The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-10-07

we believe this rate or taxation to be
unnecessarily hieh. and higher than is
consistent with the best pubic interests.
That 50 heavy a burden d9scourages in
vestmert and immigration. 1t seems to
US absolutely necessary that public ex-
penditure should be so reduced as would
give US lower rate OF taxation. In our
judgment the business Of the County has
been conducted without sufficient care in
the limitation of Indebtedness and ex-
penses. In our judgment there has rot
been the same degree of retreuch-nent IN
the administration Of schoo, affairs as has
been enforced in other branches OF local
government
The recent charter revision OF Seattle
has led to a consolidation of municipal de-
partmen.s and a substantial reduction OF
expense within the last six months unlier
the present authorities as now reorganized.
The burden OF taxation is now borne al
most exclusively by real estate, much OF
which Is unproductIve and over-valued,
and this generalization and excessive tax
alton tends TO exclude new improvements
and new enterprises and TO retard the de-
yelopment OF our city, and a consideration
OF all business interests requires that
fair proportion OF the public burden should
be borne by personal property (Which now
ls-~e.y escapes taxation) and by those en-
gagged In business here. and for whose pro-
lection large part OF the public expense
is incurred: therefore greater effort should
be made 10 secure a fair assessment OF
personal property.
state Legislation.
CITY and County Consolidation: Where
as. Tho state -aws for the administration
OF county affairs are found to be crude.
insufficient and entirely inadequate for
the proper distribution of the large reve-
nues OF counties which contain cities OF
the first cs7ss: and
Whereas. There are Implications Of
service and expense in Judicial and other
branches OF city and county aimirsstra-
ton. we recommend TINT an effort be
made 10 secure the ersac tn.nt of state leg
:s.ation for the consolidation OF the city
and county governments in counties which
contain cities Of the first class.
School Expenses: White we recognize
the great Importance %, keeping school
affairs distinct from political influences.
and Of conducting school elections al dif-
ferert times than general elections. We
believe that n Closer re,aff onShsp and re-
sponsibEsty in the matter OF mourning
schoo. expense "A~s,li ne established by
law between school boards in cities of the
first cas- and other Departments OF the
government.
TAX payments; In view OF the great
embarrassment now experienced by all
branches OF local government on account
~ the tariy payment OF taxes resulting
from extreme leniency OF existing laws.
We recoEmend that the dates for the pay
mcnt OF taxes he changed from June lst
and December LIST TO March lst and Sep
teTnlrer ist. and that the rate OF In
terest on delinquent taxes should be
raised from Il per cent and restored 10
- per cent per annum., and that proyi-
sion be made for the more speedy collec-
ton OF taxes upon personal property after
is assessment.
Tax Certificate: That in order ~ e--
courage the legitimate investment Of
money IN tax certificates at the times Of
public sales ana thus relieve the county
from ths embsrra ssnent Of bidding in
large amounts OF property and iying out