Morning appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1877-1906, 1903-09-22
the NEWLANps TAX LAW.

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THE NEWLANDs TAX LAW.
Ar. Alfred Chartz, in q letter to the
Genoa Courier, heaps denunciation on
what = known - the Newlands' Tax
Nv.
He otates that the law will raise
tue valuation on all classes Of pro-
DertV. exccpt the Southern Pacific rail
Daa0 company.
This seems to be the general i'm
preston regarding the law from the
faok that most people suppose that it
takes effect during the present year,
Eko most bills which become laws
n full force and effect Immediately
after tho Governor affixes his sigma
IVA
Most of the newspapers Of the State,
and the Appeal among the number.
halo this view Of the matter.
An Investigation of the law shows.
however, that It does not take effect
until the year 1904. 1t was evident 10
the mind Of the Trainer Of the bill,
Mr.. Nevlands, that the valuations 1t
the Southern Pacific and the sheep and
cattle men Of the State having been
already fixed BY the State Board Of
Aesessors 1t their January meeting,
that I'd make an arbitrary reduction
q rate on other property, would vir-
tually b presenting ali classes OF pro.
perry whose valuations had already
been fixed, with q handsome reduce
ton Of taxes,
It was to avoid this manifest injua.
tice to other taxpayers that the OBJ
erations Of the bill were postponed
until 1904.
The law provides for a general 70
ductionsof tax rate which viii neccs-
sarily have to be net by . gradual
increase in valuation, in order to pre-
serve the equilibrium. The Southern
Pacific will have to stand an advance
in valuation along with other taxpay
ers in 1904.
The statement that the railroad
oomranies have been behind the pas
sage Of bills tending to reduce its val
uations, is not bourn out by the facts
During the past few years the valua
tons of the road have gone up form
an average Of eleven or twelve thou
sand q mile, to fifteen thousand pc
mile and in one county they pay ,
valuation Of twenty thousand.
Other property has gone up in va
uation also, notable sheep and cattle
The rise in the valuation Of liv,
stock however, is not 80 great as
seems from the simple fact that Z
matter what the valuation may
fixed per head by the State Board 9
Assessors, the average is low, frol
the fact that thousands of stock ca
tie escape entirely through the falls
returns given in by owners. While th
cattle and sheep can thus dodge tt
assessor a mile of railroad cannot 9
cape, as the Assessor always know
where to find it and it is a fixed, de
ME quantity on his books.
We are disposed to t1ink that got
deal of adverse criticism has been j
dulged in at the expense of the Ne
lands Law, because Of a general m
apprehension regarding its provision
which nearly everyone supposes go
to effect during the present year.
Any one who will thoroughly stu
the provisions of the law will at on
recognize the fact that if properly {
forced, it treats all classes of taxps
ers with absolute fairness.
The only clause of the law tn
might be open to criticism is that
applies the same uniform remedy
fourteen counties, or in other wor
to fourteen different conditions. IT
might work hardship on some loo
ity, which, by reason of its lack
any considerable amount of taxa
property, might not be abie TO sta
"a reduction Of rate which would res
4 in an increase of valuation alrea
been pressed to the limit.
Storey county is SO situated at
present time, but it's additional m
age from the S. p. resulting from
change of route, should more than
set this feature of the law.
Any departure from the old revel
rut into which the State has fal
snoulG be welcomed by the taxpay
and be given fair trial on its n
its.
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The people Of Tonopah are ran
= ~1vmnnt N n a,nif IN the aide Of