New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-04-22
AFFAIRS AT ALBANY.
THE ASSESSMENT QUESTION.
SPEECHES BY CONTROLLER KELLY AND MAYOR
CooPER-oPINIoNs ON THE ASSESSMENT BILL

The ASSESo4ENT QOEoAlON'
SPEECHES BY CONTROLLER KELLY AND MAYOR
COoPER-OPINIoNs ON THE ASSESSMENT BILL
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRTBUEEl
ALBANY. April 21.-The Assembly Commit
tee ON Cities held tonight ing, at which the Dill
prepared by the authorities Of NeW-YOrk authorizing
hem TO compromise the assessments for local improve
menis still unpaid considered Ihese hssessuO'0
amount to nearly S20OO0000. The city was repre-
sented by Mayor Cooper Controller Kelly, Corporation
Counsel Whitney and Mr. Cambell the Commissioner OF
Public Works. There also present Delegation Oh
prCperty-owners headed by John II. Sherwood VINO IN
vorcd the BILL and another delegation, headed oy Jon"
McKeon and Lawson N. Fuller, who were opposed 70 "
many assessment lawyers were present They oiouen'
with them petition signed by large NUMBER OF prop
erty owners who are opposed to the BILL Among tnese
sgners were H. b. Cahin Henry Stokes, B. l. b baro"'
G.. W. Carleton aud Fernando Wood.
Controller Kelly first addressed the committee no
said st he intended point out the practical features
q the bill and how NewYOrk would suffer gre a.
injury II the bill did become law. Upon Apih o.
1880 the bonds issued for public improvements
to $40 OOO For years the courts have Dee
steadily vacatlng the assessments since JahuaIy
nearly $500, 900 in assessments had been Vhca'eu
the Courts went on a this rate there was no donDt d"
that all the assessments would be set aside ana III VI
them be thrown upon the city. This would DC very ""
inst The last OF the improvements OF which the assess
nents had already been set aside amOuh'eu W
"a $50 900. The assessments confirmed ahouh'cu W
only So 900. The amount OF the advances Oh "oiA
not vet completed was 100000. 1t had been discoV
cred that former law Office Of the city had buhuereu
badly in drawing up the papers for assessments anu
WAS feared that none OF them would hold In the courts
The city authorities we're dismayed by this CONDITION
Of affairs that they had stopped all improvements Inc
debt of the city had been decreased S1OOOOOOO
during the past few years, but there was
danger that It would suddenly DO Increased
600 600 600 by the vacation Of all the assessments
This would CRAFTY damage the credit OF the city,
There was reason for speedy passage OF the oiii
because the assessment lawyers, having discovered ~
nil the assessments illegal, would DO very DrsA
during the remainder Of the year IN Vaoatlng assess
inonts re had no doubt that If the Legislature shouu
adjourn without passing the compromise Dill Deiore
1881 the lawyers would succeed vacatinE assess
ments TO the amount Of S1,500.OOO
Lawson N. Fuller, property owner In the upper part
of the city, told about the assessments when
he had been compelled 10 and earnestly opposed the
passage Of the BILL He said he thought the people OF
the entire city ought to ray for all the improvements
John H. Sherwood, another property owner, spoke In
! favor OF the bill.
James A. Deerng an assessment lawyer, pointed out
unjust features In the bill.
Mayor Cooper said, In substance:
Ipropose TO sneak on the general principles or inc
hill Redress Il only be granted under u where Ihele
has been an injustice, do not propose that the prop
and neither shall the other taxpayers suffer from IN
any respect. 1t isn't right or just hat the people snail
Inc made 10 nay for Improvement wnere there Wat no
fraud. The city officers would he saa IT, nave tue O
| amended IN any way TO make It clear ana Just -,
Commissioner Campbell said: - methlhg VIII nave
m he done or public improvements will have to stop In
| New-York The Mayor and the Controller will no longer
sign warrants ard certificates for new improvements
Tie courts Will longer allow uR to 10 on with these
| improvements" ,-.--
| JOhn McKcOn said that nc had some lots between
F0rtIeth and Fiftethsts.. which he was willing to gave
TO anyone who would pay theasscssmcnS. The bll was
nm Infamous 1t stayed all present proceedings ~
recover money paid urjusi asse1smrnts He denied
the power the Legislature thus TO interfere with the
| Supreme Court. .,-,.,,
The committee will give another hearing on the Dill