New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-03-02
AFFAIRS IN NEW-JENakH.
THE AGITATION OVER THE NEW TAX Sill
PUBLIC SENTIMENT ARRAYED AGAINST IT
RACETR BILLs-woRK OF THE
LEGISLATURE

LEGISLATURE.
Trenton, N j., March 1.-The agitation over the new
Tax bill continues and is likely 10 last until the Legs
laure has adjourned. II Is confidently asserted tia
no bill can now be passed. but 1t Is more probable that
extensive amendments will be made end that meas
uro retaining something OF the FORM though differing
widely from the original in detail, win be enacted
The opposition to the comes from all classes
Of propery-owners. The business corporations, hav-
ing regular counsel to represent them. are naturally
most heard FROM but all companies are Affected Iherc
are many mote OF these In New-Jerscy than III any
other State, on account Of the liberal laws to"au
corporations But savings banks, State banks, Denen
cial societies. building and loan associatlons' are
all affected The individual taxpayer has been pro
tected by the amendment adopted by the Assembly
last Tuesday, by which exemption for all written obi-
cations is provided for further changes are to be
made by the judiciary Committee after public hearings.
There remains much curiosity rs to WHY an act
which would have revoutonized the taxing system OF
the State and made ii inconsistent with those OF oer
States should have been proposed 1t Is not dehied'
for instance that the new law would have maze Ine
insurance business quite impracticabe in the state.
The fact must have been recognized by Mr. Gummere
and the Attorney General who are said to nave drawn
the bill. 1t is fair question whether they meant 10
produce such convulslon as the law would Gauss
That they not above considering matters Oh Pooy
would seem TO be shown by the exemption Oh Isoau,
church and school property and personals luer *ZVo
from the operations OF the otherwise sweeping scheme
they presented This is all puzzle, for winch no
solution has been offered Governor Albeit has dur
ing the last week declared himself free from personal
responsibility for the details Of the act ana asserts
that he stands by the utterances Of his annual Message
Il Is certain that the Message does not bear the CON
strUcon which is given by the Tax COMMISSIONERS O
The object for which the Commission was appointed
to consider State and local taxation ana remedy
certain existing abuses 1t was apparent that an scV
was desired which would simplify the existing system an
and get 1t into shape that the assessor coud uder
stand It, that would provide independent boards OF
equalization that would make the assessor somewhat
independent of the influential taxpayer, at least, 'io
would define personal property and debts that shouu
be exempted clearly, and also establish the es'
mate of value that would secure statements from all
property owners and that would properly punish Iioso
who deliberately evadcd taxation by creating 1ctlouS
debts All this was and is still believed to be feasible,
without treating any business interest un1usy, WITHOUT
departing from methods familiar to the pupnc Vi s
and other States, and without ourdenlng ue o.ayo
with new offices interfering unduly win eIer pr!
yate affairs or local government 1t Is scarcely neces
slry 10 remark that the state commission Oll W. h
fu the conditions and yet there supposed 10 pc
perfect understand ng Of the general sentiment. The
intelligent opinion OF the state Is to-day @
in favor of getting down to system OF taxing actual
property that can and touched and 10 give up
the vain pursuit of evidences OF debt Shanceor NC
Gill, VceChancellor Htney and more than one Snoge
OF the Supreme Court have declared umS' "ithh '"
few weeks . ..,- ,tu
A hearing Is given upon the raoetrack DIS
in the Assembly Chamber tomorrow afternoon "a "A
largo delegation OF Elizabeth citizens, led ny tne
redoubtable Dr. Kempshal, the Presbyterian munster,
who has been at the head or the ntrace rack aGOduo
will be present The intrOducer OF the 1lls Is d
Thoroughly ,spected member from Monmouth county
Whatever may said OF the moral and legal quesuohs
involved, It Is certain that large majority Oh the
people would like to sec an arrangement maue Dy
which the Monmouth Park Association coud conuh
its racing without interference or annoyance ~ Is
also certain that Gutenberg Gloucester ana CnIton
have no defenders Or scarcely any, among fOse "hoSe
opinions command respect - Al,
There will be something OF a struggle over he
Assembly Reapportionment biz before IL becomes
law Essex is clearly entitled to en- addltlonal mem
her giving IL eleven in all but there Will DO oppOslon
10 taking one from MiddeseX or Burlington, Wincn
must be done to give Essex It's due. HUDSON VIII ee
lis additional member without opposition, ana SO Will
Camden The Democrats will at tile same TIME gerry
mander the State ,..,. . 60
The Governor has number Of nominations yet 70
make but is said to desire to delay them unul ne
learns the fate Of tho partisan legislation nc wants
There Is bitter struggle going on over some OF Lte
placcs and the party bosses are feeling the usual
effects OF attempts divde Official punder tnerc Dens
every assurance, as customary, that trey VIII MAKE
ten enemies to one friend by every appointment
'The Legislature will not get through with ts work
for four weeks yet, according TO common caculauon
There has been delay caused by the early adJournment
~ the senate That body has met at . O'Clock on
Monday evenings, held two hours session then, TWO
hours more on Tuesday morning, half an hour on tues
day afternoon and tnen adjourned for the week.