The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-03
WALLS FROM JERSEY CITY.
Ex-MayOr Manners On the
Situation.
A Gloomy Picture-His Opinion About the Value
ofReal Estate Under the Ring Government.
Interview with Senator McPherson-
Another Infamous Bill for Jer-
sey City-A Significant
Warning to the Ring.

IL was only when the gloomy c0ndlJl0n OF the
taxpayers Of Jersey City was set forth in the
HERALD two weeks ago that those who had not
already succumDed under the weight of exhor
bitant taxation and the general depression in the
real estate market-the logical results of the ring
rule-began to reflect on the future in store for
them the power of the ring be not
broken by the present Legislature. When
ex-May0r David s. Manners saw the expose
In the HERALD he remarked to member OF the
Committee OF Twenty-eght. "That Is as true as
Gospel; !, too, would sell out my property to-mor-
row II could get anything like reasonable price,
and would give written guarantee
NEVER TO SET FOOT IN JERSEY CITY
again except when had to travel across 1t on the
cars" When it is considered that Mr.. Manners
owns an extensive property in Jersey City,
being one of the few to whom large
portion OF the Van Worst estate fell, this statement
was most significant. In addition to this it must
be remarked that Mr.. Manners was chairman OF
the Finance Committee of the Board of Aldermen
OF Jersey City for five years and was Mayor during
the five succeeding years, having been elected by
the largest popular vote given to any man in his
time. In 1857 he retired to private life and could
never be induced to take Office since.
representative of the HERALD had an interview
with him a few days ago, and the old gentleman
spoke with great earnestness and emphasis in sub
stance as follows:-I am always glad to meet any
representative OF the HERALD, for l don't know
what we should do in this city but for that paper.
It is the terror OF this ring that has hold OF our
pockets and feel that but for the exposures
published in that paper we would be worse on than
we are to-day.
OUR CONDITION is BAD ENOUGH,
however To give you an idea OF the situation in
my case need only say that the valuation OF two
years. My taxes for them last year amounted TO
S2l1; this year they reach S492; that Is more
money than have realized on them in five years,
for either OF them Is often empty. / have house
In Steuben street which rented during the war Tor
S25 month, and cannot find tenant Tor it to-
day at $50 month"; although l placed 1t III the
hands of my real estate agent.
HOW THE TAX OFFICE Is CONDUCTED.
Among my receipts Tor taxes e Is one signed by
taxes due. Fancy my surprise when l received
notice that my property was sold Tor non-payment
OF taxes. called on Mr.. Love, the present col
lect0r, and produced my receipts. He said that
CLERICAL ERROR
OF five dollars had been lound somewhere in the
accounts, and that he did not see where could
find any redress; that 1t would cost me more to
contest the case than the amount involved. The
collection of the water taxes seems to have been
carried on in manner just as curious. have
four lots under water-imaginary lots, You may
call tnem-ying along the water 'front.' where
street will some day another be located, and
received notice from the City Clerk one day that
these had been sold for non-payment OF water
and mad received any notice to pay 1t l would
have readily done so. But by the red-tape system
the taxes ana COSUS on Tile Jour lOtS, instead OF
peing 81, amounted to s2S. To sum up my late
experience, say most positively that
WOULD NOT TAKE THE BEST LOT
the Van Worst estate In Jersey City to-day for
gilt, II 1t were made condition That should make
any improvements on 1T. 1t would not be worth 1t.
The so-called Citizens Reform League elected me
President OF the organization In my absence, but
attended only one meeting. want
MORE WORK AND LESS TALK.
don't like to see politicians turning these cti-
Zens' associations to their own purposes This
Committee Of rwenty-eight is only fizzle. There
but still 1t looks to me like ring scheme. See
them moving to increase the salary OF the COrpo-
ration Attorney. Now, this office has always been
overpald, and yet we
CAN'T GET MEN OF BRAINS
to I'LL 1t. They hire assistants, and when the city
becomes involved in big suit they hire the ablest
counsel in the State at the expense OF the city,"
The HERALD representative then turned his at
tentiOp TO
SENATOR MCPHERSON,
who fought the ring charter amendments inch by
inch at the last session OF the Legislature. When
asked whether he had any hope of relief for his
constituency during the present session he replied
after some hesitation. that as no amendments to
the charter had yet come before the Senate he was
unable to pronounce on the temper Of that
body In regard to Jersey City. There was one
favorable sign, however. The President of the
Senate, Mr.. TAYLOR, who has arrived ut the conclu-
sion that Jersey City has been sadly misgoverned
assured him that he would cheerlully support any
measure OF relief for that city II intend" con-
tinued Mr.. Mcpherson, Ito stand up this session
and ask the Senate whether we are to remain any
longer
If the Senate DEGREES 50, then say will take no
further interest in any matter whatever coming
before the Legislature. Will contend Tor veto
power for the May that shall mean something
q veto power to be overruled only by two-third
vote of the Board OF Aldermen" While Mr..
Mcpherson was speaking Mr. James NJ Brann
entered and called his attention to
A MOST INFAMOUS ELL
introduced by Mr.. Farrier in relation to Jersey
City. 1t provides Tor the enlargement OF the
powers granted to the police justices, diminishes
the powers OF justices OF the peace and confers the
appointing power. not on the Governor nor the
Mayor, but on the caucus of the Legislature. Even
the jurisdiction OF the Supreme Court is intertered
WITH and If the bill should pass the few remaining
BARRIERS AGAINST DESPOTIsM
under the name Of. rcpuplicanism Will be swept
aside. The bill is simply designed to furnish fat
Offices to such members of the Ring family as have
salaries as well as the powers OF the
present police, Justices, who are certain to
the bill, said that 1t was the most extraordinary
enactment vet proposed for Jersey City, and he
some.redress," he added, "this session think the
people must resort to the club and protect them
selves. What do yousay Mr. Brann ~
FEARFUL SUGGESTION.
The reply was prompt ana decisive. ~ have
given my opinion BEFORE" said the gentleman adj
dressed, "and repeat 1t now, ana Will declare it
in public that ii, after giving this Legislature a
trial, we be disappointed, no remedy VIII remain
for us till the people make an example oil two OF
three OF our corrupt officials by treating them
AS THEY DO IN CALIFORNIA.
hope it Will not have TO come to this but l. for
one. say ii the crisis comes will be ready at all
events"
TWO gentlemen who accompanied Mr. Brann
heartily concurred in this view, and visions OF
lampposts, with cross bars thereon, began TO foat
across the brain OF the HERALD man, who turned
the conversation to miscellaneous bills pending in
the Legislature in regard to Jersey City. alter
which he withdrew.
The Taxation of New York. brooklyn
and Jersey City Compared.
JERSEY CITY, Jan. rs 1873
IT. TIM n THE HrpA
The people of this unfortunate. overtaxs ringrulcd
city you debt of gratitude for pointing the fa
grant manner in which peoples money daily
squandered by rings and commissions. Every blow