The Columbus dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 1905-1908, 1906-10-11
TAX PAYERS OBJECT
TO THE ASSESSMENTS LEVIED
RY CITY COUNCIL-NCM-
EROUS COMPLAINTS
ALREADY FILED.
Columbus Insurance n Banking Co.,
First State Bank and the Mer-
chants * Farmers Bank
Secured Reductions.

Hon. B. A Weaver, president OF
the City Council, presided over the
regular monthly meeting OF that oody
which was held last Tuesday night,
Mayor Gunter having been detained
at home by illness. The first Tues
dav in October is the time prescribed
by law for filing objections TO as
sessments levied by the council, and
q number of these objections were
fled Tuesday night. Several tax pay
ers were present in person, while
number of others filed written op-
jections to their assessments.
The most important objections TO
assessments came from the banks o.
the city. Capt. c. A. Johnston, pres
ident of the First State Bank, and
Mr.. w. H. Lee, cashier of the Col1H-
bus Insurance & Banking Co, We're
present in person, and both earnestly
requested and urged that their banks
be assessed according to the schedule
furnished by them, and not by The
schedule prepared by the city mdr-
shaI. The discrepancy in the figures
furnished by the banks aud those
compiled by the city marshal arises
from a difference of opinion as to
the law regarding these assessments.
According to the officials of the banks
they are required to furnish the as
SCISSOR a statement showing their
banking capital, surplus AMI undi-
vided profits and real estate.
They are assessed on this sum,
less the value of their real es-
tate. which is deducted from the total
amount given in and assessed as is
other real estate. The law, as inter
preted by the city marshal, contem-
plates the payment of ad valorem tax
es on all assets, the sum and sub
stance of the whole thing being that
the banks want to pay taxes on ,heir
real estate at a two thirds valre.
about as other people pay, while un-
der the rule invoked by the city coun-
Gil they would be compelled to pay
the full valuation on real estate, as
ence in the assessments in round
numbers would be for the Columbus
Insurance & Banking Company SZ3,-
600. for the First State Bank, $22,-
600: for the Merchants & Farmers
Bank $1,000. The matter was dis
cussed at considerable length, and
the reduction asked for by the banks
was finally granted by vote Of four
TO one. Councilman Moore having
voted nay. Councilman Moore said
that he had not had time to consider
the matter, and as he then felt did
not believe the reduction was just
He therefore asked that his negative |
vote be recorded by the secretary.
The Gilmer Hotel Company re-
quested a reduction on both their |
real and personal assessments, ask
ing that the valuation on the build |
ing be reduced from $4,000 to $l5,
700, and that the furniture be ,e-
duced from $500 TO $500. Upon
motion the council declined t. grant
the request.
After hearing a number OF other
requests for reductions in ASSESS
ments, some of which werc granted
and some of which were refused. the
council adjourned until 7:3Q o'clock
Wednesday night.
When the council was called to
order by President Weaver at 1880
o'clock Wednesday night, Col. W.
C. Richards was present, and on be-
half of the Gilmer Hotel Company
asked that the matter of the assess
ment of the company, which had
been disposed Of on the night pre-
vious, be reconsidered. Col. Rich
ards declared that the property was
earning no dividend and earnestly
urged that the assessment be reduced,
as was requested on Tuesday night
Upon motion the assessment on the
building was reduced to s15,700 and
the assessment on the furniture was
abrogated.
The request of Policeman D. w.
Reeves to have his leave of absence
extended ten days was granted
Upon request of Col. Lincoln an
arc light was ordered placed at the
corner of College and Seventh streets.
Col. Lincoln stated that this cross
ing was not only dark, but at times
very muddy, and that a light was
badly needed.
At the request of the owners of
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