The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-08-02
Increased City Taxation.

The clique oil which COmptr0llei tlagg mas
been so long shining member has always
been famous for crying out against unjust taxa
ton and oppressive monopoly 1t was the shib-
boleth by which it gained and retained power
for many years; but it is a curious fact that
whenever the most vociferous of these patriots
obtained fair chance for good haul they post
poned their principles for their pockets The
Central Railroad operations are fair sample of
their perseverance, their virtue and disinterest-
edness. By skilful combinations and a proximity
to legislation the Albany managers made hand
some fortunes, particularly out of the consolida-
ton of central railroad lines. If we are not
much mistaken Mr.. Flagg came in for hand
some share of profit when he and his associates
amalgamated what was called the South Side or
Mohawk Valley Railroad with the other lines.
This project never intended to be carried through,
which was very hastily surveyed, never laid out,
and on which a small per centage only was ever
called, (only enough to secure the charter) was
generously taken into the general valuation,
and was valued at good round sum, to the great
comfort of some of the brethren, and the manifest
advantage of their collapsed purses The thea
tire of enterprise being for time about closing,
the actors were busy in finding other localities for
the display of their talents The Minnesota scheme
was, it is true, unfortunately knocked in the head,
by the discovery of a single Interpolation, made
mysteriously, in bill before Congress. One
little word, if it could have escaped observation,
would have rewarded these Regency grammarians
VIII splendid fortunes. The Sault St Marie
GAnal offered better chance, and there rich
reward and large grants Of public lands have fol
lowed the lucky schemers. Mr.. Flagg was trans
planted to New York to try his hand here, and
the cry Of economy has been his capital and stock
in trade. Since he has been at the head Of our
financial bureau our taxes have doubled, and il
he continues there much longer there will not be
much more left to tax. The whole amount of
taxes levied in this city from 1901 to 1880, was
but S63G0, 900, while those for single year (the
present one), exceed that sum by Sl06599 50,
not includng the State tax either, which is $685.
s26 GA more. There is not doubt but that the
tax of 1850, which was about three millions,
would be amply sufficient for the support of the
city government. The items which swell the sum
for this year are quite startling in character and
if analysed carefully would show that large
portion of them might be cut down one half.
What aggravates the matter is the fact, that while
large appropriations are scarcely criticised by the
Comptroller he is so tenacious and so resistant in
the merest trifes. Small bills are closely scru-
tinized, many are refused, and expensive law
suits are incurred to defeat their payment We
are kept amused with constant professions of re-
gard for the public treasury, and continual
tinkering at the spigot while full stream pours
ncessantly out of the bunghole. tits about time
that the city of New York did its own coopering,
and that the Albany Regency, seeing once more
i" speck in the horizon" were compelled TO
open shop somewhere else.