The Canon City record with which is consolidated the Canon City cannon., 1916-04-06
SUPREME COURT DECISIONS

several important decisions. There
were four OF particular interest to all
Colorado as they affect TO a great ex-
tent all citizens Of the state. These
opinions are:
First: The court upheld the right
of the state board of equalization to
Place the final value for taxation pur-
poses on all property in the state. The
opinion holds that county assessors
must obey the orders OF the state
board of equalization and raise or de-
crease the valuation of property ac-
cording to the mandates of that board.
The opinion holds that the state tax
commission in reaching the valuation
of properly are purely for the purpose
of advising the equalization board os
TO property valuation and cannot be
called into question.
The effect OF the decision is TO com
pei all county assessors who are di-
rected by the state board OF equaliza-
lion to raise the value of any or all
property in their respective counties
TO follow those directions. In fact
the opinion specifically says that the
assessors are under the state board OF
equalization which board is their su-
perior officer
Second: The court held that the
legislature is the sole Judge as to
whether a law is for the immediate
preservation o. the peace, health and
safety of the people of the state and
by so holding. the legality of the civil
service law as passed by the last leg
islatule Is established. The law takes
the heads OF all departments from un-
der the provisions Of eivil service and
unless some other legal point is raised.
and appoint whomever he pleases as
heads of the varicus departments in
the state. lncidentaliy the opinion up
holds the legality of the act OF the
new civil service hoard which Cover
nor Carlson appointed some months
ago.
The positions in question we're the
warden OF the reformatory. the warden
OF the penitentiary. the bank commits
sloner. the coal mine Inspector. the Ill
inspector. the several division en-
gineers. and number OF other minor
places.
Third: The court held that the
board of control OF the insane asylum
at Pueblo has complete jurisdiction
over the asylum aud has the right TO
say when the asylum Is caring for its
capacity population and that the board
does not have to care for the insane
patients from Denver or any other
county II II does not feel that there
is rooE in the asylum for the patients.
The court ordered the mandamus re-
Gently issued by the district court OF
Denver against the board OF control
OF the asylum dismissed and the case
throw N out Of court.
Fourth: The court declined to re
view the proceedings in the trial
whereby James Bulser was declared
TO be sane and unless Governor Carl
son in.erferes BulGer viii be executed
IN the week beginning May u.
Today's list OF opinions are perhaps
the most important in Several years.
history OF the court.
The opinion regai ding Uie civil SER
vice laws was written by Justice Cab
bert. specially concurred ir' ? Justices
Hill and White. and dissented TO by
Justice Scott and Teller.
When the last legislature was en-
acting the amendments to the old civil
service law the Republicans inserted
what is known as the safety clutch
which declared that the law was nee
essary for the public peace. health and
safety OF the state. This was intend
ed to prevent the Democrats from re-
ferring the law to the people and thus
keeping II from going into effect for
two years.
The old civil service board secured
la petition having as lis object the
reference Of the bill. They filed the
petition with the secretary OF state.
or rather they attempted to Gle II
with the secretary Of state and Mr..
Ramer refused to accept II on the
ground that tile law was not referable.
They brought suit in the lower court
to compel him to accept II, and the
lower court upheld MIR. Ramer. The
case was appealed. to the supreme
court.
Following the adjournment Of the
Legislature Governor Carlson started
to change the heads Of several de-
partments In the state government,
and they refused to be changed ON the