The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-01-08

These statements show that the expenditures
from the General Fund exceeded its income, the
During the year ending Both September, 1850,
the payments from this fund exceeded the receipts
by $5S 757 "a, adding another item to the mass OF
testimony found in OUT records of the constant ten
deney of the appropriations 70 overreach the reve
nues Of the STATE. But as the fiscal affairs con-
pected with the general fund are now organized, a
reasonable certainty is attainable as to income.
The sum receivable rom the Canal Fund is fixed :
that to be derived from taxation can be asceraned
with considerable exactness and the auction
duties ard minor sources of revenue, applicable to
this fund do not vary so much, from year to year,
as to subject the appropriating power to very Sc.
rious difficulty. But 80 numerous are the objects
of utility or state pride soliciting pecunlary aid,
and such the increasing strength and the prosper
Gus condition Of the State that it requires vgor.
Gus snd manly 6rmpess, to keep within the bounds
which rigid and faithful guardianship of the pub.
lie money would seem to impose. Detailed state
ntnts Of the receipts into the treasury and the pay
nenis theresrom, arc found n the appendix marked
A and b.
A subject closely conn eoted with cur State fnan-
ces, ana one Of most commanding interest, is taxa.
ton. How TO so equalize the pressure OF the pub.
lie burthens to do strict Justice to all who aid in
sustaining them, has always been a matter of anx-
ious inquiry in enlightened governments. The
general principles we have decided on, appear to be
appreciated BY the great body Of tax payers a
watchful attention 70 points OF detail is indspen
sable, if we would perfect the system already
adopted. The amendment passed asst winter 10
our assessment law, among Its other good effects,
has excited spirit Of active inquiry on the part
Of eur assessors in regard to particular points Of
their eficial duty.
The position Of these officers mas been for many
years past one of grieyous embarrassment =
While urged, on the one hand, by high moral
considerations, TO the cons centious performance
of duty not only importa mt in its consequences,
but imposed upon them by the solemSity OF an
official oath, they we're restrained on the other by
full conviction thai s rigid performance OF that
duty would inevitably lead 10 great injustice
Their deyiatons, therefore, from the strict rules Of
apparent right, had at least the apology that they
wee made upon the principle Of seli:detenee and,
under all the circumstances Of the case, IL is net
surprising that this was generally considered BY
them as The "frst law" " is exceedingly gtati-
firg how ever, that there appears to have been,
siIce the passage Of the act above referred to, a
determination among these officers throug hout the
state. with few exceptions, to abandon, az by
general eon sent, the demoralzirg AID vicious prac-
lice al greatly undertaking. real property, and 70
make their estimates OF it, by, perhaps the safest
and best natutod. because the mott uniform, rule
that can be adopted At wha', ia their roDer jndg-
Iuent, they believe 10 0e in the language OF the
sct-sits iull and true value Iac Comptroller
hecp leave /. direct the attention ~ the Legislature
70 ZONE points EN- sraced, or wncn sBouid be en-
b.so.s, u sw assessment sss, sSd Which ~