The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-05-04
The Journals SANDERS Against
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the Finance Board.
The Eoening Journal made one of its
characteristic attacks on the Finance
Board, yesterday, in which, however,
it proved too much for its W pur-
poses. 1t started out to blame the
Finance Board because the years TIA X
levy would not realize as much money
as was expected, and, ended, by
showing that in anticipation of such
a deficit, the Board had left an ample
margin in its final estimate-also that
the efforts of the Board had been
largely discounted by unforeseen and
adverse circumstances.
1t is a first principle that every tax
levy falls short of its theoretic maxi
IN um. Some people secure reductions,
some fail to pay, in some years the
number who pay early and secure a
discount is very large. In every well
considered budget, liberal allowance
is made for these shortcomings, which
are as certain as the rotation of day
and night, and in the budget pre-
pared by our Finance Board for the
present fiscal year, an allowance which
may be roughly stated as $3.50, 900 was
made for deficiencies of income. The
Journal. states this clearly enough,
but still finds fault, whether because
&hz xy.AxriSsav xx,ny yt,o6n nr hnno1Cn If
was too much or just enough, does not
appear.
This year, the work of the Tax
Board has been the subject of an I'M
usually large number of assaults.
The State Board has ordered reduc-
tions to an absurd extent, and, in
many cases, with great injustice to
the general body of taxpayers. These
deductions from the levy were wholly
unexpected, They fall, largely, in
places where they were never dreamed
of. If they cause an unusually large
percentage of deficit in the tax levy;
surely the Finance Board is not to
blame.
The Journals article is merely a
phase Of the process of worrying
Democratic departments just because
they are Democratic, which Colonel
Wanser's backersa IRE eager to indulge
in, and which, we fear, he shows a
tendency to lend a hand to. We sim
cerely hope he will not do this. No
body cares much about the Journal !;
but in the interest of the City's credit,
we hope to see the new Mayor en-
deavor to act harmoniously with the
city boards, and not force on a fight
for fall campaign purposes.
Mayor Wanser and the Lamp Gang.
There have been various %inaccura-
Giles introduced into the arraignment
of Lamp Inspector Conk's working
force. These do not help the cause of
reform. When departments are as
sailed, the most scrupulous care
should be exercised in bringing the
attack down to a solid basis of fact.
Now the impression was given yester-
day-inadvertently, without doubt
that the lamp force consisted of eight
workmen besides the Inspector and a
clerk or driver, that is to say ten al
together. This is an exaggeration
which does no good. The number is
eight altogether. Again it was stated
that Conk received $125 a month. He
actually gets 800. The total payroll
was stated to be $512. 1t is really
$4S7.
Now we are not prepared to say that
all this force and all this expense are
necessary to do this work. But, if
reform is to be attained, it will not be
by means of statements whose mac
curacy is all on the side that favors
partisan ends. Mayor Wanser, for
his own sake, and above all things for
the sake of the city, should make his
attacks on abuses with mathematical
precision.
The question is just this: Was there
work enough during April to keep
Conk busy w enty-six week days of
eight hours each; to keep Clerk F. w.
Seeker busy twenty six days of
eight hours each and to keep
six laborers busy 80 worth per day for
twenty-six daysY If that question can
be answered in the affirmative, the
payroll ought to be signed. If it can
not be so answered, there is at least
ground for Mayor Wanser to insist on
a reduction of the force in May.
Mr.. Conk gives his answer and ex-
PLANTATION in another column of this
paper. They are worthy OF attention
from Mayor Wanser and all interested
parties.
Mr. Family Rum N ,rton's Wall.
Mr.. Family Rum Norton. who is
one of the Aldermen from the Second
District, made his protest against law
and order last night, at the meeting
Of the Board.
Il do not see what use licenses are
anyhow" said he, when those who
have them are not allowed to SELL"
He meant 'sell ON Sunday" His