The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-07-31

RhuRo.p ScBEMEsAIKcREAsED TAxArioN-a
Nrw DEPARTMENT. One would suppose those I'M
fortunate individuals, the taxpayers were eacn
possessed of the good nature OF tsn ordinary ne",
Joined with the wealth of CIusus, or the Unlimited
resources of that remaIkable\pld Dutch hnAncef'
DE Witt. of Amsterdam. Our taxpayer reads IN
The Herald that the taxes amoune this year, In the
aggregate. 10 nearly million and aqparier OF sen
lars, and that his share of the burdspery hundred
one and two dollars assessed rrsge, for he knows
he possesses. He baattlbe better administered for
the pense; he curses the party in power,
one POI democrat, the case may be-they are
equally his enemies-but when the collector calls
upon him, he quietly draws his check for the
money. The same occurs next year, with a con-
siderable addition TO the amoent. But his good
nature, aud quiet submission TO be plucked only in
creases the curiosity of his prosecutors to ascer-
tain the extent OF his ability to pay, aaS they are
constantly deyising new schemes for plundering
him. The latest idea has been conveyed TO us by
our bird, who gathers many amusing things for us
and the public, and very few more amusing than this
IL is pretty bold and high hanGed measure, il is
true, especially it includes the creation of new
department of the city government, and increase
of a million, more or less, of expenditure every
year-but il is not on that account the less likely
to be entertained by those in power, who invaria-
bly, go in for the heaviest stakes, as they are sure
they only can win. But as faithful guardians
of the peoples interests il is our duty to expose
the game, even if we spoil the sport.
The propnety of permitting the construction Of
one or more railroads in the city being conceded,
certain sapent Alderman, il is understood will pro-
pose, at the next meeting of the board, that the
city should build these roads and lease them out,
for the purpose of deriving an income from them
Well, suppose il done II appears all right and fair
Well, what next! A B and c, in Wall street,
have railroad in Broadway, built by the city for
their benefit. ID, in Wavsrly Place, thinks il but
reasonable that he should have one on the same
terms, through Blocker street, as it is but a con-
hnuaton OF the old stage route, and DIS brother
being an Alderman, of course his road is built; and
the other Aldermen have brothers.in.law, cousins
in-law and partners in business, who discover ad.
vantageous routes for new lines, which are built on
the same terms, greatly for the public convenience
OF course; and as the amounts to be paid for leases
and licenses to use these roads, exceed the interest
on the proper cost Of the improvements il appears
a clear gain to the city in dollars and cent? besides
the public accommodation. OF course so happy
an arrangement cannot be too greatly extended
and II is in contemplation, eventually, TO have all
the principal Streets that is, all the stage routes
laid with rails. Where would il endl No matter
II 1t never ended Each Alderman would be
railroad king" and have his army of engineers
contractors, superintendants, inspectors, commits
soners, clerks, conductors, collectors, laborers
flemen, stokers, pokers, switch-tenders, hostlers
grooms, drivers, money takers, and the like, with
Of course, no end to the toll and trouble, and ex-
psnse, and picking and stealing, and idling in the
new department OF the city government, which
VIII be called into existence to manage this impor-
tant source Of revenue and be paid for before the
revenue begins to come in, if IL does co me in
IL Is also evident that whatever piece of work can
be constructed by private individuals for one hun
dred thousand dollars, will cost, if constructed by
our city corporation, at least three times that
amount; and as the leases on these railroads will
bePreVously sold at prices graduated upon the
supposed and perhaps proper cost of the work. the
city must be greatly the loser, il even it honestly
collects its rents, which is doubtful Eventually il
will require very skilful accountant to ascertain
any gain, from this splendid scheme to the public,
and no very brilliant wit TO discover large
balance of rascality and corruption in Office
Al first we hardly credited that Intelligent men
could seriously entertain such an atrocious design
upon the public purse but when we called to mind
the cool hnpudence with which former PROPOSE
tons, equally absurd, have been made from time
10 time for the purpose plunderng the people, we
did not see in this new revelation any thing too
preposterous for belief; and when we now reflect
upon the uncomfortable, blind, and insane rapacity
Of those who eat the public loaves and fishes, with
en- "sppetiie that grows by what it feeds upon
who can set bounds to their ideas Of their own inn
Portance, or the sulbiliy of the tax-psyin pub
lie Who is the wiseacre that conceived this
master-stroke Ct political economy Above all,
who is the sapient Alderman who proposes to inn
mortalize his name by introducing III II we must
have railroads in our streets, let them be made by
private parties, who can look out for their own
interests, and not by the public, who are sure TO
lose.
We very much wish that some OF the talented
gentlemen who are invening and Publishing
schemes for the relief Of Broadway, would favor
US with practicable plan for relieving the tax
payers.
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