The New York herald., 1870-01-04
WESYCnUS7DR JOBS.
Meeting of the Taxpayers Of West Farms
Opposed to Unjust Taxation = Dis
orderly Elements Present : The
Contractors and Lab0reS'
Side Of the Story Tilt Bo-
tween John B. Haakin
andW. J. Herring.


Ing, fighting sensation one productive OF argu-
ment and yituperaton, eloquence and entreaty in
suit and epthet than any similar event that has dis
turbed its primitive rural boundaries 10 great de-
gree since Its history. IL has all been caused by the
| action OF certain taxpayers IN the town,
| who, deening that the job TO open.
extend and work certain highways known as Madi-
son and Bcrrian avenues in their midst was bare
faced robbery the former calling for assessment
of $37, 800 and the latter the sum OF $2s050, to be
| paid by general taxation obtained through one OF
| their number tPatrick II. Hanlon) an injunction
| from Judge Tappan, at White Plains, OH
the 27th ult, restraining the Board Of Super
visors from continuing tho work, and ordering
them 10 show cause why they should not be eter-
na,iy enioIned from running these avenues THIS
was the nrst step taken by the taxpayers and the
second the necessary steps to call public meet
ing OF such 70 uphold their action. This meeting
with many attending incidents, held last night,
in accordance with the following CALI
TAxpAYras or WEST FAEss ArTEsD.The taxpayers Of
Farms opposed the of this
year requested 70 attend meeting to be held a. Irers
past seven O'clock to review The sdop.
REFORM The meeting win he under the exclu
'''s '0"''0' OF ''' '"'eSS SchS B. hAskiS Chairman
At The time appointed the hall was crowded
ammed with far more mixed audience than ever
assembled there before. Like bees or locasts or
ants they swsrmed into every nook and corner,
some IN red shirts and muddy faces some with
clubs and riding whips In their hands-evidently an
element that meant mischief TO the more gen.
.eel portion OF tme tnrons winch was soon no ae
the interested parties In the opening Of the avenue
did not relish the REIMBURSEMENT OF their pet profit
able schemes without q nght. Behind piano Ia
one end or the room Mr. Iaskin stationed himself,
and after Mr. Keyser had read the cali and squad
rostrum the meeting was formally opened. OF
all the gatherings, fnll OF conmouon, iuli
exceeding the daring, riotous and proiane crowds
that gather aoouy the prize ring or may be seen IN
a rat pit this exceeded them all. Amid co1para-
tive quiet for the signal oil the opposition had not
as yet been given, Haskn, in substance, proceeded
to say:-"That as American citizens, inviting tree
religion and the right TO redress grievances,
they had assembled to oppose the unjust tax
aton that had been foisted upon them IN the mat
ter OF the opening OF Madison and Berrian avenues
those present that in favor OF the measure anu
opposed to the principles advocated might listen,
but had not the right to take any part In II. they
might go elsewhere, but could not IN that nall disturb
their deliberations. lie had received for his action
in the opposition or tins scheme many anonymous
letters, Of which bade him beware OF the fate
OF Abraham Lincoln as II he thus continued 1t his
death would be as untlmey. He did not care for
such threats more than the signing oil the idle Winds
The rate Of taxation IN the bcnlghed, dark town OF
West Farms was more than that in any town IN the
Union. II should not be-must not hereafter be SO.
The humble occupant Of the iowly hut, equally with
the wealthy dweer In the castle, could he heard
In such matters IN this land and be projected Now
A voice--undersfood TO be william j. Herring TIN
terraptingl, coming from the back OF the r0om--We
want to understand how this meeting Is TO be con-
Quoted; is 10 be one sized only or are the rules OF
speech, Of which Mr. Haskin has so elOquenuy
alluded TO- 10 he respected2 Are both sides To De
heard heref Cheers from the yeOmaDry.) Are the
citizens Of this town to be browbeaten by you and
your satellites and menaced by the presence OF
policemen brought here for the purpose or intimi-
dating honorable taApayersY What rights have we
neref
ing was called for the purpose OF expressing the
views OF those opposed 10 this stupendoas fraud;
can't make anything mere You mad better so.N NO.
MI. CuMMiNs tsnakiug heavy club around ms
head and almost into the face OF Haskin)-we's have
a right here. Wc's all taxpayers and ye can't shake
US u damned bit. Bully for Herring
HAsKIN lamid u yell OF dersive laughter-lf you
come here, Herring as leader OF an opposition
and in their pay. ana also the pay OF the CON
tractors Of the Madison and Eerrian avenues
swindic. yon better at once depart elsewhere marx
my words,
HsRR,NG--I am peaeeaole citizen -
here ensued considerable confnslon, during which
the crowd pressed still further forward and ostied
he policemen and all IN the room IN an Official
cannS,,x many ol HerrlnV's adherents, with dis.
pe nice 70 rssea aasnn whe1s eas year
barrel Of beef you bought an, never made good ~
Thep at last 1t was decided aite M h nau s i'suc
ns statement. Herring shena syos,a nsvS IA a,u"si
every sentence with the dlrt OF bis hearers as ne
assured them the ouroen OF their taxation and the
way 70 put pnarieu,s s,op on, 70 y, That Madison ave
way II completed, agd the JoD was such Il
mOnstroslty that It Gas appalling These commis-
sions he was Opposing upon principle not to
hurt the poor -ian, and SO help hun God, he would
beat thei This county is wild; our town is without
gas, god roads, curbstones or CUTTERS Can you
ANOTHEE VoIcE--A wild county, ell? Why, -
you who has swindled us but your
Keep qe oa navs Sa se assnue cs
rzrER-Yes, Use sold 1T out to Hickey and he's
Another demonstration by the police, coupled
with their persuasive CRIES, aDd, Mr.. Hasxin stand
ing at full heights on The piano In question, and
smiling denanty 70 the quarrellng crowd below he
told them tie would beat them yet He then read
the following resolutions which he SAID were car.
rieu, but Herrihg's party said they were not:--
Resolved, That the chairman OF meeting appoint
COMMITTEES of three PERSONS whose duty 1t shall be
debtedness arms whether in bonds or
I 0n p saaa s .S
Of all bonds now outstanding and 10 become due to
% ri t .s sGs Sa o ss Il sMs s e.
Farms sppesinns to town matters TO investigate and
there are proper vouchers and reansitions de with said
Or or Town Clerk 1pon which such bono. have been
been on each sepsrs,e roa street. boulevard
aoh ss
af o VIII ns nsssS
also that said committee prepare and endeavor
limiting The an,oun, Of bonds to be issued for any Of
We sn n % hn the
and likewise TO resist .he OF special
for the laying making, altering widening grading any
new roads in said town at the general expense
Resolved That this meeting The proceedings
BY Messrs snon and Haskns general taxation
Madison Berrian avenues, that Stanley
hereby appointed disbuse subscrp.
tons towards dcfragng the OF legal
Of Messrs HasknH and Hanon, taken protection l6e
rights and property OF our taxpayers and this meeting
yies all interested to suhscribe aud towards this lada
be object And we hereby request Supervisor and Town
.eh also me comm'ssione.s Of the different roads to
on ne oneci o. tn inquiry and tina, said commttee report
the rtAu 0f their Investigations 10 future meeting
PAYERS to be convened the call OF the officers
meeting
HERRING then came forward upon the stand and
INDUCED in STRAIN tna called forth the heartest
applause from hs followers lie called Haskin
Daniel come 10 jndgment;' reviewed his
career Tor the past ten years. said he always
had both hands IN the taxpayers pockets;
tnat he beat the town in every manner he
could, and finally called for the passage or
RESOLUTION, which, III substance, that both Mad
son and Bcrran avenues should be finished.
MrtHAsktN called him TO order, but ne would not
deslst ana attempted TO adjourn The meeting by his
own action, ignoring Mr. Haskn and the original
call. he did not succeed, however and at a late