The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1893-08-21
THEIR SALARIES PUNCHED.
How the Assessor is Gathering Poll
Tax From City Employees.
They Will Be Three Dollars Short
This Month-Garnishme Served
The Fire Laddies, Too.

There was weeping and wailing and
crashing of teeth at the City Hall Sat-
urday.
Il never paid it in my life, and Pm
dinged if Pm going to pay it now !"
echoed from the Water Works. tits a
rob-" rumbled a voice in the police sta
ton. wait till we get hold of Dick
Irvine" came from another quarter.
The poll tax collector always creates a
rumpus, and it's a wonder he has not
been tarred and feathered long ago.
They can kick all they please, but they
will have to pay it just the same" said
Assessor Irvine to a reporter who asked
him why he started the riot. TITS the
law, that's all I can say. It's not
city nor county matter. It's
a State tax, and the money all
goes to the support of the school sys-
tenn. We have this same huIlabaloo every
year, and expect to be 'cussed' this year
as usual. But that won't exempt any
man from paying, unless he happens to
be an idiot, non-taXable Indian, or any
incompetent exempted under the law
or, If he is under age or over 80. We
have dead cinch on the employees Of
the city"
Irvine evidently has a ''cinch." as he
says. ON Saturday he sent Deputy George
irvine to City Auditor Young's Office and
had the salaries of every employee at the
City Hall, and every policeman, who had
not paid his poll-tax, garnisheed. so
when they draw their salaries they will
md them IS short. OF course they are
all kicking" and many of them declare
that they will not pay the tax, but the
chances are that they will not be able to
help themselves.
Even Judge Buckley and Police Court
Clerk McCracken were caught mapping
by the poll-taX tiend, but they were 100
dlgnitied to express their feelings. Patrol
Wagonman Goods wanted to compro-
mise with the deputy on 81 basis, but
it wouldn't work. Jailer McManus,
officer Alter and the others who had paid
up long ago gutfawed and poked fun at
the others-thoSe who thought they could
dodge the Collector. DR.. Curtis, the
genial Janltor, escaped by confessing that
he was too old to be taxed. He said
afterward that he would have paid the
money rather than give his age away,
but - was whole lot money nowadays.
The time for getting Oft with a 81 tax
expired on the LIST of July, and then UNI
der the law 1t went up to s.. This will
not be delinquent until January LIST, but
Is collectable now, and Assessor Irvine is
gathering 1t i'll rapidly. After the first OF
the year the Sheriff will go after the de-
linquents.
Mr.. Irvine is going after the fire Iaddies
next and will garnishee next months
salaries of all who have not needed his
warning to pay up. OF course there will
be a row from this quarter, too.
All sorts ottricks and excuses are re-
sorted to in order to escape the tax. For
instance, young man who works at the
State printing office, and whose wages
had hapn TDFDiahnpd lal
sor and declared that he was not u vet.
and therefore exempt. "All right" said
Irvine, hold up your hand and Pill
swear you"
The young man hesitated, then grinned
and then dove into his pocket for the
three shekels. 81 don't mind telling a
lle," he said," but won't swear to it,"