New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-08-26
yHE UNEQUAL ASSESSMENTS.
COMPLAINTS FROM ALL. PARTS OF TAX sTxrE-A
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rnMpl lINrH FROM ALL PARTS OF fHh piA'S-h
SUPERVISOR SEMPHAT1C REMARKS.
TIE Committee of the Board Of Supervisors,
ointed to estigate assessed valuation OF prop
cry in the Twelfth, Nineteenth ana I"en'y
wards RESUMED yesterday the hearing OF complaints
and although no public announcement had been maze
that tho Committee would be in session. largo number
of etters were produced from dissatisfied property
owners Many OF them affirmed that thor interests nau
boon neglected, inasmuch complaints made by tax
ayers residing only in the upper wards had been enter
tanned Alderman MeCaferty explained that by virtue
Of the resolutions under which the Committee was ap-
pointed the consideration of the Of residents in
other wards could not be noticed unless tho Board OF
Supervisors should extend the powers OF the Committee
Ths he stated, the Committee felt assured would DO
done at the next meeting on Sept. H.
Tae Committee state that IL has shown that OF
the Of assessed valuation levied IN the three
upper wards at least $4,000 900 regarded by property
owners excessive. This view is entertained IN view
Of the fact that the OF assessment goes toward
making I'D State deficiency. There are more imam oo
counties in the State where the average assessed Va
ton does not exceed % per cent on the actuai N"o
Supervisor McCaerty holds that the error IN the sys
tenn cannot be remedied until the commissioners ana
deputies elected and thereby made directly respon
sbe to the taxpayers He insists that even uhoer Ihe
provisions Of the charter, which give the appoint
ing power to the Mayor and the confirming
power to the Board Of Aldermen, the sys-
TEN will end in failure. This is the natural result
of the system Of bargaining and compromise Whch must
necessarily prevail and consequence the best quail
fed men are never set apart, but some one 10 Whom
award must be made for political services is appointed
The interest manifested the investigation thus far by
taxpayers shows that the matter might be safely leI IN
their hands and Mr. McCaferty believes tat the tnls
which sometimes flow from the system OF eecthg Ian
Commissioners Insignificant cohpdred WIN tne SUI
pendOus frauds perpetrated under the appointing sye
tenn The people will dispense with corrupt egslaors
when they are discovered but those who h0d the PO
stious by appointment remain IN ONCE so long as lh
appointing power exists aud are also aoie 10 & ~
legislation. In the Supervisors own words me s taa
office is the nursery Of the corruption OF pOhteal me
the cty III the valuation had not been increased anu
the rate Of taxation had been raised the actua lu
crease would have been so apparent thaI
olutiOn than that OF 1870 would occur next ran II Is
the object OF the Committee of Investigation 10 make
the actual facts apparent" -, -, ,o- ooo,,,od
Among the numerous letters which have been received
nv the members of the Committee during lts Ndcdlou'
aud asking that an investigation be mace INTO Tue geh
from Westchester, Putnam, Ulster SulnVau, Ohelua'
Kings Erie and Fulton Counties, many OF winch co-
plan of INEQUALITIES in their respective secllOhs a.
earng those which have been revealed III hls cIty
in Brooklyn cites the case OF row ~
houses which he owns IN Myrtleaye., each OF Wen -
assessed 81 800 while houses exactly similar on tnG opo
Ste side of the street duay assessed only soJ
Among the complainants who appeared was James
Ewing representing the properly OF .. & a. trooU
own lots in seeondst between
Fourth and MadisOnaves. Each or these IOts was
assessed last year Al 0-an amount deemed excessive
The assessments now increased 10 Sl2OO dpIoCc'
Tue owners chat they not receiving any income
from them but would be satisfied 10 have tue assess
ment remain at 81 900 for each lot The Committee VIII
hear today aud during the resi- or the week co
plants from property in the uptown wards