The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-09-01

7z<kf Tor lsos. 1t is Szs.s1s.zsa. an In. crooD0 Of }S,b38, ,891- This includes the In creeee from the large amount of property redeemed from the stArc. and the increase nNvaIuation made by the tax communications CT. At this rate of increase property in Mobile county will be assessed at a fair and reasonable valuatic, in a few years. From the best information obtainable this should be at least 80. 900. For instance. was informed of three sales that recently occurred in Mobile, where the property was sold for ,s27. 500. s40.000 and $50000 re- spectiveiy. This property was assessed at F.5oo. 900 and $2l,OOO respectively.
 T verified his additions and recapftu- lation and found them correct.
 Judge of Inferior Court.
 T examined the books and accounts of Hon. !. E. Afford. judge of the Inferior Criminal Court, from May 31. 1901, the date 1903. This court was established Febru- ary 9, 1899. and the act establishing 1t was amended March g. 1901.
 "The judge of this court receives a sal- ary of $1s00 per annum. the clerk $sJO. and the sheriff receives $500 per annum for executing all processes issued out Of this court. All these salaries are paid out of the county treasury and all fines and costs collected are paid into the county aN0ohAts s4ulo COoik udS CASAdoiNO JAA ao- diction of all misdemeanors in the city of Mobile. and five miles outside the city limits. and preliminary Jurisdiction in all felonies. Justice courts are deprived of all criminal Jurisdiction within these limits. The establishment of this court seems to have given general satisfaction.
 During the period covered by this ex- animation 2,273 cases have been tried. and $4,S4s.s7. fines and costs have been collect a1 n1 x,fI iaf4 %ln trfxr frao and sentences to hard labor for Mobile county to the amount of A,753. have been imposed. making a total of S9.602.a for the county.
 "One hundred and twenty-six dollars and sixty cents had been coIIected on feed bills during this period, which was promptly remitted to the State treasury on the completion of this examination.
 Tax Commissioner.
 T examined the books and accounts of Hon. H. M. Friend. tax commissioner. from July 1. 1902. the date of the last ex- animation. to July 1, 1903
 MT. Friend Is an efficient and diligent officer He Is doing his best to sell or re- deem property that has been sold at tax sales, to collect delinquent licenses and increase the valuation of property.
 During the period covered by this ex- animation, he has been instrumental in collecting 5000. delinquent licenses and 8. .963.4 escaped taxes and taxes on un- dervaluations of property. For 1903, he increased the valuation of property $350 252. In his laudable efforts to obtain a fair and reasonable assessment of prop erty. he is not properly sustained by t4-e commissioners court of Mobile county. There is large amount of delinquent license due the State in this county.
 T carefully examined. with MT. Friend. the corporations, firms and individuals, that owe the State license in this county and find there are 0,S42.50. license due by corporations. foreign and domestic and $6,322.50, due by firms and individuals, making total of $16. .SO5, due the State.
 'T recommend that all these claims be placed in the hands of an attorney, and that there be a vigorous prosecution to collect these delinquent licenses.
 T was informed of two foreign cor porations. transacting business in Mobile, which have not conformed to Section 1916. of the Code. requiring them to ap- point an agent and place of business in the State.
 Section 1919, of the Code, provides as follows: It is unlawful for any person to act as agent or transact any business, di- rectly or indirectly, in this State, for or on behalf of any foreign corporation, which has not designated a known place of business in this State and an author tzed agent or agents residing thereat, as required in this article; and any person so doing shall. for each offense, forfeit and pay to the State the sum of $5O0.' "Section 1920, makes it the duty of the solicitor to enforcethis penalty. I called the attention of the solicitor of Mobile county to this matter.