Durango semi-weekly herald., 1902-02-03
Asovr TAXES.

WtD,e it has been known to few
and believed by many that there
have been many abuses In the under
valuation Of taxable property. II
had not been q matter OF general
knowledge that there were any ss
naxrant violations OF the law and
the plain duty OF ordinarily honest
citizenship ~ that shown up by The
Herald yesterday In the matter OF
the Stein valuation. Heretofore
these abuaes have been referred to
In an indirect or uncertain manner.
and this should not be done AS II IN
calculated to imply to the outside
world that everybody down In the
southwest is trying to dodge taxes
and eyade the duties OF citizenship.
There are very many taxpayers In
La Plata county who give their prop
erty In honestly and AS promptly Or
they pay their other obligations.
Under the system Of abuse which has
been perpetrated by those whose
ideas of the duties Of citizen TO
community are similar to those so
plainly manifested by Morris Stein.
taxpayers who are willing To bear a
lust share OF the burdens of taxation
mus; eventually carry the whole
load. SO long and to such extent
has the abuse been practicod tina,
honest taxpayers have become
alarmed for the safety Of their homes
and Investments.
with the artfui dodgers ii has been
n policy Of "ict the other fellow pay
the tnxes--he seems to be willing.
Let the Stein case be warning TO
every property holder In la Plata
county. and let each faithful taxpayer
report TO the proper authorities any
abuses known TO exist. The treas
urer will never hesitate To furnish
any information regarding the vnlua'
tions for which properties have been
assessed
Jack has carried all the load long
epough---Iust let Jill yet into the
yoke awhile aud help out n little.
In future asscssors cannot be too
careful in accepting stated valus
tions. These officials have doubtless
had much To contend with In the per
formanre of their oifcial duties, but
they ARE sworn 10 do their duty, rud
II In not to be contemplated that
they VIII accept any and every state
mept coming TO thcm.
The tna rate Of La Plata county To-
day IN menacing the growth Of Dn-
range and other towns and improve
ment OF farms and development of
our resources and Industries. Hun
dreda OF progressive men paun" Ia
invest money In the various avenues
which seem TO present opportunities
that would be desirable were the tax
rate more favorable TO Taxpayers.
Among the abuses which have been
prarticed there Is one which has oc'
CURED here frequently that consu
,utea even greater Injustice than
that OF giving In false and exceed
ingiy low values. From time 10
time people have entered into busi-
ness enterprises for = year or 40, al
lowing their taxes TO accumulate,
ami nnaily retiring from business
and going away without paying any
tax. This Is extremely unfair 20
those business men who do pay taxes
on honest valuations. Hereafter
when the tax roll has been delivered
to the county treasurer every effu
which the law contemplates should
he made To secure the payment oi
taxes. when u stock of goods has
been sold and tho owner has depart
ed, Il is most unlikely that Ia Plata
county will ever receive the payment
Of any part Of the taxes assessed
upon such stock In compensation for
extending the privilege 10 such per
sons to do business In competition
with such men who pay their taxes
There appears to be chance for
u little missionary work all along the
line, and while we are ON the tax
question we might as well go ON
through to the end.