East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1910-11-05
$1,461 70S.36

Judge Gilliland in endeavoring to
explain the cause Of this enormous
increase asserts that it is due large
ly to the increase in state taxes over
which he has no control. In order
that the public may not be deceived
by Judge Gilliland's assertions and his
juggling of figures, | make the fol-
lowing comparison. As stated above
the total amount assessed against the
property in Umatilla county in 1909
amounted to s441,633.5S.
Deducting therefrom all school and
city taxes LEVIED there is a balance
OF s2S4,596.S2 further deducting from
this state taxes which amount to
74,723.52 we have a total balance
for the actual running expenses of
the county for the year 1909 am
| ounting to $209,S73.30
During the last year of Judge
Hartman's term, to-wit, the year 1903,
l find that the total amount assess
ed against property in Umatilla
county, exclusive of city and school
taxes amounted to s1S5,149.SO. The
state taxes for the same year were
$50, ,025.00, leaving a total balance or
amount for the actual running ex-
penses Of the county of s125.124SO
most respectfully call the taxpayers
| attention to the difference in the ac-
tual running expenses of the county
in these two administrations It will
readily be seen that it cost the tax
payers $S4 900 more to run the coun-
I ty the past year than it did the last
year Of the Hartman administration.
Judge Gilliland in further explain
/ ing how such an enormous sum, ag-
gregating nearly a million and a half
dollars, was levied. lays much stress
on the amount of Indebtedness he has
paid off during his term of office. An
! investigation of the records discloses
the fact that the county was in debt
about $4,000 when Judge Gnliland
was elected to office as county Judge.
About a month ago the county treas
urer made a call for all outstanding
warrants issued against the general
fund prior to October 5, 1910; the
payment of warrants under this call
will practically deplete the county
treasury and the county will be with
out funds to pay the running eX-
penses and other expenses which
might be made in building roads,
bridges. etc. After October 5th,
(date Of issuing said cai) there will
be no funds to replenish the treasury
until after the collection of taxes due
March, 1911, and as the running ex-
penses of the county amount %
about $4,000 per month, it can be
readily seen that the expiration of the
present judges term Of office will
find the county Indebtedness to be in
no better condition than at the be-
ginning of his term.
Another matter the judge inten-
tionally overlooks in his statement
that the county Indebtedness is COM
pletely wiped OUT is the fact that tho
present Indebtedness of the county
road and bridge fund amounts TO
about S25, 900, and that there is work
under construction now that will
greatly increase this sum; these facts
can absolutely be verified by an ex-
animation OF the public records Of
the county. l ask you to carefully
consider the above data in order 10
convince yourselves whether or not
Judge Gilliland has been successful
in materially reducing the actual in
debtedness OF Umatilla county.
Yours very respectfully,
J. w. MALONEY.