Arizona republican., 1906-08-21
THAT TAX RATE.
pr Prescott Courier

Editor Prescott Courier For the information of ArizonS'x attorney general. who in the editori8 columns of yesterday mornings issue of the JournaI-Miner, gave expression to his views on tax matters. and for the information of others who may be misled by his statements, I will state | that the recent action of the territorial board of equalization has had nc in- fluence whatever on the contemplated reduction of the tax rate in this county.
 The rate. whatever it may be. will be made solely on the assessment IS made { by the county assessor and as revised by the county board. Even the 20 per cent reduction in the territorial rate which will influence the county rate to the same extent, and in the same way. is in-no way due to the late action of the territorial board of equalization The board is not and could not be sui ficiently sure of the results of it's ac- ton to take chances in building upon it a rate for territorial purposes.
 The attorney general knows as well as anybody and much peter than a great many that makers of tax rates cannot safely base their actions on
 
 ments by territorial boards and he knows too. that the Yavapai county tax rate for this year will not be so based.
 He also knows. notwithstandimg his assertion to the contrary that the mine owner whose values are raised loses the 2 per cent reduction on his tax. that his neighbor gains, and that he is out to that extent by the action of the territorial board of equalization. Hence his statements are grossly mis- leading and d "distortiou of facts" more glaring than those to which he refers in his editorial.
 The reference to the assessor" who soaked the little fellow to the limit" and paralyzed the recording angel" l will let pass for the present. There will perhaps be time and opportunity in the future to discuss the actions and motives of the assessor and of the attorney general. too.
 I will also refrain for the present from a discussion of the justice or in justice to Yavapai county of the 33 1-3 per cent raise on it's mines. which is such a blessing in disguise" to their owners, although I have pronounced opinions in the matter. But I will ask the attorney general or the territorial auditor or some of the pay members of the territorial board of equalization to. at their earliest convenience publish intelligenuy and clearly the modus operandi by which they reached the equalization CD for which so much credit is claimed.
 It is due to every taxpayer whose interests have to any degree been af- fected by this raise to be informed by what process of reasoning it was reached. No one with whom I have talked who attended the meetings of the board as outsiders has come away with any definite idea of how the thing was done. It remains there fore, with those who did it, to throw some light upon the method of do- ing it.
 When We have this Information we will be in a much better position to discuss the merits or demerits of re- cent equalization than We are with the present light. l believe 1 will then be prepared to take part in the discussion and to Illuminate the subject d little. Until then, leave the field to the at torney general.
 D. J. SULLIVAN.
 County Assessor Yavapai County.