New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-02-14
TAX GATHERING AND FILCHiNG.
ONE or THE SIMPLEST AND SAFEST MODES or STEAL
ING KNOWN.

ONE on THE SIMPLEST AND SAFEST MODES or STEAL
ING KNOWN
TIE recent aud startling discovery that the
business Of the Brooklyn Tax-Odco has long been
dueted with eulpable oOseBess II not in plain violation
of the law given rise to widespread interest In toe
City Of Churches, and the facts discussed every
where. TRIBUNE reporter called yesterday upon
gentleman who is familiar with the manner IN which
taxes gathered In Brooklyn years ago, and who,
In reply 10 tho reporters Inquiries said that then as
now, o Collector elected for the city. Taxpayers
were given rebate II they paid their taxes within
gvon time bout 30 days. after they fell due, and H. OF
tho expiration OF that time, there any unpaid the
tnx-payers' right to the rebate allowed TO con-
tiuue another 80 days. But II any one were 40
tardy as TO let this last 80 days lapse
without paying he forfeited hs right " the rebate and
made himself liable TO an addition OF oDo per cent
month for ten MONTHS 10 tho amount OF his taxes or
course there were many negligent people whom even
plan failed ~ induce to pay their taxes, and to pro-
vide against the loss the Government which must
sue unless something done toward forcing
them pay up collector for each ward was chosen at
the first annual election after tho expiration Of the
mouths above referred to- Physical deformty was the
only mendatlon, II IL was not deemed quaoa-
tion needul a candidate for this office, and he who
was severely crippled had the best chance OF
election For instance whose hands rendered
almost useless by the premature discharge OF
elected TO The coliectorship Of the Eshth Ward
their collections. and were expected 10 VISIT
aud drum up" those whose taxes we're In arrears.
usually did so long as they could make fair
wages by IL; but when the easier ones had been
gathered and none remained except those which it was
difficult 70 collect, they returned their books to the Col
the city, and the matter was allowed TO rest
there. Tax sales were then unknown, and, owing TO
this lOoseDess the system OF collecting the thou
sands of dollars remained outstanding In each ward.
Apou sIs Common Council OF the city applied 10 the
Legislature power appoint these collectors,
and bill granting Their application was passed,
and the per cent allowed the collectors Oh their
collections was Increased from I'VE ~ hfteen so0u
after tuls act went into effect, the gentleman
informed the reporter he was engaged by ward coec-
tor 10 compute she interest on large number OF taxes
which, according 10 the books OF the city collector.
were due four years previous. he made out The bills
ami sent them the collector, by whom they were
ven 10 the from HON they due. Many OF
those thus protested and he who had made
70 The people who claimed have paid their taxes, and
showed them that their taxes were not stamped as paid
those which pad aud the collector mad chosen TO
so marx leinR stamped "pad." They then produced
receIps for the payment or their taxes and II became
10 him for the first time that the city was being
rnhed tbrough the Tax Oice The method OF ching
very ,mpe the Collector would gather taxes, give re-
ctips for them, appropriate TO his own use ne much as
he saw 1T stamp rs PAID on MS DOCKS only those
nin he rad paid over the Controller. II the thief
were discreet, and did not deplete his re-
turns 10 the Controller so largely as 10 ex.
riIe suspicion the chances OF the discovery OF
his crime we're very small, FOR only most thorough I'D.
yeseation OF the books and persOnai examination OF
large numbers OF taxpayers couId estaphsh q ease
aUlnsf the DELINQUENT. The difficulties VI conviction
seemed 10 the gentleman so great hat nc nade no COM
agaust the Collector and II never became gener-
Iii nuhIIc He had doubt bat that the city had been
robbed OF many thousands OF dollars III TINS way every
all