New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-02-16
REVISION OF THE TAXATION LAWS.

REVISION OF THE TAXATION LAWS.
THE RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE APPOINT
MkNT OF AN ADVISORY COMMISSION PASSED IN
THE ASSEMBLY.
IPRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRtRUSE.l
ALBANY, Feb. 15.-The question of q
Governors Commission u revse the laws on taxation
was debated great length the Assembly to-day. In
the course Of the discussion the ideas that
governed the members OF tho Joint Committee
on Taxation in their advice to the
Legislature to make tho proposed Commissonan adVis'
Ory board made known. II appeared that the ar
cumeut was made In the Committee that the work OF
former taxation commissions had proved useless be-
cause the members OF such commissions had not
maintained any relations with the Legislature during
the composition OF their reports They had thus shut
themselves of from all knowledge OF the opinions OF the
members of the Legislature Oh taxation and OF the many
objections special forms Of taxation held in the Legs
ature III nsequenee OF this separate acton when the
reports OF soh commissions have been presented TO
Legislature they have at once been called "impraetca-
BILE" and have been peremptory laid aside Accepting
this argument decisive the present committee recom'
mended to the Legislature that the Commission should
be an advisory board I'D should at all times be IN
active cooperation with the Joint Committee in the
work Of revision. The Senate last Friday adopted tho
committees suggestion passing the resolution for the
appointment OF an advisory commission by large
majority.
To day. as already stated, the same resolution came
up in the Assembly II provides for the appointment Of
commission by Governor OF not less than threcuor
more than seven persons, TO revise the laws on taxa
on and the said committee ID 10 counsel with and aid
| the Joint Committee from time to time" As
| defined by the members OF the Joint Committee
to-day however, the phrase from time TO time" would
seem TO all the time" In fact from the speeehes
made, the members Of the Commission may rightly
think that they will be considered merely experts
on the taxation laws" by the Joint Committee on
Taxation. and will be held In subordinate position.
Mr.. AlvOrd opened the debate with speech earnestly
he thought the Senate had bcttled the Commission by
making it merely an advisory board.
Mr. Steele the author OF the resolution for the appoint
merit OF a commission. replied 10 Mr. Alv0rd.
Mr.. Aivord responded that he thought the men
selected for tho Commission would with great
luc;ance In such subordinate position.
Nr Warlug said that IN his opinion the Commission
ought 10 In constant communication with the Legs-
lature.
Mr. Baker, another member Of the Joint Committee,
thought Legislature had right ~ hand this duty
over to a commission.
Mr Skinner was OF the opinion that there shonld he
Commission and that the Legislature snOuld undertake
the task.
Mr. Brooks said that he was in favor OF Commission
Of three representing the peope-aarge the corpora
tons and the land -
Ex-Speaher Hustled said that the proposed Commission
was a degradation OF the Commission and he should
therefore vote against the resolution.
The resolution adopted by q vote OF ~ 10 %. As
IL had already passed by the Senate 1t 10
the Governor. An Immediate appointment VI the Com
misSlou may be expected.