The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1922-03-09
CONTINUOUS REPORT OF THE MEETING
HELD FEBRUARY 2O-TAXES DISCUSSED
Short History Of the
County of Bingham
Was Reviewed

| OAAASy "a AE
Was Reviewed
Wright-Trego speaks against my
office, would like to say In regard
to it that when took Office there
was pile of uncollected checks (in-
dicating a foot and half high.) I
did not have anything to do with
that, and I have not taken q case
of bad check, and refuse to do 1t.
| The only case have ever taken was
when man told me he would see
the prosecution thru, and II any cases
have been dismissed 1t has been IN
the nature of the. officer, simply
finding the person and turning him
over to the other person.
Kennedy-Just attacks the state.
We want to take the affairs at home,
and think it is up to US to try and
regulate some various things. Ac-
cording to Trego's statements the
county schools are 36 per cent Of the
taxes to pay. III we appoint COM
mittee I believe some good results
will come from It. agree with Just
we ought to have some kind of tax
committee to make recommendations
to the various boards, and am sure
they would be glad to work with US
along those lines. Where should we
start? Let us discuss that matter
and see where we ought TO start out.
Robinson---The difference In, mile
age-state pays 10 cents and county
20 cent mile for the use Of autos.
Why the difference?
| Miller-15 cents mile for county
officers. 3@1
Trego-2O cents in the sheriff,s
office. t',' 9t","Gt.
Robinson-I am going by Trego's
report. Fifteen cents for sheriff that
is the highest? f4
Miller-The sheriffs get paid Is
cents each way. v~H3.
Trego-I villa Mr.. Miller, when
it was reduced from 20 cents a mile. ),
Miller-The first Of the year.
Biethan-One thing 1--WE all do
know that the taxes are 30 high we
cannot pay them. Right today there
| is $2S1,0O0 delinquent taxes. which
goes to show that great many peo-
pie cannot pay their taxes. The rea-
son for such is pretty hard to tell
there are great many details that
few of us know very little about.
The mayor might tell you why the
city taxes are so high-7the fact of
the matter is that we are not holding
any one responsible for, these things.
II we held the county commissioners
responsible for spending money care
lessly they would go out of office.
Hold the people responsible that
have the responsibility. We ought
to take an interest this year and
understand what they are doing. We
all know the only way to do any
thing right is to pay attentin to
it, and we must hold the people
responsible for. their acts. l heard
Governor Davis tell how little the
state taxes were. I will read an
item in the Salt Lake Tribune, which
will show what the state is doing.
(Reads.) estate of Idaho, $7,381,-
900, which shws $16.24 per capita
and 1914, $5.42.- Who do we
hold responsible for this increase In
taxes? Shall we hold the governor?
The officers we elect are supposed
to be good men. II they are not
efficient throw them out.
Trego-Mr. Miller, has the board
of commissioners made the Decem-
ber settlement with the assessor as
required by law after they COM
pleted the work of equalization In
December?
Miller-Don't think so.
Trego-Or for the year before
that?
Miller-Turned 1t over to the
county attorney.
Trego-Have you had settlement
with the county attorney so you
know what he has accomplished?
Miller-He has not reported.
Trego-Does the county attorney
wish to report on that?
Wright-No.
Trego-I charge that the county
commissioners and the assessor do
not follow the law in making set
tlement between themselves in the
month Of December after the board
gets done equalizing the taxes. The
law requires that they should close
the books Of the year and that the
assessor should turn over the money
for personal taxes collected and that
the board should make formal ac-
ceptance or rejection Of the accounts
and money as rendered. Mr.. Miller,
speaking for the board, says they
have not done it fr 1921 and that
it was not done for 1920, but that
they have turned it over to the
county attorney and in year and
more he has not reported and they
have made settlement. | think
the law was made to be followed
and that when these officials give
their bonds to carry out the pro-
visions Of the law they are bound
by it and the bonds mean what they
say. The cost of the surety bonds
is charged to the people along with
other expenses, and in this matter
their bonds are dead letter and
claim that the assessor and the board
are all liable on their bonds for any
losses the people sustain thru neglect
to observe the law.
Wright didn't come over here
to talk, but cannot sit here and
hear the conduct Of my office ques-
toned. / have nothing to conceal.
II there Is any citizen In Bingham
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