The morning call., 1894-09-07

the individual he will not assent to with
out further evidence.
Guisseppi Onesti of the firm of G. Onesti
& Co., commission merchants, 5l9 Front
street, is equally certain that some clerk
in the Assessors Office has grudge against
him that he has undertaken to satisfy in
this petty and underband fashion. He
does not undertake to state names. but
says he has no doubt ii is a political griey-
ance and that it is not the first time be has
been harassed in this manner. though not
before from this source.
The affair reached a climax yesterday
afternoon In the private office of Chief
Deputy HerZ"r, where for the second time
the discussion over it nearly precipitated
an assault at arms.
Mr. Onesti had been assessed by Deputy
Newmeyer on his personal property, val
ued at $50, Onestl having made the return
himself and signed and made oath 10 IL in
proper fashion.
When he received a postal-caTd CON-
manding him to come and pay his taxes he
was surprised to see that his assessment
was upon $3.50.
He sent one Walter Meade to look the
matter up, and Meade has been in a peck
of trouble ever since. He could make no
progress whatever in securing a reduction
or an explanation, although he has been to
the office repeatedly for the purpose
Newmeyer told him in SO many words that
the assessment was $3.50, and on that he
would have to pay, and that was all
about II.
Meade demanded that the original as
sessment papers be shown him, and de-
manded it so insistently that, although it
was something of job to dig them out of
the mass, it was done, and they were pre-
sented with an air of triumph, G. Ones ii g
m a m ri DIR flxr
Self-returned assessment of $3.50.
Then Meade declared that Onesti had
never signed the paper, and when New
meyer inquired il he dared to intimate
that the paper had been forged Meade
simply reiterated that he knew Onesti
had never signed it.
Thereupon Newmeyer ordered him out of
the office, and Meade invited him to come
out with him and settle the matter be-
tween themselves In the magnificent court
OF the City Hall, so eminently fitted for
such semi-priVate affairs.
But Newmeyer refused to go, and
Meade retired and reported such poor
progress as he had made to Mr.. Onesti.
Mr.. Onesti encouraged him in his posi-
tion-that he had never signed any $3.50
assessment paper, but said that he had
properly signed paper in lead pencil.
Meade again returned to the City Hall and
asked t. see the paper, examined the sig
In studying the writing he discovered
that the figures. $3.50" for furniture, etc,
and ''S100' for piano had first been writ
ten in lead pencil and traced over in ink
in hand clearly not Mr.. Onestps.
He called Mr. Newmeye er's attention to
this, and offered to get a magnifying glass
and expert if necessary to prove tn at there
had been some juggling with the paper.
But all his efforts avalled nothing. He
was told that the records were there and
he could not get back Of them.
Then Ouesti himself put in an appear
ance yesterday afternoon and secured
what Mr.. Meads had not-a hearing by
Chief Deputy Herzer.
The well-thumbed assessment return
was brought out and Onesti was asked IL
that was his signature.
He said that il was.
Mr. Newmeyer demanded, with some
heat, why he had denied il then.
Onestl, looking steadily at the $3.50
assessment written in ink in large figures.
said that he had never denied his own sig
nature.
b "Bnt it was denied by your representa-
tive, said Newmeyer, with growing ex-
element.
''But he never did," said Meade. who
was sitting quietly by.
Never mind" said Herzer, sit is Onesti
that We haYs TO deal with noW-not this
man."
"But you said this was not his sigma
Lure. didn't you?" cried Newmeyer, turn
ing threateningly toward Meade.
Yes, dlG, said the latter. blowing a