The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1912-01-12
SPECIAL session TO
convene MONDAY
AT CAPITOL
The County Treasurer Will Be
Made Tax Collector Instead
of Assessor as at Present.
COMMISSION AUTHORIZED
New Body Will Have Great Powers
Uncultivated Land Will be Assessed
Same as Cultivated-Many Exemp-
tons Provided-Houses of Poor Go
observation-disclosures Limit Reduced.

Pursuant to the call of Governor
James H. Hawley, the Idaho legis-
lature will meet in extraordinary ses-
sion Monday next for the purpose of
revising the revenue laws Of the
state. The commission appointed by
Governor Hawley consisting of Hon.
Frank Martin and Judge John F. Mac
Lane have drawn several bills which
will be introduced at the special SEES
sion. These bills propose the revision
or amendment of practically every
revenue law on the statute books, un-
doubtedly carrying out in the main the
ideas of Governor Hawley, himself
Among the important changes sug-
gested are: making it optional with
the county commissioners of each
county to collect or dispense with
the collection of poll taxes; making
the county treasurer instead of the
county assessor the collector of taxes;
making mills on each dollar of as
sessed valuation the maximum rate
for state government, until the total
valuation of the state reaches $780,
100000, when it shall not exceed 2
mills until the valuation totals ST ,OOO,-
100000, when it shall not exceed ~
mills, unless the rate shall be increas-
ed by vote of the people; the maxi
mum rate that the board of county
commissioners can levy in any one
year shall not exceed IL mills in a
county with a valuation of not to ex-
coed $5,O0O,OO0; 8 mills in counties OF
a valuation over S and up to and in
Guiding 10 millions of dollars; 4 mills
in counties over 10 millions and not
exceeding 50 millions. Counties can
not bond themselves for any purpose
in an amount exceeding in the ag
gregate the sum of 2 per cent on the
first million dollars of assessed
valuation, and one per cent on the
excess of assessed valuation over and
above millions of dollars.
The fixed levies authorized for the
maintenance of the State University,
the two normal schools, the academy
of Idaho and the Deaf, Dumb and
Blind school are repealed.
The board of county commissioners
of any county on petition of 100 or
more taxpayers are authorized to levy
tax of not to exceed one mill for
the purpose of DISCRIMINATING crickets,
grasshoppers, rodents and rabbits.
Cities, Towns and Villages.
Cities, towns and villages are au-
thorized to levy taxes for general
revenue purposes at rate not to ex
coed E mills on the dollar of the as
sessed valuation OF said city, town or
village. AS at present the valuation
of such city, town or village is to be
ascertained from the books of the
county assessor; the bonded indebted
ness of cities and villages shall not ex-
coed 5 per cent of the assessed val
uation of the real estatoin said city
or village according to the assessment
OF the preceding year. The present
limit is IS per cent of the assessed
valuation. Coupon bonds may be is
sued for the purpose of water works,
lights for streets, public buildings and
public grounds, sewers and drains,
bridges, street improvements and the
funding, refunding, purchase or re-
demption of the outstanding indebted
ness Of the city or village.
Provides for State Commission.
The committee has recommended
that state tax commission be author
lied consisting of three members to
be appointed by the state board OF
equalization; each commissioner r.
draw salary Of $4,000 per year. The
commission shall have power to SUI
pervise the administration of, and en-
force all tax laws; oversee county as
SCISSORS and county boards of eoualiza-
'ion that all taxes and assessment.
be uniform, just and at its true cast,
Talue; prescribe uniform mode OF
procedure throughout the state in the
office of the county assessors; yisi.
each county annually to investigate
all matters pertaining to taxes; make
re-appraisements in any county or
municipality; raise or lower the as
sessed valuation of any real or per
sonal property; require assessors. aud
itors. and county commissioners to an
pear before the commission and be ex
amined under oath on matters toucb
ing the tax laws of the state: TO cal,
meetings of the county assessors. in
st'tute criminal, civil or custer ,ro.
ceedings against any county assessor
auditor or. commission for failure n