Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1897-11-11
MIR. Craw ford Replies.


falsehoods. which are quite plain to any
one who can read the English language.
He says that make the pitiablc confess
sion that | know nothing concerning
values, and am utterly incompetent to
fill the Office for which had been elect
ed. He says further that his first article
contained no reference whatever to Mr.
Crawford. Again he says got up in the
august presence OF the 'pop' board and
confessed that knew nothing OF the
value OF property ; that the figures | had
sworn to as being the real value Of the
property OF Chchalis county were only
the product of diseased mind; that
other men did not allow their hatred Of
mill companies or other corporations to
influence their official actions, and that |
asked to have my figures reduced to con-
form to the ideas OF men more compe-
tent or more honest than myself, etc.
For Il lot OF lying Billingsgate submit
that this takes the cake.
Now, Mr.. Editor, that fact that | main
tanned that property OF all classes in Che
halls county had been assessed higher
than similar property in other counties
in the state does not by any means admit
that other assessors were more competent
or honest than myself, nor did the fact
that many other counties had placed Il
lower valuation on their property, prove
that theii valuations were right and
mine wrong, and think that can prove
this to anyone, even to the "honcst" and
competent" editor Of the Recorder.
Let us look for moment ut the reports
OF the state auditors for the past five or
six years and see what the common pr;tc-
ticc has been in regard to sending dele
cations to represent this and other coun-
ties, before The state board OF equaliza-
ton, and the representations and de-
mands made by the said delegations as
compared with mine. see by the state
auditors biennial report to tie state
legislature session of 1898, that the total
valuation of all property in Chehalis
county Except railroad tracks, as equal
lied by the county board was I13, 1912 ,765
in l59l. The total valuation of all prop
erty in this county Except railway track
for the year 1892, as equalized by the
county board, was $4,000 ,567, Il falling
off in values in Chehalis county in one
year of $4,9l0,10S. Hov's that for Sin
competency" and dishonesty 2" (ac-
cording to Jimmy Hood.
| find by the said auditors report that
4 large number of the counties were
represented before the state board in
1891, and asked for reductions in their
valuations from Is to 50 per cent On
page 8 OF the appendix | find the follow.
ing;
In accordance with the time set for the
hearing Of Chchalis county, delegation
appeared before the board, representing
that county, requesting reduction Of
fifty per cent on assessment on real
property. The following gentlemen rep
resented Chehalis county: GIL. Emer-
son, d. w. Fleet, Clyde Weatl,erwax,
Senator Wooding, S. ID. Arnold Samuel
Benn, G. NJ. Parkhurst and NJ. u. Goo
dell.
Did the Recorder accuse any OF these
gentlemen or the assessor of incompe-
tency and dishonesty because they asked
for a fifty per cent. reduction OH the
valuation OF the property in this county?
Not much
In 1892 the program was very much
the same, several counties asking for re-
auctions, and among the rest comes
Chehalis county with another large and
influential delegation asking for another
reduction % the valuation OF the property
of the county. On page Al, appendix,
find the following:
Pursuant to previous arrangement, a
delegation from Chehalis county consist
ing Geo. II. Emerson, G. II. Wooding, c.
n. Byles, J. 7. Medcaif, f. d. Arnold
and James ellis, county commissioner,
appeared before the board asking for
reduction OF 20 per cent on the assessed
valuation OF the county, and also led
the following: We, the undersigned
residents of Chehalis county, Washing
ton, representing the taxpayers Of said
county respectfully ask your honorable
board for reduction OF the assessed
valuation of the real property OF said
/ p,t ( wi
reason fer this request submit the follow
ing facts, etc. (IIere follows II large
amount OF figures). Among other state
ments the delegation says: From these
figures we draw the following deductions
The average assessed valuation of inn
proved lands in Chehalis county per acre
is approximately 90 per cent. higher
than Thuston county, Approximately 20
per cent. higher than Lewis county, APP
proXimately 100 per cent. higher than
Pacific county and approximately 100
per cent. higher than Mason county, etc.
"Shade OF the great Julius Ccasar," is
thisa splendid example OF the "honesty,
competence" and uniformity" of our
assessors and "other men who were con
ciencous in the discharge OF their duties
etc." or is it not?
In regard to the Recorders illusions tc
may hatred Of mill men, challenge him
or anyone else to prove that have as.
sessed any mill company in this county
unfairly
On page Is OF the state auditors repor,
| II ]. l.