New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-12-26
TAXES "SWORN OFF"
PROPERTY EXEMPT BY LAW.

4 n
PERSONAL, PROPERTY EXEMPT By LAW.
49, PERSONAL PROPERTY OWNERS WHO ESCAPE
~,x,UoN-A NOTABLE LIST OF THE CITYs
x.urlY MEN WHO "swFAR OFF" THEIR AS
s,ssvFNfs or PROPERTY WHICH THE LAWS En-
x,,pr FROM TAX ,TgoS-TUaTHER INrEREsIING
,,rsTRAriovs OF THE UNEQUAL AND UNJUST
OPERATIONS OF THE TAX LAWS.
Relow is the first instalment of several
.,ousand names of prominent New Workers
vho being assessed upon their personal prop
.rtv have shown to the satisfaction of the
Tax commissioners that, under the provisions
If the numerous and conflicting laws of the
state and Nation. they do not legally owe
any personal tax. This list will be continued
IN subsequent issues of TIE TRIBUNE until
completed and will then be followed by the
LIST of the taxpayers who accept the assess
ment as just and pay what is demanded.
WHAT THE LAW EXEMPTs.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TnE SYSTEMS OF TAXING
REAL ESTATE AND PERSONAL PROPERTY
GROUNDS oS WHICH WEALTHY MEN LEGALLY
AND WITHOUT FAULT on THEIR PART ESCAPE
PAYMENT on THEIR PERSONAL POSSESSIONS.
Under the laws Of the State OF New-York the
assessment and taxation of personal property are
rnder very different system from that employed
in assessing real estate and il happens that the bur
den Of taxation falls largely realty. while per-
souaty in a great measure escapes. The basis of
assessment in real estate is so fixed and definite
that an equitable assessment is possible. More
over the possession Of real estate cannot
be concealed, since the Registers books of
deeds reveal both the ownership and probable
yaluc Of all real estate. Personal property the
ether hand cannot be assessed ponanything like a
Il -. l.1l -
II is easy also TO conceal the possession of IT, since
not even The tax-satherer enter ones house to
make inventory Of ones effects. compel dis
,ovcrv Of ones business affairs and books. But,
further the laws which do not exempt real estate
Of individuals in any particular do exempt per-
sonal property for dozen or more causes. The
chief classes Of personal property thus exempt are
as follows:
l. Foreign capital Of agents here.
IT. Foreign vessels.
III. stock of Incorporated companies liable for
taxation on their capital
". Products of other States sold here. if the
proceeds are returned 10 other States.
V. Rouds.
VI. Mortgages.
VII. promiSsOTy notes
VIII. Bonds. mortgages and notes 81 non-resi-
dents sent to this State for collection.
lX. Capital invested in Loans in other states
upon securities held by nonresident
y. United States bonds.
nj. United States Treasury notes.
MI. National bank shares.
Nil. Property of priests and ministers to the
value of 81 300.
XIV. Savings deposits due depositors.
Nv. Accommodations for the benefit OF insured
persons IN life insurance companies.
Ii will be seen that many of the persons IN the
list below escape the assessment under some one or
more of these many clauses of the laws. They are
at perfect liberty morally as well as legally, to
claim exemption. as the laws now stand and it is
primarily the laws which at fault in furnishing
so many loopholes for escape.
There appears to he an impression that some de-
gree of odum attaches to the fact of " swearing
Off ones personal tax, as it implies concealment
OF the truth and deception of the Tax Com
missioners Such is not the fact. II is the general
opinion of the present Commissioners that the
claim of exemption is not really put for
ward in many cases as tho laws author
ize; and that many conscientious men
pay large assessments when they could legally
claim that. though owGing the personally assessed,
they are legally untaxable upon IL. The of the
Hon. William T. Dodge is cited ms an illustration.
He was assessed on 100000, which largely ex-
ceeded his personal property. hut he voluntarily
paid on $50. OOO though putting forward. merely
as matter of record. that he was wholly and
legally exempt from any assessment what
ever. William H. Vanderbilt pays this year
Oh 100000 of personal property, which he
other personality. but the Commissioners recognize
that if he chose to insist on the legal construction
Of the law he would be wholly exempt. Doubtless
the lists TO follow will show numerous other, though
aot such glarng illustrations of the inconsistencies
Of the tax laws as they now stand unreformed.
PERSONAL PROPERTY "sWORN OFF"
A LIST OF THE RESIDENT AND NONRESIDENT TAX
PAYERS ASSESSED FOR PERSONAL PROPERTY
EXEMPT BY LAW.
Name Assessment Ercuse.
DRr G. w. $4,000 Real estate mortgaGed
Abbott y. P.-...-. 5000 NO personal propeIV,
hbnof; ~. 1000 Debts exceed personal
nj Jno R,xter 5000 Real estate mortgaged
iheI II a 5000 No personal property
Lhcrn y w 1900 X G mgage; debts exd per
abrahsm p 5000 Debts exceed per prop
shrsbsm - 5000 Boards debts exceed per
Abrams No.. 23OO Depls e4ceeu pcI piop
Alderman F.. 900 I,eDts e1ceeu p1r DID
Alderman c.. 23o0 tas TO Ieisosaa t 81 mo
Alderman, ii. 3. 1OOO NOppi sWoIc IN &c w @A0o0
Alderman. John 5000 No peis0nal property
AcIcrson Geo f. 1000 Is In California
sdair LANES " 1000 No personal property
Adams Ceorce IT. 5000 No personally
Ada1s palm GOO No y u; In '7S swore 10 5000