The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1907-11-09
Turn on the Light" In Nevada

The Nevada Legislature Of the session Of 1905 authorized and
directed the Governor to appoint some person, a resident of the
State Of Nevada, a State License and Bullion Tax Agent, whose
term Of Office should be two years, and whose salary was fixed at
$4,000 per annum. and $500 was allowed for travelling expenses.
James Neven, a close personal friend of Governor John Sparks
but n man who had never previously held a public office, was chosen
for the place.
This is one of the most important offices in the State, as the
Bullion Tax Agent comes in direct contact with the Assessor, Sheriff,
District Attorney and County Commissioners in every county in Ne
vada, and his privileges in the examination of the various county
officers books are not subject to discussion.
Section two of the statute creating that office, in defining the
duties Of that officer, says:
at shall be the duty of said State License and Bullion Tax
Agent to inquire into and report in writing every three months, or
as often as the conditions in any county show the necessity of a re-
port, to the sheriff, district attorney and board of county commits
sioners of each county in this State the names of each person or
persons, company, corporation or association carrying on, conduct
ing or managing any business in their respective counties, subject
to the payment of State o county licenses as required by the laws
of this State. and to see that the same are collected and paid into
the State and counties as the law directs"
Section five is very specific in outlining the duties of the Bull
lion Tax Agent That clause reads as follows:
at shall be the duty of said State License and Bullion Tax
Agent to examine into and report to the State Controller and the
Assessors of their respective counties the condition of the various
mines and mining companies producing the ores and metals IN this
State, in so far as the product of the same is subject to taxation for
State and county purposes, and the amount OF revenue derived
therefrom, and to this end is hereby authorized to demand an In
spection of the books or records of any person or persons, company,
corporation or association carrying on, conducting or managing any
mine, mining claim or mining property In this State, the object OF
this section being to ascertain the actual cos of mining, transporta-
ton and reduction of res taken from the mines OF this State and
the amount of taxes paid or payable thereon"
Has Nh. Neven complied with the requirements of the provi-
sions of the foregoing sections? Speaking for Eureka County, we
answer no. He has been in Office about two years and a half and
during that time he has never visited Eurekas county seat either
officially or otherwise.
The last report made by the late Auditor Rolf disclosed some
startling Irregularities. Among two of the most important are that
the bullion tax was not being promptly collected, and further that
the State was losing at least S35, 900 a year from the failure to col
lect liquor licenses.
The SENTINEL does not know of any such Irregularities as re-
ferred to above existing among Eureka County's officers. That is a
matter for MI. Neven to ascertain. But what we do know is that
there is a State officer who has been appointed by Governor Sparks
and who receives nearly 5000 a month and travelling expenses to at
tend to the collection of bullion and other taxes; is supposed to
visit the various counties and see that the gaming, saloon and
bullion taxes are properly collected and that all the places re pay
ing the rightful amounts; that the said officer has never examined
the books or investigated officially the affairs of the officers of this
county and has as completely ignored Eureka County as though it
we're not on the map.
Another instance along these lines is, that during the session of
the last Nevada Legislature, when charges against Nh. Neven were
made that he was derelict in the performance of his duties, it was
shown that he had never officially visited Elko, the second largest
and most prosperous county in the State. AS a matter of fact, up
to the present time, the SENTINEL has never seen a statement that
he has since done Sc.
A short time ago President Roosevelt made a speech at Nash
Vile. Tennessee, and during his address he said he had been charged
with precipitating the recent financial disturbance. In reply he ad-
mitted that he turned the light on, but could not be held responsible
for the crooked conditions that the light showed.
The SENTINEL believes that Governor Sparks, who appointed
Mr.. Neven to this important position, should turn the light on"
this matter, which will enable the taxpayers of the State to see for
themselves whether the State License Collector and Bullion Tax
Agent is giving value received for the 5000 a month salary he is
raking in