lands on Hawaii were very I'm
equally assessed. In 1887 under
the old law there were no appeals,
in 1888 under the new law there
were lots of appeals, in 1889 there
was whole crop of appeals, more
in uiIo than for a great many years
past.
Noble Walker considered an hour
and half had been wasted this af-
ternoon on matter that would not
be pRperly before the House till
sometime hereafter. 1t had been
represented very clearly that we
were under q law that could not
possibly expire before next July,
and it was necessary to provide for
the administration ofthat law. They
had listened to rigmarole on the
personal qualities of assessors which
had nothing to do with the question.
When the bill came up they would
have to decide it on its merits.
Rep. Marques said they might
be bound for one year, but should
not be so for two years. These
items were for two years.
Noble Walker replied that tc
vote the money did not imply that
it would be paid. The Minister:
) salary was for two years, but if he
went out of Office he could moi
draw the salary,
The motion to defer the items
was lost.
Rep. Brown moved the item fol
Assessor of Oahu pass as liz thu
, bill.
, Rep. r. W. Wilcox moved it pas
at $4,000.
/ Rep. Marques asked a questo,
, of the Minister, who replied that hi
| had already answered it. The hon
, member persisted in his interroga
tions, and was informed that thu
salary was placed at the figur
given because the services were con
, sidcred worth it.
, Rep. Kauhi said he had moved t,
, make the salary $3.50 month an,
i would stick to it till it was carrie'
or lost. If lie was assessor h
: would make present of $50
! month TO the Government and- b
! well satisfied with $l20. In res
ponse to calls for the question Ii
said if they did not look out b.
, would speak till five o'clock. Whel
member of the special session o
1887 just after the PRONUNCIATION o
!, the new Constitution, he heard
], great deal about the uselessness O
the Office of Governor. That ofIle
was abolished and these new Office
substituted therefor. There was yer
little difference between the Office
except in name: their respectiy
2 duties were similar.
: Passed as in the bill.
: Rep. r. w. Wilcox moved til
1 item for Hawaii be $4,000.
: Passed at $1,000 as in tho bill.
7 Rep. Kalua moved the item fo
J Maui be $1,000.
l Passed at $4,000 as in the bill.
! The item for Kauai passed 4