The Washington critic., 1890-02-24
Mr.. WARNER COMES BACK.

Editor Critic; You make IL appear in
your editorial paralleling that | reflected
unfavorably upon our local government.
Permit me to say, in plain Engl'sH, that l
consider our municipal affairs have bee OF
late years exceedingly well administered;
that our Commissioners have been, as rule,
exceptionally high toned and competent
men, who have copscientiously worked for
the good of the District and its inhabi
tants. They have been human, afflicted
with the same traits that marked their
fellow citizens, deriving power from
legislative body disposed to criticize, as
well as economize, and without the slight
est accountability to the people affected by
the exercise of their law making functions.
On the other hand, they have been under
the surveillance of thousands OF private
critics, the fatherhood of whose sentiments
could be easily traced to personal interests,
and whose accusations have had weight
and influence with Congress. We
have progressed, however; all our
institutions have improved; deTec S
have been remedied; our city grown IN ore
attractive in every feature; our sinking
fund increased in size; our revenue for an
nual expenditures larger. Outsiders have
been more or less influenced in locating
here by the permanency and security
which characterizes our local government,
and the absence of political conditions
which in many other cities jeopardize
social as well as financial interests.
A large number of people of moderate
r
health and pleasure. In many cases, to my
knowledge, investments have been made
because our burdens from taxation were
moderate and not extreme. There is less
reason now for heavy taxation than ever
existed before, the demands of our local
treasury are not only met, but we have
something to spare for such unlocked
for contingencies as are always call
ing for appropriations in a rapidly
growing city; our sinking funds annually
preparing 10 liquidate our Indebtedness,
and our permanent taxable wealth is being
wonderfully enlarged. Now, with no ai,-
parent necessity for additional burdens
why advocate them? They viii fall heag giesl
upon those of limited means, large take
upon centrally-located property, till the
owner whose income Is SO small tint hc
must sell and 60 out to the suburbs where
the load will be lighter.
There has not been and there cannot bt
any discrimination in the rating betwdei
the poor and the rich. Every proper
owner has the right of appeal when val l D.
are changed, and what assessor or Board OF
| Revision would discriminate between tax
payers because Of wealth or influence?
Human judgment is imperfect, but take
our whole tax list and examine il
carefully and the average will b,
in favor OF the judgment and integrity o!
| the rating.
have been well acquainted with hun.
dreds of tax payers for years, my business
connections have been largely with men OF
moderate means in all sections of the city
and the complaints to which j have listened
| have beei., as q rule, because of assess
ments that were too high. l have knowr
owners to part with their property II
hundreds of cases for this reason
am in favor of our presen
system of assessments as opposed to tn,
appointment of permanent Board of As
SCISSORS.
We might as well have a permanen
board of jurors, whose experience woult
better qualify them to sit in judgment
on their fellow citizens We shall b,
more likely to secure fair con
sideration, and justice to the Gov
ernment and citizens alike, at th
hands of assessors appointed every thre
years from among our people, and wht
would Rot be nearly as arbitrary In thei
judgment as those permanently imbedde(
in official powers, then information woul(
come from widely-diffused experience.
would be in favor Of law limiting thu
values at which fine residences and costll
buildings should be taxed, SO that thu
man who contributed to the adornment ant
l. x41 -. 4
be compelled to pay for his enterprise ant
public spirit many times more than th
property-owner whose adjacent possession
occupying the same era are allowed to re
main unimproved and often In disgrace
full condition; to remit taxes upon manu-
fac turing establishments for the first fey
years Of their existence.
The assessment of lots should not b
doubled just because they are ornamente,
by fine buildings.
Taxation should not be laid as penalt
for improvements, or discouragement t.
enterprise. Baltimore is groaning unde
the burden of high taxes; its prosperity i
retarded, and its future uncertain.
1t may bea good thing to discuss taxation
as question, but do not assume that on
local government is poorly administered
that because of some defects our Who'll
system is imperfect; that the high fig
ures incident to boom should be take
as the basis in making assessments
that our assessors who have been, as
rule, honest and intelligent citizens, hav
discIin mated Intentionally against an
class; that the cash value Of real estate /
making up the assessment list should
determined by what one piece would brin
If exposed for sale under the mos
advantageous circumstances. What woul
reasonable amount of property bring
exposed to public auction to pay the take
due upon itP Values would shrink from Q
to so per cent. with the opening Of such
sale. We think differently, and unite TO
"the other side.' Yours truly,
II II WApNED