Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-03-29
Complalns OF the Governor.

COMpla100 OIL the Governor
"The members present did not ser:-
ously question the reasonableness or
the fairness of the plan, but seemed 10
view it tdvorably-so much SO, indeed,
that | left the session rejoiced with
the hope that at last | should be in
accord with the majority.
However, on March %, an amend
ment to my resolution was offered by
The governor, which, / submit, shows
that the author not only ignores the
plain language and purport OF my reso-
luton, but fails in candor and fairness
i'll representing the method and effect
OF the plan proposed by me, will not
say he deliberately misrepresented
me, but the fact that he does misreprs-
sent me remains"
Mr.. Herriott then enters into long
discussion of his theory of assessing
railway property upon the basis of its
earnings, capitalizing earnings at
per cent to secure the assessed valua-
ton.
In doing this he does not deduct the
amount of taxes paid by the railways
in this basis. The assessment would
have been increased about $4,OOO,OUO,
poC apPiylh3 Liz SiuiC dlld
| ideducting the taxes as part of the eN-
penses the result would be to reduce
the assessment about $4OO,OOO. Mr..
Herriott claims that assessments here
tofore have not counted taxes as eN-
penses.
Mr.. Herriott claims that many in
equalities have been permitted to exist
lin the railway assessment as between
companies, chiefly that the Northwest
ern has been assessed too low and the
Rock Island too high.
In conclusion he says:
''Time and time again in the eNecu-
tive council chamber have thundered
the charge herein made. Never, as l
recall, have my figures or assertions
been disproved to any essential degree,
but. my efforts, my indignation, my
patience, my appeals to honor and to
party have availed nothing. l have
been laughed at and scorned. What is
more, | have been ignored utterly, for
most of the assessments, il current
gossip is to be credited, have been de-
termined outside the council chamber
| in the secretary of states private Of
fee, in secret star chamber sessions,
in consultation with The represents
tiyes of one or sometimes two rail
roads," q
Governor and Secretary Reply.
Governor Shaw and Secretary Dobson
| issued last night the following state
ment:
'I,he council had been in session
nearly every day for week, and no
intimations of any change in plan had
been given by any member until We'd
neslay afternoon, March 21. Then the
treasurer filed a resolution setting
forth basis for the assessment and
determining the method and rates
thereof This recommended as the ag-
gregate assessment of said roads, the
| fourth part of a sum which, at pei
cent, would yield the net earnings
of the aggregate roads of the state.
'sIn making the assessments of the
various systems it was proposed to, and
the gross and net earnings and assess
at "a per cent thereof, giving the
branches the same relative proportion
| to the aggregate assessment of the
roads as they had had the previous
year.
! He was requested to give his rea-
sons for the proposed innovation, and
the theory OF his computation. This
he declined to do, but he said he would
discuss it the next day, when it WAS
agreed the assessment should bs
made.
Owing to the illness of auditor
Merriam the council adjourned to NEE,
at his rooms at the Savery house OF
| Thursday afternoon, as he had request
ed, but when notified that the council
was ready to go to work the treasurer
declined. giving as a reason that MI
Merriam's health would not justify i