The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1878-03-12
OUR PITFSRURGH LETTER.
4 New and Unique Method of Col
Ieciing TaNes-fbe Nail Trade
Emigration from s'ennsy IyaDia.
'rcSpOndtnCt OF me RtSlSter.

Correspondence of the Register.
PITTSBURGH, March II.
Did ever you hear OF mortal Official
collecting taxes with brass band2
Gruti old Zach. Chandler Once advised 8
friend never to go hunting ducks with a
band, but there is no known authority
against hunting taxes with instruments
Of brass in the merciess hands Of sturdy
lunged leutons. Hence, on Saturday,
our citizens were treated 10 sight the
like of winch WIS probably never before
beheld IN civilized community. A
faded chariot, come like spirit from
some deceased circus, containing II band,
was driven through the streets. On it's
sides, in large letters, was the welcome (O
reminder, PAY your taxes to the City
Treasurer before April lst snc save 10
per cent" The people lined the side
walks and gsZed, some in wonder and
amusement, others in dlsgust, At this
trick of an aesthetic cuss OF u treasurer to
caiole taxpayers. Vigorously the band
played, rendering in the most feeling
strains, "My country, It's OF thee, "Hsrd
times, come agsin no more" snd other
appropriate selections, IN quick success
sion.
Now this move seems to make new
departure in municipal affairs. The
epoch of fint-hesrted, close grabbing
and merciless wrenchcrs OF taxes have
gone. In comes the susve, gentle Otli-
cisl who cheers you IN happy strains,
while your heart would fam sink aweary
with oppression. Then who knows but
that in a short while this same official
will offer chrome 70 every citizen who
pays his taxes before April first; or, that
he will convert an ante room into shay
ing saloon, and give every taxpayer r
clean shave of the face Ms well rs Of the
wallet2 And possibly, for variation, he
will set up grand lunch on tbe last day
of grace. Indeed, there seems no end of
agreeable features TO absorb the custom
airy unholy feelings OF wrsthful citizens.
But all this proceeds from cause very
remote from philanthrCphy. 1t is spe-
cies of gentle bul!dozing Tor which City
Treasurer kllgore is noted. Be it known
that IN f,rmer days the City Treas
urer collected delinquent taxes st
10 per cent. commission, and he realized
from $4,000 to $4,000 per snnum. In
February, 1877, kilgore was the anti
ring candidate and was elected. In re-
veuge, Chris. Msgee, then City Treas
urer, and soul-keeper of the corporation,
had an act passed by our seryile Legis-
lsture creating the Office OF Collector OF
Delinquent Taxes, who was 10 be sp-
pointed by the City Treasurer IN Au-
gust, 1877, and serve five years At COM
mission of 10 per cent. So the financial
wind was drawn out of Kilgore's sails
when he entered office on the lst ult.
He enjoys only salary approaching
$4,000 per snnum. During toe month
OF March the City Treasurer collects the
semi.annusl instsllment. and after April
LIST, his Delinquency, Thos. IL. Phelps,
gets the list and piles on 'shent per
sbent." Therefore, TO prevent Mr.
Phelps from making too much money,
Mr.. kigore endesVors to have the bulk
Of taxes paid to himself, although he re-
ceiyes no extra compensation.
Even this picture however, fades be-
fore the whitening SIMEON of fact that
the new city treasurer is "fst in glove
with the ring and participates in the
Shylockism OF the delinquent business, in
consideration OF subsldIng in his oppos,-
tion TO bill No. l02 which chcsted him
of the spoils of Office. Then the brass
band feature seems TO blind; sordid nc
tives spot the treasurer like pustules,
and one turns away with nausea to look
In vain for q pure, healthy administra-
tion OF office.
WHAT OF NAILS?
This subject Is desrer TO your readers
than that of taxes, and Just now it is
very important with Pittsburghers. To-
dsy | had an interview with Mr.. Wslter
Chess, of Chess, Smyth n Co, the well
known nail and tscS manufacturers. The
conversation turned upon the business
outlook, which Mr.. Chess remarked
wasn't particularly bright. Compared
with last year IL is much
duller. During the psst winter
the roads throughout the West
were impossible, preventing n erchsn,s
from handling nsiIs. Sprlng trade, he
thought, would not be vigorous, for
usually in March the Esil factories are
with orcers, whereas they now
run but half time. There was no remedy,
in his estimation, unless Young Indica.
tons smiled isvorably on the slush OF the
western roads and restored them 10 use.
In regard to prices, no signs pointed to