The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1903-03-26
Gov FERGUSON TALKS
or ASSESSOR LAW.
Net Likely However. That an Extra
Session Will Pc Called.

Governor Ferguson said that be
might call the legislature in extra
session next week. probably Monday.
to correct the township assessor Jaw.
making it operative January j 1908.
instead Of at once. to change the oil
inspection law by making the salary
Of the territorial inspector large
enough to repay him adequately for
his work, re-enact the quarantine bin.
If the legislature would leave the In
dian reservation pastures below the
line. in accordance with the wishes OF
tho secretary OF the interior depart
ment John Dillon refuses to qualify
as oil inspector and no other person
is willing to accept the position at it's
present small salary.
The township assessor law Is the
only question that is causing serious
trouble, said Governor Ferguson.
and while believe Ii can be enforced
as it now stands. yet it will involve
the different counties ia great ex-
pense. Records and other documents
must be printed Immediately and / am
told that in some counties the expense
for all purposes would reach $4,000.
The commissioners OF Woodward
county who were here today said the
change would cost their county s3,5OO
| dislike calling the legislature in ex-
ira session and would not do so if
believed that the members would at
tempt to enact other Legislation, or
prolong the session. have not de-
clced definitely what / shall do
John W. shartel, representing the
commissioners oil Oklahoma county.
were here today and informed GOV
ernor Ferguson there was not time
enough so assess property in Oklaho-
ma City BY May / Nh shartel favor
ed an extra session Of the legislature.
In several counties the county as
SCISSORS are threatening to bring suit
for damages if ousted from office
They qualified last January for a two
years term and have been assessing
and listing property since March l.
Governor Ferguson discussed the ad-
visibility of an extra session with
Attorney General Roberts early this
afternoon The latter was opposed to
an extra session. not believing it nee
essary.
Speaker VIM. Bowles has given as
surance that he would resist ans, at
tempt to prolong the extra session.
which would not last longer than one
day President Alexander of the coun-
Gil has expressed himself in a similar
way
Attorney General Roberts holds
that the county assessors are now out
Of Office and the legislature cannot
reinstate them except by re-enacting
the county assessor law If this
should be done. the township assessor
law would then have to be amended.
re-enacted and made effective Janu-
airy J. 1904 There is question
whether the legislature could appro-
pirate money for the expenses Of the
extra session. If this appropriation
could not be made congress would be
called upon for a deficiency approprl-
alton Attorney General Roberts is
not disturbed by the statement that
the county assessors may begin man
demus proceedings TO hold their Of
fees thereby delaying the territorial
assessment and tangling up the inan-
cial affairs of the territory. He rec
ommends that the new law be en-
forced and that If litigation should fol-
low, the legislature could then be
called in extra session and defects
cured.