The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-11-21
Taxation and Gas In New YOrk-City Re-
forms Needed,

Taxation and Gas In New York-City Re-
forms Needed.
There are several reforms connected with the
municipal affairs of New York, under discussion at
the present time, which it is to be hoped will not
be lost sight Of or abandoned until they have been
secured. The most important are a more equ1l
system of taxation, and the supplying of the city
with gas by the corporation instead of by private
companies, in the same manner in which we are
supplied with water. These reforms have been
much talked of of late, and we are perfectly well
satisfied that, If they are kept before the public,
they will be secured before another year shall have
passed
The present unequal system of taxation is Justly
complained Of Every species fpropery-real, per-
sena and chatte-real-wlthin our corporation IL
mits, should be taxed for the support OF the city
government 1t is protected by the city govern
ment, and should, on every principle OF justice and
equity, be assessed, ard the owners made to pay
their share Of the city expenses. Under the present
system, many merchants, transactng large busi-
ness in the lower wards, and having in their stores
property amounting in the aggregate TO many NIL
hons of dollars worth, are exempted from taxation,
because of their living IN Brooklyn, Williamsburg,
Jersey City, and other places conguousto the city.
To avoid taxation, all that merchants have to do is
not to live in the city. This clearly unjust Such
people are, to all intents and purposes residents Of
New York. 1t is quite immaterial where they
sleep, when it is notorious they do bust
ness IN New York, and their property is under the
protection of our laws and police Such men have
in their stores goods and property to the amount of
several thousand dollars each, and they are ex-
empt from taxation, because, torsooth, when
the business of the day is over, they take
the boat to Brooklyn, instead of the omnibus
10 the upper part Of the city, while the mer-
chant who sleeps in town is taxed This ope-
rates injuriousy in two ways Itgves the non.resi-
dent dealer an advantage over the resident; and,
secondly it deprives the city OF portion of its le
gitimate revenue. Again, there are great many
agencies Of insurance companies, banking houses,
and other institutions, foreign and belonging to
other States in the Union, located In this city,
which escape taxation, but which ought, In JUS
tice to our citizens, to be assessed prorata as other
property is. The object of taxation is to support 60
vernment--the object Of government is TO guaranty
the security of life and property. 1t follows, them
that all property, within the pale of government,
should be assessed for the support of the govern
ment which protects it, But 1t is not so, as we have
shown. Ii is estimated that there is property, with
in the limits of the city of New York. to the value
of hundreds of millions of dollars, which escapes
taxation In this way. The result is, that the remain
ing property is unustly and unequally assessed, to
the amount probably of fifty per cent. The remedy
lies with the Legislature of the State; according TO
a recent decision on this subject, the city au-
thorlties are powerless IN the premises.
IL II al, I'll,
public opinion is unanimous that we should be re-
Ieved, as as possible, OF the extortons prac-
used on our citizens by the New York Gas Com
pany. The article which is now furnished by that
close monopoly, is not only given in insufficient
quantity, but is Of an inferior quality and1s charg
ed for at a rate double and treble that for which
good gas is provided in other cities, In fact, the
people of New York are completely at the mercy
of this institution, as far as the lighting Of
the city Is concerned, and they demand
redress Why should our citizens be compelled to
deal with any monopoly, for any article that they
require, and to pay price greater than they can get
II for from other sourcesl Why should the stock
holders of any institution be allowed TO get rich,
and become boated with wealth, extracted from
the vitals Of our industrious people The remedy
in this case is simple, and within our reach. Let
the Board of Assistant Aldermen refuse TO raufy
the action Of the Board Of Aldermen in the matter
of making a new contract for twenty years with
that monopoly. How that company, with its I'M
positions on the public the theme of general con-
versation, and with five years of its present con-
tract unexpired, had the eilrontry to ask for an-
other contract, to extend twenty years, we do not
know. Certain il u.s. that If an individual applied
for such a favor, he would be booted out of doors
Wbatcan we think oftheBoard of Aldermen making
such contract We fear there il something
rotten and unsound in this business. and we hope
that such Of our citizens in possession OF
the circumstances which induced these gentlemen
10 sanction the contract, will make them public.
A more audacIous demand we never beard Of
Let the Board Of Assistants then, refuse to concur
with the other Board IN this matter, and let
measures be taken, al the earliest moment to make
the lighting of the city with gas department Of our
municipal government. Why should not the city
government supply gas as well as water to our
citizens A handsome revenue is derived from
the one, and would be from the other likewise, If
It were under municipal control
We again hope that these subjects will not be al
lowcd TO rest Every inhabitsnt Of New York,
rich or poor, has an interest IN demanding these
reforms, and we trust they will be agtated and
kept alive, until they are accomplished.
"
The NICARAGUA QUESTION, AND THE WASHING
TON OReANs.-The organs at Washington continue
to edify the public with long and prosy reviews on
the doctrine Of Monroe, and the opinions Of Mr.
Polk, and upon the former opinions Of Father
RitchIe, on the question of non.intervention, as
discussed IN the Congress at Panama, some twen-
ty.odd years ago. Bus we look IN vain for the
slightest inklng disclosing the present position Of
the Nicaragua dispute between Mr. Champion and