Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1892-01-12

to YOU that at an expense OF four
or five thousand dollars state board
has been iu session and has tried
to perform its duties; they have tried
to approach as nearly as possible
to a Just aud equal taxation Of the
property throughout this state. IL
may not be perfect; the rolls were not
perfect; the equalizatiOns Of the
different counties were not perfect;
but, as far as was possible, after a
thorough consideration of all these
questions, the state hoard Of equali-
zatiOn of the state of Oregon has
undertaken to make what they deem
aud what they believe to be a fair
and just equalization so far as 1t
WAS possible to make it under the
rolls they had. Now then set aside
this work, disregard it, aud con-
fusion and chaos touching the mat
ter OF taxation will prevail. The
people are not satisfied. You are
not a judicial body. Your decision
will not be taken as a judicial deci-
sion on this matter and the people
will be dissatisfied; taxation Will be
in chaos and confusion as it has been
heretofore. These matters have
been brought generally to the minds
of the people throughout the upper
end OF the state. They are aroused.
They believe the equalization this
board has made is great improve
nent upon that which is returned
by the different assessors through
out the county and it is approach
ing towards something that will be
more perfect and better in the future.
This state board of equalization,
while it has performed its labors
under this statute, has considered its
duties and feels under obligations TO
the people to report to them touch
ing this matter, and we haye held
back that report until after this
matter might be determined by
this board. We want to be able
to report suggestions in the way of
bills, acts or otherwise, that will
finally lead up to better system, a
more uniform and equal system Of
taxation, than we now have. ! ask
you, gentlemen of the board, to con-
slider this matter carefully because
you have an important duty to per-
form. You will find that the people
are looking toward this board eX-
pecting an adjustment of this matter
and determination that will be in
keeping with the intent of the leg
islature-with the Invention of the
legislature here, because addressing
Mr.. McBride) as secretary of state,
and you addressing. Gov. Pennoyer)
ls chief executive of this state,
have been presented to the leg
islature of this state at different
times; and there have been pre-
5ented to you and to the legisla-
lure bills and reports asking for a
state board of equalization. Why?l
IN order that the taxes of the state
might be equalized and that each |
person and that the property of
every person and corporation in the
'tate might pay its proper proper
ion of the tax. You must take this
ntO consideration. You have those
eports in your possession, gentle
men; they are matters of record,
created by the legislative
ssembly of this state, by the legis-
ature in joint convention which
Ippointed committees that reported,
md these reports are matters of
'ublic record, and you know what
hey are. This act, gentlemen, may
g a compromise, it may be "A step in
he right direction. 1t may not be
S complete and full as it should be,
ut there are powers, and the inten.
on of the legislature is so fully
isclosed that you cannot escape
lat the levy for state purposes
lould be upon the assessment ar
'Trected by this state board of
lualiZatiou.
Multnomah county is the only
'unty that is objecting to the action
the state beard of equalization.
hat county has been represented
the corporation attorneys o
orIland. The capitalists and cor
Of the state have beel
aiding taxation all these years, and e
e now appealing to this board to c
t aside not only the action of the !,
ualization board, but the will of =
G people as expressed by the legis- Z
lure. They may succeed, but per
1t me to say, here and now, thai A
stice will be meted out to them. -
'he mills of the gods grind slow
t they grind exceeding fine"
ustlce treads with "A leaden heel ,
I strikes with an iron hand" Of
Ia