The San Francisco call., 1898-10-09

John D. Siebe, the Republican nomi- nee for Assessor, has had a very flat tering tribute paid to his administra- tion of the affairs of that office dur ing the past eight years by having his candidacy indOrsed by both the. Non Partisan and Populist parties. It is a part of the political creed of Popuiism to denounce corporations and to claim in a general manner that these insti- tutions are usually the recipients of more than their share of favors from public officials. The municipal con- vention of the Peoples party did not, however, find aught in any of MT. Siebes official acts that showed unjust discrimination on his part in the as sessment of corporations, and for this reason, as well as his demonstrated fiI- ness for the position, they indorsed hlm as their unanimous nominee.
 During the eight years MT. Siebe has served as Assessor he has conducted the affairs of the office in an upright and businesslike manner, and in mak- ing assessments has been just and con- servaJive in his treatment of both rich and poor, aimir~ as nearly as possi- ble to equaliZe the burdens of taxation. In the matter of assessing banks and franchises of corporations having spe- cial privileges MT. Siebes political enc mics have endeavored at various times to question his Judgment, and some even have gone so far as to question his honesty in this respect.
 A few figures taken from the records of the Assessors office demonstrate that MT. Siebe has exercised sound judgment in dealing with the subject of assessments of banks and franchises of corporations, and they refute en- tirely the assertions of those who ac- of -irlar wit h q nh1 judgment any class of property.
 In 1890, the last year of MT. Siebe's predecessor in the Assessors office, the assessment of banks was s, 5,149, 321, while for the present year the assess ment of the banks is $10, ,319, 256, being an increase during the eight years of MT. Siebe's administration of S5,169.- 935. In 1890, the assessment of the franchises of corporations having spc- cial privileges was $4S31, ,250, and for the present year the assessment is S11,- 026, 400, an increase of $6, 195, 150 This shows a total increase in corporation assessments from 1890 to 1898, the pe- riod of Mr. Siebes incumbency, or $11,- 365, ,0S5.
 In the year 1890 the personal prop erty assessment roll footed up S66, ,0S2,- 372, and in 1898 it amounted to $6S, ,695,- 110, showing an increase of but S2, ,162,- 738. When it is considered that there
 
 banks and franchises of corporations having special privileges of s11, ,365, OS5 from 1890 to 1898, 1t certainly disproves the assertion that the burden of taxa tion has been increased on the poor and frightened on the rich
 It shows conclusively that personal property has decreased materially with the manufacturer, tradesman and householder, and has been increased to the amount of $11, 365, ,0S5 with corpora tions This increase has been a grad ual and orderly one, spread out over a period of eight years. and it demon- strates the wisdom of MT. Siebe in an eminent degree.
 To have made a radical and exten- sive increase in these assessments within period of one year would have been fraught with great danger to the city. That any radical increase in the assessments of banks and corporations would have been bitterly contested in the courts goes without saying. The expense of litigation would have been heavy and would have been an extra burden upon the taxpayers. During the time the matter was pending in the courts, and the litigation could and doubtless would have extended over a period of several years, the city would have been forced to get along without a dollar of taxes from any of these banks or corporations. The outcome of any such proceedings would be prob lematical, but the chances are that the city would in the end be beaten.
 MT. Siebe's course has the approval of a majority of the taxpayers, and this approval will undoubtedly be man. ifested in a. splendid majority for the Republican nominee when the votes shall have been counted after the eiec- tion-