The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1904-09-23
TRUTH ABOUT TAX CASES,
Showing Untenable Position OF
!. Democrats.

:. Democrats.
1.-THE great scrap made hy Mr..
Charles Hoffman to retain control OF
the republican party has been disas-
trous to the people Il kootenal coun-
ty. 1t hasfhad more far reaching
effect than that OF dIsrupting the re-
publican party. 1t nas gone down
into the pockets Of the people. ~
has cost them dollars and cents IN IN
creased taxation. 1t has brought
discrcd!t upon the county through
the fall OF county warrants, and "
has about nuillfed the court decisions
won by the county In the lax cases.
1t is more than partially responsible
for the present dire financial distress
of the county" 1851.
The foregoing is an extract from
the editorial vi the Panhandle New
in its issue Of Sept. 9Th. This sounds
more like the vaporings OF certain
alleged republicans before the Re-
publican primaries were held in this
county than it does like Mr.. Logue
Prior to the Republican Primaries
the editor Of the Panhandle News was
loud in his praises of the ability and
loyalty Of Mr.. Hoffman. He even
said that the so called financial diff
culties of the county we're brought
about by the incompetency of the
County Commissioners and the hot
air emanating from the County At
torney's Office against the better
judgment OF Mr.. Hoffman. The
News also charges that MIR. Heitmar
is--fghting for his clients, the lum.
Der companies, and is forcing contro
verted tax cases to a compromise
The court records show, and the
editor of the News we'll knows, tn,
Mr. Hoffman is attorney for The
Humbird Lumber company only,
and has no connection with any 9th.
or company or any other individual
which, or who, has a tax case ii
court. Furthermore, neither Mr.
Hoffman, nor any other Republican
is forcing the tax cases to a compro
mise. The commissioners have tai
en- and maintained a firm stant
against the settlement Of these Ia,
cases, and neither Mr.. Hoffman no
any other Republican, has brought
or has attempted to bring any politi
cal or personal or other influence t.
bear upon the commissioners t.
bring about compromise Of this liti
cation. The cases will be settled b,
the court and if the litigating ia.
payers lose, the taxes will be paid il
full with interest and with penalties
II, the county loses the county vii
abide by the decision of the courts
Furthermore, the bulk Of the unpait
taxes are owing from the railroads
who hold out the taxes on accoun
Of the special school tax levies. |,
these cases Mr.. Hoffman represent
the school districts against the rail
roads, and the District Court, at tn,
last term. decided in favor of tn,
school districts and against the rail
roads, and the cases are now pend
ing in the Supreme Court Of thi
State, and will be heard at the mex
October term.
| The Republican party, through
the county officers, have not surren
dered to the corporations in thes,
tax cases. Contrast the action of tn,
Republican Commissioners with tn,
action Of the Fusion Board of Com
missioners in 1898. In 1897 tn,
Northern Pacific RailroadC Company
taxes amounted to about $1,000
These taxes were not paid when due
but became delinquent, and in 1898
the railroad company applied to tn,
commissioners to have its taxes re
duced and at time when the com
missioners were not sitting as a Boar,
OF Equalization. One commissions
sought advice outside Of the Distr;c
Attorney, and was told that tn,
commissioners had no power or au
thority to reduce the railroad take
unless they were sitting as a Boar,
OF Equalization. Thereupon, sui
was instituted hy the RAILROAD