The Tax Bill That Landed on Stevens County Property Owners

County Assessor Elliott and Prosecuting Attorney Rochford are engaged in a merry war of words at the county seat, and the taxpayers are expected to pay the bill that will arise from the dispute.

It appears that the assessor, in making the assessment for the ensuing year, followed the law as he could understand it, and also acted under the instructions of the State Board of Tax. The instructions from this board are considered final until they have been overruled by the courts.

Some time ago, after the work of assessing this county had been practically completed, a prosecuting attorney in one of the other counties of the state attacked the validity of the law which states that money, mortgages, warrants and other like paper should be exempted from taxation. The judge upheld the attorney in his contention, and ruled that the assessor should tax the collaterals mentioned. Thereupon Attorney Rochford filed a suit in the superior court of this county, asking that the assessor of Stevens County be compelled to assess money, etc., as personal property. Judge Kennan upheld the attorney, and the assessment will have to be made anew.

This will not only cause an expense of about $100 or more, which the property owners will have to bear, but the residents of Stevens County will have to pay a larger proportion of the state tax than any other county in the state, excepting two, on account of these items being included in the assessment roll.

No party claims to be in the right. It appears to be one of these cases where the property owners get the worst of it whichever way it is finally decided.