Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1899-08-09
Taxing OF D|VE STOCK
Executive Council Will Make Alts
other Attempt to Equalize the
Live Stock Assessment.
Plan First Outlined Will Be Aban
doned- Soldiers Letters for
Historical Hall.
Judge Woolson Renders Decree in
Manning Insurance Case The
Democratic Nomination.

SUecldl TO IlQleS-11epuDUCaQ.
Des Moines, Aug. 9.-Another attempt
will be made tomorrow by the execu-
tive council acting as a board of re-
view to equalize the live stock assess
ment of the state. The task was first
undertaken several weeks ago, and a
plan was then outlined for the work. II
is not likely. however. that this plan
Will be followed, as during the recess
taken by the board, it has been demon
in an injustice to certain sections of
the state. According to the original
plan, the state was divided into nine
almost equal districts. In each of these
the assessment of the different kinds of
live stock We're to De averaged, and in
those counties in which the assessment
fell below the average for the district,
the figures were to be raised, leaving
unchanged those assessments made by
the counties which were above the av-
erage.
1t has been discovered that this plan
would result in an increase in the live
stock valuation of the state of nearly
| So, 600 900, an increase of $600,00O being
made in the assessment of cows alone.
| 1t is because of this increase that the
plan suggested at first will doubtless be
| abandoned. The necessity OF large
| livestock assessment is not apparent
at this time. The proposal TO Increase
greatly the assessment on real estate
was abandoned after mature delibera-
| tion and it is deemed best not to in
crease that on live stock to any great
lextsnt.
| The plan most likely to be adopted is
TO average the counties in districts as
| first suggested. and then to increase
ithose assessments below the avera ge to
within five per cent. of the average as
Isessment, decreasing the higher assess
ments to five per cent. above the aver
lage. This plan would effect but d slight
| increase In the aggregate and would
accomplish the purpose of the board by
really equaliZing the assessment. The
average assessment of cows in the state
lis s29. Pottawattomie county has 1900
| COWS which it assessed at S39 each. If
| the first plan were carried into execu-
ton an injustice would be done TO that
lcounty as its assessment would remain
unchanged. while ether counties would
be raised only to the general average
| for the district.
| Mrs. Anna Wittemeyer, of Philadel-
phia. has presented the state historical
department with collection of soldier
lletters. which. taken as whole, form.
a valuable history OF the civil war. The
letters We're written principally by Iowa
many from representatives OF other
states are included. There are several
thousand letters in all. enough TO fill
six large sies. They are bound in per-
manent form. and will afford valu-
liable source OF information 70 those stu
dents who are making a careful and de-
tailed study of The war. Especially are
they valuable In tracing the history OF
the Iowa troops through the civil War
Mrs. Wittemeyer is one of The most
prominent women IL the country. She
was the first president of the Women s
Christian Temperance Union In 1880
she allied herself with the nonpartisan
|branch of the organization and became
Tits president. She also assisted IN the
organization of the Womeu's Relief
Corps. She is an Iowa woman and has
been interested in i number of import
ant movements in this state. 1t was
she who founded the Soldiers Orphans
Home at Davenport. This fall she will
visit Iowa and renew her acquaintances
in the state.
] The members of the Iowa Railway
Commission left this morning for Den
|ver, Col. to attend the annual conven-
ltion Of the national association of rail-
way commissioners. The session will
Hast from ten days to two weeks.
Judge Woolson in the federal court
lentered a decree Yesterday in the case
brought against the city of Manning by
/ the German Insurance Company of
! Freeoprt, Ill. The company had pur-
chased $4,000 bonds issued by the mum
icipality for the purpose of erecting a
city water plant. The issue exceeded
the constitutional limit OF Indebtedness
and payment was enjoined. The COM
pany then sought to enforce collection,
but the court held for the city. declar-
ing the bonds to be invalid.
That the severe cold of the past win
| Ter dlq great damage TO the fruit crop
of the state is being more completely
demonstrated as the season advances
| The yield of small fruit in Iowa was ex-
ceptionally small. The crops still to
ripen will also fall far below the usual
| yield. Secretary Green, of the state
horticultural department. has secured
reports from many counties in the
state. every district being represented
According to these figures. the yield
this year will be but a small per cent of
the average crop. The showing of fall
apples is SIS per cent; for winter ap-
pies. Bis; for American pluns, 55 for
| grapes, 1875 of the usual crop.
| The movement against the nominal
4 tion of Cato Sells as governor by the
democratic party at its coming conven-
tion was given further impetus by the
Dubuque county democrats yesterday.
In their county convention, they adopt
ed strong resolutions endorsing the Chi
cago platform. reiterating 16 to /, favor
ing the denomination of Bryan in 1900,
and instructing Its delegates to the
state convention to use their influence
Ns