The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-02-12
OBJECT TO THE CODE
COUNTY TREASURERS OPPOSE FUR
THEIR CHANGES IN METHOD
OF COLLECTING TAXES
INNOVATIONS OBJECTIONABLE
Would Result in SaddIing Increased
Work on Treasurers without
Compensation Which Sher-
IFS Now Get for Doing 1t.

The attendance at the convention of the
State Association of County Treasurers
held at the court house yesterday was
small in proportion to the membership for
the reason that in many OF me counties
there is no provision for clerk hire in the
ONCE OF the treasurer and those treas
urers were 4 lable to leave their offices.
Numerous communications were received,
however, from those unable % be present,
assuring the association of their co-opera-
ton in any action which might be taken.
These present were:
j. L. Meyer, Morrison county; David c.
Bell, Hennepin; P. ]. Metzdorf, Ramsey;
d. Il. Queaiey, Dakota; l.. H. Whipple,
st. Louis; Walter Z. Paine, Todd; A. l..
Patrick Casey, Meeker; M. G. Peterson,
Polk; 2. c. Skyberg, Rock; Charles
Schmitt, StearnS; D. J. Dodge. Waseca;
Thomas Hudek, Wright
The election effected only one change
in the former board of officers, in the
selection of David c. Bell. of Hennepfn,
to succeed L. H. Whipple of ST. Louis,
as vice president. ]. L. Meyer, of Nor
rison, was reelected as president; +. ].
Metzdorf, Ramsey, secretary, and ID. I.
Quealey, Dakota, treasurer.
The sentiment of the convention was
unanimously in favor Of continuing the
present method Of collecting taxes and
opposed to the system of collection con-
templated in the proposed tax code, on
the ground that it is impracticable.
Briefly stated the plan proposed in the
new tax code would make the treasurer
of a county the collector of all taxes and
directly responsible for their collecuon,
whereas under the present method the
work of collection devolves largely upon
the county auditor and the sheriff Now
the current tax books are kept in the
80
a taxpayer a statement Of the taxes due
and upon that statement he makes his
settlement with the treasurer The tax
commission in it's new code provided
that these current tax books shall be kept
in the treasurers Office and the taxes paid
direct to him.
The provisions of the new tax code
which impose upon the treasurer, instead
of the sheriff, the duty of collecting de-
inquent personal taxes are also highly
Objectionable to the treasurerS aSSocia-
ton upon the ground that in May when
these taxes are to be collected the treas
urer is most busy in his Office and should
be there. Another objection to this plan
is that there 5 no provision for mileage
or expenses of any kind incurred by the
treasurer in making collections.
A resolution from the state senate was
presented, suggesting that some presenta-
views of the association regarding the
new tax code and an executive committee
was appointed for that purpose with
power TO act. This committee which was
appointed by the chair. and of which
President Meyer is ex officto a member,
consists of D. G. Bell, P. j. Metzdorf L.
H Whipple, D. T. Quealey, Waiter r
Paine and A. L. Skoog.
Protest to the Senate.
The committee will appear before the
senate Thursday morning at IL o'clock
and will also go before the house as soon
as possible. In consonance with the
sentiment of the association as expressed
at the convention Yesterday the COM
mittee will urge the legislature TO con-
tinue the present method of tax collec-
ton. at least to exclude the counties
of Ramsey, Hennepin and st. Louis from
any legislation contemplating a change.
Public Examiner Johnson appeared be-
fore the convention to express his views
as to the provisions of the new tax code
In regard to collection Of taxes, and while