The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1904-10-07

With a disposition on the part of the
county boards to place as low a
valuation as possible upon property
in the counties, no limit existing as to
the amount Of tax levy and with the
state levy limited by the constitu.
ton, the consequences resulting from
this practice are too obvious to re-
quire notice. 1t is Enthusiastically the
intention that property shall be as
sessed at its full cash value. With
the construction placed upon the con.
stitution, and with the practices OBJ
served in the most populous counties
to make a low assessment and a high
levy, 1t becomes utterly impossible to
respect this mandate of the constitu-
ton"
He thought it possible with some
legislative action indicative of a legis-
lative construction, that upon a re.
submission Of the case a different
view might be enunciated by the SUI
preme court of the state.
Accordingly another case was sub.
mitted April Is, 1900, by Mr.. Nolan,
attorney general, which he stated
practically amounted to a motion for
a rehearing of the Wallace case,
which vas decided Sept. %, 1896, and
it was again decided by the supreme
court that the state board of equal.
ization not only was without power
to disturb the total valuation in the
state as shown by the abstracts trans
mitted to it by the county boards, but
was also without power to increase or
decrease the valuation of any specific
class or classes of property above or
below that fixed by the county boards.
In the last decision, the court said
that since the Wallace case was de-
cided, two general elections and two
sessions of the legislative assembly
had been held, thereby affording OPP
portunity for the people, if dissatis-
fed with the Interpretation, to change
the constitution so as to cure the
evils of which complaint is made, but
no such amendment has been pro-
posed, the remedy is yet available to
them. So it will he seen that since
1895 the matter of adjusting and
equalizing taxes in the state has
been, and continues to be, in a cha
otto condition.
Governor Toole has recommended a
constitutional amendment to two leg
islative assemblies, to give the state
board plenary power to so adjust and
equalize assessments that all taxable
property in the state will he assessed
at uniform rates and at its full value
in money. But they cen to have
been too busy with other things.
The subject Of taxation is a matter
OF practical Importance to the mem
bers of this association and a serious
effort on the part of the association
should be made for uniformity in tax
alton of bank stock during the COM
ing fiscal year. The important ques-
ton being, how best to secure an
equitable assessment that bank stock
be assessed upon the same basis as
other property.
The only fair basis for assessment
and to relieve bank officers from the
annual contest with the assessors
would be the adoption of a uniform
rate of assessment throughout the
state, in just proportion to other
property, based on the amount each
bank has invested in it's business,
that it, capital, surplus and undivided
profits.
Undoubtedly the only remedy to OBJ
tain lasting results throughout the
state would be through the state
board of equalization, but pending the
matter of a constitutional amendment
l would suggest the matter be taken
up by a committee of this association
with the county assessors at their
next annual state meeting.
Ranch or farm hand wishes en-
gagement for winter. Competent to
teach younge children. Apply A. B.,