Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1904-03-17


next tax roll was yielding an income
after March l, 1901, let us see what
condition is presented. There was
collected by the county clerk and re-
corder in fees between July 6, 1900.
and March l, 1901, SS9s7.65. The
expenses of the county for the same
period were $S5,166.O5, and hence we
have $7S,9SO97 taxes plus S3,eS6v5
fees, or Ss2,96772 available resources,
from which deduct s35,166O5 ex-
penses leaving S74,sO1.57 net re-
sources.
From $7S,31Z67 warrant indebted.
ness take $47SO157 net resources
and we have $25,516.1O as the actual
Indebtedness Of the county of July
6, 1900, after providing for the run.
ming expenses of the county until the
next tax roll is being collected
This item of accrued interest alone
not considered.
1t will be recalled by many that
the candidates on the Republican
ticket in 1900 assured tho people that
the county debt not provided for was
less than $4,000 and that after one
more levy they would be relieved of
the burden OF excessive taxation, ami
that candidates on said ticket at that
time placed figures upon blackboards
at various places on the county can.
vass to prove such to be the actual
condition of the finances Of the coun.
ty, and this computation made after
the facts is but a verifcation of the
claims then made.
Now let us see how that debt was
paid, who paid II and to whom cred.
it is due Was it by economy? MOI ay
saved by cutting down the expenses?
cutting off extravaganza? The rec
ords show that the reduction was
made in 1898 and not after July 6,
1900, hence il was not all thus paid
and the credit is due for the reduc.
tion to the management prior to that
date.
But how else does a county get
money to pay either running ex-
penses, debts or create a surplus? AT
the January term of court at each
year the county clerk makes an es.
innate Of the amount Of money to be
raised for all purposes of the county
and the number Of mills necessary 70
raise that amount and presents It to
the county court for their approval
and adoption, and IL so adopted It is
entered of record by the clerk (the
actual time occupied with the mat
teri of raising revenue by the county
court does not exceed 30 minutes
yearly at the January term), the
clerk then computes and extends the
tax, the sheriff collects It and pays II
TO the treasurer. who calls in the
warrants and pays them of, simply
the machinery of the law set in mo-
tion.
The present condition of being out
of debt and of having a surplus, Of
which so much boasting is being done,
Is due to high or excessive taxation,
except where reductions have actu.
ally been made, and the credit be-
ongs to the taxpayers, and TO them
alone, for the patient manner in
which they have paid the heavy sums
evied against them in order to pay
he county's Indebtedness, and for a
county officer to make such a fuss
about what he has done is like a
'ooster cackling at a hens nest-"Me |
md my Betty, we slaughtered the !
,ear."
The trouble with the statements
lbove referred to is that they are
but truth half told"
The $4,000 Indebtedness will do /
I the taxes already levied to pay It
IRE shown.
The reports Of the expenditures are |
n right. but since 1902 reports have !
'oen made under the law Of 1901, |
md expenditures from the general /
und on roads are not included there /
n while they are included in all !
.rior TO that da.e
And as to the surplus. show wheth-
r IL is the fruit Of economy or ex-
essiYe taxation.
AS a general rule give the people
n the facts, they viii furnish the in
diligence, make proper deductions
nd arrive at safe conclusions. Very