The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-01-02


The tax levy for 1877 the rate Of three and
one-sxth mills. Tho Comptroller estimates that for
tho next fiscal year lovy two and three fourths
mills will BIO sufficient This the lowest ann ual ratio
Of the last sixteen years. the rapid progress
which has recently been made toward u sound and
heahsy condition OF the State finances. IL itself
an earnest appeal to tho Legislature continued
economy in public expenditures and Tor great
In making appropriations. II the local authorities
Will pursue similar course tho people OF the State
will soon be relieved 10 great extent from tho burden
which has SO long oppressed them.
Many we'll grounded complaints navo been made of
irregular and unreasonable assessments and unequal
distribution Of the taxeS The wisdom OF man never
has been aud probably never will be able to devise
system wholly free from such deccta Il is, never
thcless, the duty of the Legislature remedy them
far US practicable; but after all Ia done trat be
dono the truth will remain that the only relief
heavy taxation Will be found in tho cutting OF OF all
unnecessary expense. No stronger Incentives this
course should DO required Than found in tho
depression Of business aud tho din Guilty Of making
payments.
In TINS connection note also the great wrongs
which exist In the local affairs towns villages
There aro TOO many small Offices tho towns the
cumbents of which can only DO paid by Illegal or
orbitant fees and petty exactions Needless criminal
constabss Justices aud jailers may the fees
Of such prosecutions Services performed not
performed are charged at double rates. and often
eral times. Faithful town auditors might down
these bills, but often shrink from thor full duty and
so by the couson or neglect OF those who should pre-
vent II, the people are piundcrcd to q degree
oven beyond that detected In tho larger cities.
Town and county might be much
lessened If this evil could be reached and this end
suggest that you seek cut of superluous Offices,
reduce these oXtravagant ices charge the expense OF
local criminal proceedings upon tho county and pro-
vide FOR their taxation ty tho County Judge
other competent officer BY these or kindred meas.
.uros believe an immense aggregate saving might DO
elected IN money, as well as morals
BOUNTY DEBT
Que OF tho most gratifying events of tho yoar has
bccu the nnal extinguishmcnt OF the bounty debt,
which became due on the 9th OF April last Tho bal.
ancc oil tho debt remaining duo ON that
day, after dcducting the amount paid In ad-
vance aud all the exchanges which had been
made OF securities in tho sinking lund, amounted
20 81 oI0 600, the whols OF which was duly deposited
In the Manhattan Bank, the place Of payment dcsig-
mated Ia the bonds, and notice was published that
Interest upon tho debt would cease from that
date. Previous to tho close Gf the fiscal
year tho Both day Of september last tho
whole debt, principal and interest, had been
paid with tho exception of 100000, which had not
psen presented. II is probable that considerable
borton Of this sum may never DO called for. The
amount, however, remains on deposit to meet IT, Tho
6sbt has boon heavy burden upon tho taxpayers OF
~ State, tho whole amount paid ny thcm during the
we've years 1t mad to run being S43 270,337 ~. It's
Complete and nna pay mont a matter for congratu-
ht,o
PAYMENT Tug GENERAL FUND DEBT.
IN Fron tho moneys aud securities u the sinking fund
the gueral fund deu the OF So 1885, 43 II las
peen pai and tho general fund debt TO that extent
xunguisNd There remains 10 be paid Inc sum OF
ZOO, ~hch docs become duo until the LIST
~ Of July mkt whom 1t will be pad; aud the gen