New-York tribune., 1891-05-03

THE DISPOSITION OT UH1AI HCNO
1t has not yet been decided what shall be
done with the refunded direct tax. The ques-
ton obviously is an important one-lt concerns
every citizen who is at all public-spirited.
The United States has returned to New-York
S2,20O 900. This is a great sum. How shall
it be spent so as to conserve the greatest good
of the greatest number? Two propositions have
been brought forward looking to its disburse-
ment Ore is that it shall be divided pro rata
among the counties the other that it shall be
kept intact and devoted to some one object
fraught with benefit to the people of New-YOrk
as whole. The first of these propositions was
given practical expression in measure which
was introduced at Albany Just before the final
adjournment. 1t provided that the refunded tax
fund should be split up into sixty pieces-a
piece for each one Of New-York's sixty counties
the basis of distribution being the amount
which each of them paid to the General Gov
ernment in 1862 under the valuation of prop
erty fixed in 1851. The other proposition which
was also presented in the Legislature took the
shape of a bill directing that the refunded tax
should be made the nucleus of fund to pro-
vide the State with new and improved highways
The TRIBUNE has already expressed the opin-
ion that the wiser course of the two would be
TO adopt what may be called for convenience
the State scheme of distribution. An examina-
ton of the bill which scatters the tax among the
sixty counties confirms us in this view Let
this bill become a law, and large part of the
Sc, 200, 600 would be frittered away. IL ap-
pears from the table of distribution which we
printed on Friday that thirteen of the counties
would receive less than SO, ,000-some CT them
considerably less Warren, for example, getting
only SO 273 43, and Hamilton only 1852 So.
It further appears from this table that twenty
three of the counties would receive between
$4,000 and $4,000, nine between $4,000
and $4,000, and six between $4,000 and
$40 900. Now, it is reasonable to conclude on
general princioles. apart from what was said at
Albany when the bill came up for discussion,
that the ffty-one counties in question in the
event of its passage would use these oompara-
lively small sums simply to reduce their re-
spective tax levies. But it is submitted that
they can do better than that. We believe that
il the counties could take vote they would
decide by large majority that while money to
| pay taxes is always acceptable they would great
ly prefer that the refunded tax should not be
| dribbled into their local treasures, but should
be employed to secure something of great perma-
nent value for the Empire State, of which they
all are a part and in which they an take so much
pride.
The refunded tax is one Of the outward and
visible emblems of the concrete patriotism OF
New-York. No tax was ever paid with greater
cheerfulness, since our people realized that il
was to be used to preserve the integrity of the
Union, the honor of the flag. They may well
feel, therefore, that the millions which have
come back to them should be treated with a
certain distinction that they should be made tt
conserve some high end involving the common
welfare. II has been suggested, as has beer
noted, that the fund be set apart for State roads
That would be to use it inteligently, patriot
ically, and with just appreciation of a serious
common need. Better roads mean greater gen.
eral comfort and more generally diffused pros
perity. Road reform is getting to be watch
word all over the country. and New-York may
properly be looked to to lead the way to its ac-
complishment. Another suggestion is that the
fund be uscd to provide NewYork with an
Adirondack Park. This suggestion has met with
the hearty approval of many of the most saga
cious and trustworthy citizens OF the State. and