New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-10-29

ia not trne that the increase I'm taxation is than
counted for by free canals and by his reserve Pocy Anu
on the authority of the Chairman OF the Democratic Se
Committee say that that committee will print 100000
copies of Mr. Davenports answer and circulate them IN
every school district In the State.
THE CONTROLLERS REPLY.
The attention of THE TRIBUNE being called to
this foolhardy challenge, it promptly addressed a
letter to Controller Davenport in relation to the
points in controversy, inclOsing the above-quoted
extract from Mr.. Chapins speech. The following is
Mr.. Davenport's answer:
CONTROLLERS OFFICE, !
ALBANY, Oct 27, 1SS3.S
To Mr.. WHITTIAw REID, Editor Of THE TRIBUNE.
DEAR SIR: The Hon. A. G. Chaplin calls me to
the witncss-stand for the purpose of proving that
1.-THE increase in taxation "-under this years
Democratic administration" is more than ac-
counted for by free canals and by his Ithe Repubi
can Controllersl reserve policy" Ianswerin words
used by Mr. Chaplin in the speech from which
4be above assertion is taken, that what he says Is
"false and misleading in spirit" To demOnstrateits
untrustwOrthy character / submit the following
facts. And in the first place, Mr.. Chaplin is much
TOO modest when he remarks that " the total amount
of taxation for this year 81, 100000 greater than
for the preceding year." The total amount OF SAID
increase is not only $2,0O0,0OO, but $2,OOO,OOO
S514S14 OF as a sum insignificant as properly TO
be lost sight of in dealing with the subject OF con-
trasted party admlnistratiOnsf
Similar inaccuracy, not to say disngcnuous-
ness, marks his explanation OF the causes
of this vast increase in taxation. 10
argue that "the increase Is more than ac-
oounted for by free canals and his 1.-THE Republic
can Controllersl reserve policy" is equivalent to
holding that, in reality, the Democrats nave
cut down the taxes. Indeed, in another
mart of his speech, Mr.. Chaplin directly
ofirms that "the Democratic administration
has reduced the expenses Of the government"
DENY IT, The Official figures reproduced below deny
il. Let us see:
The tax rate Of 1883 is 3.25 mills, making m 90, coz .,
n 5ne Tag Sggfgeae Enis o 5S was AS mills, max
ing the aggregate taxes es......-..'-.--- o'oZo,o-- 20
Increase in taxation year last. s25l4s4 OF
soUND CONSERVATIVE FISCAL POLICY.
Tn the Controllers annual report, transmitted 10
the legislature January o, 1888, the surplus OF
the general fund revenue, for the fiscal year ending
September 80 1883, is estimated at Sl,6S7,O73 "a
Assembly Document OF 1888, No 3, page 51).
Every cent of this handsome surplus was accumu-
lated under Republican administration, 1t was one
of the many wholesome practical fruits of the con-
troll of the Republicans in the Legislature and in
the chief fiscal department of our great Common
wealth. Now, had not the Republican policy OF
saving the surplus been maintained-and invite
the specal attention of every intelligent taxpayer
10 this consideratOn-this large sum could have
been drawn upon to reduce taxation IN 1882. III
such an expedent been TesOrted to- If the RepuDll-
can policy lad beeu to eat up rather than to save up
the surplus then of course the taxes for that year
would have been as fOllOwsi
Less general fund surplus. 1GS7O73 "a
for So l32,04S 30
To affirm that the Republicans did not draw upon
the surplus is to indicate that they were more IN
tent upon pursuing sound and conservative policy
in the management of the States finances than
upon accommodating sO-called party capital" Can
the Democrats who have held the Teins this year say
asmuchi They cannot. For to assist them III pro-
yiding for the expenses of government they did not
scruple to lift $65OO00 out of this surplus of the
general fund revenue-the savings, be it borne in
mind of Republican administration. Suppose they
had not done So suppose they had kept
their hands off the surplus, what then
Obviously the taxes this year would be
greater than they now are by $65O,OOO-that
is to say, they would be swollen TO S90S4,S3 81
In fne applying the rule In regard TO the sur
plus to both parties gives:
Tax for 1888 $g9s4 $50 ~
Excess OF taxation in 1883 over 1892 1851 1897 80
NO DECREASE IN EXPENSES BY TIE DEMOCRATS.
These figures cannot be distorted into meaning
ANYTHING else and they effectually dispose of the
desperate pretence that Democratic administration
has reduced the expenses of government this year.
The plain truth Is that Democratic administration
quite independent of " free canals and his lthe
Republican Controllersl reserve policy has
materially increased those expenses. Were
il not 80 our Democratic friends would
not have found it necessary 20 fall back upon sur
plus which had accumulated while their opponents
had the direction of fiscal affairs. In placing tins
surplus to their own credit as they invariably do,
so far as have followed the discussion, and which
they are compelled TO do to make out their case,
they are guilty of that which in the words Of Mr..
Chaplin is " false and misleading in spirit"
1t is TO be added-and it further exemplifes the
real relation of the Democratic administration OF
1883 to economy and the related virtues-that
notwithstanding the recommendation of the Con-
troller that 81 100000 Of the $l,Gs7, ,073 "a
constituting the surplus Of the general fund revenue
should be reserved TO meet the expenses of the Gov
eminent from October to April the Legislature at
tempted to take from the Treasury no less than
&1,25O,OOO of said surplus. BY reference TO chap
ters and 800 of the Laws of 1883 it will be seen
that 81 25O 900 is appropriated to the New Capitol
from unappropriated balances in the Treasury"
Had the scheme succeeded, had it not been for his
1.-THE Controllers reserve policy" that official would
to-day be compelled to 20 upon the street and borrow