Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1911-04-20
Governor Declares Duty of State
Board to Reduce.
NO p|L|N|NG UP OF MONEY
State Levies Will be Dealt With by
Board of Equalization.

The questions Of valuation, over
which few papers in the southern
part Of the state We're trying to stir up
trouble, will work out its own solution
lin due time This is evident from the
latest letter from Gov. Hawley, which
is an answer to an inquiry from
Deputy Assessor j. b. Clabby Of
Washington county. The trouble with
the malcontent press was that they
were SO anxious to lay hold Of a little
political capital that they must cross
the bridge before they come to it.
The particular bridge that worried
them most was that with all property
assessed as the law provides, the fixed
levies would force the collection of
enormous surpluses in the state trea-
sury. The state authorities have had
the matter under consideration, and
solution will be found that will be
consistent with law and equitable for
the taxpayers.
Mr.. Clabby addressed a number of
inquiries to the governor who, in an
swering, touched upon the fixed levies
among other things. So far as the
accumulation of moneys, declares the
governor, "by reason Of fixed levies is
concerned, you need have no fear.
Levies fixed by the statues of the state
were arranged upon previous valua-
tions Of property, and when it becomes
apparant to the state board OF equali-
zation that these levies will procure a
revenue nsexcess Of that which is re-
quired, it is the duty Of the state board
to lessen them proportionately."
The letter of Governor Hawley,
practically in full reads as follows:
Answering your suggestions in the
order made, | would say the assess
ment OF money and notes, is, as you
+ say, q difficult problem under our law.
Banks cannot be compelled to give in
formation to the assessor as to their
deposits or depositors; therefore, in
this matter the assessor is compelled
to reply on the statements of the tax
payer. 1t is the duty Of each tax
payer to make full statement of all
taxable property; it is the duty Of the
assessor to fix the value on each sepa-
rate part of the property assessed. Nc
greater error was even fallen into.
That is the business of the assessor
alone. Money is class of property
that for assessment purpose follows
the residence of the owner. If a citi
zen of Idaho has money on hand, ever
if the money is deposited in Utah Of
Oregon, or even if he has buried il
still it is liable to taxation, and it i
the taxpayers duty to return it.
"Your comments upon the attitud
of certain newspapers are well deserv
ed. Why such papers as the States
man, which has always heretofore bee
an earnest advocate Of full valuation
now takes different attitude is diff
cult to understand. Not reaso
has yet been urged by the Statemen
or any other paper against full valua
tion which will stand the test c
thorough inquiry and investigation.
you say your people will look t
the state board for protection fror
under-valuation of property by the as
SCISSOR Of other counties. You can d,
pend upon the state board in this r,
gard. Our advices are that the al
SCISSORS are carrying out the law. Ther
are very few assessors but what are i
} hearty sympathy with the board i
their efforts, and they are acting enc
getically in the matter and not in
halfhearted way.
ssAs our efforts for full valuatio
: are continued, the absurdities of I'll
vicious system heretofore prevailin
become more apparent. Not only b;
there been great difference fixed c
the value Of similar property in Il
, different counties, but in every count
; property of the same kind has bee
! assessed at different values to differeI
! owners. Some men have been assesse
J at 10 per cent, some at 80 per cen
The condition of affairs that has pr
vailed, when the people are thorough
informed in regard to it, will seem
criminal that all will wonder how SUE
e a condition was PERMITTED to preva
e SO long.
h Il am glad to know you are
hearty sympathy with the state boa