New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-01-16
Stair TAX ASSESSORS REPORT.

Stair TAX ASSESSORS REPORT.
The State Assessors, Messrs. Peters, Thurston,
and Cloves, who were appointed under an act OF
the Legislature of 1859 to visit the various counties
with a view to equalizDg the assessments, have, in
compliance with resolution of the Assembly, pre-
scented an important report The document is
divided into two parts, the fret of which is devoted
to an account of the operations of the Assessors
during the past year in procuring information rela-
tive to the value Of real estate in several counties
and the method adopted TO equalizc valuations so
that all shall pay their just proportion of the State
tax. 1t necessarily embraces many tables Of Stats
teal matter, which will be found of great value,
exhibiting the true condition of the State ESQ far as
it can be known by the present imperfect method of
collecting informatiOn) in regard TO the value Of
property and the industrial pursuits of the people
The classification of the counties, according to their
soil. and location Gin reference to markets) is a
new and important idea in the matter of obtaining
accurate results for equalization. This branch Of
the report, however, can only be properly appre-
ciated when read in connection with the tables
The second part of the report is devoted to the
consideration of the defective condition of the pres
emf assessment laws and to the establishment of an
entirely new system 1t is in this regard one of the
most important reports which has been brought be-
fore the public of late and should receive the care
full and serious consideration of every person in the
State who is liable TO taxation. After quoting the
principles which Blackstone lays down in regard to
taxation and the legal principles established by our
courts Oh the subject the report proceeds to declare
the following rules from the principles thus estab-
lished, viz:
That no one should be exempt from taxation who
possesses either property or income; that taxes
should be assessed according to the net income OF
the persons taxed; that taxes must never be allow
ed to impair the sources of income, and that the ra
flo of taxes to income ought TO be small posi-
bic 50 that the revenue Of the State well az that
of the individual may be permitted to increase.
The report then proceeds to show the gross in
Justice of the present system, and the facilities
which il affords to personal property to escape tax
alton IA illustrated in the Controllers report for
1850. From the facts thus disclosed, and from the
results of their own observation in the performance
of their duties the Assessors declare that change
IL "impcratyely demanded, and should be sc-
L" corded at an early day" While the Assessors
concrde the fact that net income or net profit, if
sttainable, would be the most equitable basis for
taxation yet owing to the peculiar condition of
business ard society in this country it is quite inn
possble say they 10 reach either the net income or
net profits of our people SO it is proposed that
eross income shall form the basis of an equitable
mode Of assessment and taxation. The report pro-
poses to reach the gross income of property-hoders
in the manner following:
Taking all real estate at its par value in its To-
cality, it is made to represent so much capital,
which il is assumed poys or is worth the current
rate of interest, seven per cent. All personal pro-
perty also represents capital which is presumed to
paw the interest upon the investment. II, then,
all the real and personal property of town or
county, or Of the State, be capitalized, sum total
il obtained which is assumed TO pay TO the owners
seven per cent per annum, and this is taken rs the
capital on which the tax shOuld be levied. A diff
ferent principle is applied to merchandise. When
goods are sold it is assumed that the merchant sell
ing has made profit, which il is proposed to fix at
seven per cent of his gross sales, and that sum is
made the OASIS vi tdAdtIOn lOr MN. Inc ODecIon
10 levying the tax on merchandise is that as it is
constantly changing hands it would be liable to tax
alton more than once in the same year. In manu-
featuring establishments the same percentage of
sales il taken as the basis. Banks and Insurance
Companies are in like manner taxed on the same
percentage on their gross earnings. Two modes
are suggested in regard to railroads--oDe TO tax
seven per cent of the value of their property, and
The other 10 levy the tax on seven per cent of their
gross earnings. The commercial or shipping elias;
sre to be reached by percentage upon their fun
mace. All classes who come under the head of
labor, as artizans the professions and persons re.
ceying salaries, are to be taxed upon seven pc
cent of their gross earnings.
No allowance is to be made for debts under any
As the State has no business with
the pecunary condition of the taxpayer any further
than TO ascertain the amount Of property in his
which, as it is protected by the State
should pay for such protection however much il
may be involved. II men obtain property on credit
Dr for which they ssnnOt pay, their folly or iupu