The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-04-25
THE TAX LEVY.


Letter % Governor Fenton by Member. or ,b.
Union Lenaue.
The following letter In relation to the city and
county tax levy has been forwarded to Governor
Fenton by large number OF the members Of the
UNION LEAGUE CLUB,
MADISON AVENUE AND TwENTY-sIxrH STREET.!
NEW YORK, April %, 1868.
To HIS ExCELLRNCY THE GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK;
SIR:-In view OF the profound interest felt by this
club In the tax levy now pending before the legsla
ture, and soon to be submitted TO your Exeeieney's
passed last evening by unanimous vote Tue iolow-
Ing resolution
Resolved the President Of this club be requested to
the which hs ,ha nss ss
es%ias The Tor 1
him that he win be sustained II be declines to sign any tax
iesy which his judgment does not fully approve
The undersigned members OF the club, sharing
the grave concern thus exhibited by the Executive
Committee, beg leave to reiterate to your Exceency
the assurance conveyed by their resolution.
This club largely represents the commercial, pro-
fessonal and other industrial interests OF this COM
munty as well as the two great classes OF landlords
and tenants, and tts members are deeply impressed
with the increasing magnitude OF the wrongs yearly
inflicted upon our citizens by the tax levy.
and magnincence OF New York, already recognized
as the national metropolis, and soon, perhaps with
rank as the centre Of the Wor s0 M ad
impaired by the thought that the integrity which OF
old presided over its councils Ia less conspicuous
than In the Olden time, and that Its municipal gov
eminent, which once commanded, as the guardians
OF the people, respect and confidence, Is now looked
upon with distrust and fear
The conviction grows deeper that onices OF the
most sacred trust are used by the incumbents for
private emolument; that those sworn to protect the
Ing what the working classes produce, Or
ganizing plumber and committing robbery by
tax levy, properly imposed for the welfare and just
government Of all. is being converted into scheme
OF practical c0nscation for the enrichment OF the
Upon your Excellency the constitution has de-
voved the power Of interposing the Executive veto
against any act thus subversve Of the rights Of the
city, and thus threatening its future peace.
The fact that the city levy has increased In If
teen years from five millions to twenty-five millions,
shows how persiStently and steadily our burdens
have been increased, and Is fitted to excite tile
gravest doubts as to the future unless the strong
arm OF the State sustained, as 1t would be- by the
intelligent opinion of the cummunity, shall inter
vene for our protection against each and every at
tempt to swell the levy beyond the strict limits OF
The fact that the taxpayers are in minority at the
polls and unable by the ballot to right their wrongs
protection Of the State authorities and your Excel
lency, by timely interpOstOn to prevent injustice
may be instrumental In averting the danger OF those
unknown commissions which history teaches us are
always begotton OF prolonged despotlsm ana nope
less oppression.
| the consideration Of this subject, which your Elk.
cellency will duly appreciated the city taxes are
occasionally alluded to as matter that con-
Germs only the original taxpayers; but as the tax
levied upon the real estate In New York tends
directly to increase the rents, the burden falls
with crushing weight upon the tenant classes, who
constitute the great bulk OF our population, and in
their behalf, well as in behalf Of those enrolled
| rs taxpayers, we respectfully and earnestly urge
your Exceilency the Importance Of securing an ade
Quate opportunity to examine the Tax bill for the
| city OF New York; and we assure you that you viii
be sustained II you decline sign any tax levy which
your Judgment does not fully approve.
We are, sir respectfully your fellow citizens
CHARLES BUTLER, JOHN II. SHERWOOD,
| LIE GRAND b. CANNON, STEPHEN HYATT,
ISAAC II. BAILEY, J. LOTHROP,
FRANCIS LIEBER, J. II. PINCKNEI
and long list Of Others