Lewiston daily teller. (Lewiston, Idaho) 1900-1901, 1900-11-01

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fees; this for contesting the homesteaders
rights before the local land Office. This
was perhaps Mr.. Morris first attorney
fee, which no doubt accounts for the
smallness of the sum. As on page 466
will be found that Messrs. Hawley and
Puckett, Of Boise, Idaho, received $ao7s
for similar services. They are all good
democratic brothers aud are entitled to
consideration at the hands Of this wise
and economical administration, regard
less Of those people-the taxpayers-who
"bear the burden in the heat Of the day."
as our supreme court has aptly said. It
seems that this wise and economic all
ministration" does not concur with the
higher court in its opinion that the "tax-
payers have some rights in the premises
which cannot he frittered away" These
remarks as made by the supreme court.
were applied to = county attorney; but
they are equally applicable to state off,
GERS, who, either BY oficiousness or
courtesy. employ attorneys to perform
the duties Of the attorney general Of the
state, who receives q salary expressly for
the purpose Of compelling him to attend
to all cases where the interests Of the
state are involved.
This appropriation bill also reveals the
fact that Messrs. Stockclager & Hurd
were also paid $7soas attorneys fees in
these land cases. Mr.. Stockclager ID .
brother Of the democratic nominee for
the supreme bench, now before the
people Of this state seeking that Office.
The local land Office at Lewiston has re-
Gently received notices and advices from
the secretary Of the interior at Washing
ton, through the department, that all
these land cases had teen decided
against the state and that costs to the sum
of $4,000 had been taxed up against the
state Of Idaho. The costs together with
other "wise and economical expendi-
lures made by this state board in it's ef.
forts to expel the settler from their
homes, will aggregate approximately
$a5,oo besides pending these contests
the state failed to make selections Of
other lands in their stead, thus permit
ting timber syndicates to file script on
the same. and losing approximately, $50.
600 acres Of land which would have been
worth not less than fIo per acre, or
$2oo, 900 This is = total loss because
there is no other chance to make lieu
locations on land Of similar value, on be-
half Of the state, to acquire any other
property whatever In its stead. This
loss is chargeable. to the permanent
school fund and directly affects our insti-
stutions Of learning.
Besides this loss to the state the loss to
the individual settlers who were thereby
called npon to defend their homes against
this unwarranted attack was severe
burden to them all. They were required
to employ attorneys at large expense,
to make pilgrimages to the land Office
and await the introduction o testimony
which consumed many days, and were
compelled likewise to bear the expenses
Of themselves and their witnesses and
also railroad fare to and from Lewiston.
All this could have been avoided and an
immese saving made to the state, by the
simple process Of taking lieu locations.
as has been the course under the former
republican administration.
The last fusion legislature re-enacted
the assessment Law governing the assess
lnent of property. adding proviso, that
il any assessor listed or cause to be listed
any property for less than its reasonable
cash value, such officer would be subject
to penalty of from one to three hun
dred dollars and to insure the enforce
inent of this law, it provided that one
half Of the penalty should be paid to the
party or parties filing the information.
The statute contained another provision
authorizing the state board of equalixa-
ton to call together the assessors of the
various counties in the state. at Boise
City, for the purpose of consultation with
the State Board If equalization. This
was accordingly done, and in the spring
Of 1899, Mr.. Steunenberg, our present
governor, chairman of the Board Of
Equalization, informed them, that unless
they complied with the requirements Of
the law, SO far as assessing property at its
cash value was concerned, that the PEN
atty would be enforced. He however
told shem that It was the intention of the
State Board of Equalization to raise the
assessment on railroads, telephone and