New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-11-01
THE BUDGET FOR NEXT YEAR
1T is NOT PASSED WITHOUT A PROTEST
PRESIDENT COLEMAN, OF THE TAX DEPART
MENT, CALLS ATTENTION TO 4 PECUilA"
METHOD OF DECREAsING ITS SIZE.

departments for 1891. was characterized by somc
unusual and seemingly unlooled-fOr excitement
The bolt which fell and created the con'ehuoh
had been forged by President Coleman. OF inc Ian
Department. as he said himself "only a IL"
minutes before the session
The total sum appropriated for keeping the Guy
government III motion during 1891 was given ny
Deputy Controller Storrs as footing up S34'ooo'-
1886 81, and the matter was about to be setIeu
at. that figure when Commissioner Coleman re-
marked that he intended to offer resolution eX-
panatory Of the reasons which had caused the
Tax Commissioners To increase the valuations OF
real estate in various parts of the city. TACT
which had been presented by the Fassett Com
mittee in way 10 reflect upon the department
of which he was the head.
Il never have had" Mr.. Coleman continued,
land l never will have the tax office used for
political purposes The Mayor, Controller Myers
and President Arnold began to look uneasy. Then
Mr.. Coleman continued, reading from paper
before him:
going in relation to the reduction OF the aX-rate,
and prominent therefor has been given as
1t appears 10 me THAI the people should be educated
as TO how this reduction was made. and the reasons
plainly set forth.
Last year, in making up the final budget, this Board
omitted 70 include $S59s3D -. The amount reAui a,
TO the state for state purposes and u 81 9lo Oh
the amount DE for Interest bonds held in trust by
The law requires that these sums should be raised
annually from taxation. Since that time decision
the Ss16 7G7 Al which stands law until re
yersed We are about emitting a large sum for TINS
tcrest due 10 the sinking Fund the bonds held by
it in trust for the city. These are the reasons why
l am Of the opinion that Withholding these things
from the tax budget Is misleading 10 the public. ana
alug .F fh f,fft hot nj Is
this Board discretion pay not the interest Oh the
bonds held in trust by the sinking Fund Is uncon
the court and compel 10 appropriate this sum. II
is clearly violation Of the contract. and the lTglS
lature has right to interfere as il Is part OF the
funds and thus placed TO the payment Oh the
city debt. ,,.- ..... .,,,,..
the confirmation Of this departmental estimate put
TO place myself right upon the records, VIII oneI
ask the advice OF the Corporation Counsel 80 that
may act intelIgenty upon the final esunnts
II that IS not done Will vote for the connfma'io Vi
To continue this mode of making mp the estimates
dOllars IL unwisc and dangerous ard l. for one 40
not wish 10 be party to it, and now offer resoIu-
That all necessary amounts required BY Law, to
he raised by the city by taxation be no" hserieu III
the budget for the current year
While reading this statement President Coleman
interiected an opinion to the effect that the
testimony given before the Fassett Committee by
Tax Commissioner Fcitner and Deputy Tax Com
missioner Perry, both Tammany representatives IN
the Tax Department, would tend to support the
claims Of the State Board of Assessors in the
courts. and that the city would soon be liable
to pay more State taxes than ever.
Mayor Grant was intensely displeased at Mr..
Colemans statement and deductions, and showed
his condition Of mind plainly.
Ii strikes mes he said, looking augrily M
the president of the Tax Department. that while
deprecsting political action, Mr.. Coemans state
ment and conduct at this time SAVIOR very much
of politics The act OF 1889 was approved, Mr.
Coleman by both yourself and MI Ivlhs III
makes very little difference whether you call
it politics or not, but your object in introducing
that resolution now is plainly known to me. can
tell YOU. This Board is entitled to ali the credit
il can get from the reduction OF the estimates
by 500, 900. and | intend that it shall have It,
President Coleman replied III firm tones hlle
I am member of this Board intend to try to
do my duty to the people. fully and honestly.
There is no political intention IN my acts.
"Of course not, the Mayor returned with a
sncer But the cap seems to fit YOU.
Controller Myers tried TO pour oil on the
troubled waters by saying Why not leave the
question to the courts We can decide in Decem-
Der about inserting these State items In the
budget"
If we are going 10 abandon our gain IN the
imdaet for the benefit of Mr.. COemans political
friends, Mr.. Grant said most earnestly ana
emphatically protest against SUCH action
Alr. Mayer said Mr.. Coleman severely, you
are all wrong in making such an lnslnratioh.
Whether you are Mayor or are not MAJ or am
resolved 10 do my duty am not cahli1'a'e
for Mayor and wouldn't accept nomination:
Mr. Grant gave another little sheer, and an
swcrcd The gentleman first advocates the Act
of 1859, and now wants us to abandon lis
aIftaN~g In
upon the political situation.
am perfectly sincere in my views, Mr. Cole
man replied looking liXedly at the Mayor, " and
do not believe that the act accomplished what II
was intended 10 do. | have worked hard and
faithfully. and my Office has not been in any
sense a sinecure - .
your action here to-day" Mr. Grant returned
Nobody has ever accused me of hesitation TO
express my views and when ] am wrong | am
moi afraid 10 acknowledge il. | only ask YOU u
read the testimony of the Tax Commissioners be
fore the Fassett Committee.
The Mayor said that the Beard was not bound
by what men say Oh tne witness stand, but by
II have been fighting was President Coleman's
reply for twenty years for the best interests
of New-Yorl City and It's people. Now my work
is done | will not take the responsibility 70
vote against the confirmation OF this departmental
estimate hut u place myself rg"t upon the record
will offer resolution u include these items in
the estimate and to ask the advice OF the Cor
poration Counsel 50 that We may act intellleently
npon the final estimates. II that is not done
will vote for the confirmation of the estimate
under protest. .,
Il don't care what you do under protest said
Mr.. Grant. so long yOC vote for the budge~
The roll was then called and Mr. Cocman's
resolution To insert the items left out of the budget
was lost the Mayor, Controller ana President
Arnold voting against ii. 5u' President Coleman
had accomplished bis object OF calling public
attention 10 the system Of leaving out portion
Of the budget for the purpose Of decreasing IL size
IT. was however, agreed by ali to accept ms propo-
siton asking the advice Of the Corporation Coun-
sci as 10 The plopriety Of inserting the rejected
items i'm December.
The provisional budget as finally settled is rs
follows:
Statement showing the appropriations made the year
1890 and allowed 70! all purposes the pro
yisional estimate for 1891
Amounts al ANTS allowed
lowed IN final In provisional
Objects and purposes. estimate for estimate for
1890. 1881.
The Mayoral-y -:.----.. go Oc0 90 @3DOYO ~
The Common COuEcil..---...-- 1d,SOO 90 10,euO ~
The Finance Department. 2Si,5Oe 90 292 ilo 90
SchooI. Tor tn STATE. 45l06n s3 $3.50 $50 ~
Interest cty dett 5,3O5 $40 so 5l0J,feJ 81