The record-union., 1891-08-27


advisement, the next county cited to ap-
pear and show cause why its assessment
should not be raised-Santa Clara-was
called.
Santa Clara was represented by its AS
SCISSOR, Mr.. Splitter, and Supervisors S. F.
Aver and j. Graninger. All three were
sworn, and they proceeded at once with
the task of convincing the State Board
that the roll as made up by the Assessor
was as near correct and just as it could be
made.
GOING BACKWARD.
Assessor Splitter acted as principal
spokesman for the delegation, but was re-
lfeved at times by the Supervisors. He
read quantity of statistics which he
claimed showed conclusively that Santa
Clara was not behind her sister counties
In producing revenue. True, there was a
decrease this year, as compared with the
two previous years, but this was quite
natural. Santa Clara had suffered
somewhat from the boom which affected
that entire portion of the State south of
San Francisco, and it was only now get
ting down to what it was actually worth.
When speculative values prevailed the
assessment naturally went up above
high-water mark. The county was, he
said, as matter of fact, going backward,
lKOul lu6 DOSlIlOu III occupied IWO Years
ago. Land did not sell so readily now,
and when it did sell, it was generally at
rate considerably below what was form
erly asked for it.
Mr.. Splitter consumed the entire fore
noon session arguing against the pro-
posed raise. He did not think the board
would be justified in interfering, and he
was confident that great howl would go
up in his county should raise be ordered.
Even now, he said, taxpayers were COM
planning that they were paying a higher
rate than other counties. He only gave
this as an illustration-not as an argu-
ment. He was satisfied himself that the
assessment as it now stood was not too
high, but just right.
CARELESS LANDOWNERS.
Assessor Splitter resumed his argument
at the afternoon session. He said that
there were great many nonresident
landowners, and they never sent in their
statements. He was therefore compelled
To copy the former years assessment.
In answer to questions by Mr.. Heb
bron Mr.. Splitter said he did not assess
1rut trees in nurseries or non bearing
ones. He understood that these young
trees were classed as growing crops, and
were therefore not assessable.
What is the highest valuation you
have put on any outside land in Santa
Clara County?' asked Mr. Hebron.
'WeIl, the highest is about 81 200 an
acre. There may be some pieces assessed
at Sl,500-"
''And the lowest?"
THE lowest is about 81 80 an acre"
Mr.. Splitter declared that the value of
property in Santa Clara had not ad-
Tanced in the past few years. In fact.
most Of it could be bought for less money
now than formerly.
WelI, how do you account for it that
Santa Clara is going backward, while all
the other counties around you are going
ahead?' asked Mr.. Morehouse.
Mr.. Splitter did not care TO admit that
Santa Clara was going backward, but he
maintained that the values were not going
ahead.
A FEW EXAMPLES.
Mr.. Beamer asked the Assessor if he
was familiar with the kirkner tract in
Santa Clara County.
Mr.. Splitter said he was. Mr.. Kirk
ner's good land was assessed for $50 par
acre. He had some of the same kind of
land in Alameda County for which he
was assessed $72 80. His hill land in
Santa Clara was assessed for S25, and his
hill land in Alameda was assessed for
Sl2.
A reference to figures developed the
fact that some of Kirkner's hill land in
Alameda was assessed for so an acre,
Mr.. MOrehOuse remarked that he did not
think Mr.. Splitter was acting fairly with
the board, in emitting to mention this
fact.
Mr.. Beamer next asked the Assessor if
he was familiar with the land of j. Clark
IN San Mateo County, which was Just
across the county line, and joined the
Green IL Seal tract in Santa Clara County
Green d Seal was assessed at from $50 to
SlO0 an acre, while Clark was assessed for
$ll5 an acre.
Mr.. Splitter said he knew of the land
and knew that Clark's land was of a very
superior character. 1t was fine sediment
Chn e..
even more than Sis.
BY COMPARISON.
Mr.. Beamer next wanted to know why
Tim Hopkins was assessed in San MateO
for 500 an acre, while a tract of appar-
emily the same kind of land near it in
Santa Clara was only assessed for SI75.
Mr.. Splitter maintained that the Hop
kins land was far better than the other
land and should be assessed for more.
Mr.. Splitter argued right along that all of
these comparisons in reality showed that
IN Santa Clara the assessment was higher
than that of San Mateo.
MIR. Beamer wanted to know how thor
Oughbred stations were assessed in Santa
Clara County.
The Assessor said he had not assessed
them very high. There were not many
in the county. Governor Stanford's
horses carried everything before them.
Whenever anybody wanted high-priced
animals they went TO the Governor.
Other breeders stood no show at all
There were only nine stations on the
Stanford ranch, and the lot were assessed
at $4,000.
Did you assess the trotter Sunol ?'
asked Mr.. Morehouse.
Mr.. Splitter said he did not He did
not know that the famous mare was on
the ranch until after the roll was finished
and had gone through the hands of the
County Board of Equalization. Mr. Spit
ger then related an anecdote. He went to
MIR. Marston's stable once, and Mr.. Mar
ston was showing off some new imported
stock be had just purchased. He had an
English stallion that he said cost him
$4,000, and some valuable mares. When
he lthe ASSESSOR stepped up and offered
to assess the lot at s., 800 the horseman
kicked like steer. The horseman sub
sequently went before the County Board
OF Equalization and got the assessment
reduced.
well, do you offer that story as an
excuse for not assessing Sunol?" asked
Mr.. Morehouse.
Mr.. Splitter repudiated this, and ex-
planned that Sunol was wholly over
looked.
NOT MULE COUNTY.
At this juncture Mr.. Beamer, in going
over Santa Clara's roll, discovered that
mules had only been assessed at $50.
"How about this ?r he asked.
"Well," said Mr.. Splitter, I'VE are not
mule county. There are very few mules
there"
"Humph! I should think that that
rarity would be cause for your raising
the value of them," remarked Mr.. |
Beamer