The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1892-02-11
SOME MORE GOOD POINTS.
Golden Words of Wisdom.
Com axlliSSiOncrS Will Read
Carefully and Ponder
Thereon.

The theory of some of our COM
missioners that county expenditures
should be limited to the annual re-
ceipts, as derived from our crude
methods of acquiring funds, has y
catchy sound, but unworthy of any
one intelligent enough to realize the
necessities of a county with great un
developed resources, including thou
sands of acres of raw land awaiting
reclamation. When applied to such
conditions it becomes Il hollow mock
cry to energetic citizens and pitfall
to shallow thinkers.
This theory can be and is practiced
in the eastern states, where counties
are thickly settled, where resources
are nearly or wholly developed, where
highways are worked to high stand
ard and all the appurtenances of
prosperous county are in keeping
herewith. But those counties were
all obliged, in their earlier stages, to
anticipate the future and wisely drew
on it for aid in prosecuting develop
ments in which were laid the founda-
lions of their present prosperity and
wealth. Their ultimate growth in
wealth and numbers justified these
measures as acts of the highest wis
dom. Keeping in mind these stages of
development in prosperous sections
our commissioners could, with profit,
turn their attention to our present
methods of assessment and property
valuation.
The county records bear witness 10
the fact that for some years back
there has been too wide a difference
between the total tax levied and the
total amount collected, notwithstand-
ing that it is the commissioners duty
to see to it that the county suffers no
loss, no matter whose may be the
fault. 1t is asserted by intelligent
observers that the loss in revenue
from this and other causes during
the past five years will approximate
$40, coo, as much as would be re-
quired to place our roads in respecta-
ble condition and to build others that
are badly needed. Then, too, our
PROPERTY VALUATION is entirely too
low and and our TAX LEVY relatively
too high. In all counties situated as
ours, needing settlers to reclaim their
great areas of raw lands and capital
lists to open their mines and other re-
sources, 1t should be fixed principle
with commissioners to see that all
property tax is levied against assess
ments approximating actual cash val
ues. Our revised statutes require it
our highest interests demand it, This
course, with proper application, neeo
work injustice to no one, because the
same amount Of revenue can be de
rived, with as little hardship to th'
taxpayer, from a Low LEVY on ;
high valuation as from a HIGH LEVI
/ on low valuation. Let us see:
, Assuming our present total valua
r ton to be 81, $50, 600, and our lev,
{ at 2. 80 per cent. we derive a revenu
) of s31, ,250. Increase this valuation
by 40 per cent and we have tota
2 Of 81, $50, GOO, on a levy Of 1.S0 pc
E cent. yielding s31, 800. The latte
, is by far the most desirable showing
and | am convinced that proper ad
: justment of our affairs would max
it SO. Among the advantages tina
5 would certainly accrue from it are:
1st. The capitalist seeking invest
D ments and the settler seeking a hom
would come to US, because both ar
S attracted by a low rate of taxation
t other things being equal.
1 End. IL would enable us, should W
d so desire, to increase our bonded in
e debtedness under the statutory limi
i tation to so, 600, while at present
- cannot exceed $50, 900.
3rd. The investigator would find
it ample evidence of prosperity an
Q substantial wealth to sustain on
k credit. From this would follow in
S creased financial standing abroad an
e better market for our bonds, at
e rate Of interest somewhat lower an
e on better terms than our preser
st showing will justify.
The many specific advantages to /