The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-06-18

ASSESSMENT OF TAXES FOR 1854-VALUATI0N
OF REAL ESTATE IN THE SECOND WARD.-The ex-
cessive taxation to which both real estate and
personal property are subjected, in the valua-
ton for the present year, has caused consider
able cOmmotion among the taxpayers through
out the city. Nor is this to be wondered at,
when we learn that in some instances the taxes
have been increased at the rate of fifty per cent.
The assessments for the whole city have not
been completed yet, and we are, therefore, I'M
able to state exactly how much they will ex-
coed those Of the past year; but basing our cal
culations on the valuation of the real estate in
the Second ward, we find that the increase will
amount to As per cent.
In 1858 the Second ward was very highly as
sessed, and in the majority Of cases without
judgment, as was afterwards proved by the ac-
tual value of the property 80 assessed. Nume-
rous applications were made by the taxpayers,
complaining of this injustice, and demanding
new and more correct valuation. Their demand
was complied with, and the consequence was
reduction to the amount of nearly one
million of dollars on the total valuation
but still a very large proportion of the
owners of property having made no remon-
STRANGE, were oppressively assessed, and were
compelled to apply to the Supervisors for re-
lief. This is fact deserving of particular con-
sideration, and if attended to at once, will save
taxpayers an immense amount Of time and in
convenience. It may be well for their benefit
to state here that the application for relief was
49, Ia Il Al.
was proved by the experience of many who
were compelled to pay the excessive tax.
The valuation for the present year shows an
increase in the Second ward of Sc, O35, lot, the
total amount being s26,s79, 1857; while last year
it was fixed at $18,s44,75O. As these increased
valuations appear to have been made capri
ciously, and without reference to any particu-
lar standard-the dimensions of the lots their
location, the character of the building, or the
income derived-there is just cause for COM
plant. Houses in ,Front street, John street,
Burling slip, and other streets in the Sc
cond ward, have been assessed for $4,000,
$4,000, and $4,000, while the rent yielded
by them does not exceed $1,000. In some in
stances the valuation of property in this ward
has been doubled, thus justifying, in some
degree, the great increase which we have
noticed in rents.
The complaints which are made in conse-
quence Of these grievances take up q large
share Of the attention of the Tax Commits
sioners, and, as every case has to be examined
separately, large amount of the time which
should be devoted to the other business of the
department is consumed in attending to this.
The gross inaccuracy of these assessments de-
mand re-valuation of the entire ward, for in
this way only can justice be done to every
property holder, and the fair and reasonable
demands of all be satisfied. There are many
whose absence from the city, or ignorance of
the increase, has prevented them from apply
ing to the proper authorities, and the Tax
Commissioners ought, therefore, to perform