The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1893-11-23
OURS A MODEL CHARTER
Judge ]. R. Lewis GlTes Our Ta1pay.
ers a Pew Pointers.
PROGRESS MADE UNDER OLD CHARTER
The Charter aemains Intact - Its
Assaisanss Have made Ne Case
Against ss-The General Revenss
Law Very Clear and Jusa.

iho fouoWinR INTERESTING, clear ana
pointed letter from Judge J. X. Lewis,
ex-justice Of the supreme court Of Wash.
ington and large property owner in this
city. IA worthy perusal and careful analy.
sis by every citizen Of North Yakima.
The taxpayers are particularly interested
and in 1t they will find clean, impartial
and forcible argument against dis,r gani.
zation:
EDITOR YAKIMA HERALD Since your
letter reached me, have received The
HERALD Of the 9Th, containing the de.
cision in the case OF Newman vs. The
City Of North Yakima. and I have care
fully conside, ed the same.
The charter Of your city was very care
fully prepared by able attorneys, resi-
dents Of the city, and Was designed to
meet the wants Of the people In tina,
locality; and think much ability was
shown in it's preparation; in fact the
powers and limitations are exceptionally
well drawn. The taxing powers are
ample aud well guarded, so as to furnish
abundant means for the good govern.
ment Of the city and to protect the tax.
payer.
For general municipal purposes the
city is limited to a tax Of FIVE mills pc,
annum, and ample provisions are made
for necessary special taxes for fire pur-
poses. light. water, streets, cemeteries,
parks, hospitals and sewers; and, by q
vote OF majority Of the taxpayers and
fieeholders OF the city, water works may
be erected, and the power to acquire, by
purchase or otherwise, di ches for irriga.
ton, to be held forever for the inhabi.
tants Of the city, for their use. and the
full power to control the water and
bitches, end full power to provide for
planting and growing trees In the streets
and public grounds Of the city.
The charter Is a model one. Under itr
ample provisions. your city government
has acquired water and bitches for irriga-
ton extending to all parts OF the city,
and shade trees are growing upon oil
your streets; sewer system has been
provided which excels any in the state,
and you have the best water on the
Pacific coast, piped to all parts of the
city; with an electric light plant suffi.
Gent to light all the streets and houses
within your boundaries. You have made
"the deser blossom as the rose," and
your city l. IS become known among the
most beautiful and healthful on the con-
tinent. All OF this has been accom-
plished under your present charter,
framed by your own citizens for the gov
eminent Of the city.
In order to We unnecessary expense,
and to make the levy and collection oil
city taxes conform as near as may be to
the general revenue laws Of the territory
and late, full provisions are made foi
assess sent. levy and collection Of city
taxes by chapter l l of the charter.
The form OF the assessment roll, the
rule for ascertaining the ownership Of the
property and in whose name it may be
assessed, and the collection OF city taxes
shall be NJ ade in the manner prescribed
by existing laws for the assessment and
collection OF territorial tstate) and county
taxes. But the time Of making the assess
ments, the returns OF the assessor, the
time for levying and collecting the gen.
eral and special taxes, the time for the
equalization of taxes, and phen they shall
become delinquent must be prescribed By
ordinance. The fees, costs, penalties ano
interest for and on city taxes and for tht
collection thereof shall be the same a,
prescribed by existing la IS OF the terri
tory (state) and the right OF redemption
shall be the same.
The council shall have power TO change
by ordinance the territorial law rs to th,
time taxes shall be collected, and the tim,
of making the return Of delinquent roll b,
marshal and to change the name o
county officers to proper city officers, ant
to make any other change necessary /,
make the laws applicable to city and dis
trict assessment and taxes, and all take
levied as authorized by the charter shall
bear interest at the legal rate from tim,
due and payable until paid or collected
and shall be lien upon any real prop
erty owned by the party assessed. l,
will be noticed that under the provision,
OF the charter above cited the assortment
the form of the assessment roll, the rul.
for ascertaining the ownership and In
whose name the assessment shall b.
made, and the collection shall be mad, oil
city taxes in the manner prescribed b,
state laws, for the assessment and cole c
ton Of state and county taxes undei
existing laws. But the city council hal
power to change the name Of the count,
officers to those of the proper city OFF
GERS. That is to say: The city council
for all purposes take the place Of tn,
board of county commissioners.
The city clerk, under section 81 Of the
charter, will take the place of the auditor
and county assessor, and by him mus,
the roll and assessment be made. TIL,
marshal 10 the collector Of delinquent
taxes, and the powers and duties of al
the city officers may by ordinance b,
made to take the place Of like officers oil
the county.
Having made provisions for the officers
OF the city to take the place Of those o
the county officers 90 Tar as necessary for
the purposes OF assessment and collector
OF taxes, 1t then becomes the duty OF tn,
council to provide by ordinance
First-As to the time OF making the
assessment.
Second-The time OF making the return
of such assessment tby the city clerk).
Third-Ths lime for Ievying snd col