Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1904-09-01

Tax Collector, this Office Gentle
men is, in my opinion, probably
the most important Office of the
County, for through this office
comes most of the revenu es which
are necessary to meet the current
expenses Of each year.
The Assessors up to the present
time, in most cases, have failed to
make description Of the real
property assessed and in many
cases where there has be en des-
cription it has been erroneous.
This should not be allowed to oc-
cur in assessments for the future
and the officers certainly have been
derelict in the performance of their
duty.
There appears from the assess
ment roll for the year 1897 a short
age ofover 1000 acres as compared
with the assessment roll for the
year 1896. There has certainly
been lands patented or On which
final proof has been made during
the past year and such being the
case, the roll for this year should
show an increase over that of 1896.
Surely there must be some way
to enable the Assessor to get a
description of all real estate in this
County, that is subject to assess
ment. 1 therefore make the sug-
gestion and recommendation that
the Board of County Commissioners
furnish for the use of the Assess
9r's Office an Abstract from the
Land Office of this district, and all
patented land or lands on which
final proof has been made in this
County, which shall also show the
description of the same, names of
parties and the time at which the
same was patented or at which
final proof was made. This will
be data from which you can have
township plats made and not only
will the Assessor be enabled to
assess all the realty in the County
but he can 60 back and collect tax
on lands which have escaped the
previous years assessment, see
Sec. 1850 RS.
The Statutes also require the
keeping of a "Poll Tax B ok" by
the Assessor and provides ways
and means for the making up Of
the same, and the manner of the
settlement thereon, for which see
Secs. 1916 and 1917 R. s.
/ find no records of any such
book having been kept.
The Auditor has, at my sugges.
ton, prepared forms of state mentt
for the monthly reports Of the TAI
Collector which will include al
collections of revenues from each
and every source and wi i greatly
facilitate all settlements between
the Auditor and Tax Collector.
Order and system are condition.
prerequisite to success and from
the lack Of necessary receptacleI
and other equipments for the offices
l do not wonder at any la elk of sys
tenn. You have no fireproof vault
no files or cases for the protection
of your most valuable records; you
haven't even enough wooden cases
for the filing Of your rec ords, bu
I find many Of them thr own into
boxes in great disorder, though
these are records of years long past
OF course the officers have don
the best they could under the cir
, cumstances and especial lily zinc
1891, the records have improve'
right along.
II / wish therefore to recommend
. that you furnish the necessary file
, and cases needed by thy officer
and no expense so incu FRED will
have been thrown away but OF
, the contrary, be of great value T.
, the County.
!, In conclusion, / wish to add tina
| the present officials have aided M
} materially in giving me free acces
; to all their records at all hours an,
. times and wish to thank them 70
, their kind and courteous treatmen
during my stay at this place.
Respectfully submit tied,
A. A. CUNNINGHAM
Subscribed and sworn to befor
, me this Oath day of Septe mber, A
!, d, 1897. w. N. SCALES,
) Probate Judge Q
1SEAL.] Idaho G %. Idaho