Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1903-09-03

Mort AlbAueh's Outbreak,

lating to the pssessment and levy for
the bisnnipl term beginnipg last July.
grow out Of hiS blundef in figuring
the appropriations by the last legis-
laturs wore but s46,4SI0O greater
than those Of the Legislature just pro
cesding; but the official figures ~
given. BY Mr.. Kaliy ana fas sworn 10
by State Auditor Wells prove that
theyiwsre 1855, 7ss. 50 greater, 4 little
difference 70 tie disadvantage of'Mr.
Albaugh's "replypoi more than holt
o million dollars. ~
The situation 10 about this. For
the frst time . Republican house last
winter ZELDA caucus that was through
and through iactional rather than
partisan. steering committee com.
posed Of Cy Leland and two others
was appointed to determine on the
officers to be chosen from speaker
down to superintendent and assistant
superintendent Of ventilation. No.
body had any say so but machine
members willing to do the bidding
Of the Boss. The Legislature went
ahead under this sort Of bossism, and
now that 1t turns out beyond possible
controversy that lie appropriations
nscsssitated great increase both in
assessment Of property and IL the
taxtlevys Mr.. Albaugh comes TO Its
defence and endeavors to show that
the fault 10 not 10 the legislature, not
In the appropriations, but solely In
the board Of equalization, and more
particularly in State. Treasurer Kelly.
although he is the third member Of
the board, Mr.. Burrow being chair.
man and Mr.. Wells being secretary.
The state treasurer proves beyond
any dispute that the boards levy Of
GA mills, an increase over two years
ago Of nearly one full mill, and that,
too, on an assessment 20 million
dollars over what the county assessors
reported, will not raise quite the full
sum appropriated by the late legis-
lature, even granting that the out
side fees collected are In the two years
no lower than they have been In the
past. On the assessment fixed the
Ga mills levy, with the fees, will pro-
duce $500. 1890, which is S44,.
6l4.S4 less than the late legislature
appropriated. et
1t is true, as remarked by MIR.
Albaugb, that there was surplus to
go on. This appears to have been
July about $3.50, 900. but to be dc.
Quoted from that apparent balance
sre about 100000 Of warrants pre-
viously allowed but not yet charged
up, so that the real balance to 60 ON
was about $3.50, 900. So that the levy
made will produce enough revenue to
meet the appropriations Of the late
in the two years and prob
ably leave a balance at the end Of the
period Of about $4,000. 1t was the
bouuden duty Of the board to fix Q
levy that would pay the expenses Of
the state and leave q safe balance to
20 on. This 1t did.
In the course Of his long argument
to discredit Burrow, Wells and Kelly
and screen the Legislature, Mr..
Albaugh shows up few figures that
turn his own case against him, for
the two objects he had In view were
to throw the responsibility for higher
taxes on the board. Of equalization
and !, prove the legislature OF 1908
at least az economical and efficient a.
the legislature Of 1901. In his argu-
ment he shows that July l, 1901, there
was balance Of sl62,47s to 60 on.
for the next two years. But the
Of 1901, on his own show.
Ing, left q corresponding balance to
go on July 1, 1908, OF $SSs,OoO Greatly
about S2Ss,oOo), or in fact about
t77, 900 more than they found on 60
Ing In. The 1908 legislature, on the
other hand, starts out with q balance
Of t7S9,O00 and even at the high
assessment and levy now fixed will
leave . balance about $4,000 less
than they found.
II there is any point to MIR. Al
bsugh's statement It is that the state
hoard NJ anuaIiz Stion ahnnld haval