The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-06-27
THEY MET To EoUALIZE
Levy is Reduced More Than Half Mill
and Other Important Features

Levy is Reduced More Than Half a Mil
and Other Important Features.
The territorial equalization board has
Just concluded an important session,
particulars of which are given officially
below, says the Guthrie Leader. 1t
will be seen that the board, as usual,
is looking after interests of the tax
payers and the people generally by the
orders made The levy as reduced
! Clio of mill. Returns were received
from all but three counties. Follow
ing is the work of the board:
In pursuance Of the provisions Of
Sec. /, chapter 43, Sessions Laws or
Oklahoma, 1898, the territorial board
of equalization of the Territory OF
Oklahoma met in the auditors Office,
in the city of Guthrie, on the third
Monday of June, same being the 18th
day of June. 1896.
Present, William c. Renfrow, presi-
dent; e D. Cameron, secretary, and
Thomas J. Lowe.
1t appearing that the returns from
only fifteen counties of the twenty
three counties of the territory were on
file with the auditor, on motion board
adjourned until Saturday, the goth day
of June, 1896 W. c. RE.NF'ROW
L. ID. OAMctCON, sec. 6ISS.
Saturday. June 90 1896
The territorial board Of equalization
convened at the auditors Office pursu-
ant to adjournment
Present, William c. Renfrow, presi-
dent; L. D. Cameron. secretary, and
Thomas J. Lowe.
II appearing that the assessors re-
turns from all the counties have not
been filed with the auditor, on motion
board adjourned until 9 o'clock. a. m.
Monday, June -. 1896.
w. c. RENFROw, Pres.
f D. CAMERON. Secy.
Monday, June 26. 1896.
Territorial board Of equalization
met pursuant 10 adjournment.
Present, William c. Renfrow, presi-
dent; E. D. Cameron, secretary, and
Thomas J. Lowe.
1t being ascertained that the re-
turns from an the counties had
been filed with the auditor. except those
from three counties, fo-wit: Pawuee.
GARFIELD and Greer. and that the county
clerk in Garfield county has been en-
Joined by order Of the court from GER
Trying the assessment returns from the
county to the auditor. and that this,
the fourth Monday in June, is the last
day fixed by law for the auditor TO
transmit 10 the various county clerks
the rate Of territorial tax 10 be levied
in said counties as fixed by the terrific
rial board of equaliza ton. on motion il
IS ordered that the board proceed 10 ex-
anime the various county assessments
on file. and 10 equaliZe the same. and TO
decide upon the rate Of territorial tax
10 be levied for The current year.
On examination It appears that some
OF the county clerks in making the re-
turns for their counties have failed 10
give the number of acres % land. and
chat said returns are indefinite. uncer-
tain and incomplete other respects
Ind that an intelligent comparison OF
values placed on the several classes OF
property IN the various counties IS
practically impossible. Said examina-
ton further diScl0SeS the fact that
Where the number and valuation OF
property IS given there seems TO have
been uniform and concerted action
on the part of the assessors in r-.ur,-
ing property for taxation at much less
than its actual cash value In fact. A
comparison OF the returns With the
census returns discloSes that the as
Eessors placed q different valuation
upon property for the purposes OF tax
alton than that placed on The sau,e
properly IN the census returns.
However. an examination Of the ~
turns does not disclose that the ruia
OF uniformity has been violated. Under
the construction OF the statute -har
the power OF equalization vested in
sllS board does not authorize q change