Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1911-03-16

in the slightest particular, nor will
exceptions be made in favor of any
locality or any branch of business.
The strict enforcement of the
hitherto ignored laws of the state de-
pends to great extent upon the
county assessors, the boards of county
commissioners and the prosecuting
attorneys of the several counties.
If each and every one of these officers
does his full duty, this great reform
will be inaugurated in its entirety
during the present year. Myself, as
governor, and the attorney general
and his assistants will strenuously
endeavor to have a strict COM
pliance with the provisions of the law
and will exercise the civil and Grim
inal remedies provided for by statute
for its enforcement. realize, how
ever, the difficult position that the
county officers mentioned, especially
the assessors, will be placed in. Prop
erty values will be increased on an
average four fold in this state. Many
citizens will believe at first that their
taxes will be increased on, account of
such increase in values and, unless
the matter is thoroughly understood,
pressure may be brought to bear in
the different localities upon the Off
GERS named, urging them to overlook
the duties imposed upon them by the
statute and supplying reasons for
such requested violations of law.
Such a course would only result in
serious trouble for the officers without
relieving the individual so urging,
because the officers composing the
state board of equalization are deadly
in earnest in this matter and propose
the law shall be, absolutely enforced
in its entirety at once, and thus cause
its enforcement for the years to come.
A certain given amount is necessary
to pay the expenses of the state gov
ernment and of the various county
governments. This amount is not
increased or decreased by the increase
or decrease of the assessment roll of
the state or Of the several counties.
If a man who has property of the
value of 81 900 is required under the
present system to pay 5 per cent of
such valuation, his taxes for the cur
rent year, the sum of $50 so paid,
will be the same sum that he is COM
PEELED to pay for s~ch purpose if such
property is assessed at its real value
of $4,000, and a. other property of
the county is assessed in the same
proportion, because in such event the
tax rate would he IA per cent in
stead of 5 per cent under the old
system.
"This great reform, when carried
out, will greatly advance every mater
ial interest in the state, will cause
vast sums OF money to be invested in
enterprises within our borders, will
impel thousands of emigrants each
year to make their homes in .oul
midst aud will inaugurate an era OF
prosperity in the state that will soor
make US, 'as of right we should be- the
foremost community of the North
west. Instead, then, of hampering ol
impeding the county officers in tn,
discharge of their duties, instead O
endeavoring to secure petty advan
tages for individuals or localities by
urging violation of duty on the par
of assessors, let each and every citi
zen of this state rise to the full meas
ure Of good citizenship uphold th'
. express intention of state board O
equalization and the efforts of tin
county officers, especially the count,
assessors, in assessing all propert,
at its full valuation; give each office
your active assistance and your heart,
support in the discharge of their du
ties; be ready to supply them witt
all required information; see to i
that not only your own property i
legally assessed, but that others il
the community are compelled to bea
their full share of the public burden
place full confidence in the stat
board Of equalization, fully supple
menting the efforts of the county Off
GERS in securing full valuation G
taxable property by seeing to it tina
all property assessed by such boar
will also have placed thereon its ful
cash value, and thereby do your ful
part in assuring the future develol
! ment Of Idaho and the prosperity an
+ we'll being of its people
Yours respectfully,
James H. Hawley,
Governo