The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-12-19

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take testimony
Capt. Price: .Our places were agreed
upon by all parties"
Judge Shepherd: Its the duty OF the
Master to take testimony, and he's going
TO take it when and where necessary, and
with a view to saving time and expense. y
Judge Conner: "In the interest OF
economy we shall be compelled to go to
a larger number of places than were visit
ed by the other side, and for reasons that
must be apparent to ALL
At this point the discussion closed, it
being agreed that the question of future
hearings would be taken up later.
Before the testimony for the State was
commenced the railroads put in certih-
Gates from several counties and the re-
port of the mayor of Raleigh for 1897.
EXAMINATION OF WITNESSES.
The first witness examined was Mr.. Z.
r. Scott, of Cary. He was member OF
the township board of assessors in 1897,
and he declared that he knew OF no rule
or understanding to undervalue property
for taxation, but that they had tried in
1899 to arrive at the true cash value. He
knew of lands that had sold for less
than tax valuation and some that had
sold for more. He gave instances Of
both. and said that he thought land in
his section had, since 1899, gone Up at
least $1.00 an acre in value, on account
Of the increased price of cotton.
II know town lot he said. that
was valued at $3.50 for taxation and it
sold for $400.'
Capt Day: do you know that OF your
own knowledge"
Mr.. Scott: 81 do, because l bought it
myself"
Maj Shaw now took the witness in
hand for a cross examination, and,
prompted by Mr. A. B. Andrews, Jr., he
questioned him infinitely as to- his
tScott's) own property, from the house in
which he lived down to the smallest and
cheapest article of furniture in it.
No witness, no matter what his eharac-
ter or what the case. could hardly have
been more severely dealt with. Mai.
Shaw piled the impeaching questions
suggested by Mr.. Andrews, while Capt.
Day on one side said: Go for him.
Shaw" and Capt. Price on the other
eide gave similar advice.
Maj Shaw: did you visit all the
lands you assessor"
Mr.. Scott mo"
Just knew all about it anyway
mo l don't know why they appoint
d me assessor, anyway"
81 don't either"
Judge Conner: 81 object to the course
If the examination. The witness is en-
titled to respect from opposing counsel"
The Master said he didn't hear coun-
sel's remark.
The examination proceeded.
Did you raise the valuation OF any
,and?'
YES My own for one"
What sort of house is on it,
"The ugliest in Cary"
Maj Shaw then turned his attention to
he affidavit signed by Mr.. Scott and laid
before Judge Simonton at Asheville, in
which he declared that there had been
no rule of differentiation adopted or
followed.
Didn't you sign that because you
thought you were attacked by the rail-
'oad?"
mo. / signed it because it was true"
PRICE STRIKES A SNAG.
Mr.. Scott was followed by Mr.. A. w.
uOy6, announcer dSS6SSOI III Cdi LONASltiP,
Who testified to substantially the same
acts in regard to the rule followed by
he assessors in fixing the value of real
,state.
1.-The Winder property" he said, 'was
assessed at So, 400 and at that time | was,
IS agent, trying to sell it for $4,000. 1t
las since been sold for $4,000. l think
he value of real estate generally has in
reased since 1892
Capt. Price was appointed to cross-ex-
anime Mr.. Moye under the coaching of
Mr.. Andrews, but his questions, though
much on the same order as those put by
Mai Shaw to Mr.. Scott, amounted to
nothing save reiteration of the declara-
ion that the only custom prevailing in
Jary township was to tax property at it's
rue money value, as nearly as could be
lscertained.
Then Capt Price turned his attention
O the affidavit signed by Mr.. Moye and
tut in evidence before Judge Simonton.
why did you sign to" he demanded.
Because l believed what it contained
o be true.
In this connection Capt. Price once or
vice contradicted the witness and Judge
yonnor again appealed to the Master
vhereupon Mr.. Moye quietly said.
THAT may be Capt. Prices under
standing of it, but I likely understand
tbout as much of my reasons for doing
, thing as he does. When l signed the
,ffidayit l did not understand there was
IN attack on me, but on the value OF
'ailroad property fixed by the Corpora
ion Commission. l believed the affidavit
rue then and / believe it now
NOT THERE TO GUESS.
The next witness examined was Mr..
Robert A. Freeman, a tax assessor in
Wake Forest township His direct testi-
nony was the same as that given by
Nessrs. Moye and Scott. namely, that
.uch a tax value was put on land as it
was believed by the assessors that it
would bring at cash sale; that there
vas no understanding or rule of under
ialuation.
Capt. Day, prompted by Mr.. Andrews
With his copies of the tax books. under
ook to cross examine this witness in
he same manner as Maj. Shaw had cross
,xamined Mr. Scott and Capt. Price
lad tried to cross examine Mr. Moye, but
Mr. Freeman is a very positive man