Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1895-09-20
Thurston County Represented.

An able representation was made be-
fore the State Board Of Equalization.
Tuesday, by a committee of citizens
consisting of Geo. B. Lane. on behalf
of the city, Auditor Hopkins on be-
half OF the county and Col. Owings
representing the people. The first
gentleman showed that the property
of this county had been assessed far in
excess OF like property in other cities
and towns, ever since Statehood. He
based his argument upon the aggre-
gate figures of the assessment rolls OF
the county in comparison with total
assessment Of the State. He shows
from 1889 to 1891 the States assessed
valuations had increased 259 per cent
while Thurston county had appar-
emily advanced 435 per cent. This
wonderful appreciation of values for
this county WAS owing TO the boom
valuations placed upon the ITO cad
ditions" to the city plated in the
flush times, and changing the assessed
value from Sc to IS per acre to a.
many hundred dollars, value they
never possessed except in the minds
of spectators. The aggregate as
sessed value of these town lois in 1891
was over five and a half million dol
lars. In 1892 this aggregate was re-
duced to three millions, and the land
as town lots had became practically
worthless; still the State Board of
Equalization could not, in its wisdom,
see how so large a shrinkage should
have occurred and promptly raised,
the amount to over four millions.
This act increased the tax on every
town lot in the county one-third
This unjust burden has resulted in
much of the present hardship of the
taxpayer, who Of necessity did not
pay and had penalties and cost added
Mr.. Lane estimates the excess in the
assessed valuation for 1890 at about
$4,000, 600 more than the property was
worth; that in 1891 this over-value
was $f,500,O00 and that having as
snmed such colossal figures, it has
been exceedingly difficult to get valu-
tons back to reasonable estimate,
which difficulty is greatly augmented
by the expensive system of official
service, and the mistaken purpose of
boards TO keep the basis
of taxation at an altitude which will
yield certain amount OF revenue.
Mr.. Hopkins showed that there had
been, likewise, an excessive valuation
placed upon farm lands, horses and
cattle, during the boom times, when a
few dollars more or less did not as
sumo the Importance that is now felt.
Col. Owings made an exhaustive argu-
ment relating to the duties and powers
OF assessors and County Commission
ers acting as boards OF equalization.
1t was a mistaken idea that their duty
required them to provide for ficient
revenue to meet certain estimated ex-
penses OF the public service. Nothing,
lie maintained, was farther from the
intent OF the law. 1t was no part of
their duty to consider the amount of
revenue that was deemed necessary.
It was simply their duty to act within
the constitution and laws, which pro-
vide expressly that property shall be
assessed at its money value. Any &C.
ton OF equalization boards which in
creases it beyond that limit are vicious
and void. He likewise showed that
the property of Thurston county had
been assessed at more than its cash
value, and that il the State Board
sanctioned any increase beyond the
values returned by the County Asses
sor, it would be an outrage upon the
taxpayer and in violation OF law.