The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1890-12-18
A SWEET ROW.
The Tax Commissioners
Defend Their Va1ua-
y tion of Sugar House
Property.
pITICIANS lNTERCEDED.
Stalled Arguments in Reply
to Allan MeDermott's Brief
Are Not Vouchsafed.
LI7ICIANS lNTERCEDED.
More Comparisons Which Seem TO
q Prove Discrimination Against
the Refinery.

The appeal made by the Matthiessen &
weichers Sugar Refining Company from
the tax value placed on their property by
the Ring Tax Board OF the city is attract
ing wide attention on all sides. The par
ticular significance is that it serves to
show the methods OF initiation by which
the Ring government of this city has.
while keeping the tax rate
within the fateful three per
cent. limit. managed to screw
as much out of the taxpayers as 1t
needs TO cover its extravagance and cor
ruptions. THE NEws-when the Ring
papers were blowing every day, and loud
ly, about the shade Of reduction in the
tax rate-a shady reduction it was. too
advised the taxpayers that the other ele-
ment Of the combination had not yet
been given out, and warned them, before
they went into commissions of delight
over the prospect of reduced tax bills, to
wait till they had seen the valuations.
FAKING THE TAX LEVY.
The plan of finance followed by the
Ring, is as disgraceful as 1t Is phenom-
email. The two factors, of tax rate and
] VAluEllOub, dIt VtO0abE0 " CAPAAAh
where it is getting the money it is spend
ing. It doesn't make any difference how
shallow or insecure the valuation multi
pie may be. II anything is Topped off or
dropped out the resources of the city are
reduced to that extent, of course. But,
then ner credit is excellent, and the
Ring can easily get all the spending
money it wants by cleaning out her sink
tng funds or running her into debt
l The valuations placed upon the sugar
tlouse property were fixed IN persuance
pf this delusiye and ruinous policy. The
Ring knows-must know-that II cannot
possibly maintain a valuation of that
property that IS equal to twice the
value fixed on property precisely the
same character contiguous aud ali around
but then it answers the purpose TO put IL
mp to whatever figure is necessary TO
yield n low rate anu leave whatever de-
1ficlency the adjustment may result in to
beeoi4le part OF the city debt.
AT THE WORKS
When NEWS reporter visited the works
this morning TO learn the views OF The
proprietors, one Of the chief officials was
seem He was reluctant to talk, because
the matter is in the hands of counsel, and
he doubted that, even II ne did talk, he
could add anything to the case as pre-
sented in Mr.. McDermotJ's brief. He
did say. however, that when the firm
noticed that the valuation OF last
year were increased over the
figares of the year before,
IL appeared to be an imposition, but the
firm Yielded ana paid its bill. Intima-
tions of all kinds were dropped last sum
mer as TO how the firm would fare this
Year. One said the property would be
valued about AS u was last year; another,
that it might he increased little; an
other, that it might be decreased q little.
The firm had no idea as TO which tntlma-
tion was the right one till it received it's
tax bill-after election, and then it was
stunDedl
The gentleman who was seen had no
idea why the company had been singled
out for this great imposition. IL is one or
the best customers the city has. Its water
bills alone approximate 100000 year.
Its tax payments are ALWAYS liberal. And
though he neither said nor tntimated it,
it may be added that the firm are enthusi-
astic Democrats, aud their hundreds of
hands contribute considerably to the
Democratic majority in the city,
RETICENT TAX OFFICERS.
When the NEWS man sought the Office
of the lax Board for information aud ex-
PLANTATION, he was soon made to feel that
his absence was more desirable than his
company. The Commissioners were all
as busy as they could be. They had their
hands full with the flood of taxpayers
that poured in to protest against their
tax bills. Commissioner Lawrence prac-
the Sugar House case at all.
Prigge showed his bald head vigorously.
He mad no time to bestoW upon news
Laper men and sugar house protests.
Even President O'Donuell was disln-
clieed to say much; but his tongue finally |
got TO wagging ana he said a good deal |
in defense of the Tax Board faction. 1T |
Is not very great outrage" he said when |
he Matthiessen himself swore to the |
Senate Committee when it was inyes-
81 n Dlanf |
was worth 81. .000, 600. Now, what would |
YOU cali plant? Isn't the plant of his |
business right here in this city,"
He attacked the policy and fairness of |
the comparisons made IN Judge McDer- |
motifs brief.
How" he asked "can you say that the |
values fixed ON this water front is unfair |
because the value of a block IN the heart |
of the city is SO and So The basis for |
comparison is wanting. and the compari- |
sou Is not possible"
Finally lie unrolled a series of maps |
and located it for the reporters gaze. |
There was one little patch belonging |
To the firm that had been assessed TO the |
city. The firm will pay the tax on It this |
year. A patch that formerly belonged TO |
Gautier had been absorbed by the sugar |
peoI lie. The $4,000 for which this was |
appraised was one OF the items. IN the COM |
planned of increase.
WORTH 1T WITHOUT BRICK
O'Donnell interjected at this point, .'and |
they could be sold for more than We have |
assessed the whole business Tor. There is |
not a piece of property in the First district |
which has not been j .cked up'' in value. |
The increase put on the sugar people just /
keeps pace with the increases put on |
every one else. Get the figures and look |
AT them for yourself"
"When we were about to fix the value |
OF that property" Commissioner Law
T.. ,xrffs Ar
Malthiessen to come here and talk 1t |
over with US. He did not come, but he |
sent no end of politicians 10 argue with
u.s."
Like whom, for instanceT the re-
porter interrupted.
100 names are 10 be giyen.n cautioned
O'Donnell, and SO the pursuit of tnat
branch Of the enquiry was cut short.
Mr.. O'Donneil added that the sugar
II