The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-03-26
PERPtEXES
OKLAHOMA
ASSESSORS
Letter Sent Out by Attorney
General Roberts.
HIS HONEST OPINION
But Appeals to County At
!, HONEST OPINION
But Appeals to County At
torneys for Assistance. g

attorney of each county in Oklahoma !:
being appealed to by the attorney general
of the territory to look after the assess
ment Of property under the new township
from the attorney generals office today
and a resume OF the new law is given
The new law is one of the most perplex-
ing things that the territorial administra-
ton has had to deal with for some time,
and under certain circumstances serious
results might be brought forward if mis-
takes are made in observing the various
provisions of the law
a copy of the letter sent out by the at
torney general given as follows:
Dear Sir: The law regulating the ass
essment of property, passed by the recent
legislature took effect on the 11th day of
March of this year, thereby abolishing
the office of county assessor, and making
it necessary for the officers provided by
the new law to take up the work of ass
essment throughout the territory.
This change of officiols in the midst
of the performance of the work is of so
trusted with charge of affairs must see
to it that the difficulties and dangers are
made as light as possible, and 1 ask it as
a personal favor that you. as county at
torney of your county. look after the en-
forcement of the assessment in your
county and give it your earnest personal
attention.
Il call your attention to a few of the
salient features of the new law. The
township trustee is ex-ofiicio township
assessor. 1t will be necessary for him to
give new bond as provided by section g.
of the enclosed act. Should any of the
in extent for the township assessor TO
cover the territory and make the assess
ment within the time, il is possible for
the county commissioners, under section
1914, of the statutes of 1893. TO divide the
township into as many as they see fit,
and in such a contingency 1 believe that
the county commissioners should do this
Under article A chapter Il. of the laws
of 1851, the board of county commissioners
has the power to do any duty at a special
called meeting that it would have at a
regular meeting, with the exceptions
therein enumerated. The plat and boun-
daries mentioned in section 1914 are not
n condition precedent to the organization
determine upon the boundaries of the new
townships and appoint the township as
SCISSOR for the vacancy thus created and
the technical requirements of making and
recording the plat may be done subse-
quently.
THE county clerk should inform himself
Immediately if there are any vacancies
existing in the offices of township trus
tees, or if there are any who have not
qualified and the chairman of the board
Of county commissioners should immedi-
ately call a special meeting of the board
and fill all vacancies by appointment.
Each city, town or village having a
or more inhabitants is made
separate township. and it becomes neces-
sary to provide an assessor for such town.
The township trustee of the township in
which such city or town may be situated
viii act as township assessor of all pro-
perty lying in the township outside of the
city o. town.
Where the city or town is of less popu-
lation than a thousand, the township
trustee will perfrom all the work within
the township including the town or VIII
age. In all such towns and villages Of a
thousand or more inhabitants n new Office
is created by the act.
Il would suggest that you advise the
various town and city attorneys to have
The mayor and city council or board of
trustees to fill the Office by an immediate
appointment, which should be followed by
an election of town or city assessor at
the coming spring election OF course
YOU can see that it would be advisable
FOR the same person to be appointed and
elected if possible. See section 5. new law.
You vii lnote that town and city asses
sors must qualify and give bond as pro-
vided by section 3. the bond to he ap-
proved by the county commissioners and
fled in the Office of the county clerk. The
oath of Office should be administered
to each assessor, and an additional oath
8s prescribed by section 55S7 of the laws
II 1898 and attached 10 the assessment
roll as the said roll is returned 10 the
county clerk at the erd of the assessment
Here. allow me to call your attention
10 a portion Of section Of the new act
which provides that each assessor shah
give a tabulated statement OF the amount
of work done each day. This should be
done when he makes his return and IS
Intended as a basis for the c0mpensa ton
Of the assessor
You VII lnote that section provides
that the assessor shall meet at the county
seat on the second Monday Of January.
This cannot be complied with this year
of course. but ] believe that a provision
~ this sort is directory and that the com
rlisnee with it at this tine should be e.
fective
4 suggest that you advise the county
clerk 70 Immediately issue a notice 70 all
the township assessors as prescribed bv
the section s: II Is not necessary think
to give the ful ten days notice before the
time set FOR the meeting That the asses
sors should meet believe 10 be essential
I would ask that YOU suggest 10 the
county clerk that ne enclose with the
notice OF the various township trustees
and town assessors a blank f0rrn Of on
rial bond asking them 30 have Il properly {
slied ont 80 that f can be approved by /
The county commissioners At the tine OF
their meeting
Section 2 OF the act provides for i /
meeting of the township board Of equal /
zation on the third Monday in Aprsl II
Is vitality necessary that this b,ari I