The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1890-01-21

value.
There are rs other taxing districts In
the State, containing property used for
railroad n canal purposes. An gam
ination of the local tax rates therein for
1885 shows the following results
Per $1,000.
In Ia districts the tax rate was
between. .....-... ....... 5 8 90 and 5 z w
In 104 districts tho tax rate
was between. -......-..,-.. z 90 and 10 "
In 7s districts the tax rate was
between. 80. .......... 10 90 and Is 90
In 20 districts the tax rate was
In II districts the tax rate was
betwesn. ...-....-.....,.- ~ W and % W
In Z districts the tax rate was
between .-........-..-.-.. 25 90 and 80 %
Making an average tax
rate or -......--.....- . . per Tl,UVU
In these 245 taxing districts there was
located in 1883 sixty-fiye per cent. of the
real estate Of the main stem of
the railroads and of the waterways of the
canals. This real estate was valued at
S52, $50, 9S3. 20. These corporations pay ON
this property a tax to the State of one
half of one per cent, amounting to $685.
404,92, This property is exempt from all
local tax.
In the same 245 taxing districts there
was also located Is 40 per cent. of the
real estate used for railroad and canal
purposes other than main stem and
waterways. This was valued at $685.
04982. 1t paid a tax of one-half of one
per cent. for State purposes, Il a tax
for local uses at a rate not exceeding one
per cent.
The State tax on the above amount of
S8,612, 0f9 SO was. IL. 1900. So, 060 %
The local tax on this PROPERTY valued
at " .Sf2,0 49 81 was .............. G6,211 70
Making a total Of ........... sloo,s7a Of
The State tax paid on the real estate
on the main stem and water ways
in these sl5 districts was. ...... -. $3.50, 4o4 92
E" LL M.AFNLF-
Making a total tax paid on the real
estate used for railroad and canal
purposes in these a45 districts. $3.50, 678 60
This latter amount is all Tat these cor
porations paid on a total valuation of
$50. 493, 033. OF of real estate in these PAS
taxing districts. This would give an
average tax rate of GIL mills, or $6.11 on
each $1,000 of valuation. The value to
the companies of these exemptions in
these 245 taxing districts under the act of
1884, amounts to SIP. 1851. 80.
Ii the claim is made by the corporations
that in these districts the local assessors
do not tax real estate at its true value,
and that the State assessors do tax rail
road and canal property at its true value,
the question still remains as to the practi-
cal result of this difference, if it really
exists. II the local assessors assess only
sixty per cent. of the value of real
estate in these districts, then the
COIilDdul6S Z WOu1uH DO QlSCIlllllIGGcu
against therein 10 the extent of $7S, no. {.
This would still leave in the whole of the
275 taxing districts an advantage to the
companies over individuals of 1921, 1872. 90,
or over $30,000 more than the $4,000
which would be obtained by the addition
al State tax OF n mill on railroad and
canal property.
By the above statement it will be seen
that the franchises and personal property
OF the railroad ana canal companies, to
the extent of ST. ,638, 1888 u, are left entire
ly free from any local tax.
In view of the above facts, if the neces-
sites Of the State require this additional
revenue, it is for the Legislature to con.
slider whether or not the imposition of
this additional tax of one mill on railroad
and cana property cannot be levied with
out doing injustice to these corporations.
MISCELLANEOUS CORPORATIONS.
the estimated amount of tax from this
source for the ensuing fiscal year is
1925, 600. These taxes, in many cases, can
be judiciously increased, without injury
to the corporations or the business inter
ests of the State. The tax imposed upon
some Of the corporations under the pres
ent law does not bear a fair relation to
that Imposed upon others. The tax upon
certain classes of corporations ought to
be increased, so that from this source at
least $500, 900 can be secured.
COLLATERAL INHERITANCE TAX AND TAX
OF LEGACIEs.
Other States of the Union derive a sub
stantiai revenue from these sources.
There is no reason why they should not
yield a substantial revenue in this State.
1t is an imposition which will not be in
iuriously felt if a limitation is made so
that the tax shall not be imposed upon
amounts less than two thousand dollars.
| recommend the imposition of these
taxes.
EOTrAI
l am in favor of equal taxation upon in
d n corporate property. | favor
the continuance of the method of taxing
railroad and canal property under the
present system of assessment by a State
Board OF Assessors. The classification OF
this property under these acts, and the
mode of imposing the tax have been held
to be constitutional by the highest Court
of our State. The peculiar character of the
property involved makes the present
system q necessity, if honest and
fair results are to be obtain
six years has, / think, convinced all those
acquainted with the working of the pres
ent system, that the interests OF the State
are safer III the hands of a state Board of
Assessors, than they would be under any
other system. The State Board is non
partisan. 1t Is a tribunal where both the
State and the corporations may be heard,
and its decisions may be reviewed by ju-
dicial tribunals in whom all our cilizens
have entire confidence. The provisions of
the act should, however, be extended so
that localities which are affected by the
action of the State Board shall have a
right to review their proceedings.
The generaltaX acts, as affecting other |
classes of property. should, however, be
There are inequalities of assessment
and violations of the law by local tax u.s.
In many localities, which, in my
demand legislation. This leg
should provide, in certain cases,s
for a review of the work Of the local as
by State and County Boards.
There are undoubtedly unfair valuations
made by some of the local assessors.
and some tribunal beyond To-
cal influence should have the
power to remedy unfair assessments
which result, in some cases from neglect
of duty, and III others from a wilful
violation of the law by these officers, in
order to favor individuals or localities.
assessments by local officers may
them personally popular and
their continuance in Office, but
advantage is gained by a violation of
oaths of otfice, n at the expense
Of property owners in other localities.
The revision of the general tax laws
should not be dealt with in a hasty man
ner. Legislation on this subject should
be the result of thorough investigation
and careful thought. recommend to
the Legislature the appointment of a non
commission 10 examine this sub
iect and report to. the next Legislature
Tho HaFoofs IN tho nrac11nt fav in,.rS ND |