Morning journal and courier., 1884-12-24
COMMUNICATIONS.
Taxes, Taxes


 To the Editor of the JOURNAL. AND COURIER:
 Taxes are twenty per cent higher than they ought to be, tho majority of our citi- zens are ready to admit, but there has thus far been but little effort on the part of the government of the town or city, or remon- strance on the part of taxpayers, to obtain that suitable reduction of taxes called for by the hard times. It is no doubt owing to the ignorance, in part, of the citizens and the majority of the aldermen and Common Council and the Board of Edu cation as to what is absolutely necessary to be expended and what can be deferred or dis pensed with altogether. The times are dull and the cost of living high, and many find it hard to make the two ends meet; still our taxes are on the increase.
 Governor English in town meeting has been the first to accomplish anything towards 8 reduction of taxes, ,and for what he has done every good citizen and taxpayer should thank him. Rut much more remains to be done, and done effectively. All citizens should lend helping hand without regard to party or politics, for party has not so much to do with this as the pockets of taxpayers.
 Why spend $100, 900 in 1885, more or less, for the West river bank or Boulevard sewer when the whole matter can be postponed to better times without detriment to the city's interest? Have some one or more per- sons real estate in that section to be improved by it? Why was it necessary to build the Welch Normal school to educate forty teachers per year where only twenty one are wanted? Why was it necessary to build it at all? Has not too much power been given to the Board of Education if such large expenditures can be made without the citi- zens of New Haven being made aware of it and allowed voice in appropriating the money? Are such star chamber transactions consistent with our democratic institutions? We would advise every taxpayer to go to the next school meeting and vote for the discontinuanee of tho Normal school and the sale of the building. Should our High school be kept at such heavy cost? Should not the scholars pay moderate tui- ton and relieve the taxpayers of part of the burden, at least one-half? Is the State or town under any obligation to give anything more to the citizen by way of free education If the High school was school to teach de- serving young men and women trade, it would be a more benefcent institution than it now is both to them and the State. All salaries and expenses of the town and city officers should be reduced twenty per cent to comport with the hard times. Let the growth of the city and its improvements be a natural growth, not 6 forced one. The experiment of forcing the growth of 6 city by boulevard improve mentS has been fully tried Tn Newark and Elizabeth New Jersey, and the bogus plan played out. These cities are in an uneuvia- ble position, overburdened with taxation and the value of real estate paralyzed thereby, and of course natural and substantial growth stopped for an indefinite time in the future Are we not tending in the same directions Is our town and city government administered with that thrift and sagacity that attends the management of successful mans private affairs2
 Governor English says the Selden farm is not wanted, and so say the majority of tax payers Let it be soldi
 Why do not the citizens of both parties take some interest in the election of city i officers. Why is the Board of Aldermen and Common Council composed of men ignorant l in the management of business as a general thing, and largely of men who pay little or no taxess
 When the best and most intelligent citi- zens do not fill the offices of the government of a city or town, then look out for breakers ahead. My fellow citizens, tax