The silver blade. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1895-1903, 1899-04-01

Assessor Buckle returned from
Boise on Thursday where he had been
attending a meeting OF the assessors
of the state. The meeting was at
tended by twenty of the twenty-one
assessors, and many important Ques-
tions relative to valuations were dis
cussed il open session. The object Of
the meeting was to carry out a meas
ure passed by the last legislature pro-
viding for a genera. increase OF the
assessed valuation Of the property OF
the state. II the plans agreed upon
by the assessors are carried out the
valuation will be doubled. This does
not mean an increase 10 taxes, for
while the valuation Is to be Increased
the rate Of taxation will be lowered
accordingly. The following uniform
rates were agreed upon for the ensn-
ing year:
On range sheep. including last
years lambs, So per head; all other
grades OF sheep to be assessed upon
ttat basis. The rate last year as
equalized by the state board was $l.65
head.
On range cattle, to include year.
lings, In cases where the bands are
not made up wholly or largely IT
them, 1922 a head, which is to be the
basis of assessment Of all other grades
OF cattle. Last years assessment of
range stock was $l3 head.
On range horses, SIS head, and
other grades proportiouately. The
rate last year was 81. SO head.
1t was decided that merchandise
should be assessed on the basis Of the
last inventory, less ten per cent Of the
total as shown thereby.
The assessors also came to the con
clusiOn that. real estate should be as
sessed according to the Judgment d
the individual assessors In view q
the disparity OF values In the various
counties
With reference to the assessment
of money on deposit 10 banks Attor
/, ney General Hays advised them the
! could subpoena witnesses and secur
a statements under oath, but the.
could not cemand lists from tn
y bankers. The capital stock Of bank
that are incorporated should be taxet
= he said, but when banks were no
). corporations they would have to b
taxed the same as private nrms
i Stock of foreign corporations held b
i residents OF Idaho, and money OF Ida
hOans deposited in hanks 10 Otbe
- states were also taxable here. III
question was raised that there wa
- danger OF double taxation, but tn
d attorney general pointed out that tn
, money could not be taxed In the stat
where deposited because the foreig
banks would report 1t 10 the list
liabilities as an Offset.
q The attorney general also held tia
d book accounts were taxable, the ps
+ centage to be allowed for bad deb
le being left to the discretion of tt
D. assessor. IIe believed sewing 10;
3 chimes would come under hOusehol
re goods exemption Of 5000, but music'
"a Instruments, watches, fire arms, etc
IL would not.
- STATE AUDITOR SINCLAIR READS A
INTERESTING PAPER.
&c During the meeting State Audit'
d. Sinclair read very interesting pap
Of which showed that he had made
IL careful study Of the question
I'd taxation. Some Of the points hrougl
ne out in his paper were as follows:
to II have here the last report OF Il
u. state board Of equalization cOntaiHit
be an abstract Of all the reports rrO
n the different counties OF personal ~
in real properties within the respecti'
OF counties for 1898. / find there IL
On city or town lots within the emil
a counties OF Boise or Owyhee and
he improvements upon city or town 10
10 those two counties. Within {
i'm entire state of Idaho there are only
} grist mills; not one 10 BannOck
I'm Bear Lake or Boise or Blaine or CT
ter or Elm0re or Lemhi or Ii