New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-03-19

more valuable. Similar instances of the undervau-
alton of property owned by tho late Ring or by
its favorites might be cited in other parts Of the
city.while it would be equally easy to show that the
greater part Of the private property in Washington
has been assessed at its full cash value and some of
1t even higher than the price at which il would sell
These facts were well known to many members of
Congress- and to correct these unfair determinations
an entirely new assessment was ordered in the
words which quoted from the act at tho beginning
of this letter. The Commissioners of the District
have, in accordance with this law, appointed
Board of five assessors, selecting, no doubt, men
whom they honestly believed best qualified for the
duties. 1t turns out, however, that one of them,
who has been chosen President Of the Board, al
though Democrat and formerly an active opponent
of the RiDg,p has recently been appointed by ex-
Gov Shepherd to be his real estate agent and that
simultaneously with or Immediately after their APP
pointment as assessors two of them were chosen to
be directors in the Columbia Street Railway Com
pany. whose property is to be assessed for the
first time.
Moreover, these assessors have already agreed to
take the old assessment the basis of the new. as
the following report of their proceedings last Satur
day shows:
The principal subject which engaged their attention
10 the most direct and thorough manner OF COM
plotting work by the LIST OF May required BY the
attention could be given to field work, and that the
present assessed vane OF property w0uld have to be
taken basis for the next assessment. ana that
blank form of appeal be drawn up in as plain and SIM
pie possible, in order TO facilitate the tax
payers in making such appeals and when VIII Dng the
parties interested before the for full discus
sion and adjustment OF tie value of the property ~
question. This ia believed to be the most direct ana
simple have the list ready in tho time required
The schedule OF taxable personal property mas ot YET
been prepared. When so prepared, " VIII DC ielt AZ
the residences and places of business OF the Taxpayers
The blank form 10 facilitate the making OF appeals VIII
also be prepared possible, and distributed
This mode of proceeding may at first seem per-
fectly fair but consideration of the facts given III
this letter will show that IL will work only In ono
way toward equalizing the assessments. Where
property was assessed last year above its cash value
appeal will now be made and the assessment re-
duced; but where the property belonging to men,
bers of the Ring and its favorites was assessed
last year belOw it's cash value no appeal will DO
made, and this years assessment will be the same
that Of last. For instance, the owner OF the lot
which lies diagonally opposite Mr.. Kilbourns house.
and which assessed last year at 81 80 foot may
appeal and if he can show that his lot could not be
sold for that price. he may get his assessment re-
duced but Mr. kilbourn whose lot is assessed at
only so per cent Of its value, Mr. Shepherd wLosc
lot is assessed at only SO per cent of its value will
make 10 appeal, and their assessments will not be
raised These simple facts show that while the
power of the corrupt Ring" which i'll three years
improved Washington into bankruptcy as been
substantially broken, nothing but the most careful
watchfulness the part of Congress and the
people will prevent it from again getting control of
affairs in this District.