Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1901-11-18
ASSESSMENTS And
TAX COLLECTIONS
Governor 0tero Calls Direct Attention to
the Low Assessment Valuations in New
Mexico and to the Failure to COL
lect the Full Amount Of Tax
es Levied.
A MEETING WITH The
BOARD OF EQUALIZATION


The following Is the text of the cir
cular received by the assessors, tax
collectors and members of the boards
of county commissioners of the differ
ernor Otero:
Sir: Your particular attention Is
called to the action of the territorial
board of equalization at it's September
meeting, requesting your attendance
with it on the second Monday of Jan
uary for the purpose of consulting to-
gether in regard to having a reasona-
BILE and uniform rate of taxation upon
the same class of property throughout
the territory This desire on their part
requesting me to so call you, the
chairmen of the several boards of
county commissioners and the assess
ors of each county, to consult together
at that time upon this most important
matter pertaining to the welfare and
success of our territory.
At the statehood convention held at
Albuquerque, October Is and 16, the
following resolution was unanimously
adopted
Whereas, This unfortunate condi-
tion has been caused largely by each
set of county officers acting indepen-
IDENTIFY of the others, and not consult
ing with reference to valuations upon
the same class of property; now
therefore, be it
Resolved, That we as citizens and
tax payers of the territory heartily ap-
prove of the recommendation Of the
governor and territorial board OF
equalizatio calling the different as
SCISSORS and chairmen of the boards of
county commissioners to assemble at
the capitol in January, 1902, to meet
with the board of equalization for the
purpose of agreeing upon fair and uni
form assessments in the different
counties, and that we pledge them our
hearty support and assistance in any
measure to that end which they may
agree upon"
Unless our present assessment rolls
are made to conform somewhat to the
facts, I will feel it my duty to report
the condition to the interior depart
ment at Washington for such action as
may be deemed necessary. Ard have
no doubt but that congress will be
called upon to remedy the great abuse
in the matter of assessments and col
- %l,ot yoi1 in, nIJr
territory.
In my annual report to the secretary
of the interior, I have called attention
to the great increase Of sheep and cat
tie, and other taxable wealth in 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 list and value the property
returned by the tax payer. 1t is also
largely the fault Of the boards OF
county commissioners sitting as a
board of equalization which should
correct these errors of the assessors,
but even then the collectors are large
ly to blame in not efficiently collecting
even the small amount of taxes levied,
and it is a notorious fact that only
about 65 per cents of the taxes levied
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 its different
counties.
You will please acknowledge the re-
ceipt of this letter and indicate to me
without delay whether you will attend
such meeting on the second Monday of
January, 1902, Very respectfully,
MIGUEL A. OTERO,
Governor Of New Mexico.