The San Juan County index. (Aztec, N.M.) 1890-19??, 1901-11-22

The following is the teyt OF the cir
cular received by the assessors. tax
collectors aud members OF the boards
Of county commissioners Of the different
counties Of the territory from
Governor Otero;
SIR Your particular attention is
called to action OF the territorial board
Of equalization at it's September meeting
requesting your attendance with it on
the second Monday If January for the
purpose OF consulting together ia regard
to having a reasonable and uniform rate
Of taxation upon the came class Of prop.
erty throughout the territory. This
eesire on their part was com municated
to me by a letter requesting me to so
call you, the chairman Of the several
boards OF county commissioners and the
aaseesnre Of each county, to coDsult to-
gether at that time upon the most i'm
portant matter pertaining to the welfare
and success ofiour territory
At the statehood convention held at
Albuquerque, October 10 and Is, the
following resolution was Unanimously
adopted;
Whereas, this unfortunate condition
has been caused largely by each set Of
county officers acting independently Of
the others, and not consulting with
reference to valuations upon the same
claes Of property; now therefore be it
Resolved, That we as citizens aud
tax payers Of the territory heartily ap
prove of the recommendation OF the
governor and territorial board of equal
ization, calling the different assessors
and chairman Of the boards OF county
te,-. ,oua ~, t,io az tnn
10 January, 1902, to meet with the board
Of equalization for the purpose Of agree
iug upon fair and uniform assessments
in the different coGnties, and that we
pledge them our hearty support and as
sisiance in .aay measure TO that end
Ahich they may agree upon"
Uuless our present assessment rolls
are made to conform somewhat to the
facts. ] will feel it my dtty TO report the
condition to the interior department at
Washington for such action as may be
deemed necessary. And / have no
doubt but that congress will be calla
upon to remedy the great abuse IN the
matter Of assessments and collection Of
taxes that prevails ia our territory.
10 my annual report to the secretary
of the interior, have called attention to
the great increase Of sheep and cgttle.
and other taxable wealth ia New Mexico.
These statements by me are not borne
out by the assessment rolls which show
an annual decrease in the value OF
property This is primarily the fault
of the assessors. who do not properly
lss and value the property returned 10y
Gle iaX payer It Is also largely tho
fault of Tho boardg of county c0mmieaOn
ers sitting as b board Of equalization
ahich ahould correct these errors OF the
aasaaa0fs. but even then the collectors
are largely Go blame no not efficiently
collecting even the small amount Of
taxes levied. and DO Is q notorious fact
ihat only about G5 per cent Of The taxes
isv.ad are collected and turned in to
the proper treasury. This Is a condition
that can be no longer tolerated FOR the
credit Of the territory and it's different
counties.
You will please acknowledge the re-
ceipl OF this letter and indicate TO me
without delay whether you viii attend
such meeting 90 the second Monday Of
January. 1902 Very respectfully.
MIGUEL a. OTHRo.
Governor of New NE