The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1897-08-21
IS THIS JUSTICE.

From the record Of the proceedings Of
ahe board Of equalization, we take the
following:
Jay Sedgwick, Esd, tax agent for the
Northern Pacific Railway Co., made ap-
plication for said NeFtheRn Pacific Eail-
way Co. for reduction OF the assessed
valuation on steamboats, and barges as
sessed to C0eur d'Alene Railway & Navi-
CATION CO., and controlled by said
Northern Pacific Railway Co. w. b.
DishMan moved that said assessment be
reduced from $l3. 600 TO $40, GOO, seconded
Ivy w. III. Gable. Thomas ]. Smith
moved that said assessment be reduced
from $13,O10 to $l2 $50 and thereupon ii
was ordrred that said assessment be
reduced from $4,000 to $l0,0O0 by the
following vote: W. h, DiShman and
W. III. Gable voting in the affirmative,
and Thomas ]. Smith Toting in the
negative.
The application Of the Northern Pa
rifie Railway Co.. through its agent, Jaw
Seagwiek, Esq, for a reduction OF its
assessed valuation on lands belonging to
raid company for the wear 1897, having
been heretofore taken under consideFa,
tioE; now, at this time il was ordered,
on motion OF w. b. Dishman, seconded
W. ii. Cable. that the assessed valuation
OF the Northern Pacific Railway Co.'S
lands within the county OF kootenai.
Idaho, for the year 1897. be reduced
from $2s6,ll1 as originally assessed. to
the sum OF $l75, SO7, reduction OF $50
$40 on its said lands. w, ID. Dishman
and w. Ill. Gable voting in favor OF said
reduction, and Thomas j. Smith voting
against said reduction.
The action OF the commissioners, as it
appears on the record, is an injustice to
the people that needs explaining. Two
nf the board have voted for horizontal
reduction Of SIS. 80 in the assessed val
nation OF the Northern Paeifc's property
5000 on personal property and $780,
$40 on real estate. What excuse can
Commissioners Dishman and Gable offer
TO the tax-FiddeR people OF this county
for such q wholesale reduction OF the
railway taxes? The assessor states that
he assessed the railroad lands and those
of the farmer, where values were equal.
at the came price. Then what right
had the commissioners to discriminate
against the farmer and in favor of the
railroad to the amount OF $53,S10? Is
the corporation a pet OF the Populistic
commissioner and the goldbug commits
siOner, that they should make it q
present OF the taxes on the above
amount, or is there some other reason
for their action? To cay the least a
majority OF people look upon the matter
with suspicion. Just think OF it! A
reform Populist and an honest goldbug,
who does not believe in paying debts
with dishonest silver dollars, making
tie Northern Pacific a present of SO
much money at the expense of the peo-
pie. Taxpayers, how do you like it?
While We are discussing the subject
we will say that the action OF Commis-
sioner Smith, in voting against the
wrong, is commended by every taxpayer
60 whom We have mentioned the matter.
He believes in dealing justly with the
Northern Pacific as we'll as with tie
people. and will meyer give his vote to
the preparation OF an act that is plainly
unjust. Let the Silver Plated Blade de
fend these acts il it daFei
We offer Commissioners Disbman and
Gable the free use OF our columns for an
explanation in defense OF their action.
They may be able to satisfy the public
that they we're right and Smith wrorg.
II go the Pass offers to publish any
thing they may write on the subject
free OF charge. by accepting this they
will reach the people who read this
article. BY remaining silent they will
prove themselves unworthy to fill the
official positions they hold and should
be removed by an outraged constituency