, 1875-06-06

The estimates outside those for the Boards
we're raads by the Comptroller, and will
hardly be changed.
This is the present attitude Of the question,
which Is Of considerable importance to the
public. The report Vi the Committee has
yet TO be acted on by the Common Council
who have unlimited power in the premises
The items rejected BY the Comptroller and
the Finance Committee ere mainly expendi-
lures for the purchase of lots, and for
erecting buildings thereon for schools
end for the Fire Department. The
city is now the owner Of IN immense
amount o1 real estate which it has been ty-
ing to sell at very low prices, without any
hldderB~ 1t looks absurd for the city, under
the circumstances, to be buying real estate at
fancy prices with one hand, and giving real
estate away With the other hand. All the
buildings needed for schools and for the Fire
Department that can possibly be wanted can
he rented ut very moderate rates. The city
CEN well a1ford to cease TO be purchaser Of
resl estate to the amount Of half million of
dollars for st least one year, and thus let
those who have rebuilt tho city have = respite
from excessive taxation.
The assessed vn1ue Of the ta1able property
Of the city in 1874 vas S303, ,000, 900. aud the
tax OF 18 mills produced 5,466, 600. The
ordinary miscellaneous receipts vere less
thAn $500, ,o0o, md hardly covered the un-
collected personal taxes, costs, abatements,
etc. The assessment for 1875 will not, or
certainly ought not to, exceed that of last
year. Assuming it to be the same, it will re-
quiro. to produce the revenue necessary to
meet tbs appropriations advised by tbs Fl
nance Committee, 1evy OF Is mills, the
same - last year. If the Common Council
shall adopt, Is We fear there is great danger
they will do, the estimates made by the
Boards of Fire, Police, Public Works, md
Edoca:ion, then it will require levy of n
mills. For this expenditure, requiring an ad-
d;tion Of mills to the rate Of tho tn1, there
is no possible necessity, and the only iustif-
cation for it is to e1pend the public
money to please tbs mob Of spectators, and
]obbers, and contractors who are demanding
It. One OF the items ct expenditure stricken
oct by tbs Finance COMMITTEES and the Comp
trouer is Al appropriation Of 500, 900 for l;10
nadiuona policemen for the last si1 months
o1 the year. This means, of course, $500, 900
Tor the next year and thereafter This is 50
much additional patronage for Aldermen,
which they viii not be willing to surrender.
It is to be hoped that the Common Council
will not assal the credit aud character of the
city By making it necessary TO add 6 mills
to the rate Of ta1 Of Inst year. The city is In
boring under serious innncinl lembar4ass,nents,
and such large increase OF tax for carzeut
expenses cannot fail to injure the credit and
character Of the city. But there is another
reasoa- The city has been rebuilt At an in
menss outlay Of private capital there have
been erected q largo number Of blocks and
buildings in anticipation Of the future wants
Of tho city, and this property is not now
productive The tar OF Last year Was really
heavier than property owners could bear to
increase it will be aa act Of oppression that
IN many oasas will amount almost to con6sca-
ton Let us hops that the Common Council
viii aot With common prudence, and not odd
70 lie e1tordoas which 1t this TINA ays mate
than ordinarily severe