The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-09-02
THE GERMAN TAXPAYERS AND THE COMP
TRQILER

An influential delegation from the German Tax
payers Association Of the Twenty-nrst Ward called
upon Comptroller Green Saturday morning. in order
to submit their vewsin regard to certain important
refOrmatory measures In the AFFAIRS OF the city.
The delegation consisted OF DR.. Schultz and Messrs.
H. Niemann, Thomas Baer, L. Emmen and George
Koch. The delegation having been introduced, DR..
Schultz said they represented the Taxpayers Asso-
citation OF the Twenty first Ward, and that one Of
their immediate objects was to secure an equaliza-
ton OF taxation In this city, The method now pur
sued bore with great injustice upon the great body
OF small taxpayers, while rich men and companies
who owned properties to large amounts, were as
sessed lightly and paid very little tax. He specified
instances Of the disproportlon between the taxes
assessed and paid by certain parties, showing the
great disadvantages under which small property
owners aDored under the present system. He ap-
pealed TO the Comptroller to exert his influence to
establish the reforms which are SO much needed.
Mr. Niemann referred to the report OF the Board of
Assistant Aldermen, by which 1t appeared that not
wlthstanding the taxes were SO heavy many rich
corporations seemed to pay nothing at ALL The
burden OF taxation falls upon the holders Of
small properties, who work hard to try to get
house Of their own to live in and pay their fair
share OF the city expenses. But the amount laid
upon them was great drawback and very oppres
sve in its operation. Now we say to ourselves, is
1t right' Is 1t right that we should have to pay
taxes for rich companies and corporations, who do
not pay anything like their proportion Of the taxes9
We meet In our clubs and associations and talk it
over, and have concluded to see you. We have put
faith in your desire and ability to helpus. Perhaps
you can induce them to do right. We hope you will
take this In consideration.
Mr.. Koch confirmed the statements and views Of
the two gentlemen who had spoken and MIR. Green
replied substantially as follows:-
GENTLEMEN-I have heard your views and the
facts you have stated with great interest," and feel
grateful to you and my German fellow citizens rep
resented by you for the generous expressions of
your confidence in me and my efforts to secure re-
form. There are many things cannot remedy and
some things can You may be assured will do
all can to secure reform in these matters which
AFFECT so deeply all the interests OF our citizens and
especially the working classes. who are obliged to
bear 30 large part OF our burdens. My friend
on the LETT has referred to the appoint
Tax commissioner at salary OF $4,000
the ape to de-
the duty. But although there are four men now it
might be better to appoint another have no re-
need OF reform In our system OF assessing and col
lecting taxes. But. gentlemen, II you mean reform,
your own hands; and there Is nothing more en-
couraging than to see small taxpayers get together
no means got over the mismanagement and and ROB-
bling OF the last four four years. You cannot have
It. GO you S
in once Who viii G mot do Ut Seieve N Wits
Mr.. OttendOrfer in these matters. He says the ex-
penses or the year should be paid by the taxation
Of the year, and this is the true system. We must
question or taxation is Of fundamental interest to
every one IN the community. There are two ways
ssaSr the 6onSs
which must be paid hereafter. Now i am
opposed to running In debt am opposed to issu-
There are now between forty and fity kinds OF
bonds for all sorts of things and this system of
cept In cases Of great improvements like the Croton
Aqueduct and Others. These clubs OF small tax.
y t % be
come OF the year, not by bonds. II streets want
pairing 1t should be done in the same way and
avoid piling up debt which the expenses Of the year
DR.. Schultz here remarked that 1t was the same
expenses and keep out OF debt; but If they spend
their money improperly and run in debt they will
soon suffer the consequences.
Mr.. Green continued: I'VE cannot have equali-
cation OF taxes which will work properly
and reduce taxation, unless we. reduce ex-
taxes could not be reduced one-third. We must
reduce the expenses. There Is reason for having
There Is no reason why ten clerks should be EN-
ployed In any department. where five would be SUM-
Gent to do all the duty 1t win be my earnest effort
to reduce the expenses and to reduce the burden
and reach as far as possible all the ends so much
desired. Let me remind you that II ''the fountain |
is corrupt the stream viii be. corrupt" Now, to
obtain these reforms we must have honest men in
the Assembly. Go to your district and see to 1t
that an honest and incompatible man is sent to
Albany. The agencies are now ut work in many
DISTRICTS and probably in your own, to put men In
the Assembly who will be used for all the corrupt
measures which may come before that body. It Is |
your duty to that honest man Is sent to the
Assembly, who cannot DE corrupted by any dishon-
orablc influence, and II all the Assembly districts
Of the State do the same we shall have reform which
will be enduring.
The delegation departed encouraged and highly
gratined with the position and practical views OF
the Comptroller.