Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1853-05-19

W nus STedlly uuBWcntcu III 'oiuct cs-
pccially on the hill and around the out
skirts Of that portion OF the Town. Now
we contend that if all persons and prop
erty had becn taxed during this time
with any kind Of equality as TO wealth
and value, the per centage would no.
certainly have been as high as it has
been during the last tour years, and
particularly the last year. Our Asses
sors, who have always been very wor-
thy, honest men, have been too timd IN
the discharge Of that duty, as regards
the wealth OF n certain class OF gentle
men who are liable to be taxed here;
and, consequently, these gentlemen are
not assessed anything in proportion 10
what great many OF the citizens are,
particularly those of moderate means
We are confident that those who are
worth few thousand dAlars, say no, to
exceed ten, are taxed fully up to the
usual proportion, and in many instances
they are overiaxed while wealthy men,
are not assessed by any means in the
same proportion. A number OF gentle
men who own property and pass their
summers here, and claim Newport as
their residence, AT least lor the purposes
OF taxation, pay the most triling TAX, in
proportion TO their wealth, and nothing,
just nothing at all, in comparison with
what they have been paying elsewhere,
for years past. They are taxed here
for their pers onal property. and conse-
quen,y do not pay any kind OF taxes in
any other place, unless they own real
estate there. Our taxes, even ut their
present high late, are so much lower
than in the cities, that these gentlemen
much prefer to pay them in Newport
and then, at home they are taxed in a
fair proportion as to their WORTH so
that the two items make very mate
rial reduction in the amount OF their
Taxes.-a reduction Of from eight hun
d ed TO two thousand dollars, according
to the amount OF their property. We
do not ask that our rich men, or those
gentlemen who arc temporary residents
here, should be taxed at any other rate
than are our own clizens,- yet we in.
sisi that it is but right that they should
be taxed in the same ratio on their
amount OF property. Such has not
been the case hitherto, bat we hope that
this important matter will be attended
to in future.
New streets are constantly beng
opened on the hill and in the Neck, and
these improvements are made Tor the
benefit OF those who own property in
that viciuity.-an it will be but a very
few years before it will require ten and
even fifteen thousand dollars each year
to be laid out on the streets, and we
ask that property which is TO be SO
greatly enhanced in value by these
large appropriateness, should be made
cXpence Of the same,-and those who
occupy il, and desire to bs taxed for per-
soma! property here, should be taxed Tor
the same amouLt as they have been elsc-
where,-and not allowed TO escape on a
mere nominal sum. We repeat what
we have said on another Occasion. II,
is urged by some that if we Tax these
gentlemen up TO The usual amount, or IN
/ hat proportion which our own citlZens
are generally taxed, they will leave the
place and 90 elsewhere suppose they
20 7 we say let them go where they can
be better suited, il they have Il DISPOSE
,ion so TO do. The people Of Newport
/, do not court adventure or speculation ;
if these gentlemen locate here, il is be-
cause il suits their own convenience, and
not because they are so phllanlhropic
that they have desire TO benefit the
/ people of Newport i! they are disposed
to remain, we shall be very glad to
have them, but do not let us humble
ourselves in order to retain them. But
| this is all idle talk If these gentlemen
| are taxed as they ought to be, they will
! not leave Newport on that account
! for if they should 90 elsewhere, they
will only fare worse and be taxed more
\ heavily, not only in amount of property,
/ but in per centage thereon. We SIM
| ply ask for equality in this matter, and
certainly no one can have any rcasona-
bic objection 10 so Just request.
Il We will make one further statement
! in regard TO the expences Of the Town,
( for the purpose Of throwing little
| light upon the subject which appears
dark to many. In 1919, some investi-
cation was had in regard TO tie Town
\ Debt, and it was then ascertained that
We owed about twenty .iour thousand
dollars resolution was passed at the
4 Annual Meeting OF that year 10 pay one
thousand dollars every year in future,
to lquidate hat debt. That amount
has been paid, and yet Notwithstanding
this, after the lapse OF only four years
the Town debt has increased TO abou
Il 7hiriyJire thousand dollars, being ar
increase, Notwithstanding our heavy
Taxes, Of ten thousand d0ildrs IN tina
short space Of time.