Omaha daily bee., 1897-06-23
LUXURIES ESCAPE TAXATION
Abstract Of the Assessment Rolls Shows
Some Singular Facts,
SCARCITY OF WATCHES AND DIAMONDS
Not Enough Listed In Nebraska to
stock One Good Retail store,
While Cash and Bank
stock Are Minus.

LINCOLN, June 22.-(Special THE as
sessment abstract as made up from the re-
ports sent to the state auditor from the va
rious counties of the state plainly shows
some Of the inequalities possible under our
present assessment system. For instance,
the abstract of 1896 does not indicate that
single bicycle was assessed, while the money
invested in bicycles in this state Is becoming
something immense. 1t Is said that last year
in some parts OF the state bicycles were as
sessed, but that they were not listed under
a separate heading because the blanks did
not include bicycles in the printed titles In
Lancaster county, however an attempt to as
sess the wheels was made last year, the
schedules being remodeled for that purpose
The result was that from the country pre-
cincts sixty-six bicycles. valued at $6O5, were
reported for taxation, while in the city OF
Lincoln 23S were found, valued at $3,1i4. In
the Fifth ward seventy-one bicycles were
found whils this year the assessor failed to
find single wheel in that ward. The wheel
men of Lincoln boast that there are o'ooo
bicycles in the city and none OF them would
be willing to estimate the average value at
less than $50. .....
Another curious thing shown by the ao-
stract is that last year there were but s1e, 5l5
worth Of diamonds and jewelry in the entire
state and of this $S,041 was from kearney
county alone, indicating that that county
owned almost one-half Of the total amount OF
diamonds and jewelry in the state. The val
uation on the same items in Douglas county
was only $4,S24, and in Lancaster county
only S645 Dakota county had no watches
or clocks, diamonds and only seVenteen
sewing machines, valued at S69. In keith
county there were forty-one watches ana
cIocks valued at 81 cents each, while ColfaX
county contained forty-four tlmepieces val
ued al 1924. Richardson county, one Oh tne
wealthiest in the state, shows ohly aoou.
SIS 900 deposited in banks, whlle III soihe
other counties not a dollar is shown. and ap-
parently no bank stock is owned by cltizens
of the counties assessed.
STATE HOUSE GOSSIP.
II the case of Broatch against Moores
comes to trial in the supreme court unuer
the rules of the court Moores VIII De en-
titled to a jury trial, the case inYoiVins
questions of fact as we'll as of law II,
however. Jury should be called in the case,
the situation would be embarrassing. as there
| is no money wherewth to pay the expenses
| of a jury trial in the supreme court. II
| Is pointed out that in the case against j.
| p. Hll, when a Jury trial was held special
appropriation was made for that purpose
| The state committee of the silver wing OF
| the democratic party VIII hold a meeting at
| the Office of the secretaries OF the state
Board of Transportation next Monday after
| noon, whe1 a call will be made for the
state convention.
The following notaral commissions were
! issued today: Ed. M. Tracy Of Tecumseh,
| Lester b. Weaver Of Whitman. John p.
Heald of Osceola, Walter S. McLucas of
Fiarbury, S. D. Fitche of University Place,
H. S Craig of Ulysses, Wilbur S. Rosecranz
of South Omaha.
The Exhibitors Agency of Omaha, with
capital stock of $1,000, has filed articles
of incorporation with the secretary of state
the incorporators being o. C. Holmes, 7.
| c.. Havens, e. Barry, r. NJ. Bonnell and j.
B. Porter The business of the new company
is to act as agent for persons or firms de-
string to make exhibits at the Transmits
| siesippi Exposition .- .....
| Senators F. O. Feltz of Ogallala and w
H. Dearing of Plattsmouth were at the state
| house today.
| Governor Holcomb announces the follow
| ing appointments of members Of the visiting
and examining board for the soldiers home
J. C. Baird of Cedar Rapids, to succeed
| Morgan. term expires in 1900; Mrs. A. II
| Bowen Of Hastings, to succeed Mrs. Bates
| term expires in 1900 o. s. Ward of Lincoln
| to succeed Mrs. Abbott. term expires 1899
Omaha people at the hotels: At the
| Lncoln-Sol Bergman. G. C. Stanley, J. E
| Eyler, John A. King.