New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-02-21
PROPERTEOWNERs OPPRESSED.

EFFECT OF THE PRESENT TAX LAWS.
! RECENT ACTION OF THE LEGISLATURE AND THE
| GOVERNOR CoNCERSING A TAX COMMISSION
APPROVED BY BUSINESS NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
| WHICH HAVE BEEN MADE.
The passage of the bill by the Legislature, under
which the Governor has appointed Commission to
act with legislative committee to revise the tax
laws Of the State. is a step toward reform which
meets with the hearty approval Of the business men
OF this city, "The effect Of the present tax laws has
been highly detrimental the business interests of
the city and State" was the remark of a large real
estate owner Saturday. Similar opinions were ex-
pressed by other business men. The necessity OF a
reform IN the tax laws has been urged for years,
ana 1t has been recognized repeatedly
by the Legislature. A committee came
to this city in the fall of 1874 to investigate
and report upon the matter | made recommended
tions which were nevor carried out. Other reports
and recommendations of similar character have
been frequently sent to the Legislature until per-
sons who have gwen close attention to the subject
have almost despaired of reform. This last move
ment is looked upon as offering CLEAN of hope for
the future. The present tax laws of the State as a
whole, were enacted many years ago, when State,
county, city aud town expenses were not large, and
called for comparatively little attention from the
people. Many OF the laws were enacted before tho
time of the general of railroads and steamships.
AS they were made for past generation. they need
such revision. 1T is urged as will impose an equal
burden upon property of all kinds, either corporate
or indNidual, While all agree as to the necessity
OF reform, there difference of opinion 70 just
how the laws should be changed, This difference
has defeated past efforts at REFORM
George h. Andrews. David A. Wells, James A.
Briggs and other persons who have made a study of
the system of taxation now III force in this State,
agree that proper revision OF the laws would do
more to promote the prosperity of the State than
anything that has happened since the construction
ado 49, h.. nf
this city generally believe that it has suffered much
more than the State at large from " the grossly IN
adequate provisions OF the Law for the assessment OF
personal and corporate property" as stated by the
Tax Commissioners. The State Board of EqnaliZa-
has added 10 the burdens of this city year after
year. until the city is obliged to pay about one half
Ex-rax Commissioner George Ii. Andrews has
been urging upon the Legislature for years the
necessity of reform in the tax laws, and he will be
called before the committee at an early day again
to give his views on the subject. One of the meas
ures Of reform which he urged, that OF collecting
taxes from corporations by the state Governments,
has been adopted III part Mr., Andrews and his
former colleagues in the Department Of Taxes and
Assessment, John Wheeler and John n. Haywood,
made the following recommendations on the sub
Jet:
l. That all corporations created by or doing business
In the State shall be assessed by the state Assessors,
upon sworn returns to be sent to them Ia Albany ana
the taxes paid directly TO the State Treasurer.
.. That the taxes sha he hxed upon the value OF the
STOCK. percentage upon grss receipts or III proportion
% diyideuds incud NJ scrip aud stock diyldends at
u
revenue that the scale OF taxation be adjusted
not 10 cali for deductions for investments III real
estate
g. That discrimination shall be made In the rate Of
taxation upon corporations formed under the general
a. may be practicable aud equitable.
a. That It shall DO found necessary TO secure ample
revenue the State license tax moderate In amount
he imposed upon certain classes vi business to be
paid TO the state.
it, local legislature, whether will tax. for It's local pur
poses other descriptions Of personal property.
T..fr al "a
That the real estate Of corporations shall continue
10 be taxed where situated rs under present laws
10 Speaking on this subject Mr. Wheeler aud his
colleagues said fhe adoption OF such a plan
would not ultimately add anything 70 the burden OF
taxation upon the owners Of real estate. On the
contrary, no act Of legislation could Sd effectively
and permanently benefit this cIty. IL would make
New York the most desirable abode for people OF
wealth on this continents would stud the now
cant bouevards and drives with costly and
elegant mansions; would attract thousands
of citizens whose services would be needed
in tho construction OF such mansions
would foster the establishment of manufac.
tories aud warehouses; aud place the interests OF
real estate upon sure foundation OF increased POI
ulation and resources Now, men accumulate
wealth here and 20 elsewhere beyond the reach OF
our present tax laws to enjoy that wealth. Then,
men who have accumulated wealth elsew here. would
seek this city rs u residence. Offering advantages SUI
periOr to any other city. he State would share the
prosperity OF the city; and 50 SHOULD lie achieved
that great future which New-YOrk, under wise
legislation and administration, undoubtedly has
before It,"
In referring to these proposed reforms Mr. Andrews
expalped them ms follows: The FIRST proposition
has already been matter OF legislation. The second
s designed to avoid complications rs to investments
in n0u- axablc securities such as Government
bonds. The third is to make taxation light upon
ORGANIZATIONS the purpose of which Is to enable men
OF limited means TO form corporation to DO what
one man of large means may, and does do. Ii IL IN
the interest of poor men tavorng cooperative organ
zatlOns. The fourth proposition ~ conditional.
| do not approve the principle yet It
may DO expedlcnt IN the urgent need
of reform. The fifth, novel az the plan may
be- has prccedents in the legislation of the State.
There N some personal property which the law now
makes taxable IN one county and exempt III another
The plan proposed recognizes the doctrine called
local option and applies 1t to taxation OF certain
property. IL n valuable suggestion, that oneer-
tain conditions mortgages should Dc exempt from
taxation IN this city. The principle involved IN the
fifth proposition is practically Endorsed by
that suggestion. The effect would DO that
the farmers of tho interior, while, relieved
from State tax upon their lands, might. II they
chose have substantially the same basis OF personal
properly upon which TO distribute their local taxes
The sixth proposition cOniers a boon upon the
landed interest which il should be quick to appre-
ciate. The present laws for assessing real estate
would work we'll enough when the incentive TO
mregu!arty Is removed. as Is proposed by Inc illt.
ing of the State tax from such property. The last
nronosition EXPLAINS itself Not patching, but entire
recOnstructiOn is needed. The hope of obtaining
satisfactory results from the present broken shat.
tered eaky laws 10 as ii would be TO expect
highly useful returns from the toll OF one VINO
"Is droppiug buckets into empty wells
And n.vin ol