The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1890-01-23
SEEK RELIEF.


FOR HELP FROM TRENTON.
An Appeal Board wanted-one That Is
Distinct from the City Tax Commits
sion.
From the Netc York World of today.)
The municipal appropriations for the
current fiscal year in Jersey City are the
largest on record The Tax Commission
ers reduced the rate of taxation and in
creased the valuation. The increase on
the total value approximated ten per
cent. 1t was not q uniform increase.
Large sections were assessed at the
valuation of former years. Much un-
desirable property which had been
rated too high was reduced. The increase
was scattered sporadically. The property
owners who suffered from the increase
were surprised. Many of them went to
the City Hall to assure themselves that
they were not victims of g. clerical error.
When they learned that the figures on
their tax bills were correct, according to
the assessment books, they appealed
The Commissioners of Appeals under the
new charter are the Tax Commissioners.
They made the valuations and were
naturally averse to reducing them.
Many of the appellants allege that they
were treated with scant courtesy by the
Commissioners. Some claimed to have
been insulted. Hundreds of complaining
taxpayers went to the City Hall They
were angry and indignant. They did not
wait to chose their words nor hesitate in
applping epithets. The lives of the Com
missioners were rendered miserable for
weeks.
Mass meetings were called and much
abuse of the Tax Commissioners ensued,
the outcome of the meetings being an APP
peal to the Mayor for the removal of the
commissioners There was q popular
impression that the Mayor had power un-
der the new charter to remove a commits
sioner. The Mayors power is limited to
making charges. hearing the defense
and sending the papers to the Gov
ernor. If the Governor signs the
order the Commissioner is thereby re-
moved. The committee was disappointed
but its members made many changes
against the Tax Commissioners. They
cited numerous instances of over and un-
der valuation. They claimed that many
OF the cases presented to the Mayor had
been the subject of ineffective petitions
to the Commissioners of Appeals, and
each asked the Mayor for redress He
could not help them.
The fundamental error Is in the city
charter. 1t provides that the Tax Com
missioners shall be Commissioners of Ap-
peals in cases of taxation. The appellate
body should not consist of the same per-
SONS whose decisions are appealed from
The right of appellancy is vitiated when
the appellant cannot remove his cause 60 q
higher tribunal. 1t would make no differ
encein the result IL the Tax Commissioners
were immaculate. The taxpayers would
not believe they were. Every taxpayer
who has been forced to pay more taxes
4I.4e H.. 1.<fa l..
that The assessed valuation of his prop
erty was governed either by spite or by
the rule of thumb. When taxpayers ap-
pealed they were asked if they
would sell their property for the as
sessed valuation. BY what right this
question was propounded does not ap-
pear. The law provides that property
shall be assessed by uniform rules, accord
ing to it's true value. The true value of a
mans house is the price 1t would bring if
sold. The little house which u man has
secured by hard work and practical econ
omy has value in his eyes which cannot be
measured in dollars and cents. Every brick
and every stick in it has a peculiar value.
One may represent his own efforts.
another his wife's self denial 1t has
been the realization of dream, the re-
suit of family's effort extending over
years, the birthplace OF the children, the
home for declining years. What would
iutu Sel1 HIS uUIIlc lOIf ne WILL nOC 6ell
it. The question is not fair. Ii is not
true value to rate it at cost plus senti-
meut.
How many appellants there have been
during the last four weeks is not known
not even to the Commissioners. Many
who went to the City Hall left it with
out a hearing when they saw and heard
the treatment of those ahead of them
in the line. Last year there were
1,545 appellants, and the total amount
taken from their assessed values was
81, ,213.535 This averaged about 1856
apiece and reduced the, lax levy about
$54, 900. Last year the Board of Finance
acted as Commissioners of Appeals. 1t
is alleged by the aggrieyed taxpayers
that there are more complainants this
year than ever before. Whether that is
true or not. it is true that there is q
very general complaint and de-
mand for relief. Men who work for
small salaries and save the money
by quarter and half-dollars with which
to pay their taxes are not patient when
their tax bills rise from $20.S0 ON 81, 600
valuation to $4160 on 1000 valuation.
No argument will avail to pacify. When
they appeal they do not want to go before
the men who raised their valuation. They
should not be compelled to do SO. 1t is
unjust, inequitable. The city charter
should be amended by the Legisla-
ture at it's coming session. Place the
powers of the Commissioners of Appeals
with the Finance Board or with the
Sinking Fund Commissioners-anyw
but where it is. In justice to the people,
in justice to the Tax Commissioners, pro-
vide an equitable appeal. Give the small
house-owner a chance. Do not make
them feel that they are helpless victims;
that it is misfortune to own house in