The Anaconda standard., 1898-02-22
LIVE STOCK ASSESSMENT.
The Assessor of Teton County Replies to
Certain Criticisms.

Certain Criticisms.
Great Falls, Feb 21.-Since the con-
vention held by the assessors of the
various counties of the state, the River
Press of Fort Benton has made several
structures upon the conventions action,
particularly on it's assessment of live
stock. Its principal argument has been
that while real estate was valued at
far less than value, assessments on cat
tie and sheep We're TO be at full cash
value, thus levying a heavier tax on
sheep and cattle counties than upon the
rest. The following Is reply to these
statements from the assessor of Teton
county, one of the livestock counties of
the state:
"To.the Editor of the River Press:
II beg to differ with you on your
somewhat severe criticism regarding the
action of the convention of county as
SCISSORS held at Helena Jan. ~ and 2S.
You say the circumstances under which
this convention was called, and its ac-
ton when in session. suggest the sus-
picion that it's main purpose was to
compel the livestock counties to pay
more than their just share of taxation;
or in other words, the livestock counties
in your opinion, have been made the
victims of a three-card monte game. But
you do not state who the dealers We're
in this little confidence game, whereby
you claim the livestock companies came
out second best.
Il consider your suspicious entirely
groundless as the promoters of this
convention had no other motive in view
than to arrive at a uniform value for
the purpose of assessing such classes of
property which, in their honest opinion
and Judgment, could be made uniform
throughout the State without prejudice
or partiality to any particular county or
counties. Allow me to call your atten-
fn a that a committees n
pointed by this convention to recon-
mend values on live stock were, in the
main, chosen from livestock counties. 1t
was the regret of the convention that
the assessors of some of the leading live
stock counties were not present at the
meeting, as the invitation to attend was
extended to all and due notice was
given that the meeting would be held on
! the date above mentioned.
Regarding the % per cent. discount
/ from the face or invoice value of mer-
i chandise, the opinion of this convention
/ was almost unanimous that in nearly all
/ of our mercantile establishments there
/ is about that percentage of shopworn or
! otherwise damaged goods, almost value
/ less. Regarding real estate, the general
opinion of the convention was that a
uniform value could not be placed on
| this class of property owing to the fact
! that it is of more value in some parts of
! the state than in others. For instance,
| grain and hay lands situated within a
| few miles of large town, where a good
market exists the year round, are OF
more value, though perhaps not produc-
| ing more, or as much to the acre than
| lands situated in isolated districts where
| the farmers are compelled TO haul their
/ produce 80 or so miles to market it at q
! fair remuneration. Hoping you will al
\ low me space in your paper for these
few remarks. | am respectfully yours
ID. A. PENRY,
"Assessor Teton CountY.'