Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-01-14

T"TMK n ~" ~. "NI.|| |H"HMI l
to protect lhe cemeteries and buryipg
grounds from the vandalism OF runlans
and the greco OF stockmen. The
breaking or removal OF tombstones and
other fixtures about graves should be
| punished az q felony, and turning stock
| into su0h enclosures to destroy trees,
| plants and flowers, In order that the
pasturaga may be obtained free, should
be made a m%lsdemeanor and punished
by adequate fines.
In regard to the repeal of laws, ]
have 0 given the subject much
thought, but | am now as | was at the
last session, In favor Of the repeal OF
the law creating the present board of
equalization and rendering null and
void oil its acts liking the values at
which property shall be listed for tax
alton. This board is not properly
designated. 1t should be styled the
..supvems authority enabling corpora
tions and heavy property holders to
escape their just share of taxation"
Under Its mandate, the railroads are
permitted to include all their rolling
stock In a valuation per mile less than
was fixed before this board had an ex-
istence upon, the roadbed, while
such rolling stock was assessed as
additional property. Stock cattle
are TO be valued at $7a head In
. southern New Mexico, while within the
last month, sucking steer calves have
been sold 10 Grant county for $40 q
head, and within the same time, q
brand of cattle mum bering about 1000
q head have been sold at $40 a head, all
a around, and not o COW can be bought
o In the county for less than $12, nor a
3.year.o | steer for less than SIG.
Those fine prancing steeds on the
n streets of Albuquerque and Las vegas
returned for taxation as "American"
horses at $50 a head! The absurdity
of fixing q uniform valuation for all
animals of q certain kind 10 the Terri
% tory is 30 apparent that no man should
attempt to defend such a principle
a There should be no such board to M
or assume to fix uniform values. AL
- property should be returned for taxa
:. ton at it's actual cast value, the same
q as the owner of an humble home makes
=, his return, and after the county com
!. misHoners have equalized such valua
tions In the several counties, a Terrific
rial bonrd Of equalization, consisting o
the governor, auditor, treasurer ant
solicitor general, should have the powe
to adjust and equalize such values, 81
that no county should escape its jus
share of Territorial taxes.
Iy-l.- &Lo ~.oannf arotap1 iFraQnnnai
BILE, unprincipled adventures, who's
W purpose in obtaining an appointment
st is not 10 protect the taxpayer and serv
be the people, but to sswork" and "hol
Id up" the railroad companies for favors
:, too often secure positions as member
OF the bosrd of equalization.
nd The law providing for the appoin'
pent OF q public printer in each c2ynt
r. should be repealed and all count
ny printing let by contract to the lowe
bidder.
sis To return to the subject OF count
on. expenses, a saving might be effected
no providing tor the boarding and worh
re- ing of prisoners sentenced to the coun,
ere jail in the precinct where convicted,
OF at a distance from the county seat.
MY still further saving may be made by r.
her curing the precinct officers to use the
W eff ,rts to capture the perpetrators
1ds crimes before calling upon the sherl
M 'of the county, and the latter officer
respond only to the call OF the precin
ust officers. Hundreds OF dollars are pa
out in mileage and expenses OF u
IT. sheriff OF this county, every year,
!. the unsuccessful pursuit of criminals
''ze that officer starting from the coun
10 seat, days after such criminals we
ion known, by the precinct officers, to ha
nse gone into Mexico, or made good the
ow escape in some other direction.
will admit, Mr.. Editor, that l a
the not as much interested in subjects
legislation as l would have been b
uc- the voters of Grant and Dona A
MY counties made a different selection I
q their representative for the fourteen
IAN district, and shall not infict any II
d . Their suggestions upon your readers.
ON Very truly yours,