La Junta tribune., 1912-01-20
Is: !; !. : 4: :: is: 8: 6. :: e: : 4:
also aelf.eyident truism

that II Is not against the peace and
rado for liars to figure. During the
past week we have been regaled with
vast array Of figures In democratic
organs seeking to c!nch the apparent
fact that the tax levy under democrat
ic misrule in the county OF Otero was
a great deal lower than under repub-
lican rule. During the year 1901 the
county levy WAS only ll.3 mills. and
this is the lowest levy In the history
OF the county. During this year the
board OF county commissioners was
composed OF two democrats and one
republican. and of course the demo
Gratis, with their natural propensity
TO claim the Garth and the fulness
thereof. cite this lone. low county
levy as a brilliant example OF demo-
cratic efficiency and economy in the
administration OF county affairs. This
lone, low levy. of course. causes the
average county levy for series OF
years TO be In favor OF the demo-
Gratis
AS the Postum and Grape Nuts ad-
vcrtiser In the uplift magazines says.
however. There's a reason" The
first assessment under Colorado's
present revenue law was made In
1901. This law was passed by
democratic legislature. and II provid-
I'd then and provides now that all
cash value basis. or course this law
has never been complied with. II
does not seem to be necessary to com.
ply with the law In Colorado. Most
Any ~ district Judge In Dsuvss IN
49, -fk1E11s kH0tsf(g ?
ss6h. whatcver II is. This particular
law has not had tryout In the
supreme court, SO OF course II II an
unknown quantity ~ to what would
happen to II there.
During this year 1901. our republi.
can assessor. Mr.. Adsmond. made an
effort to comply with the law Ms near
ly A. he could conscientiously. lie
WAS Informed that all Of the assess
ors In Colorado would do likewise.
and the democratic state board Of
equalization promised that all corpO-
ration property would be assessed on
. full cash value basis. Did they do
Il! Not on your tintype. Mr..
Adsmond and great many other as
SCISSORS In the state were fooled and
badly fooled. Property In Otero coun.
~ that year was assessed on basis
OF seventy per cent of Its cash value.
and the democratic state officials got
big rake off for state purposes from
the usual four mill levy. In most all
other years II has been assessed on
basis OF one-third Of its cash value
notwithstanding the fact that the
revenue law explicitly provides that
ali property b. assessed on = full
cash value basis. But why should
the explicit terms Of the law concern
10 here In Colorado. where We are all
friends together. side by each.
II 10 another self.evidcnt fact that
when property valuations are high
the levy for all purposes Ia low. II
was because Of the fact that the
property valuation Of Otero county
vas high In 1901 that the levy for
county purposes was low. and for
no other reason. We do not happen
10 have the property valuation Of
Otero county for the year 1901 nj
hand. but We do happen to have II
for the city Of La Junta. which win
answer the purpose quite ~ well. In
1900 the assessed valuation Of the
city Of Ia Junta was e3ss. .235. and fer
tho year 1901. when property WAS
assessed on . basis Of seventy per
cent Of cash valuation. Il jumped To
81. .0Si .%29. The ncxt year. 1902. II
foil down to Ssss.7s%. when II was
again assessed on . onc-third basis.
The levy tor city purposes In 1900
was :s mills. while In 1901 Il was
only 10 mills when the valuation was
over . million dollars. The next year
Il Was % mills. and this was the
annual levy for . number Of years
thereafter. The democratic regime 10
not entitled TO any credit for the
low county levy Of 1901. and that one
low levy ID the important factor In
making the average levy for county
purposes. eDr . SERIES Of years. lower
uAdse . oemocfaic regime than under
. republican regime.
WY srs taxes hisA h otero covn.
y this ysass ~ ~ Rostsa nAa