The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1890-07-26
c.S4is,9l
Inc 81, ,sTs,5aO Inc. .$Il4,44s T'linc s., ,sS7, 1888
Total increase for city:--R Realty, So, i25, ,S05;
personal, $5o6. 1S9 Total, 8.631, ,968.

THE SECOND DISTRICT DECREASE.
When Mr.. O'DOnnell read these figures
Unexplained that the decrease in reality
of the Second district was caused by the
recent decision of the Court of Errors,
which exemphs the Pennsylvania Rail
road Company's grain elevator from local
taxation, classifying it as railroad prop
erty. This, Mr.. O'Donnen said, took
$780, 900 ratables from this district. He
attributed the loss on personal property
in the First district TO the removal OF one
factory to Newark, the burning down Of
another establishment, and several other
business houses. The increases In the
city were due TO the equalization OF taxes,
laying out Of new clty lots, new build
ings and general increase In business.
The report was accepted and seemed to
meet the approval of the Commissioners,
although It was apparent that they ex-
pected a larger increase OF valuations
However no comment was then made and
the final acceptance Of the report will be
determined next Monday when the Com
missioners will meet TO fix the tax rate.
The concise and clearly stated report
from Jersey City formed q strong con-
trast to the final effort of Hoboken's Ma
poleon of finance, Assessor Dollard.
w hen Chairman Van Reipen asked Mr..
Dollard il he had his much amended and
final report prepared, that individual
evaded the question by saying he had
consulted Corporation Attorney Minturn
as to how the banks should be taxed, and
that Notwithstanding the advice of ex-
Senator Edwards, acting counsel to the
Commissioners, that national banks
should be taxed on the capital stock and
not on the realty, Mr.. Minturn had ad-
yised as lollows:-
MR. MINTURN's OPINION.
81 have concluded in the matter of the
assessment of National banks to advise
you to assess the land and buildings of
these institutions, notwithstanding the
provisions OF the act of 1887 The Legis-
lature, neither by thar act nor any other
legislation that has been brought to my
attention, intended to exempt business
institutions Of that character from sus-
tanning, there just proportion of the pub
lie burdens
Assessor Dollard said as soon as this
opinion had been read that he proposed
10 follow the advise of his counsel.
You may say to Mr. Mtnturn," said
Mr.. Van Reipen, that with ali oue re-
spect to him as lawyer, do not agree
with him on this question" Mr. Van
Reipen is bank president, himself. and
on the subject. Mr.. Van Reipen then
said that the Jersey City National banks
refused to have the valuations assessed
any other way and that they also acted
under legal instructions.
Besides" said he, lit is the law, and
whether IL SUITS H0pOken or nots IL must
be enforced. You will place Hoboken in
a position to have the entire tax levy up
set if you fail to follow the law in the
matter"
'.Weil, am acting under the advice of
counsel" said Dollard in bulldog man
ner
II would like to know what Mr.. Min
turn has to do with the matter at all, = in
teriected Commissioner Morgan, in a
tone that plainly denoted his disgust at
Dollard's proceedings.
'sMr. Dollard,h said Chairman Van
Reipen, In cold, sarcastic manner,
when you are prepared to report, and re-
port correctly. it will no doubt be re-
ceiyed by the Commissioners, If the re-
port is made in time"