The St. Johns herald., 1891-02-19
SECRETARY MURPHY in his recent report very truly says:

ing property at low valuation, and
 consequently necessitating a high
 rate, is exceedingly harmful and
 unwise. People seeking homes and
 places for the investment of capi-
 tai when told the rate of taxation
 are frightened, and naturally so
 when an explanation Is not afford
 ed them, Nearly all the property
 in the Territory would bear a val
 uation double and in many cases
 treble the figure now stated. It is
 conceded by all who are acquainted
 with the facts that if all the prop
 erty of Arizona were assessed, and
 at its full value. the rate of taxation
 would be as low here as in many of
 the most prosperous parts of the
 east. It Is extremely desirable that
 the facts become known and under stood, so that the people in differ ent parts of the country and the legislative branch of the govern ment may not be misled."
 THE HERALD has more than once advanced about the same argument as the above. As the valuation of taxable property increases the rate of taxation decreases. If every one in Apache would give in all his pro- perty at what he would be willing to sell for in cash, we believe that the assessment roll would be dou- bled in amount. Does any one think that he would have to pay $2.50 on the $100 if that were the case? When the Atlantic and Pa cific Railroad Company pay their taxes before they go delinquent, the present rate of taxation will defray the expenses of the county govern ment, and all evidences of indebt- edness would be paid on presenta- tiOn; county warrants would be worth 100 cents on the dollar, and the county could be run cheaper, for the reason that all contracts would be made on a cash basis. Double the amount of assessable property and 1t would cost no more to run the government, consequently the rate of taxation would be cut one halt, and tax payers would be called on to pay no more than at present.
 People take a wrong view of the matter of giving in their assess ments. A majority of them. to hear them talk on the subject, appear to think that the cattlemen are the only ones who fail to give fair statement and a fair valuation of their property. This is a mistake as any one can see by looking over the delinquent list. You will see wagons put at $20, harness at S10, saddles at from $5 to S10. Try to buy any of these articles and you will be asked all the way from $4O for saddle or sett of harness, to from $50 to S1G0 for a wagon. It is tine same with horses, work horses particularly. They arc given in at an average of $30. Try to buy a 1 team and they are worth from $50 l to $200.
 Sheep are assessed at 81 to $50 . according to grade. Take the aver age sheep and they will shear four pounds of wool at a shearing, and 1 they are sheared twice a year. This | class of will sell for 124 cents per pound, SD that a sheep pays for it. self every year, 10 say nothing of the increase. Does any one think . that a fair valuation? There are plenty of sheep in the county that will shear 16 pounds of wool per year, which is worth from Il to 16 cents per pound, and they are only assessed at $1.50. Such sheep will | bring their owner from $2,25 to $2 50 per year for wool alone, and the increase at one year old is worth $2.50 more. Can any one show such an income from the same amount invested in cattle. Yet there is great hue and cry about the cattle men shirking their pro- portion of the burden of govern