New-York tribune., 1879-05-07
MR. V4RNUM'S TAX BILL.

STATE ASSESSOR BRIGGS PRONoUNCFs 1T A DELU-
sIoS-IMPoRrANT FACTS WHICH HAVE BEEN
OVERLOOKED.
To the Edttor Of The Tribune:
SIR The bill passed by the Assembly last
week, known "A Varnum's 0i" 70 reduce taxation
IN the City OF NewYorx VIII, if 1t becomes law be but
delusion 1t provides that tho tax rate next year
shall be 24iOo the assessed valuation oi the reaI ana
personal property OF the city, and that tie taxes snail
be onetwenieth OF per cent less each year Tor some
eight years. the assessed valuation. Tie assessed
valuation for the tax OF this year Real estate, 5000
500 700; personal estate, Sl97, 7,53207j total yaiua-
ton, 81 ,O9s ,3s7.775.
This year tie assessed valuations viii be about the
same as in 1873.
With a return OF business prosperity and with the
enforcement Of the law regulating the assessment OF
real and personal property the city In $50 the as
ID valuations OF real and personal properly should
not be than $1,000, 100000, ana with the Ia"
amended 70 make all personal estate liable To
taxation without regard to the debts OF tne owners,
assessed real ana personal property Of the Cy OF
New-York would be more than II 500 900 OOO in 1881
And of per cent thls valuation Is 936OOOOOO
Every year would OF assessed yalu-
alton and the reduction OF the rate Of tax under
Varnums bill" would be any relief 70 the people
Let the bill be amended so that only so many dollars
can be raised in any year much for interest on
the debt and much for general purposes Then cut
down the salaries paid 70 city Officials, ana
reduce the number OF officials, carry economy into al
the departments let the city government be IN the
interest the people instead Of few politicians let
the plundered taxpayers take the control Of the affairs
0s this great city their hands, and stop all the
truck and dcker" about places let the city Charter be
amended so as TO make the Mayor the responsible
head OF the city government Let all appointments OF
city officials be made by him. and let removals be made
for cause. Let NewYork City be governed in the city,
and not at Albany and let every in the city feel
the necessity OF giving little attention once a
year tine primary meetings. and then at the ballot
box. TO great and important interests and 10 his
political duties a citizen and II there is not reform
In the city IN the management OF all It's affairs, then
may we say, in the language Of Cowper, The age Of
vrtuOus politics IL passed"
One tnIng should be done before the Legislature ad-
iourus bill should be passed authorizing the funding
OF the city debt per the city has the option,
and the bonds should low 80. thar they may
be taken at hOmein every hOuse-tnd be free from all
tax. This would save 10 each man, woman amt child,
about 81 a year city taxes, and make every person
who city bond, interested in the affairs ana IN tue
economies OF the city. JAMES A bAIGGs
Brooklyn. n. T., May 5, 1879.
sThe increase assessed valuations for new buildings
in the city for the years, ana the additional
valuation they will give 70 real esatew alone give ad-
dtOna to the real estate thar no benefit would
/ am mistaken, fhe elevated railroads VIII, IN
the years 70 come, give Impetus 10 nOuse-budlDg
u the CIV OF New-YOrk, ana Will add S2OOO0OUO
Ito s25 900, 600 year 70 the assessments.