The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-05-03
Y, MAY s. ls64.-WTH SUPPLEMENT.

y xx2&MxS 1s
MUNcPAL TAxH And rm CrrUzSs' AssoCI-
ArIos.-We publish In another column letter
written on behalf Of tho Executive Committee
OF the Citizens Association, in reference to the
operations Of that association ct Albany in re-
gard to the city and county tau levies. This
Communication 10 In response to an editorial
In yesterdays HERALD, showing that the Citi-
sens' Association did not reduce our taxes. The
writer claims that they did secure reduction
Of over ono million of dollars, and that they
are preparing . statement Of "item by item"
for publication. We would like to see the
statement and proof Of this assertion. We GER
tainly are unable to see anything to justify
such IN assertion in the two tax levies q they
passed.
In the 6rst place, there were three tax
budgets presented to the Legislature, besides
the county levy Of tho Supervisors. The
Comptroller's budget, which was tho lowest
Of all. called for $i3,06l, 1853, including city,
county and State taxes. The highest fell but
little short Of el5,000,0OO. The latter was
sent to the Senate and referred to the Com
mittes on Cities, Of which Senator Andrews, Of
Otsego, was chairman. Il came into the hands
Of that committee In the afternoon, and was on
the next morning reported adversely to the
Senate and killed-and that, tso, before any
member Of the Citizens Association reached
Albany, or even know that any such
bill had been presented to the Legislature, I'M
loss they saw it announced in the New York
morning papers. Whatever credit there il In
tho rejection Of that budget belongs to the Sem
ate Committee ON Cities, and not to the Citizens
Association.
There were two or three budgets pre-
sentsd to the lower house, and referred to
the Committee on Cities In that branch Of the
Legislature. Before that committee held any
public meetings, or any person or persons
whatever had hearing before Thorn, they de-
cided to discard all the estimates except that Of
Comptroller Brennan, believing his budget to
be the fairest and lowest Of al presented. The
agents Of the Citizens Association appeared
before the committee subsequent to that de-
cision, and raised a clamor in regard to the
taxes being fifteen millions. Comptroller
Brennan interrupted them, and asked the chair
man Of the committee il they were not acting
upon his budget, which called for thirteen
millions, and was answered in the Affirmative.
Upon this the agents of the association reported
to meeting in this city that they had secured
. reduction of two millions In the taxes. The
foregoing facts are all the bases that they had
for such statement at that time.
The Assembly Committee on Cities made
numerous reductions 10 the items a. they stood
In the Comptroller's estimates, and several
additions. When they reported the tive tax
levies to the House there was . reduction from
the Comptrollsr's budget Of about three hum
dred thousand dollars. The Assembly reduced
few items aud increased others. The result
was that the bills, q sent to the Senate,
varied but little in gross from the original
estimates Of the Comptroller. The items were
further increased in the Senate, although few
OF the appropriations were cut down In that
body. The nnal result was that the tax lsvies,
as they became laws. call for larger sum than
the original estimate Of the Comptroller. 1t is
true that number Of items have been reduced;
but some Of them are Of Q character that will
cost the city extra expense in litigation and
judgments, thus increasing the amount rather
than reducing It. How, under this state OF
affairs, the Citizens Association can make out
that they reduced the taxes over million Is
problem which we will leave them to solve
for the public. We have no doubt, judging
from past professions and assertions, that they
are sufficiently versed in figures to prove almost
anything.
OFFICIAL CORRUPTION AND COMPLETELY WITH