The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-02-04
NEW YORK HERALD.
,ew YORK. Thursday, February 4, Is47.
The Rumors or Peace-Tricks or the Specu-
latOrs-Take Care.

The public has been kept in a state of trepi-
darDn and excitement, for few months past,
by rumors and reports purporting to be received
from Mexico, that first one ruler, then another
and then the constituent Congress of that country
had agreed to our propositions tor peace, and
were willing to come to terms. These rumors
have serious effect on those business OPERA
tons affected by peace or war, and are mo silly
set afoat, particularly those of recent origin, by
spectators who wish to fill their pockets at the
expense of the people.
These philosophers know very well that the
United States were never in state of greater
prosperity than they are at present, and that at
no time have we had so brilliant a prospect be-
fore US. With heavy drain upon our cotton and
corn markets, that may last probably for some time
10 come, and a continual flow Of the precious
metals from the old world, there is every in
ducement for people to extend her opera
tions, and commence a career OF extravaganza
and speculation similar to those we have so fire.
qnently witnessed, and which generally end IN
ruin and disaster to thousands The elements of
another such era as that of 1885, g and 7 are
now at work, and all that is requisite to develope
them, is for peace to be restored with Mexico,
and for common sense to lose its balance The
moment that takes place, the prices of stocks,
real estate and every thing else, will reach point
higher than ever known before; and those who
float with the tide, and reach dry land in season,
will amass princely fortunes, while those who
enter the list at later hour, and dabble too long,
will come out bankrupt.
Thus, then, peace with Mexico having so much
influence in this respect, it is the interest of spe-
culators and stock jobbers to circulate rumors of
it as often as possible, for the purpose of avang
themselves OF the temporary advance in prices
that they create. These chaps know very well
what they are about They do not set these ru.
more afoat here, because their tricks are we'll
understood; but they circulate them in Philadel-
phia, Baltimore, Washington, and other place.
connected with New York by telegraph. AS soon
they are heard ofin those cities, they of course
form the topic of conversation, and, as matter
OF course, are Immediately transmitted by tee
graph to the New York press. Thus rumor of
peace is given out in Washington or Baltimore to-
day, and the next day it appears in all the New
York papers as ''postscript'' Prices of stocks
Immediately rise, and the authors and orginators
in the coolest manner possible, step in, take ad-
vantage of them, and pocket some thousands of
dollars from the trick, or whatever the operation
may be called.
ance on these rumors. We have it from pretty
good authority; indeed, all the indications
ire that the Mexicans are not at pre-
tent inclined to look favorably on our peace pro-
posals. They wish first to see what effect the
vomito will have our troops, and if they Disco
that the advantages that they expected to gain
by its ravages are not as great as they calculated
upon, they may then consent to peace. |
We have facilities for obtaining the earliest in
formation from Mexico, and until the Ne,o York
Herald makes an assertion of the probability of
peace being soon restored, our readers may be
sured that all rumors are not to be depended upon
We Of course shall give all the rumors afoat but
we shall characterize them as such. We shall be
careful not to mislead the public by our own
statements.
The sure side is the safe side.
New DEPARTMENT PRorosED.-The Comptrol-
Ter has addressed communication to the Com
mon Council, suggesting ain alteration OF the time
and mode of assessing taxes. He proposes to
change the time for assessing personal property
from May TO January, and also to establish a
Boafd of Assessors, one of whom is to be de-
nominated s'Chief Assessor" which officer is to
prepare, with the assistance Of clerks, all assess
ment rolls, and perform the principal duties con-
necsed with the assessments for personal estate,
an Office being established for the transaction of
this business. The other assessors are TO be called
''Dstrct Assessors" and are to make the valua-
tons of real estate in their respective
districts. These assessors to be elected by gene
raj ticket, at the November election.
The advantages proposed to be derived, con-
sst in :" nearer approach to accuracy in m akng
bo IN cit;
in examining their assessments, and a more tho
rough assessment of personal property" The
Comptroller states, that, at present, large num-
Der OF our most wealthy citizens reside the
city from November to May, and manage to es-
cape taxation by removing to the country about
the time that the assessors commence their work;
and claim relief from tax under the pr DIVISIONS OF
the statute made for the protection of nonresidents
against taxation. A case Of this kind is cited,
in which an individual, although occupying re-
sdence in this city during the winter months,
was relieved from tax on 100000. This is done
by the assessed party swearing that he was a
nonresident at the time the assessment was
made, which entities him to relief from the tax.
The comptroller thinks that, by making the
sessment in January, these birds of passage
would not escape easily, and would be COM
PEELED, in common with others oftheir fellow cit-
Zens, to pay their taxes, and thus reduce the
rate.
The expense of making assessments under this
proposed system, are estimated as folows:
baiary Oh Chlel Assessor. , yo0O
Principal Clerk. LOCO
Second ............-..... $50
" Three additional Clerks, for mos. .. 900
Persons serving notices. 900
Eight Assessors, OF 81, 900 each. 5000
$l3,25O
The amount allowed to the assessors during the
past year SIS, 100; and by the close estimates
Of the comptroller, this new method of assessing
would cost the city within 81 $50 as much as the
old system well, even this would be better saved