Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-11-12
MUNICIPAL REBORN.
The Method of Collecting Taxes ana
 Assessments CrItized.

Assessments CrItIzed.
 The Fair Reporter. little paper pub fished in the interest of the fair ot the Sacred Heart church. discussed several matters of local interest Saturday. In reference to the system of collecting taxes and assessments The Reporter says:
 In connection with the manner of col IectinC taxes sewer assessments and the like from those who are delinquent in payment, a system is in vogue in our city. which is not only odiUus in character, but also most oppressive and burdensome in its effect. Reference is made 10 the bill of costs which property holders are called upon to pay for the release of liens, which have been placed upon their property for non-payment of assessments of various kinds. The primary object of lien would seem 10 be the securing of debt. butto the unbiased observer the practice referred 10 has for object the enriching of lawyers and others. That property holder who has failed 10 pay bill al times almost insignificant in amount. >hould find himself saddled with an ad- diiional expense of twenty-five or thirty dollars for lawyers fees and court ex- expenses is. tO say the least. unreasonable. and to the poor man seems most unjust. If attention were properly directed to this unnecessary evil, a less costly manner of collection might be devised. It is hoped that the incoming Council and Alder manic Board will give the subject their seriul~ attention
 prominent lawyer, speaking in regard to the matter to-day, said that an investiga- ton of the whole system of collecting in | Waterbury should be made, and added that 1 it would result in some sensational dis closures. Others admitted that the sys- tenn was wrong. but would have to stand until something better was proposed. It is fact that some people have been | obliged to pay more than ten times the amount of tber taxes because they neglected to settle within a certain time.
 In regard to the City hall the Reporter l says:
 If the same spirit which animates the present Agent of City Hall could be imparted 10 our City Fathers. this most useful and commOdious hall would soon be st: tipped of it's present filthy garb and be made to assume one more behtting its magestic proportions and the character of it's patrons. Please then. MT Mayor, stay not the hand of the artisan and dec ratOr, but rather urge on the work of improve ment. and earn the gratitude of thousands l of our citizens.
 City Attorney Burpee was asked about this matter to-day. He said: If Father Treanor had any reference to my method of dealing with the poor of Waterbury
 
 one. If there is anything the matter witt the city of Waterbury. in this respect il is that the bills are no collected as soon as they ought to be. ar the court of common council has offer civ,n n me a tap about this same matter. IT regard to the matter of liens, all it costs tc make one out at the city attorneys office is from S1. 50 to S2. These should be for, closed at the end of one year. if the bill Ii not paid by that time. but in casei where the people are too poor t' pay they often run for three or foul years" Mir Burpee said be had written t' Father Treanor stating that if he alluded 10 the manner of collecting bills by thu city in his remarks of yesterday he wa entirely mistaken and inviting him to cal at his office and examine the books anC see how much different things are to wha he had been led to believe.