The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-10-27
A Powerful Speech by
HON. w. n. THOMPSON.
at South Omaha.

without power to in any manner
change it, for four long years, and the
people are left to trust this state board
of equalization that has heretofore
failed to do IT'S duty to heeD the rail-
road assessment as it is, or at least not
to reduce 1t.
| This local assessor Is a county Of
ficer, elected for four years Section
I19.
His salary ranges from $3.50 to ST.
400 per year, section %; besides So q
day for each Of his deputies, section 20.
You are not permitted to elect your
own local assessors in your respective
townships, but the county board and
the assessor appoint these deputies, de-
termine the number, and they are not
necessarily taken from the respective
wards or precincts in which they live
The county assessor being authorized
to discharge the local assessors, and
to re-appoint who he may see fit, with
out any consultation with the county
board. Section 20.
| So much lOr It's centralizing effect.
as we'll as its cost, anu its deprivation
ct the sssnsslnseT - II - - CHI ~. l:,s
self-goVernment
i That this law was inspired by the
railroads themselves, and that you can
hear the ring OF the bell and the toot
OF the whistle in every section, let me
call your attention to some further pro-
visions thereof, and prove by the law
itself that wherever 1t lays it's hand
upon the individual it lays upon him
the strong arm of the criminal law Of
the state, smirching his reputation and
stealing his good name; but where the
arm of the law touches at all the rail-
road corporation, or the telegraph, or
| others rettfOre assessed by this same
tstate board Of equalization, there the
IfroWn and the disgrace OF the criminal
tlaW is removed, and the smiles and
lbeauties Of the civil law take its
place. That while the criminal law Is
Ito grasp the county ;.saessor the local
aeessor, there Is no lew enacted that
touches, or in any manner interferes
WIN the gOou name of this same state
h0Hfd OF equalization against whose
Act6 the entire state stands In revolt.
I n any assessor or deputy, refuse Or
lneBlect their duty, they are guilty OF
| q misdemeanor. and upon conviction
| shall be fined not less than $40 ror
more than s100. Section 27,
| If any individual fails to list his
property, or to answer inquiries when
made, then he is guilty of crime and
subject to fine of not less than $50
ner more than $1,000. So 000000 Section Sc. So
And if he knowingly swears falsely
he is guilty Of perjury and punished by
Section SO. The same as to corporate
officers; being the only section where
the criminal law is to such officers ap-
piled
If the individual fails to report or
list his property with the county as
sessor then his property is to be listed
by the, assessor. and as a penalty, the
valuation thereof is to be raised so
per cent. Section 55.
The farmer. the mechanic. or other
citizen, can not even move or tear down
a building, old or new, on any land
where any delinquent taxes are un-
paid, and If he does he is guilty of q
misdemeanor, and upon conviction
thereof shall be fined in a sum not ex-
ceeding $100 and costs; and moreover,
Ue lldUlc " lHe COUNTY III CIVIL ac-
ton for the amount of all delinquent
taxes on said real estate. Section 1C0.
Further, any county officer (not state
officer), who shall fail and neglect or
refuse duties imposed, shall be deemed
guilty of misdemeanor, and upon
conviction fined not less than $50 nor
more than $500.
This state board is given by this
law the power to even take from the
people their own county assessor when
in their supreme judgment it might be
necessary to remove such assessor.
Section lis. Thus. even your local
county assessor holds his Office at the
mercy of this same centralized power.
Now let us see how this law deals
with the railroad corporations, and it's
officers.
The officers of the said corporation
are to make statement. Section 81.
And If they fail to make the state
ment, as asked by this state board or
are they to be guilty OF
a misdemeanor? Their names blasted
and robbed of their honor? Oh, no. If
they. or either of them. fail to comply.