New-York tribune., 1885-02-02
CRITICISMS BY MAYOR EDISON.
n,ss.rsv,rp WITH THE REPORT or THE TAX De

DIssATIsyIFD WITH THE REPORT OF THE TAX DE-
pAnrMESr-,sKIYG SOME QUESTIONS.
The Mayor has received from the Tax Com
rss,ioners the following as their quarterly report
aThst On the first Monday OF September lssi' the
Deputy Tax Commissioner, in conformity with law DC
gins the assessment for purposes of taxation of AL 'ne
taxable property the districts respectively asgnc" 10
them for that purpose by the Commissioners oi lahe
and Assessments. is substantially completed ana the
Books of Annual Record and Assessed Valuations oil Real
and Personal Estate for 1855 will be opened Tor seo
ton and correction the second Monday OF January
1885 as required by law. Since the books containing
the assessment rolls of the year 1854 delivered TO
the Receiver OF Taxes, the Commissioners oil taxes anu
Assessments under the authority conferred upon them ~
the provisions of Section s22 of the NewIork Consoda
finn act of 1852 have RENTED taxes for 1884, in ni
two instances the amount so RENTED being Sl|9ol 90
Mayor Grace wrote long letter n reply III when he
severely criticized the Tax Commissioners FOR the
meagreness OF their report. II should show he says
the districts referred to with the names of the Deputy
Tax Commission who have made the assessment.
The increase or decrease in valuations OF real and per
sona estate made by them in their respective districts
tor the year 1885, should have been sci iortn ID CON-
parson with those of 1884 Besides, the total valuation
made should have been specihed Atter mentioning
several her points In respect which the Mayor says
tue report Is defective he asks the Ini'ssohers 10
transmit 10 him statement OF the work done 10y the
Board TOR the last three years Win an the details "cn
lacking the present report Ihe Mayor men anus
there any, when the Deputy TaN Commissioners nave
COMPLETED their annual valuation. Ot promptly puhhsh-
ing in me City Rrcord "A full statrmcnt showing the
proposed assessed value OF each parcel of lana WITHIN
TO the block. wafi ana strtel
number thereof and the assessed owner By such pup
llcatiOr n possible and thereafter Of the revised st
property owners Interested and taxpayers generally.
would have ample opportunity for examination ot the
character Of the work done by your department; aul
any inaccuracies inequalities or errors would be more
likely TO be drawn your attention. and the taxes when
levied he less oIcn to the usual criticism oil injustice.
inequality or carelessness. .
For tile same reason IL would seem 70 he advisable TO
publish a statement Of the parties, ps~sOns aud com
panies assessed fOI personal taxes. desire you TO
transmit detailed statement OF the property valued uy
the Deputy Tax Commissioners but not taxed, ana
marked exempt" upon your records. Exemption OF
any form the burden OF the support ol the
Government which protects and cares for all should
rarely II ever be conceded aud while the department
cannot alter legislation In this pect great care should
exercised that the eXon tOn should not be extended
beyond the measures specifically furnished by tue
relating thereto; and that the attention OF the
law-making power should be promptly called to the
existence OF fact circumstances coming 10 your
knowledge jusiying "a request by the corporation 10
repeal or limit such exemption
In conclusion the Mayor asks to be informed what
action if any. the Tax Department has taken IN regard
TO taxation for 1885 Of street surface and elevated
railways.