The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1896-05-29
THE ATTACK OF
THE POPULISTS
Condition Of the County Records and
the Recorders Office Is
Discussed.
DIVISION OF TnE COUNTY TAX
Expenses Charged Agains, the Recorder
Which Are Not Property 20 Be Con-
sidefed Agaiast Him In
pf0yemcnts.

An Astorian representative called on
Judge Gray yesterday afternoon ana In
tcrylowed him In regard 10 tho status OF
the county records und Tho manner In
which they have been kept
qwhat is tho cause of the attacks
made by leaders of the Popullrt party
against the present recorder
Il do not know of any cause that can
be- assigned for these attacks excepting
that the gentleman who is the nominee
OF the Populist party may possibly think
that by making such statements be cat
secure election TO onlrc. 4 number OF
statements have been made that are mis-
leading and are no, true. A circular has
buon Issued by slIas y. Smith, chairman
OF the Populist party. headed. Why the
taxes for little Clntsop county exceed tho
enormous sum Of $1,000 per year ana
arc increasing This circular has appar-
entity been prepared by Sir Henry J.
Weeks for the signature OF Mr. Smith,
who has always had tho reputation OF
stating fBcta as they were. but who has
bccn badly misied In this metlcr The
tax OF tlo9. ~ - Is divided up as follows:
State tax. tli,;@i?. state school tax.
uS8isi school district No. /. uabi5.od;
fourteen different districts within the
county have levied Sa0st25. making the
total Tor schools 50 ls'.gs The county tax
IL tioimels tho city OF Astoria. ts,s063;
road tAA. tl,ssd q: These statements rent
throughout the county broadcast are mis-
leading and intended 20 deceive the pub
lie The offices Of recorder ana county
elork have within tbs past year had a
great deal OF extra work consisting Of
the recording OF subsidy deeds for the
railroad. The taxpayers ot thv county
signed "a petition which was presented
to tho county gour, asking that the county
bear the expense Of the recording Of these
deeds After due declaration Il was de-
cidcd to assist the subsidy committee by
recording these railroad deeds at the ,N-
pensv Of the county. Property own, ~
were striving TO clear UP the titles TO
properly which they donated and the *
pensc OF this work Sc probably charged
ON the books to the county at $3.50 or
ss0O There has been. as heretofore
stated an expense OF procuring modern
indexes. In the recorders ottce. and It is
now possible. with the use OF these new
books. 10 ascertain what Is desired in
one minute where Il used TO take an hour
TO look up the titles or other ntorma-
ton We have also secured metal cases
In the recorders office 10 hold the records
OF deeds and various documents nled for
record, including plHts OF the county, etc,
and this expense has been a very nccos-
sary one. SO far as the recorders office
Is concerned, I am willing TO defend the
condition OF It In every respect, and
am quite sure the county commissioners
viii do likewise
In the office OF the county clerk the
work has been doubled by reason OF the
delinquent taxpayers aud the settling up
by those who have been paying their
back taxes within the past few years. II
Is hardly necessary FOR myself, as county
judge to say one word to any intelligent
man OF the improvements made In the
office. and the methods OF doing business
The same thing can be said OF the sher-
ms office, When It is required TO have
extra help to do the necessary work IL
has been the policy OF the oiucers, en-
dorsed by the county court to take the
ground that II is no more expensive to
the taxpayers to employ ten men four
days than lt is to employ one man forty
days. and especially when the work ought
TO be done quickly In order to comply
with the laws OF the state and avoid op-
portunities on the part OF technical tax
dogers to beN the county by reason OF
the officials not strictly complying with
the law"
when questioned in regard to the re-
cordor's Office and the Efficiency Of the
presnt incumbent OF that office, Lawyer
Jonn II. Smlth sdlu' nave Always
found MIR. Gunderson to be IA most ac-
commodatlng and efficient officer, His Of
fee is kept In good shape. and one can
lind readily what one wants, don't know
much about the details of the Office or
tho expenses OF running It AS compared
with what has been done In the past or
what might be done In tho future,
have never Investigated the question.
know that the office is In good condition
now and is in charge of u gentleman"
Mayor Talyor said In response to ques-
tlons by an Astorian representative con-
cernlng the attacks made on the record
or:
"Tho ONCE Of the county recorder OF
Clatsop county is well and economically
conducted. | do not take any stock in
this talk about the unnecessary expenses
he has incurred, a set OF patent in
dexes was started before Mr. Gunderson
came into office. He finished up the work
and did It we'll Modern indexes were a
necessity, and the money expended l
consider a good investment by tire coun-
". The cost Of a great deal OF work
has been charged up against Mr. Gum
derson with which he Is not entitled to