The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-01-18

stating that TO he it, true value. This re-
duction was granted. In 1902 Mr.. Locksy
made Is return Of his property which 10 on
flo, and signed by himself, In which the
valas ~ again fixed ~ 81 ,BO0. Hs aams be-
foe the equslixing board and msds an mp
pltcntton for general \ specific reductions
on all hts real estate. ranging from 20 to 80
per cent. mud IN this particular piece ~
property which no itomizs ID. he asked 4 70.
duction Of $1,000, or fixing . value OF $500.
! he facts ~ they .nvponred to the board
Of sl,soc shs yen, before, IN II. '1 rsss
cstnte apprRisement board had fxsd
that value In March. equalixsd IL
with surrounding property. and Mr..
Locksy had a a ietufn to the Assessor
over his v signature ~ 81, 800 as appears
by the records. II 10 useless TO say the lat
ter request for reduction was denisd and
that denini seems to constitute the basis Of
the lato card. Ths Observation-Disclosures of his
position 10 apparent, and the fnots shake
on confidence In Mr.. Jockeys disintorost.
ness on this subject Of taxation, and we fenr
his JUDGMENT IL somewhat impAi ed or
warped in favor Of his personal interest.
"lhs claim that he WAS refused nm APP
peal was simply abaurd. The commission
era had no discretion to grant or refuse APP
pesls. M. Jockey had neglected the mat.
tor until the time had elapsed, but Col. Mo-
Ian was courtesy itself and agreed to waive
all technicalities. The truth il the matter
was never pressed by the oourts Although
every facility that the commission
srs or the county attorney could
possibly extend WAS given. The fact IL.
there was nothing upon which TO base an
interference on the part of the courts. The
experience that Mr.. Hockey has had with
his reduction of taxes with the city, would
seem to indicate that he sometimes makes
frivolous olaims. II there IL any one in
the county Of Lewis and Clarke who has &C
reason to complain, 1t IL. in our opinion.
Mr.. Jockey.
HE chooses to pose a. 4 rsformey and
doubtless. IN his own estimation. occupies
that desirable position. The Office, al
though a difficult ono to ill, is productive
OF much good, but. in order to reaoh the
hest results. it is we'll not to contine ones
efforts too much in . personal line. bat be
formers ara liable to DO considered aotu-
ated by selfish motives rather than a great
and Ovsrweaning love of the public and
right, and another mistake people fire.
quently mako IL to confound an ordinary
objector and 0bstr actor with reformation.
''Some people seem TO feel that ANYTHING
that can be avoided in tho way of taxation
il = good deal like economy in household
mattsfs-it IL money saved aud made. Now,
TO my mind, this IL an entire misoopc eption
of the functions OF taxation. Taxes should
be paid in the same spirit Of any other just
debt.
A to the schools, l never used the lam
guags attribu ted to me by Mr.. Lookey. mol
did I ever attempt to discuss the subject
except to express personal satisfaction Al
the payment Of the teachers, and q sugoes-
ton that better subjects of criticism
ole to which Mr.. Jockey replied was given
BY . trustee whose identity il even now un
known TO na. Nine.tenths of the com.
plants made regarding all these matters
are the result Of . Misrepresentation OF mis-.
take on the part of the complainant"