New-York tribune., 1891-12-20
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAIL
POLITICS AND TAXATION.
WOULD A LISTING TAX LAW BE BENEFIc1ALf
A REPLY IN THE NEGATIVE.


"A REPLY IN THE NEGATIVE.
TO tho Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: The communication from "a Fnrmer' OF
Farmers Village, in your issue of November 90. IS
calculated to mslead and do much harm. Let us
consider whether the farmers are not making ms'aN'
IT, stated, the true reason for the apathy WHICH
prevailed in the rural districts throughout the sta'e Al
the last election Is really on account OF the iai"e
Of the Legislature to pass Senator Erwns Listing Tax
bill, and other measures equally searching In inc
matter OF taxing personal property. do Eot chafse
either Mr.. Fassett Mr. Flower with opposing SUCH
measures from any personal motives. 1ley oppos'
them because they believe them to be deleterous 10
the good of the State and they are correct III 'ne
belief and IL Farmer will but look at the result
of such personal tax laws in lennsylvania' Massa-
chuscts and o few other States, and note the sherih
sales, and abandonment OF farm property, ne coud
hardly wish for such laws here.
No one disputes the fact that the bulk OF the
personal property In this State escapes TAXATION nor
can n be disputed that much larger percentage es-
capes in this and other largo cities of the state Than
in the country districts The reason Is plan-it cannot
escape the x-gatferers In the country district 1t
and does escape In the city, hencc the hadsp 10
the former the personal property VIII go where IL cH
escape and the farmer is left without capital ana HIS
farming is like every other business would be, failure
because OF the lack of that capital All this Is because
our tax laws are lax and indefinite, and are not
personal property but sufficiently so TO reach
much larger percentage in the country than IN the
city. Enact an Erwin Listing Tax bill and you VIII
drive the personal property from this state 10 some
other where 1t will be welcomed by more enlightened
community that win grow rich on It, and the ALREADY
heavy burden Of the farmer here will he Increased ana
his business still further crippled for need OF that
very personal property which has been driven away
Repeal some OF the personal-tax laws, thereby giving
relief and encouragement to capital and the real es'"e
which Is now paying large proportion OF oil the taxes
OF the State and would be much better able 10 piy
even larger proportion. The presence OF more per
sona property would increase our business, ana hehce
would increase the value Of our real estate ana the
ability OF that real estate TO pay taxes THIS result
wouId be most apparent in the country DISTRICTS where
the tax laws are most efectual and the persecu
ton of personal property consequently the greatest
Let rs take some of Farmers" hgures-he quotes from
the Controllers report for taxation for the year lsoo
assessed valuation for the State Personal S3eo'a@o
131 real, SO, ,oOs 800 931. Let us anayze this tak
ing the New-York City assessmsnts from the Commls
sioners' report separately, In this city the largest
proportion Of personal property Is generally supposed
10 escape taxation and we have the following:
REAL ESTATE
S.,v vo,k ritv 81 ,29O,OOT