The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1895-01-18

with II would for moment deny. It IS proS-
ably one Of the most dinicult matters to
provide for in our laws Our theory OF
taxation Is that PROPERTY shall pay the tax,
and the eHly safe rule to follow IL -
assess ell property at its actual casa value
without regard to its Character or the use to
which it is applied, TO certain extent, how
ever, the revenue derived from property ought
to be taken as basis upon which 10 compute
It's value II every piece cs property In the
state were assessed at its actual cash value
there would be absolute equality in the pay,
ment OF taxes. But the same would be true If
all the property In the state We're, assessed
at 10, 70 or 90 per cent. Of its real
value. TIE inequality arises, not from
the fact that the property OF the state
Is assessed too low, but because IL Is
assessed unequally. When one piece OF prop
erty is assessed at 10 per cent. OF what 1t Is
really worth and another piece is assessed at
its full value, and other property is not as
sessed at all, great injustice Is done to some OF
the taxpayers; and yet that condition OF things
actually exists in our state To-Day. Millions
of dollars worth Of property escapes taxation
entirely as a result of ignorance, inefficiency or
willful dishonesty on the part OF assessors,
Other property is assessed at from IL per cent
to 100 per cent. OF its actual value according to
the judgment or within Of the assessor
Tnere WOulQ De less DANGER VI IuiS AAO4uoAitS
IL an honest attempt were made by all assess
ors to place the true value on all property; but
before that could be safely done the laws IN
regard to limitations on ley1es should De
changed To make the assessment four or nve
times what II is at present, allowing the limit
alton on the levy to remain where 1t is, might
prove practical confscation Of property in some
school districts, or counties even. After q pa
tient and careful examination OF the law, am
unable to see where it fails to provide for an
honest, impartial assessment The fault seems
to be rather in the administration of the law
than in the law itself II the proper
officers complied strictly with every pro-
vision Of the laws relating to assess
ment and taxation there would be little
cause for complaint. More severe penalties
might be attached for violations Of the law, but
that remedy would hardly accomplish the de-
sired results, for when an assessor makes his
return, with property assessed at from 10 to %
per cent. OF its real value, and swears that he
has to the best Of his judgment given the true
value he knows, and everybody else knows.
that he commits willful perjury. But how can
you prove that he has not used his best judy
ment in deciding values?
What, then, is the remedy? In the first
place, it is impossible to get an equal, Just val
uation of property under our present system.
When you divide up this assessment Of prop
erty among q large number Of men, you increase
In the same proportion the difficulties of get
ting uniform valuation. 1t would be great
step in the right direction II there were but one
assessor in each county, and he should be APP
pointed for term Of four years by the judge OF
the district court in which that county is To-
Gated, the appointment to be approved by the
county commissioners, who should also decide
the number OF deputies that he should have,
and should also approve his selections
Collection Laws.
The legislature of 1893 enacted law to regu-
late the sale and redemption Of real estate I'M
der execution, etc. 1t was doubtless the pur-
pose and desire Of the trainers Of this act to
furnish relief to those who had mortgaged their
homes and were unfortunately unable to meet
their obligations: but the law seems to have
had directly the opposite effect from what was
intended. Believing that the theory upon
which the law is based Is pernicious one,
desire to call your attention to its practical
workings.
The past two years have witnessed a rapid
withdrawal of capital from the state, and the
amount would have been much larger il it could
have been collected. It is estimated that
Sl5, 600, 900 have been Withdrawn the past two
years by parties in the east, who had loans Sc
cured by real estate, and who have lost conf
dence in Kansas investments; while nearly all
the large insurance companies and savings
banks which have been accustomed to make
loans here, positively refuse to take any new
mortgages until the laws are changed.
I take it for granted that there will be no diff.
terence of opinion as to the advisability of SEE
curing investments Of foreign capital. The
wonderful development of our grand young
state-unparalled in the history Of the world
has been due, to a very great extent, to the free
Investment Of capital from the eastern part Of
the country. This has been in the main large
ly beneficial to both sections The lender has
received a fair rate Of interest, and the Dor.
rover has in most cases made money by his in
vestment, while thousands of others have been
greatly benefited by the rapid development Of
the state and the consequent increased value
Of all property. Without these investments
there would be few miles Of railroad in opera
ton in our state to-day.
1t is hardly necessary to discuss here the
question Of whether the mortgage Indebtedness
Of the state has been benefit or an injury. 1t
lists, and the great mass Of our people desire to
honestly pay their debts at the earliest possi-
ole moment 1t is a gratifying fact that can
properly be mentioned in this connection, that
The census returns show three-fourtks of the
mortgage Indebtedness represents either the
purchase money OF the farms or permanent i'm
provements thereon. And the further fact
might be mentioned that the Increased
value OF the real estate in the state from
1889 to 1890, the period when most OF the
debt was created, was largely in excess of the
total OF all mortgages, and nearly sufficient to
pay the entire Indebtedness and all of the in
tereSt thereon for the ten years. And this in
creased value was largely the result Of the en-
buy farms and to place mortgages on the farms
they already owned, that they might increase
their acres or make better improvements
thereon. Tie present condition, with con-
idt0ce entirely gone on the part of investors,
is an unfortunate one for the borrowers. While
the return Of favorable agricultural conditions
and good crops will be an important element in
restoring confidence, still it is not the principal
one, and the strongest proof OF this statement
is found in the fact that money on real estate
loans can be obtained more easily, and at less
rates of interest, in Missouri and Nebraska
than it can in Kansas
The proceedings in foreclosure should be
made as simple and inexpensive as it is posi-
BILE to make them, with due regard to the
rights Of the mortgagor The Missouri form of
trust deed has proven. after many years Of trial
very satisfactory. Something Of that charac-
ter with provision that the mortgagor should
have the privilege OF redemption for twelve
months, by paying taxes insurance and inter-
est, would doubtless be satisfactory to the bor-
rover and lender. am confident that the best
interests OF all classes would be promoted by
the enactment Of such laws as would tend to
restore confidence in our ability and willing
ness to promptly meet cur obligations.
Insurance Laws and Insurance Department
Tho laws relating to insurance corporations
and the transaction OF insurance business in
this state ought to be carefully revised and
amended. The act creating the insurance de
partner and most of the laws since passed
providing for the creation of insurance COM
panies in this state. aud their government, con-
tain provisions which ought to be separated
All provisions relating to the Incorporation o
| Insurance companies ough: to be in 4 distinc
act from the provisions OF laws rela. ling to TIL
insurance department. The insurance depart
ment was created for the purpose of regulating
insurance companies. both foreign and GomeS