The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-08-19
THE ASSESSMENT INVESTIGA.
TION.
The Statements of the Parties.

At 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon there was
quite crowd assembled in the Office of As
sistant Attorney General Dibble. Assessors,
witnesses and brokers were all represented,
and it looked more like civil court than any.
thing else. Mr.. Wah', the long looked-for
gentleman, was present, as also Mr.. Pierce,
the broker. From the Board of Assessors
there were Messrs. J. L. Herwig, D. Urban,
0. De Fuentes, E. Dejoie, Geo. Paris and
others.
Judge Dibble stated on opening that the
investigation might be considered somewhat
irregular, but as charges had been made that
there were irregularities in the Assessors
Office, he deemed it his duty to give all parties
fair hearing. Therefore, he would do all he
could to further the full investigation of
these charges He said, that if the Grand
Jury were in session, that wouli be the
proper tribunal to place the matter before,
but as this was not the case he would open
the case, and if any one present had any OBJ
lection to his pursuing the matter, they
should so state, and then he would refrain.
No objection was made, and Mr.. Herwig
called for an opinion from Mr.. Urban. Mr..
Urban stated that he did not know of any
charges against him personally, and he did
not think that this was the place to make it.
He was willing, however, to let the matter go
on, but thought the charges were against the
whole board.
Mr.. Herwig-The gentleman misunder-
stood me. I only said, inasmuch as the
property was in his district, l thought he
ought to be heard from.
Mr.. Urban-I would like to know from the
Ac,; Gaporo1 bah has
thority to swear the witnesses.
Judge Dibble-I distinctly state I have
none, but the statute allows me to take an
exparte statement (reading the law.
Mr.. NJ. Wahl, q pressman on the Times,
states My real estate is on st. Thomas, be-
tween Eighth and Ninth streets. 1t was as
sessed for $1,000 this year for the first time.
1t is in my name. l always give my name
VAIL
There has been reduction of the assess
ment on it. 1t is now assessed for $500. This
was made as follows: One morn
ing came around here and met Mr.. Nathan
Morris, who told me my assessment could be
reduced. told him I was going to file pc
tition for that purpose. He said that was
no use, he would introduce me to man who
could effect it. I then was introduced to
Mr.. Pierce on Monday morning, and he
LII
Afterward he told me it would be Friday
before it could be fixed. I met
Morris afterward and he told me it had
been fixed, and that the amount was reduced.
I met Pierce and he told me it was all
right, but that I had to pay some money, as
he (Pierce) had to divide with some men in
the Office. Morris told Pierce that would be
all right. had to pay, they said, $13 so.
nj met Mr.. O'Brien on Carondelet street
and asked him to go over to see what was
assessed at. He said one was enough. I
went over and saw in square SIS was put
down $780, After this conversation occurred
Mr. O'Brien aud Mr.. Pierce, in
which Mr.. Pierce took down his properties.
This is all my statement.
Examined by Mr.. Urban-The first time
vent to the Assessors office, on August 10th,
saw there Mr. Herwig, at least it looked like
pack room, on the right hand side. I think
Mr.. Herwig looks like the man spoke to.
When I was shown the books by whoever
howed them, saw $1,000 put down opposite
ny name. The name was in ink but the
was in-I don't remember what |
Nobody in the Office made me an offer to re-
luce my assessment for money, neither inside
Tor out, but it was done for money. In |
72-34, was assessed $500. About two days |
fter l was at the Office when the subject of
letting a reduction was mentioned. l was |
old by Mr.. Morris that no one but Mr.. Pierce |
ould get a reduction of my assessment |
Fierce told me he couldn't tell, as it was |
mall amount what he could do it for. 1 |
aven't yet paid any money for the reduction. |
Mr.. Morris made out receipt, but 1 didn't
here went to that day. l don't recognize
1r. Geo. Autz and R. 81. Woods clerks for
he Fourth District, as having been there that |
ay. I saw Mr.. Urban, believe.
By Mr.. Herssig-I stopped at desk in the
rst room before went back. l stopped at
ne on the left hand side of Mr.. Dejoie, but I
id not ask him anything. Behind the
ourth District desk there were several per-
ons.
I would not state that it was Mr.. Herwig 1
poke to; was never in there but twice;
hen I spoke to the man behind the desk l
lid that only came to inquire about the
roperty of M. VAIL; I cannot read or write;
cannot spell my name; leave that to others;
can't tell how many figures it takes to make
thousand; 1 can't tell; don't know; after I
18th me either time; 1 Was in there once with
lumber dealer, Mr. P. Rohr; have known
i'm several years, but have to ask his name.
Mr.. O'Brien was not with me when I asked
bout the assessment on my property.
/ said that the man behind the desk had a
an in his hand. He opened the book. 1t
kes one and three noughts to make a thou
md. l know / stated a while ago that I
dn't know how many figures it took. After
,ing in the middle door I asked for the n
ourth District desk. l never have seen Mr..
erwig before. think he is the man saw,
1t can't tell. remember having seen Mr.
rban.
To Mr.. Urban-I remember having seen
~ on Friday evening
Mr.. Urban-I never have seen Mr.. Her {
g behind my desk opening books.
r. H. Woods states have never seen
r. Herwig behind MIR. Urban's desk OPEN t
e his books.
Geo. Autz-I have never seen Mr.. Herwig '
hind Mr.. Urban's desk.
John O'Brien states: went to the Asses Z
rs office last week to see about piece of +
operty in the Fourth District on Front a
rect, which has always been assessed at /
100. I saw Mr.. Autz; he said it was $500.
r. Woods, another clerk, said it would be 4
cessary to file petition. 1 came out and .
OF Mr.. Wahl, who was with Mr.. Morris. b
hey told me how Mr.. Wahl had had his as
Al -