The record-union., 1897-09-21

be better to refund that debt than TO
pay It off next year. The lessening of
the levy % cents on each 500 would
be greatly appreciated by the people.
Supervisor brennan agreed with Mr.
Berkey, and moved that the % cents
referred to be taken off the levy.
Supervisor Curtis was of the same
way CT thinking, and favored the elm
ination of the bond redemption tax.
Supervisor Morrison strenuOusly OPP
posed the motion. The bonds will fall
due III February next, and he did not
believe in refunding the $4,000 and
renewing the debt. This is a good time
to pay it off. Most people do not be-
lieve n keeping up a bonded indebted
ness. He was one of those who did
not believe in entailing debts on his
children.
Last years tax was not heavy,
and though the levy just made is
little higher, the real tax to be paid
will be little if any greater than was
paid last year The country tax last
year was on $16.000000, while this
year it is on but $13 100000. The roll
is low, the year has been a prosperous
one and now is a good time TO get
rid of some of our debt. The best time
to pay a debt is when you can do H.
/ Hay, grain, beef, wool and all the
things that farmers have to sell may
not bring such good prices next year
He had gone over the list carefully with
the Auditor and had omitted many
items IN the way of improvements IN
order to keep the tax rate down so
that these bonds might be paid off.
Chairman jenkins said he had voted
for the % cents $50 had all the mem
bers of the board), but he had come TO
the conclusion that it would be better
to refund at this time. The season
had been a prosperous one, to be sure
/ but it might not be so next year. Many
of his constituents had asked him to
/ try and keep down the levy, and he
should favor taking off the % cents.
! Supervisor Morrison called attention
! to the fact that the county roll had
! been reduced, but it would never be
done again The roll is low, the state
rate is now less than it will be again in
many years, and While the people VIII
| be paying off this S65, 900 incubus ii
will not cost them cent more in taxes
/ than they paid last year.
Now, he said, when money is more
plentiful and the farmers are having
| the benefit of less taxes than usual, IS
the opportunity to wipe out portion
of the county's debt. Do this, and the
very persons who now oppose 1t
will bless you a year from now. A
bonded debt is a mortgage on every
farm and household in the county, and
these public mortgages should be re-
moved as rapidly as possible.
The roll was called and Curtis, Ore
man and Jenkins voted to- strike off
the % cents, Morrison and Mclaughlin
only voting to retain it,
This action reduced the tax levy from
! 81 rs on each 500 to 81 81.
AGAIN RECONSTRUCTED.
County Treasurer Greenlaw here
came into the room and informed the
board that under the law they are re-
quired to pay off a certain portion Of
the indebtedness this year The amount
required is about $500 If the board
decides not to refund the $50, 900 of .
per cent bonds, it must pay off about
half that amount of ~ per cent. bonds.
! This matter had been fully considered
in making up the estimates, and it was
/ deemed better to let the others go and
pay off the $50 coo of 6 per cent. bonds.
The difference, said Mr.. Greenlaw,
would be only six cents on the 500, as
the board must go back and revise its
/ levy by providing a fund to meet the
interest on the refunded bonds. Beside.
there will be about 81 900 outlay in
connection with advertising,
attorneys fees, printing of bonds, etc.
By paying off the $50, 900 falling due
the county would save $4,000 annually
in interest.
Supervisor Morrison thereupOn moved
that the board again reconsider its ac-
| ton, and this time Chairman Jenkins
voted with Messrs. Morrison and Nc
Laughlin.
Mr.. Jenkins said that Treasurer
Greenlaw's explanation had given him
new light on the subject, and if they
would save only six cents on the tax
levy he believed it better to pay off the
$4,000 of high interest bonds than
$50, 900 Of bonds bearing lower interest.
After apportioning the railroad mile
| age among the road and school dis
tricts for local taxation purposes. the
board adjourned.