The Colville examiner. [volume] (Colville, Wash.) 1907-1948, 1909-10-16
Tax Levy Again Increased

1910 tax levy. The state levy is 7S mills, and the
county levy is fixed at 1872 mills The is total OF
26 mills for county and state. The school levies
are 13 mills for Colville, and the Colve city tax
is 16 mills. Hence the total tax in Colville will be
55 mills, while poll tax will be placed on top of
it. Five and half cents taxation on a dollar is
rather large levy, but those interested in know
ing why the tax levy is so high might we'll look in
to matters and learn something of the existing
conditions. There is generally a reason for all
things
Next year larger levy will be necessary if the
county unit votes out saloons, for at present they
pay considerable sum into the general fund. And
If the republican legislature should happen to meet
again next summer, few more mills tax might be
necessary to pay for the pleasurabe gathering.
Last year the county had larger levy than
usual to take up the old indebtedness warrants.
This year it was not necessary to make levy for
this purpose but the general county levy is raised
nevertheless
One feature of the local option law which in its
wisdom the legislature apparently overlooked bids
fair to swamp the current expense funds of units
which vote dry. The law provides that all but
1919 of the unearned liquor licenses shall be re-
funded. But the law also states that 45%6 of
liquor licenses goes to the state general and school
funds. When liquor license is received by the
county or city, the state portion is Immediately
sent to the state treasurer. When an unearned
portion is returned to the saloon man, the state
does not make any refund but the units current
expense fund has to pay back the 9O96 out of the
$50 which is received. This makes clear loss of
$3.50 to the unit and if the county unit in Stevens
county should happen to vote dry, the county COM
missioners will also have this deficit in the current
expense fund to meet by additional tax levy next
year.
The people pay the taxes-not the newspapers
But under the circumstances, with SIS mill tax
leyyn Covile, isn't it pertinent suggestion that
it is about time for the taxpayng public to wake up
A cry comes from correspondent of the New
York Times that the city of Seattle is acting as a
vampire on the rest Of the state 1t is alleged by
this dsgruntled parsonage that all the state con-
tributes to the support of the exposition and that
this exposition is great boon to Seattle, while it
robs the rest of the state Of even livelihood He
further states that the exposition is great boon
to Seattle, and that it has for moment drawn in
to the vortex of it's great publicity it's wings, Ever
EFT and Tacoma. The papers of these two cities
Of the Sound hasten to contradict this statement
When it is taken into consideration that this expo
sition is the greatest in the history Of the west
and that it has been the means of bringing great
gains in pupulation not only to the city in which it
is held but to every hamlet nesting among the tree
clad mountains of its native state, this criticism
seems unjust and unj justifabe. Seattle spirit has
been wounded, but will rise, as before, brighter
and more respendent than before.
Spokane is having her full quota of prominent
visitors this year. First came the lamented Gov
ernor johnson of Minnesota, presidential possibility
then W. H. Taft president of the United States,
then last Saturday William Jennings Bryan, the
great commoner, and now comes the announcement
that Robert M. LaFollette, senator from Wiscon-
sin, by some considered as presidential possibi-
ty, will address the populace of the power city
next Wednesday, In addition to these great political
lights many educational and civic improvement ad-
vocates have appeared in Spokane, among them
Ebert Hubbard, the sage of east Aurora, who
lectured to the college students on transcendental
subjects. By some of the students of philosophy
Era Elbertus' is considered as the greatest
philosopher since Emerson. Spokane, truly, is in
the limeight
Tuesday was Discovery day. 1t was the 417th
anniversary of the discovery of this continent by
ChrlStOpnef COluHlDuS. LII Lne large Clues LTlS
anniversary is usually celebrated by the school
children. 1t is but fitting that this should be So
p~S
Spokane's new federal building, built at cost
of $500, 900, has been opened and dedicated. The
postoffice has been moved from the Auditorium
building where it has been for years, to the new
building and all the federal officers now have
headquarters there. The building is a classical
structure, the most beautiful piece Of architecture
in the city, with limestone exterior and is finished