Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1906-01-18
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eraI Brown at Lincoln Saturday morning,
Insurance Auditor Pierce announced that
fire companies in other states which have
refused to pay the 2 per cent reciprocal
tax as required by the statute, must pay
I'D within a reasonable time or be barred
from doing business in the state. Thirty
six fire insurance companies are involved
In the states in which they are organ
lied Nebraska companies must pay
special tax, and Nebraska desires to play
even. Companies located in Pennsyl-
yania, Ohio, Massachusetts, New Jersey
Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri
and California are chiefly affected by
this order When the Nebraska law went
into effect the companies brought test
case and won in the supreme court. Lat
er Mr.. Brown got a rehearing and the
court held that the law was good. The
companies Immediately filed motion for
another hearing, and this matter is now
| pending in court.
| Nebraska dairymen are badly wrought
up over what they term the careless
! handling of cream by shippers and cream
| cries alike, and at the coming state con-
vention this question is to be taken up
and debated The assertion is made that
farmers do not take the care Of their sep
arators that they should and that the
creameries have aided and abetted in the
wastefulness by fixing no standard for the
product to which they insist upon adher-
ence. The result has been general low
ering of the grade of butter. Secretary
Bassett is of the opinion that tens of
thousands of dollars are annually lost to-
dairymen by reason of these facts. Some
of the creameries have begun to grade
cream, and this will prove great help in
making the farmers more careful. Their
principal fault lies in their neglect to-
keep their separators free from bacteria
and the result is that the product dete-
riorates rapidly.
Claiming that the recent decision Of the
supreme court in the LANCE case is a
blow at the fundamentals of fraternak
societies, the Royal Highlanders have
filed q motion for a rehearing. They as
sert that the court erred in the construc-
ton it placed upon the fraternal act iB
that it held that under that act the clause
relating to suicide was q mere bylaw
and not part of the charter or plan of
organization of the society. Another con-
tention of error is in holding that the act
did not apply to domestic societies doing
business before its enactment. 1t is con-
tended that the courts decision is con-
trary to public policy in that the con-
struction placed upon the fraternal act
renders that law retrospective and void
under the constitution, as il destroys vest
ed rights acquired before its enactment
The rule of taxation laid down by the
supreme court in the case of the Nebras-
ka Telephone Company against Hall
County, just decided, will prove of inter
est to taxing authorities in the various
counties of Nebraska, as it settles a much
disputed question. The rule is that the
value of the tangible property of any ex-
press, telephone or telegraph company.
apart from its gross receipts for the year
prior to the time of assessment, and
franchise or right to carry on business
does not furnish the value of it's property
for taxation. Such values should be as
certained from consideration of all of the
aforesaid items taken together, and by
treating the corporation as going COLI
Germ"
claim Of York County citizen who de-
clared that he had killed thirteen gray
wolves and that he wanted the bounty
of S. each paid by the state for the scalps
of that animal. The auditor is frank to
admit that he is doubtful if there is a
solitary gray wolf in all of York County.
and it is his opinion that the scalps are
those of coyotes and not wolves. Gray
wolves, according to the auditor, are none
too common even in western Nebraska,
although the few that infest that region
cause stOckmen no end of loss and worry
In fact, the stOckmen are willing to pay a
round 500 for every gray wolf scalp.
presented.
Nebraska will send a full delegation To
the Interstate National Guard Associa-
ton convention in Washington, D. C.,
Jan. %. Four officers of the state
guards will go, their identity not yet
having been established. G.. d. Evans.
of Columbus, is secretary of this associa-
ton, and Adjt. Gen. Culver is vice presi--
dent, so that these two gentlemen will go
as part of that delegation. The conven--
ton is a school of instruction in military
affairs and will discuss affairs of the Ma
tlonal Guard and recommend legislation.
Lectures will be given by the heads of
the various departments of the War de-
partment.
In case from the irrigated district the
supreme court lays down the rule that if,
an appropriation of water does not bene-
fcally use the amount he has diverted
into his canal, but allows it to seep away
or otherwise exercise economy he cannot
come to the courts for relief as against
others who are entitled to use OF the wa
tey also. That is, if there is enough wa
ter in the stream, if properly conserved.
to satisfy all demands Of those who wish
it.
The Nebraska Incubator Company has
filed articles OF Incorporation with Sec
Ietary of State Galusha The capital
stock is fixed at 100000. with Fairfield