Show AN OPEN LETTER I 1 to the county court in which adoth er side of the controversy nas lias a hearing r vernal utah 7 1892 18 92 to the county court of uintah co dear sirs I 1 received a letter from the county clerk requesting my resignation as prosecuting attorney of uintah co my answer is that I 1 have no resignation to offer tho office came to me through the former commissioners ners of this county and until I 1 shall overstep or supersede supercede super code cede the functions or duties of said office or the official bond thereof I 1 shall continue until another election or for good cause shown to w write rito county prosecuting attorney after my name I 1 visited the county court a fv few days ago for the express purpose of giving ing you this information verbally and of further advising you in relation to your duties and powers as a board of equalization but I 1 found a wall had boon built so high that your legal adviser could not overcome without violating one of your orders or niles nilea I 1 learned this however that you were and are exceeding your jurisdiction is as said board which will be made plain by your examining the laws of 1890 see sec 2027 tho the county court of each county shall on the return of the assessment roll appoint a time to hear complaints deter niffie L assessors P s and collectors collector compensation also determine the rate per cent of tho the co tax for the current year after the roll has been returned to assessor he is to notify by mail all taxpayers of the amount against them and of the day fixed by the board of equalization for hearing complaints the board shall have power to determine all complaints and correct any value either by bv adding or deducting and upon hearing of complaints the board has authority to subpoena witnesses I 1 to hear and talie take evidence and if the board shall find end it necessary to add to valuation they can direct the cho county clerk to notify by mail said party naming the day when they will act and allowing a reasonable time for such party to appear but it is only on complaint or in remitting or abating tax of any in oane infirm or indigent person not to exceed 10 that the county court can call add or deduct the law hero here defines your duties as a board of equalization and you have no power nor aRt authority hority to ald add or deduct from the tax list only on complaint and any change made contrary to this act would bo be void this pertains to the powers and duties of the territorial board of E equalization iza tion laws of 1892 page 22 q 7 to 13 inclusive 7 said board is authorized zed to change the assessed value of any kind or class of property in any county in tho the territory and may raise raise or lower the value thereof when it shall appear necessary to make mallo I 1 said values conform to law it may raise or lower the entire assessed value of any county and it may also list or ca cause use to bo be listed for for territorial taxes any taxable property omitted by tiny any county assessor no county court or county board of equalization shall have power to change for purposes of territorial taxation any assessment or valuation fixed by said daid territorial board or to remit or abato auy any tax duo due or winch which would become duo to tho the territory of utah on such assessment and valuation 9 F urther further instructs instruct fi that said board shall have power either as a board or by committee to visit and confor confer with nath county courts or county assessors but no order raising or lowering the entire assessment of any county shall be mado unless the county has been visited by br the board or a committee thereof consisting of a majority of tho the board soo see entire act to 13 and you will find that this i later and makes void all other laws in conflict therewith you can clearly see from this that your sitting as a board of equalization going over the entire roll and r raising and lowering the list does not como come within your jurisdiction and is therefore illegal and without precedent and as agent for uintah co and a taxpayer tax payer thereof I 1 shall ob object act to your drawing 4 per day in to business that does not pertain to your office respy B R 0 CAMP co pros proa attorney |