The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1910-05-04
ASSESSORS TO
RIGHT FACE
Agree to Assess Redwood Co.
Property at Full Value
Hereafter.


town or district assessor who in any case re-
fuses or knowingly neglects to perform any
duty enjoined on him by this chapter, or
who consents to or connives at any evasion
of its provisions whereby any proceeding
required by this chapter is prevented or
hindered, or whereby any property required
TO be listed for taxation is unlawfully ex-
empted or entered on the tax list at less
than it's true value, shall for every such neg
Aect, refusal consent, or connivance. forfeit
and pay to the state not less than two hum
dred dollars nor more than one thousand
dollars, to be recovered in any court of COM
petent Jurisdiction.
The above clause in the instruc-
tons given to township and village
assessors were brought to the atten-
ton of the assessors Of this county
at their meeting last Thursday in
such a light that they were conyinc-
ed that it would be for the ultimate
interest Of Redwood county that
they should obey the law squarely
and honestly instead of following
in the footsteps of the assessors in
other years and interpreting the law
by the traditions of the past instead
of by both the letter and spirit of
the original enactment.
The Gazette is just little proud
of the fact that Redwood county
citizens have dared to do pioneer
work in the field of honesty and
good citizenship. 1t has always
seemed to US a piece of rank folly
that assessors should from year to
year discount the value of the prop
erty in this or any other county so
per cent. or more, when such action
is not only squarely contrary to law
and their instructions, but does not
decrease the burden of taxation one
cent.
AS pointed out to the assessors at
their meeting, their action in fol-
lowing out their sworn duty literal
ly rather than additionally would
only effect two items-the one mill
school tax and the University tax,
and this will be largely Offset by the
larger returns from the state appor-
tionment on the basis of the one mill
tax on the doubled valuation.
How the state board of equaliza-
ton, when it has its attention called
to this action-even supposing that
Redwood county stands alone inre-
turning an honest assessment can
avoid its duty in doubling the rate
of assessment uniformly throughout
he state instead of cutting down
the assessment in this county is hard
to comprehend, even admitting that
in this case it would seem a little
like the tail wagging the dog. The
important thing is that the attention
of the whole state will be drawn to
the fact that assessors have been adj
herring to assinine custom instead Of
following their sworn duty under
their instructions.
On the other hand, that Redwood
county, in common with other coun-
ties of the state. suffers from the
inference to be drawn from its lying
tax rate, which would lead new
conner to believe that our tax in the
county runs from 20 to so mills,
when actually it is only half that
amount, cannot be denied. No won
der not few would-be investors
hesitate to take up our tax burden
under its misleading assumption as
compared to an honest assessment.
Another selfish reason why Red
wood county assessors should be hon
est, is that one-half of the revenue
for the school and university is paid
by the three big cities of the state.
and uniformly honest assessment
throughout the state will mean a
uniform gain for the country tax
payer through the increased return
from the congested city centers.
The gist of the whole matter will
be, that we will get test of the prop
osition thatit pays to be honest in
matters Of government administers
ton as well a. in private and BUSH
ness transactions.
The aSeassnrs arc hound Ia hn cr.ft-