New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-04-06
THE TAXATION QUESTION.
VIEWS OF ASSEMBLYMAN DEYo.
THE TAXING OF REAL ESTATE AND PERSONAL
PRoPERTY-IMPoRTANcE OF THE MAT
TER-OUTLINES DE PRO.
POSED MEASURE

Albany April 5-Assembyman Deyo, of Broome
County, Is one of the leading Republican members
Of the Assembly, who has given the subject of taxa
ton great amount Of thought and study. His ideas
are especially valuable at this time inasmuch the
conference of Senators and Assemblymen last week
on this question shows that the Republicans in the
Legislature intend to respond TO the popular demand
for tax reform. Here is what Mr. Deyo said;
In the minds of the people of this state, the para
mount question that overshsdows all others to-day is
that Of equalization OF taxation between real and
excise labor disputes, strikes and party politics
10 majority of the voters subordinate In importance
question Of wise and economic expenditures of public
moneys, both in state and local affairs, has, in fact
prosperity Of the people under existing conditions
than any reform in the manner of raising revenues
nut that is neither here there. The people are
thoroughly aroused on the one question: while, I'M
fortunately their interest is not aroused on the other
stanaly the entire burden OF taxation, while personal
R I@Se while Under Existing laws both real and per-
sOnal property supposed TO be assessed at their
owing TO lack of vigilance on the part of officials the
dishonesty or cupdity Of men. or the defective ma
chinerv provided by statute, the rule Of the law Is
What are the facts9 In 1871 the total assessed
o ner % s broperty S452 eo 73 In 1850 the as
Sessed value of real estate had increased to S3213 ILL.,
sS And % & S NOR
knows that the amount Of personal property in this
in excess OF that sum- In the savings banks alone
there are deposits amounting TO nearly $2OO.OOO,OOO in
excess OF the total valuation of all the personal prop
erty OF this state returned by the assessors The
most conservative estimates place the actual value OF
assessed valuation Of real estate while Others place
at not less than $16,O0o,00oooo or four and half
OF property In the State If every taxable inlabtant
paid his just and equitable proportion of the taxes the
is real estate bears substantially all the burden, and
in our municipal matters for nro seEeT w sfG
good reason, that real estate shall pay the entire local
believe that personal property should pay its Just
share of taxation that proposition is now embodied IN
the awa9d that the homes Of our people S b%re1s
which they now bear The spirit OF 0ET fyors IN
who occupies it. The cOntentment and staplhy OF
our SS s people is LARGELY Of Suf Them SWS er OWE
homes Let a 6otheaded. radical Nfhilist-a com,
he becomes Conservative, lsw-abidng atizen.
II we assume the most conservative eSlmdte VI
an s All o Meee G paving s
without taxing dollar that not now a Tape OF ne e
emptOns allowed the taxes upon the homes
and stores and farms would not be to exceed 80 per
are correct the taxes would not exceed 20 per cent
reaching personal property now taxable is conceded
To be totally inadequate. Another serious defect III
property exempt from taxation on credit for the pur
pose of creating Just debt" upon which exemption
Is claimed. suppose am worth $4,000 Just before
the assessor calls go to my banker and purchase
with nv note Government bonds for $4,000 and leave
the bonds as collateral security for my note. The
assessor puts me down for $4,000; admit am
worth that amount but $1,000 OF that Is invested
in Government bonds. which are exempt, and ! am
owing at the bank $1,000, for which demand q re-
SSnSb il IS done for the express purpose Of evadng
taxation, still entitled, under the law to avalI
myself Of the exemption, and the result Is that
Pay Another defect in our tax laws complained of is
mortgage ncumbrance are required TO pay taxes upon
its entire value without deduction for Indebtedness,
the law to pay tax his security, thus compelling
to pay taxes upon What ne d0e moi ca oy sT'
Ii Is not strange that demagogueS should come forward
Tsr dsem tse for OF the h remed Rg evils with
the hope that this tide in the affairs OF men, they
'" The governor Of this State in his last annual
message recommended, at least suggested, the re
peal Of law wfh Of the amount Of the just
debts owing by him This recommendation was ncorpo-
by senator Linson and the other by Assembyman
Lane Of ostego County both thoroughly hon1t ana
Ensere men That scheme would have Imposed upon
every manufacturer, wholesale and retail dealer the
same injustice that real estate owners are now $9m-
planning Of II effort TO correct one evil by
causing another one and would have been disastrous
to business.
Another scheme recommended by the Governor was
permit an owner OF real estate to have deducted from
MS assessment the amount Of all specific liens upon
1t. without making any supplemental provision WHAT,
ever for the taxation of the incumbrance. several
bills are now before the Assembly having for their
object TO carry that scheme. That plan would not
be mpractcable unjust if it at the same time supple
mental provisions made for taxing the security
In the hands Of the person who held IT, but without
such provision the valuation of real estate would
vanish before the assessors eye like dew in the sun
Every farm and house and store would be covered
with fictitious mortgages; but with proper supple
mentary legislation this plan is feasible, and would
afford large degree of relief This method is now in
successful operation in several States.
will not mention the many other, to my mind. III
Legislature. My main object in calling attention to
these is to explain and emphasize my position on this
vexed and difficult problem. The mere fact that
such wild schemes find such strenuous advocates Is
proof of the condition of the public mind on this
question For the protection Of our business interests
it is absolutely necessary that something shall be done
You cannot push this question aside with the state
ment that those who demanding this reform repre-
sent but small majority of the taxable property OF
the do a a1 OF T P66o o ana %oF nGI of @e
an voS am R Tsd SS WORTH Of 6o6d sS my
then existing laws are evaded and the spirit and intent
Of the law violated. 49,
question is taken hold OF Ii time and something zone
to remedy conceded evils and inequalities the time
longer be able 10 direct the course of events Con
servave at this time sufficient TO satisfy
and sound craftsmanship as well TO direct the drift Of
events otherwise We shall have In this state repet
ton of the radically unsound and demlgoglca leels
ation Of the West. The tendency is strongly in that
direction.
posed 10 do nothing whatever on these questions.
They are playing win fire The oa tI Of the FIVE
Of giving the mOneyender force TO his argument
that he cannot afford to pay taxes on his money and
loan il at the legal rate, and by such means they
hope TO enable the owners Of personal property to
continue to evade bearing their share of the burdens
The facts and the argument are the side OF those
who urge tax reform. The State has now allowed too
long an nwhOesOme Discrimination against the
home and in favor Of the pOcketbOOk. The owner
ship Of the home should be encouraged by more
equitable tax laws. The man with al 900 invested
in his home is better citizen than he who carries
the same amount In his pocket.
] submit that the following measure might at this
time be enacted without imparng commercial in
tereSts:
l. No deductions should be allowed from assessed
afinng nj
chase of non taxable securities.
.. Deductions should be allowed from the assessed
valuations Of estate to the Of the value
Of specific liens upon IL, with supplemented pro
vision for the assessment Of the value Of the lien
where the real estate situated in order 10 preserve
the volume of assessed valuation; with the further
provision that such law should not affect existing
nnhnu iI. ilL.naI