New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-01-23
We WANT A REVISION OF THE ASSESS
NEWT LAW.
To me Editor Of The v. Y. Tribune.

SIR: The legislation of last Winter relative to the
mode Of assessing railroads must necessarily lead TO
other enactments, and among the first laws on the
subject should be the repeal of the law in regard to
estimating the value Of railroad property by the town
assessors. There is no doubt that in some localities
great Injustice has been done by assessors but ii by
follows that because of an occasional abuse
of power that class of people should BE exempted
from the general law whereby the whole property Of
the State is valued for the assessment OF taxes.
But our whole system Of assessments has become
ceedngly defective and requires thorough revision.
In respects get many practical hints from
other States and with the benefit of expert
ence, system may be perfected that will operate in
much more equal manner than now.
! would suggest that the assessors be directed TO
require from every taxpayer under his own signature
and sworn to- if necessary-a full statement OF his
property personal and real itemized as 10 enable
the assessors TO make equitable valuation, by
giving them blanks to fill up. To this end would
have the Controller prepare the blank schedules, so
that the operation Of the law would be uniform
throughout the State, and these blanks to be fur
nished 10 the several clerks of the Board of Super
visors and through them 10 the assessors of the
several towns wards in their several counties.
These schedules should embrace-l. statement of
the whole number OF of land owned by the tax
payers. Then, how much is under plOw how much
IN pasture or meadow, how much in wood, and how
much that does not admit OF pasturage, plowing
meadow wood. p How much stock, if farmer
and ts kinds. Sheep one year and under, and over
one year. Cattle--how many, msle or female; the
maidstone year and under and over one year. fe
males--how many one wear and under, and how many
over one year not milk The same of horses,
mules and swine. Then the amount OF the tools and
implements used IN and about the farms, and tor car
rying il on.
Ofmechanics and merchants in addition TO their real
estate. a statement of the value OF their tools and
stock in trade, a. well as the amount of debts due to
49,
they deem good and those doubtful From msnutac-
turing companies a statement OF their nominal and
actual capital, and of the debts they owe or have
owing TO them. But if they prefer to allow their
whole capital 10 be assessed rather than TO make such
statement, they at liberty 30 TO do Railroad COM
panes 10 make statement Of the quantity of lands
occupied in each town or ward, and the cost Of con-
structng the track thereon Any person or persons
who shall willfuy make or give untrue account 10
regard to their property, TO be liable TO
fine OF so, and be also guilty OF a mlsdemeanor,
which msv be punished by fine or imprisonment, or
both and the assessors may assess him them with
out the privilege Of any change by the persons, and
false swearing to be punished puury in other
The in any and ward place such value
upon the property 50 returned as may seem 20 them
Just and 20 complete their by the second
Monday In July, and deliver copy to the Superyi-
sors who shall. within six days thereafter nile the
same IN the Clerks office Of the county. On or
before the second Monday in August the Clerk of the
Board Of Supervisors shall he with the Secretary of
State in a scbaeule 10 be furnished for that purpose
an abstract OF the property of each town and ward
as returned by the assessors ANY officer neglecting
or refusing 10 perform the duty enjoned upon him,
subject TO fines and the penalties Of mi-demeanor.
The Governor, by and with the advice of the Sen.
ate shall app ONT eight Commissioners one residing
u each Judicial District OF the State. These Com
missioneIs shall meet in Albany the second Tuesday
Of September, and, taking up the returns from the
several counties, shall proceed 10 equaze the valua
ton Of the property Of the State and shall within
thirty days after their meeting furnish copy of such
equaliz alton, by counties, 20 the Controller, who shall
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