The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1876-09-13
cor. HAYES AND HIS TAXES.

Last week several Democratic papers pub
lished over column, headed us Hayes q
Perjurera" and setting forth at great length
alleged damaging discoveries that he had
been guilty of perjury and fraud in making
up his tax returns. Unlike lIr. Tilden, Gov.
Hayes, with the soldierly and honorable frank
ness characteristic of the man, at once gave
all the facts in the case to General Comfy, the
editor of the Ohio State journal, who pub
lished full and detailed refutation of every
item of the elaborate Charge on Gov. Hayes
authority. The whole story was tissue of
the meanest lies and Misrepresentation.
From the Journals account, the following is
condensed
THE CHARGES AND THE ANSWER.
The charge is that Sarles Bichard, Govern
or Hayes uncle and benefactor, listed so, 982
personality in 1878, exclusive of money and
credit, and that Governor Hayes, with the
same personally in possession, listed only
81, 900 in 1874 This is not true. Bichard' Is
return included all notes, credits and book &C
counts. Governor Hayes in 1874 made nore-
turn of notes. credits and book accounts, be-
cause all credits were swallowed up in debts.
The same is true of the notes. The person.
atty bequeathed to Hayes was almost entirely
bank stocks, upon which tax is paid by the
banks. The one item of all personally re-
turned by Burchard, S9,9S2, was more than
swallowed up by obligations incurred by Gov
ernor Hayes in carrying out Orchards pro-
jects for the benefit of the town of Fremont
This very question was at the time investigat-
ed by q Democratic Board of Equalization
and reported by them as all correct. 1t will
be seen that the debts more than offset the
credits under this item, and that the return
of $1,000 in 1874 was for household goods
which were not subject to this deduction.
The increase in this item to $4,000 in 1875
was due to an increase in Hayes private IL
brary.
AS to the second charge Governor Hayes
says he never had and never returned a
watch worth $500. The three watches re-
turned are keepsakes, and all together not
worth $780, One watch Mrs. Hayes had
when at school. 1t has not been running for
twenty years.
Third-Hayes had never owned piano at
the time the return was made and only rented
one last October for the use of a niece who
was visiting him. This Summer he traded a
lot for one.
Fourth-It is alleged that Governor Hayes
returned in 1875 and 1876 three horses at $500,
when they were worth 5000. In answer the
Governor says one of these horses is twenty
seven years old, and not worth anything, yet
he is listed at $50, and that the strict valua-
tion of the other two is $50 and 800, yet he
listed them for taxation at $3.50. His best
horse cost him 1926.
Fifth-It is charged that in 10 Governor
Hayes returned four carriages at $3.50, when
it is known he paid $500 for one and $3.50 for
another. In answer the Governor says the
carriage referred to was not bought until a
year after the alleged false return was made
and then it was properly listed. As the re-
turn of 1876 shows, two of these carriages
were, in fact a buggy and wagon, one of
which was soon after sold for $50, and one
would not sell at any price, but they were list
ed for $50 The other was a second hand
ph@ton which cost 800.
Sixth-It was charged that S33. 700 was
left in Governor Hayes hands in bequests
made by Birchard, which he was allowed to
hold for three years, and that he did not re-
turn q dollar of this money for taxation. The
Governor says the fact is, not one dollar was
left him to pay requests, that it was intended
requests should be paid from the sales of land,
and he was given three years, SO the land
could be sold for this purpose. Tins real es-
tate of course taxed by the county, without
or consent of its owner or holder.
Seventh-This property all vested in Hayes
by terms of Orchards will. 1t was, there
fore, not necessary, according to Ohio laws,
to make separate returns of property heN as
executor. It all belonged to Hayes, and was
listed MS his. Governor Hayes is authority
for all statements oiyen above.