The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-01-01
WORK OF THE
 EXAMINERS MT. G'man T Reviews Re
 ord of 1905. THsJsANDs SAVED STATE Attempt to Increase Tax Valuation of Prop,r y. Prosperity Exists in Greater Degree Than At Any Time since the War
 --Assessment on ss44,oo0,oeo the Past Year.
THSJsANDS SAVED STATE

Opelika, Dec. 3l.--fSpeciai. }--Hon. John T. German, State Examiner of Public Accounts, has given the repre- sentative of The Advertiser the fol- lowing statement of the work of him self and the assistant examiners, Hon G. F. Sedberry and Hon. w. F. wilkin- son during the year 1905, and incfden- tally condensed statement of their work during Governor Jelk's adminis- tration.
 One of Governor Jelks's first off, cial acts." said MT German, twas to instruct the examiners that they must examine annually the books, accounts and vouchers of every county official m the state. who had. transaction with the State. including county superinten dents of education. who previous to that time had not been examined.
 Tn compliance with these instruc- tfons. these examinations have been made annually for several years past
 Tn 19o5,- we have made about 450 examinations. examining the officers of all the probate judges, sheriffs, circuit superintendents Of education in the State recovering about s15.oo0 for the State.
 'In addition several State offices have been examined and there have been a number of examinations for counties.
 During our terms of office over 1,soo examinations have been made and about s150,000 recovered for the State A large part of this amount was due on account of clerical and technical er- TOTS and delinquent licenses. Most of this amount has been compromised, ad- just and settled.
 OmciaIs Honest and Competent.
 Governor Jelks was decidely of the opinion that most of the officials in the state were honest and competent, and was satisfied that annual examina- tions would result in a great improve ment in the public service. The result has fully justified his opinion. There Is no question that Alabama has now the best public service in it's history, with very few executions, the officials are honest and competent and take pride in Keeping thciY books correctly and in discharging the duties of their offices in accordance with law.
 "A uniform system of books in the county offices is badly needed and it is to be hoped that the next Legislature will make. provision for this. 1t would be more economical for all the coun- ties to use the same kind of books. 1t would make the bookkeeping more systematic and methodical and greatly facilitate the examinations.
 ''One of Governor Jelk's principal ob- jects has been to obtain fair and just valuations of property for taxation with this object in view. he instruc- ted the examiners. soon after he as- stunned charge of the gubernatorial of- flee. to urge all tax officials to do all in their power to obtain such fair and just valuation of property to make comparative statements of the assess ments in all the counties for several years back. to ascertain as near as possible. the actual value of property a compared with it's taxable value and to criticise all assessors who were not complying with the law
 Increase in Assessments.
 "An examination of the assessments during Governor Jelks's administration, shows that his efforts and instructions have been largely instrumental in in- creasing the assessments and conse- quently the revenue of the State.
 'In 1900. the assessment In round numbers. was $266.so0.o00. In 1905. increase of nearly $7s.o00.000 In five years. or an average of over $15,00O, 900 annually. I am satisfied that 1906 will show even a more gratifying increase
 There Is no question that Alabama is In the most prosperous condition that it has been since the war. Property is rapidly increasing in value all over the SLdtc. DCtH Clly property ana Iarm lands. and while the assessments have been largely increased. still property is not given in for taxation at 50 per cent of its actual, market value.
 "For instance, from the published statements. the deposits in the State and national banks are over $50,000, ,O00 yet less than S3,000.000 Is given in for taxation.
 "The actual value of property in Ala bama Is not less than s750. 1000. 900 and If given in at its actual value for tax ation, the present rate of taxation would be reduced at least one half However, under the present rate of in- crease in the assessments something like q fair valuation will be ob- tained in a few years, and when this Is done 1t will be q magnificent adver- tisement for our State and a great in- ducement to immigrants and the in vnstment of foreign eapitaI'