The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1894-06-02
MISSOURI ASSESSORS.

| stone tonNenes in Jefferson Cty-Mc-s-
ures Taken to Remedy What Is All, -;ed
to be Inequalities in Assessments in This
State-Assessors Advised to Comply With
the Strict Letter of the Law.
| The convention of assessors of the
state called by Gov. Stone for the pur-
pose of considering inequalities in the
assessment of property in Missouri con-
vened in jefferson City, and was in ses-
sion two days.
| Gov. Stone, in calling the convention
to order. drew attention to the inequal-
tiles in the valuation of property. as
Shown by the returns of the assessors
to the state board of equalization. The
meeting of the assessors had been
called. he said. at the suggestion of the
board, in the hope that some method
or remedy might be suggested by which
the evil can be done away with.
] The following committees were ap-
pointed: Mode of assessment: .valua-
tion of horses, mules, etc: cattle, sheep,
hogs, etc; money, notes. banks. build
! ing and loan associations: land and
town lots.
Arecess was taken for short time. and
when the convention was again called to
order. the following wasread from
the committee on mode of assessment"
RtSolred, That in making the assessment of
all property on the lst OF June 1894 and there
after, the county and township aSSeSSorS he re-
queStcd and advised to comply with the Stric.
letter of the statutes governing the assessment
of all classes. that the true value in money he
placed upon such property to the best of their
knowledge and judgment.
This report was adopted.
The committee on money. notes.
banks and building and loan associa-
tions then submitted a report.
1t recommended that aSscsSorS shall. in de-
termining the value of bank and other stocks.
require sworn statements from the officers Of
such corporations; that all surplus funds. un-
divided dividends. etc. shall he assessed as
cash: that building and loan association stock
shall be listed at cash value and that all notes,
surplus funds. etc. Of such associations shall
be assessed at 100 cents the dollar. The
value Of all deprecated stocks iS To he aSccr-
tanned by the local boards OF equalization.
After considerable discussion. which
was participated in by Gov. Stone,
President \. II. Fredcrichs of the board
of asscssorS. of st. Louis; Attorney
General K. F. Walker. and others. the
report was unanimously adopted.
The committee to arrange a mode of
valuing horses. mules etc. submitted
a modified report eliminating the sched-
ule of approximate values and requir-
ing such stock to he assessed at ITS
actual cash market value in the county
or locality where it belongs. sucking
animals To he included in the value of
b.. h.r . l,,,
committee on cattle, hogs and sheep"
was submitted and both adopted unani-
mously.
The committee on land and city
lot" submitted the last report. 1t rec
ommcndS that land he assessed by the
acre and lots by the front foot and the
value of the improvements added there
to. and that values 81 fixed he the cash
market price at ordinary sale on June
/ each year. There was some discus
sion as to making this regulation apply
to the 1891 assessment. but it was final
ly adopted without dissenting voice.
\ resolution empowering the chair 20
appoint five members of the convention
to prepare for the legislature such
changes as may he deemed eXpcdient in
the assessment and revenue laws was
adopted. and the following committee
appointed: MessrS. Fredcrichs. of St
Louis: Petty. of Kansas City: Benton.
of Holt; Renfro, of Ray. and Rumble, of
Barton.
The following resolution offered by
Mr.. Weber. of st. Louis county. was
adopted after some discussion:
Ecsolrcd That it is the sense Of this convcn-
tion that the cash value Of any property is what
in cash money it will bring on the lsi day Of
June should the owner desire 10 convert it into |
cash.
The following report to recommend |
changes in the revenue and assessment |
laws was adopted:
ResoIrcd. That the insurance companies de- |
ing business in the state should be required to !
make their reports on or before the lSt day OF
February each year.
= That the merchants and manufacturers |
should he assessed by the assessor and the as
sesSment he passed upon ny the local boards OF |
equalization.
3 That the length Of the official term OF the |
Office Of assessor should he changed from two |
To four years.
1 That the law giving counties Of i0000 in |
habitantS and over a record Of mortgages etc,
ord for all counties.
). All town lots should be assessed and val |
ued separately
y resolution offered by Mr.. Harrison, |
of Howard. that the Legislature be |
asked to pass law requiring the asses |
sor to stamp notes. bonds, mortgages |
and other evidences of Indebtedness. if |
no better plan can be devised. was
adopted.
The Legislative committee. consisting |
Of Messrs Frederichs. of st. Louis |
board of assessors: Petty. of Jackson; !
Rumble. of Barton: Rcnfro. of Ray. and |
Benton. of Holt. was continued for the |
period of one year. under resolution
adopted by the convention. The COM |
mittee will look after the legislation
that will come before the next general |
assembly next winter.