The New York herald., 1877-03-07
Ha.kin, ). ,. Rusyles, rs. Van vakenbursh. John

HaAkn, J. y. Ruggles I. 8. Van Valkenburgn, Jonn
H. Sherwood aud others.
Mr.. Sherwood first addressed the Mayor and Comp
troller. He contended that one-haf the expense Of
these uptown improvements should be borne by the
city. This practice had been followed in constructing
the Riverside Drive and in tho opening OF
Church. Worth aud other streets Comptroller
Grcon had presented this scheme o. widening Sixth
and Seventh avenues to the property hoIders and II
was then understood that the expenses were 10 be
betrayed by tho city at large and that the owners
would be properly compensated. II was also under
stood that those avenues would be continuation of tho
Central Park II at the time they considered that they
would be assessed for the whole Improvement these
gentlemen certainly would have gwen their con-
sent 10 the scheme. Tho property owners could never
be benehtcd by such an undertaking; the dement,
must result 10 people who reside above the Central
Park. The new thoroughfares exclusively pleas
Legislature TO place the Whole cost upon the city.
compromise was effected by which One-half was 10 be
paid by 6otn sides But by some means the law was
upset Last winter the clause had been placed In
the bill known the W0odn charter, but tho Cover
nors veto defeated this measure as whole. He OR.
Sherwood) wished the city authorities 10 understand
what great wrongs have been committed upon the
property owners in the vicinity OF those improve
ment5.
nulsous TAXATION.
Mr. John B. Hnskln said that he had appeared t.
gether with other taxpayers before tho Committee
Ces OF the Legislature relation TO this subject.
Twenty-Five years ago ne had purchased three lots
upon the corner OF seventh avenue and 1924 street.
So 300, together with large amount OF interest III
these lots were sold IN the market al the present day
they would not bring within $500 OF what they had
cost him. The assessment would entirely c0niscate
his property He amt his colleagues merely asked
that one-hai OF the expense should be borne by the
city. TO relieve them from SUCH pressing de-
mnnds. Mr.. Green had promised this, but with hts
usual oDsnacy had procured the passage OF most In-
famous law which worked very nJurously to property
holders. Under this law assessment could be va
Gated unless fraud IN the contracts had been directly
proved
Mayor Ely inquired as to the aggregate amounts OF
assessments Tor the three boucvards.
Mr.. sherwood SAID he thought was about 81 900 oOo
Sir. Bernard Smyine said the lots upon seventh
assessed at the rate OF about 81 $50 each.
Mr Van valkenbursh made u statement in which he
showed concusively that large portion OF his prop
erty the hne OF The improvements had been actually
connscatea. lie held about loo lots for which he had
been assessed Sl05.0 600, and the taxes amounted
$4,000 Within three years the ASSESSED valuation Of
all The property affected by the improvements had been
increased ABOUT $20 600 O00 while tho real had
deprecated 1T least fifty per cent
Comptroller Kelly asked II awards had been mado to
any OF the gentlemen present
Considerable difficulty seemed to bc experienced by
the delegation in solving this pertinent question:. Mr.
Haskin stated tnat he had been paid $500 Tor some OF
his iols but he a tcrward withdrew this statement
awarded $lO,000 anu aitcrward assessed $l3,0O0
whilc two lots were taken away from
him. The gentleman therefore contendcd that
81 OF award had been paid IN this connection The
speakers continued to dwell length upon these points,
Mr. Haskin spoke three times. He stated In his last
speech that the Committee on Cities had directed the
property 10 state their grievances to the
Mayor ana C0mptr0iier, anu II tuese OHciuS ala not
object, tho necessary laws wou1 be advocated, by
winch the city would be compelled to pay onehaf of
the assessments.
Mr. Jonathan Edgar the concluding speaker.
He mercy reiterated the statements already made by
others
Al the conclusion Of the proceedings Mayor Ely re-
marked that their seemed to be a peculiar one.
To him the subject was new. With reg. to himself
ana the Comptroller he would say they give
serious consideration. They would then recommend
such measures would be equitable 10 the property
owners and the city.
The delegation then withdrew.