New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-07-28
4 LAW THAT WORKED WELL.
TAX-LIFE IMPARTED TO NEW-JEDSEY
LANDS.
GOOD RESULTS or THE MARTIN ACT-POLITICAL
FORFCAsTs-wATER SUPPLY

HIGH LICTN Sc.

Trenton. y. j., July - (specall.-Thc work Of the
Adjustment Commissioners under the Martin act Is
nearing end in most Of the cities where this novel
law was adopted The Camden Commissioners were
discharged last week. and in Newark and New Bruins
wick the business has been completed. The cities OF
Newark, Elizabeth. jersey City and Camden found
themselves in 1--7 with a vast amount Of assets
upon which they could not realize. Assessments
had been levied previous 10 ISIS and mad not been
paid. Interest and taxes accumulated on them. and
they were bought in by the city. The tax tile Wa'
not wanted by anybody if The land had been
worth the amount OF city liens upon it. There was
no way to compromise. Renl estate had been dead
for years. speculation having ceased altogether, while
Of legitimate demand there little In 1856 there
began to De slight improvement, hut ii WIS hopeless b
attempt t. realize upon the property that was held
by the cities 1t anything like the face value OF tho
assessments At this jncturc the attention OF the
City Counsel of Newark and Elizabeth was directed
the successful working Of law passed for the bene-
fit Of brooklyn at Mayor Lows suggestion. IL was
the Mayors idea that the city should realize upon lis
assets, whether it resulted in los or not. In oricr
that the real estate might be restored to aNpaying
HE. Er0oklyn had pOspered amazingly under the
peculiar act, and bill drawn by tho city Iepr;-
sentatvcs for the application of me same principe
70 New Jersey. senator Martin Introduced It. and 1t
eventually became a law \ commission u three Tor
each city was appointed and good men were obtaned,
They had power adjust all assessments previous
10 l-sG. Il WAs work Of great delicary, the man
idea being get from the assessed property ~ much
Of the cy's dues as 1t oould paw, due regard being
had 10 the justice Of the original assessment. Tho
original Owner was t. have the privilege Of paying
the amount fixed by the adiusters, and II he failed
the property WIS 10 be sold. with perfect title to
the purchaser taking precedence OF all other lcus
The plan mjcht have been total failure tlcc or
four years carlicr II caused some protest as 1t was.
But real estate had bemn 20 move, and IL continued
10 increase in value steadily. The adjustments were
wisely made and the business was pushed to rapid
comp.ction The results have been altogether salts
factory The cite, have obtained hr-c sums that
had been considered lost and property which had paid
no taxes for years began 70 contribute lie share
Justice was done 10 owners aud they Improved the
lands that they had practically abandoned.
POLITICS ACROSS THE NORTH RIVER.
Tho political campaign has been GETTING form nnd
purpose since the eca Cirt cncunpmcut began. The
ebultfl phase is and viii continue TO be the ne"
Election law. which, f,F this year. Al l-.,t, VIII MAKE
betting results extremely dDudfpi in certain l''"h
til, where they wcrc formerly predicted with great
accuracy. Tho nominations for state senator while
they are Of chief Importance. are not getting much
discussion. They Will bc arranged later and IN
way that VIII not leave doubt a. 20 In" results, III
conventions 1T least. lH TIE Congressional districts
denominations VIII be tn rule f. al but two DISTRICTS
tile ia and NIlh In Oh" Id. Congressman Eu' "'i"'
lRcpJ Will De- opposed hy several c1udiiaic' 30 tNe
convention, and lu the NllrI Conrr" man N'\d''
ODemJ j, .ad Ia lee doomed Congressman Fowler
,pcn in the IVt would unlIc,touahly o.l of rnoni-
nation If the custom of -.ylas second term were
not overwhelmingly ir h- favor. Ia any case NE
will Dee made - i-ht for his houor-. representatives
Lchllach EDrtA,ih. Bergen and Go.,,cnfa'urr vi"
al be rcuom,uatcd without serious opposition, ana
the net result at election VIII probably leave iAo
ftHH Ifss "a Il -