The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-01-10

All or the taxpayers Of this city are not
in tune with the recommendations OF the
retrenchment and tax reform convention
recently held at Tacoma. Yesterday
petition signed by several prominent
property holders was circulated, request
ing ali taxpayers TO meet next Saturday
at the Chamber of Commerce ITO consider
these proposed reforms and among other
things 10 adopt formal petition to the
legislature to reject ouch oppressive meas
ures. The petition follows:
ITO Taxpayers: A convention. presum-
ably composed of delegates from different
parts Of the state. and denominating Itself
the 'Retrenchment and Tax Reform Con-
yention, held a session in the city OF Ia
coma on the 30th of December, 1896. This
organization formally adopted and an
uounced 10 the public that II would cause
10 be printed and distributed among the
members OF the legislature of the state OF
Washington the following suggestions 10
that honorable body:
Taxes 20 become cue on January l. to
become delinquent on Nav 81. II one-half
the remaining half by November 80. no
penalty or interest accrues. If the first
half be not paid by May n. then there at.
taches to the entire amount penalty OF
10 per cent. and interest from date OF de-
Hnquency at the rate Of II per cent. per
annum. II said taxes be not paid on or
before March l following delinquency. the
property Is by the county treasurer adj
vertised and sold In April ard certificate
of such sale given therefor, which bears
interest at the rate of 20 per cent. per an
mum. Property may be redeemed at any
time within two years from date OF sale.
after which an absolute deed issues: and
a rebate OF per cent. be allowed on All
taxes paid not less than three months
prior TO date of delinquency.
-" Resolved. That lands becoming the
property Of the county through failure or
the owner to pay taxes. he subject TO sale
ar any time to any person willing TO. pay
the hack taxes including penalties and eX
penses- ,o.-,,,
mate investment OF m oney n tax certih-
Gates at the times Of the public sales and
thus relieve the county from the emnar-
rassment of bidding In large amounts or
property and lying out OF the use of money.
we recommend that a law be enacted
by which The guaranty Of the county viii
attach TO every tax certlncate against
any irreguarity or informality in the
tax levy or the subsequent proceedings TO
the extent of reimbursing the purchaser
for the amount paid and interest thereon.
:. That IL Is the sense Of this convention
that the legislature should pass no act re-
hitting the penalty or interest upon de-
Nnquent taxes
THE recent official report of the audi
tor of the state of WASHINGTON energeticaI-
" recommends the massage of a law
see rely less stringent in its character.
ITO comment upon this remarkable full
mnation Of the Retrenchment ana Tax
Reform Convention IN all its drastic fea-
lures would command too much space FOR
the purposes of this brief address.
Wien the extraordinary monetary de-
preston existing in the state. coupled
with the high assessed values for and I'M
usual rate of taxation. Is considered, the
enactment of a law incorporating these
suggestions would be conhscatory in its
ultimate results.
"The undersigned committee therefore
earnestly requests all taXpavers TO meet
on Saturday, the 18th dav Of January, 1897,
at 2 o'clock .. m. at the rooms OF the
Chamber Of Commerce IN the city of Seat
tie to consider those proposed reforms
and among other things 10 adopt a formal
petition to the legislature 10 reject such
onpressive measures"