New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1843-02-08
Taxation ia the CITY.


Board Of Aldermen an interesting and valuable
Report on the Financial Condition and Policy Of
this City, with suggestions OF important amend
ments 20 the existing system of Taxation. The
completion of The Creton AquedGct sud tie conse-
suent demand for large sum TO pay the yearly
interest upon its cost, has excited very general
attention TO The subject, the burdens thereby i'm
posed upon the City being extremely onerous
The Committee first cali attention to unjust and
hurtfu provisions in the existing system of taxa
ton. The Assessors Of the Wards are now re-
CURED TO assess all property, both real and per
sonal. in the City at what they deem lis proper
value. The party assessed may reduce the amount
by making oath that his property is not worth SO
much, and upon the amount thus reduced the as
sessments TO be made. So far as real estate is
concerned, this may be nearly just and proper.
But personal property, OF which the Assessors have
no possible means Of judging, when assessed too
high may be reduced By cath; when too low, as
the Committee believe ii almos, always ia the de-
fciency be supplied and in this way
alone the Committee believe that an immense
arHoun, Of personal property escapes taxation.
Again, the assessor books are open only during
the summer, and in that period alone assessments
may be made a great portion of our citizens du-
ring that period retire from the city; many leave
for the purpose of elnding the assessors, and thus
a great mass of property elndss all taxation.
Assessors, too, frequently omit TO assess persons
who are justly taxable through fear Of having de-
fcency in the amount cast upon their Ward; and
this evil the Committee believe to be Of alarming
magnitude.
According 10 the existing law, every person
must be assessed upon his personal property in the
County in which he lives. The effect of this is,
verv extensive business and have large amount
of property within the limits of the city reside eut
of the city. and thus escape the tax which is
upon those who remain, and help to build up
rounding villages, BY which the value of taxable
property here is greatly reduced. and the burdens
of taxation rendered still less ,olerabe. The evil
arising from this is represented to be enormous,
and continually increasing.
The expenses of collecting taxes under the pre-
sent mode is no, far from $40 900. The require
ment of the new School Act, that certain sum
shall be raised, is believed to be some $50, 900
than is required for the contemplated object.
To obvate these evils the Counsel to the Cor
poration, under direction Of the Committee, has
prepared the dreft of act relating TO the assess
ment and collection of taxes, which is submitted
to the Board:
al 1t subjects the personal property of non
residents who transact their ordinary business in
the city of New-York, and which is situated with
in the city, TO taxation therein
40. 1t proposes to reach all the taxable person
al property in the city, b. compelling the persons
taxable therefor return, under oath, to the as
SCISSORS, the amount of property n2en which they
should be assessed al not less than its value,
under the penalty of being subjected to tax upon
larger amount than is value, not exceeding TREBLE
in case Of refusal subject 10 their right however,
to reduce it by affidavit, and also penalty oil one
hundred dollars.
90. 1t authorizes the assessors TO assess proper
ty discovered after the closing OF the assessment
books, and at any time during the year for which
they are chosen;
"a Itihrows upon the city at large, instead of
upon the wards, the assessment for errors and de-
Iinsuencies Of The previous year;
as. 1t proposes TO abolish the Offices OF collec-
tors of taxes and collectors Sf arrears OF taxes,
and to establish Department therefor, TO be con-
Quoted by a Receiver end Deputy Receiver OF
Taxes and suitable number Of clerks al regular
annual salaries and prescribes fully their duties,
snd the mode Of their accountability"
The Committee submit also another act with re-
gard TO the money 10 be raised under the School
act restricting ii to the SUM that may be found to
be necessary. They present also the following
schedule of the tax fox each head OF the expendi-
lure, reduced considerably from the estimates Of
the Comptroller, and being sls2 900 less than the
tax for 1912:
Imoy,t Estimated En- 81 4mouni Estimated EIp'I
Aim, Hsuse S9UO no Lamp, AID 10 COO
Board II Health 600 laying Tax
County Contingencies .iuC0C Markets Voo
Court; ............450 0t Mayoraiy Fees. OO
Curonefs Fees 600 Penalties .o ~"
Chares 900 Printing Stationery. 20 COo
Cleaning COO Public Schools. oUO
Communication Ell Alien foiice ...... .1o,o0e
Passengers lco9IRed Estate Expenses roo
Charges OF TAX u and Assessments.
Cis,ninp CORPORATION Roads and Avenues. 10 coo
Docks ana Slips C coo Repairs and Supplies. sc, on
II rorilu