The herald., 1896-01-06
PERSONAL and POLL TAXES
System By Which Collections
Are Made Investigated
GRAND JURY LOOKING WISE
One Witness Testifes For Over Three
Hours on a Stretch
The Results That Are to Be Looked For From
the Reorganization Effected in the
District Attorneys Office

The nineteen members of the grand jury
had very interesting tale related to them
Friday and Saturday of last week, upon
which some results are to be expected
either during the middle or latter part OF
the week. They were given some facts
and figures which were very surprising to
them relative to the manner in which per-
sonal property tax and poll taxes have
been collected. 1t is also understood that
the jurors were given some rather aston
ishing revelations in relation to the man.
ner in which the county license taxes are
collected at present.
The reorganization of the district attor-
ney's office which Major Donnell has ef-
fected ought to bring about some better
results, possibly. Blu. one thing is certain.
Even that reorganization will not have Ihe
effect of quieting the rumors that are cur
rent conce. ming the manner in which the
affairs of the office have been handled
during the past year.
w. L. Williams, who now assumes charge
of the prosecution in department one, is
an avowed candidate for the Republican
nomination for judge of the superior court,
and he has during the past year been con-
due ing his canvass both in and out of
office.
George M. Holton of the district attor-
ney's office is also candidate for one of
the four judgeships to be vacated year
from now, and he is doing nothing either
in or out OF office which will impair his
candidacy.
On the whole the district attorneys Office
is seriously handicapped, as too many of
those in the office who should be fearless
in the discharge of their duty are required
to trim in the interests of their personal
political ACKNOWLEDGMENT.
1t is a fact which has caused consider
able individual comment among members
of the grand jury, as citizens, the manner
in which the coroner is conducting his
office. The grand jury is of course in full
possession of all the facts concerning the
system of 'gouging" DR.. Campbell has
adopted ever since he went into oihce. 1t
was supposed that after the grand jury had
called the genial doctor down to the extent
of several indictments on felony charges,
that he would institue some changes in
the manner in which he ran his much
abused public trust. But the doctor has
not caught the grand jury's idea. He con-
tinues to make his position as coroner one
of the fattest snaps in the county.
1t is now conceded generally by the ma
nipulators of county politics ensconced at
the court house that. at the approaching
November election, it will he necessary to
re-elect every official save the longer term
offices of superior Judge, supervisor and
county assessor. Those who have the
reins now in hand were for a long time
very loath to admit that the section of the
statute which ost9nsibly gave them four
year terms was null and void, but they are
now satisfied that it is, and the result will
be visible.
The heretofore fresh and distant man.
ner which deputies, as well as their princi-
pals, manifested in their official dealings
with the public, will disappear. The otii-
cials have already commenced to
work for their denomination, and
in order to do this effec-
lively, it was necessary for some of
them to make decided change in their
course of conduct toward their constituents.
The fact that all the officials. practically,
are to be reelected in November, will also
be good thing for the taxpayers in other
ways, as an attempt is to be made, if the
present program is carried out, to inaugur-
ate sham wave of economy. OF course
twill not be permanent, but if it only lasts
for day, the taxpayers will receive some
benefit from it.