The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-09-30
TAXES AND ASSESSMENTS
Mode Of Estimating the Basis for Taxstion-
Msohinsry in the Tsx 0mss-Nsw York the
Mont Lightly Taxsd City in tho Union.

During the past rev days several splenetic emu
slons have appeared In some Of the so.caled news
papers endeavoring 70 show that the Commissioners
OF Taxes have been derecr IN their duty partial
In the assessing OF properly In various portions Of
tho city. TO those who have taken the trouble 30
inquire into the matter, those who have examined
the ne0d,ts operandt pursued by the Commissioners,
who are not blinded by prejudice, actuated by feel
ings OF personal or professional disappointment or
seeking to make political capital, 1t ts plainly EVIL
dent that the work OF assessing the real ana per.
sonal estate In the city and county OF New York
now performed IN strictly conscientious manner.
for the good OF the City and with all Que conscera-
tion for the wishes and welfare of the assessed.
The gentlemen comprising the commission are too
well known to need any further commentator as
individuals at the present time. The best reputation
therefore, that be given to the slanderous nsnua-
tons that have been put forth against the Board will
be found In Q statement Of
HOW THE WORK Is DONE
by and under the direction OF the Commissioners.
The city Is first divided into sixteen districts and
to each district is assigned deputy and an assist
ant, and on the first Monday Of September the work
commences. The assessor assigned to the Thir-
teenth ward for instance, makes his assessments on
the property without any regard for its relative
value 60 any other portion OF the CITY, SO with the
assessor In the First or Eleventh or any other ward
or each week by general deputy. This latter ONCE
is filed by gentleman well known to all the large
property holders and real estate dealers the CITY,
and was appointed to the position on account OF his
thorough acquaintance with city real estate and ON
the recommendation Of large number Of heavy
desire to do full justice TO everybody do not
satisfied even with their general deputys thorough
knowledge. To aid, therefore, In making the basis
complete they have the records OF the real estate
TRANSFERS FOR THE PAST SEVENTEEN YEARS.
copied Into sixteen different books; reports OF build
a1s tot
into sixteen different books, and fl sets OF nsur-
ance maps, such as are used by fire insurance COM
every building carefully noted. From all these
sources the assessors derive their information, ana
the basis arrived at ID as nearly perfect is
possible TO reach.
THE SILLY CHARGE OF FAvoRrTrsM
is easily disposed of, the books, when completed
are opened for public inspection on the second Mon
day IN January, and they remain open until the first
and ample notice OF the fact that the books will be so
opened, and they invite all persons interested in the
see for themselves just how much each one IA
assessed. and whether or not there are unfair or
partial determinations made In any quarter An
evidence OF how this works was shown few days
since when property holder In one OF the uptown
wards called to ask how much his house had been
dom, how much several other houses Of S' the the
same sort were assessed AT The clerk to
whom he applied, totally unaware OF the names
OF the parties to whom the houses belonged
answered mis- questions freely, and showed quite
satisfactorily that there was no favortism, as the
other houses concerning which he had inquired
were the property OF persons holding prominent and
influential positions. t.t
PERSONS FEELING AGGRIEvED
at the rate at which they are assessed, or having
other cause for complaint have only to apply to the
Board Tor redress, and special examination Is
made In each case. During the past season there
were between 5000 ana 1000 such applications. In
each case sort OF arbitration committee was
formed. and while In many Instances the ASSESS
ments were found to be higher than circumstances
would justify in others they were found to be too
low. The result OF the action OF the Board In this
rao rd So CHI In no FOIL fob