The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-08-16

hICtAt, 00b bACAO az Az PtOoOhr SSo
to hope for anything but an infam-
GUS termination to the career of this
body.
But we hope great things from the
next one.
The Reduced Tax Levy-splendid
Work OF the City Government.
Two Sundays ago the Herald had a
somewhat hasty and INSCRIPTIONS
criticism of the then prospective Jer-
sey City tax levy. Condensed into a
sentence the burden was that al
though the tax rate would be reduced,
more money than ever would be ex-
torted from the citizens, through
wholesale increases in the assessed
valuations.
The facts are all before the public
now. and the -erroneousness of this
assertion is proven. The tax rate, to
begin with, is $27.20 on the thousand.
against $3.50 last year, a reduction
of ninety cents on every Thousand
dollars, or 8 3-11 per cent. of the tax
rate. This in itself is a gain. 1t
means a good deal to large taxpayers.
1t is a sign of the right spirit in the
city government and it is a guarantee
of still better things in the future.
But the property valuation has not
been materially increased. Here are
the figures
Rateables, 1892-3........... $50, 01S, sos
1S93-4........... 80, 100, 900
Increase S1,405
OF course this increase is insignif-
cant. As a matter of simple arithme-
tic, the amount to be raised by taxa
ton this year is 50, S37, 800. Last year
it was So, Ala, 527. SO, showing a decrease
this year of SRI, 027. 93.
This is an extraordinary result. 1t
covers Mayor Wanser and the present
Board of Finance with honor. This
is real reform. 1t is the sort that
reaches the peoples hearts and
pockets.
II the county rate had been kept
QONA tAiO yCai ~ idoG yCaA A6oASS,
the reduction in the gross rate would
have been much better. AS it is, it
showed a marked increase, accentua-
ting the good work of the city officials.
Here are the facts:-
The county rate last year was 81. 80;
this year it is So. 30; increase, so cents.
The school rate last year was 81. 90;
this year it is So. 20, a saving of 20
cents.
The city rate last year was $40. 20;
this year it is $3.50; reduction, 81. 20.
1t is impossible to say more This
is a case where facts talk.
CORPORATION Counsel Edwards, it
is announced, is drafting the necessary
papers preliminary to the opening of
Thirteenth street to the Hill. We
are glad to see that a beginning has
been made in the matter of this i'm
portant Improvement. It should be
pushed rapidly and steadily to COM
pletion. Mr.. Edwards should see to
1t that no delay takes place in the
legal formalities, and then the prop
erty owners themselves should take
the Street and Water Board in hand
and convince the high and mighty
gentlemen who constitute that body
that the hour of jugglery and delay
has gone by.
The property wner of the district
beyond Pavonia avenue have been
badly treated in many respects. The
development of their holdings has
been hindered by bad and neglectful
city administration. If they cannot
wake up the Street and Water Board
any other way, let them prefer
charges to Mayor Wanser, who will
afford them speedy relief.
As for the matter of the Erie Tracks,
it is plain Messrs. Madden, Cook, Yoe,
Dugan and Somers have concluded to
let it drop. Doubtless the arguments
Of the corporation lawyers have been
Of a convincing nature. But the
property owners must not let the sub
ject drop. 1t took many years to ac-
roinplish the Pennsylvania Railroad
slevation. 1t may take years in this
case too. but the result a be
reached If the people are determined.
THE Behring Sea decision appe airs
TO be a very remarkable product of
judicial diplomacy. To judge from
The published utterances it is an over
whelming victory for both sides. Both
gets substantially, all that they
claimed and more than thy hoped
for. Practically it seems to be all
right. The wanton, wasteful and
cruel slaughter Of the seals is to be
stopped and that is the main point.
Peace hath her victories as we'll as
war" and the peaceful victories have
At least this advantage over the mar
tial ones, that thy cost a good deal
less.
TIE Republicans appear to have q
rare opportunity now to show their
I patriotism. 1t looks as If some be-
nightod democrats in the Senate were
going to embarrass the repeal OF the