Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-04-14
IN THE FRONT RANK,
Allegheny County's Debt Al
most Extinguished and
Her Valuation
NEARLY HALF A BILLION
The State Treasury Helps Along by
Sending in a Big Rebate.
COUNTY TAXES TO BE REDUCED.
Big School Appropriations That Relieve
the Taxpayers.
PERSONALLY BEARING THE BURDEN

Allegne1Y county ~ comlug W the HoA1
as section Of the State noted for low taxes.
This may not be true of the city, where the
valuations have been greatly increased, but
it will apply to the county taxes The
time is near at hand when the present mill
age of ~ will be cut still lower. Indeed
it will be badly ripped up
next year for the general relief
of the taxpayer. The County Commission
ers take great pleasure in telling citizens of
what is in store for them in the future.
Other counties are loaded with debt, but
after this year Allegheny will be free of all
burdens
1t will surprise most people to learn that
the county valuation is nearing the half
billion mark. A great stir was made few
years ago when the quarter billion line was
reached. This is a mighty big sum of
money, and the average man will become
bewildered in trying to comprehend it. OF
course, as the county develops, expenses in
crease and property grows in value; but as
more than in the former.
Great Consolation to Kickers.
A reduction of county taxes in decreas-
ing geometric ratio would be a pleasing
picture to contemplate. If there is any
thing the citizen likes best it is a cut in his
annual payments to support the municipal
ity and the State. The County Commits
sioners have adopted a playful habit of
consoling kickers by telling them that their
taxes will be less next year than this season,
and it is possible that in time these annual
charges on property viii be SO greatly re-
duced as to become merely nominal. This
reasoning would be true theoretically if the
taxpayer lived 1000 years or more, but, as
the average stretch of human life is only 80
winters, people will continue to pay taxes
as of yore.
But it is fact that the county taxes for
next year will be lower. A gentleman from
the rural section of the county was growl-
ing to Mr. Mercer yesterday about the high
taxes. "Ah, well, replied the Commits
sioner, complacently, "your county taxes
won't be half as high next year." and then
he explained how he figured. His reason
ing will be satisfactory to some, but not
cheerful to others, as the money must come
out of somebody's pocket anyhow. 1t may
be more Just equalization of taxation, and
this will be consolation to the farmers
who complain that for years they have
stood more than their share of the burden
of taxation.
A Big Payment to the County.
Last week Allegheny county received
rebate of $50, 900 from the State, as its share
of State taxes paid to be returned under
the old law This money could have been had
last December, but Mr.. Mercer said it was
the Commissioners fault that they did not
get it before. In the future by prompt
payments the rebate can be obtained during
the holiday time. The valuation of per-
sonal property in Allegheny county, on
which State taxes are collected is about
S52, 600, 900. 1t is not known what it will
be this year, but it is safe to say it won't be
less. Three mills are charged on this valu-
alton by the State, so that Allegheny coun-
ty's share of the tax last year was s156, 600.
OF this sum, under the old law, one-third is
returned for the use of the county as
rebate This money, S52, 900, for 1891, was
received last week by the Com
missioners The Legislature, however,
changed the law. Hereafter the millage
for State taxes will be four mills, and three
tourths of the amount will be returned to
the county. Under this act Allegheny's
tax will be 5000, 600, and S150, 900 of it will
come back With this sum and the $50, 900 |
already received, the Commissioners will !
have on hand about 100000 with which to
start next year.
Now the county millage is ~, and the
current expenses are in round numbers |
$3.50, 900. This amount must be raised an
nually in addition to the debts to be pro- |
vided for.
wipins Out the Bonded Indebtedness.
The sum remaining to be paid on the |
Court House is $235, 900, and it has been de- |
cided to build power house this year to |
run the boilers costing SIC, 900. This amount ,
has been added to the current expenses,
making about $500 as the sum to be
raised by taxation in 1892.
Originally bonds for $500, 600 were issued |
to cover the Court House Indebtedness, and
a sinking fund was established. With the
payment of the S235 600 and the building of |
the power house this year, it will leave the
county practically free of debt Then the
current expenses of $45O,000, minus the
5000, 900 returned by the State as rebate on
State taxes, is what the county will have to
raise next year. That is, about $3.50, 900
will be needed. and of course the taxes will
be reduced in proportion.
This is how Mr. Mercer reasons on the
subject: Unless additional expenses
should be incurred, the tax levy
for 1898 will not be large. Besides
the rebate from the State will continue to
come in and Tighten the burdens of county
taxation, to say the least. Why this re-
bate money should not be returned to the
holders of personal property must be ex-
planned by the Legislature. However, the
general opinion is that real estate has too
long been the mainstay of the government,
both State and local. Personal property
should stand its share of taxation.
Cutting Down the School Taxes.
Another feature of this tax discussion that
will not only benefit the people in Allegheny
connty, but in the whole State, is the
of the school fund. The
amount given to the various school districts
used to be s., ,00O, 600 annually, but the sum
will be S. 600, ,00O Allegheny county
will come in for its share, and the increased
fund will reduce the school expenses that
much.
Another good point is that the sinking
fund of the State has been practically wiped
out. 1t is estimated that $lOO 900 annually
reserved for 20 years will be sufficient to pay
the State debt when the bonds mature, |
There is no reason, therefore, why the
present rate of mills for State taxes should
continue for many years, and the Legisla-
ture will find occasion to reduce the rate |
The money will not be needed to pay current |
expenses alone.
Reduced Crops Expected. +
B. f. veaoh, one of the ex-Presidents of