St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-02-26
Changes Made.

pllSSO VI tiO SdiuC pCioUHS'
Changes Made.
Arbitrary. Final.
Moves Bros q Cutter " -. 500, 100 500, 900
Farwell Ozmun u Kirk. ...... 4l0oO 10000
Donaldson, Ogden d Co... 50,0U 20,0W
John Martin Lumber Co... 40,OO0 ~, 44S
Finch Van Slycke, Young d
Yerxa Bros ~ 10000 1850
Powers Dry Goods company. 100000 10000
Browning, King d Co... $4,000 10000
Joseph Mickey q Co......... $4,000 $1,000
Estate of E. f. Drake ........ $4,000 24,900
Estate of William Lindeke.. $4,000 5000
A number of the above firms were
present in person, and L. ID. OBrien
appeared as their attorney, nearly all
of them being members of the JobberS'
union. The first matter considered out
side the usual routine was the increased
valuation of NOyes Bros. & Cutler. An
affidavit was read from d. r. Noyes
which stated that 500, 900 was fair, Just
and proper valuation of the personal
property owned by the firm. The raise
from that amount to 100000 was, so the
affidavit read, unfair, excessive and
hardship to the firm. MIR. Van Slyck.
after the paper had been read, made
short and quiet talk to the other men,
bers of the board. He called attention
to the fact that in none of the large
cities were the wholesale and jobbing
firms assessed up to the full valuation
of their stock. The board of equaliza
ton had, during its sessions last sum-
mer, passed Oh the valuation OF this
and other firms, which had
been raised by the auditor. The county
auditor said the records of the board of
equalization did not show any such ac-
ton. He also called the attention Of the
board to the rule which had been
adopted to the effect that persons max
ing application for abatement who had
not made return to the assessor should
make such return. swear to it and file
the same with notice of appeal when
made. He was Of the opinion that as
this had been required from all persons
desiring valuations abated thus far no
exceptions to the rule should be made,
and every one put Oh the same footing.
Mayor Wright, Mr.. Van Slycl and MIR.
Hickman thought this case was differ
ent-the matter had been considered by
the board of equalization. The firm had
furnished an affidavit as to the value of
the stock which had just been
read. The auditor said he would
make no objections if the
firm would file sworn statement that
the stock was of the value of 10000, as
was required by law. He inquired of
T. d. O'Brien if his clients would con-
sent to make such sworn statements.
Mr.. O'Brien replied that they declined
to anything of the kind under such UNI
fair proceedings. A vote was then
taken on the motion to abate the valua-
ton from $500, 900 to 100000, and all but
the auditor voted aye. The same vote
was recorded on the other eight firms
who made applications of the same
nature and the assessed valuation fixed
as given above.
The Drake Estate.
W. 81. Lightner, as one of the eX-
ecutors and attorney for the estate of Z.
E. Drake, explained to the board why
the valuation of the estate should not be
raised from $4,000 to $685. 900. The
auditor said there had been no return
made as to the estate, and the arbitrary
assessment was made from the papers
of the estate as filed LII the probate
court. The figures SO obtained, Mr.
Lightner said, were misleading, and as
an Injustice had been done. he was will
ing to give an account OF the personal
property owned by the estate. Two OF
the heirs, he said. had been paid
S6S, 900 from the estate, which was
at present invested in business
and on which taxes were being paid.
Other notes, mortgages and open ac-
counts were owed by the estate amount
ing in all to S1S3,000. The total amount
owed by the estate was in the neighbour
hood OF 100000. He was willing to
make an affidavit to the facts and the
board decided to allow him to file such
paper Monday. The auditor called the
attention of the board to the fact that
afidaylts, while all right in their way,
Il; "a t.y i =
of the little value of atfidavitS in such
cases he cited the affidavit presented by
the Powers dry goods firm. When the
assessment was made the valuation was
given at $40, 900, anu yet, said the audi
tor, one month later the firm appeared
in the district court and sWore, as the
records will show, that their loss by fire
was S245, 600 MIR. Van Slyke said it was
not SO much the valuation Of the stock
in such case as it was
Question of Policy
| for the city which the board should con-
| slider in making ATTACHMENTS. The
| auditor said the law was not for one
man or one set OF men, but should apply
| to all If it was policy for men In the
| wholesale business district to be allowed
| concessions, he was i'll favor of men
| whose business was not so large and who
! lived on the outskirts OF the city being
allowed concessions.
Mr.. Van Slyke thought there was no
reason why the matter should be dis
cussed further. You KNOW" said he,
how things are. and if you look over
| the valuations III minneapolis you will
see that the same policy is being carried
out there as the board has agreed 10
| here
| Mr.. Schurmeier made objection to the
| valuation Of the William Lindeke estate
| being raised from 5000 to $4,000. and
was ready 20 make detailed explana-
| ton. The board decided an affidavit
| submitted on Monday would be sutfl-
| cient. A resolution was passed direct
| ing the clerk and auditor TO certify to
| the state auditor the action taken.
| The county auditor, seen after the
| meeting, said his position i'll the matter
| was already defined i'll chapter II. sec
! ton 116 Of the statutes. which reads as
| follows:
| Every county auditor and ever dis
l trict aud township assessor who, in any