New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-09-22
GLEASON ON THE RACK.
LONG ISLAND CITY CITIZENS PROTEST
AGAINST THE MAYORS ACTIONS.
STRONG RESOLUTIONS PASSED CONCERNING Hrv
FOR RAISING THE ASSESSED VALUATION
OF PROPERTY so HIGH - SIC
NIFlCANT SUGGESTIONS

FOR RAISING THE ASSESSED VALUATION
OF PROPERTY so HIGH SIC
NIFlcANT SUGGESTIONS
There was red-hot meeting Of protest ara,,,,
the increase in the assessed valuation OF pronerv
in Long Island City held last evening by the ,ay
payers al the Astoria Assembly Rooms. Flushing
ave- Astoria From remarks Of the speakers and
from circulars passed about the room It was an
parent that the people OF Long Island City were
being deceived and plunderei
Jared Barhite was made chairman OF the meet.
ing. Among others seated on the platform were
ex-Corporation Counsel William f. Stewart John
J. McGrane cx-school Commissioner j. H. Thirty.
CITY Treasurer Lucien Knapp ". 9. Foster and J.
Rufus Terry Mr.. Knapp the first speaker
He said that il his purpose 10 explain tho
widespread discomfort among the citizens Of Long
Island CITY lie knew Of cases whore the Assessors
had increased the valuation OF property more than
its market value and that the sum total Of the
valuation Of the city property had been than
doubled in the last year. Mr. Knapp said that 10
spoke as a city officer and was willing 20 stand by
everything that he said. that city officials were
elected TO ca re for the well-being Of the city and
when they ceased 10 do 80 or opposed that which
was for the best interests OF the city they should b
made 10 account before the courts where mprope.
motives lack Of judgment and lack OF honesty q
purpose could be All shown up IN their true light
value OF his property with that OF last year, 10
found that II he multiplied the amount OF last
years valuation by three and then added 81" It
would Just equal the amount for which he had been
assessed this year The honor. integrity and well
fare OF the city demanded united action. Mr. Bar
hite told how in walking down street he had
seen Mayor Gleason standing with some men, ana
had heard the Mayor call out TO another man for
his (Mr Barhtes) benefit: Say, Con- were gong
10 rid the town of the schoolmasters.' MI Bar
hite suggested that It would be better 10 rid Long
Island City OF robbers. gamblers and murderers
than the schoolmasters.
The Rev Charles Park and others also spoke In
strong terms upon the subject OF the increased as
sessment The following resolutions were read ana
adopted by the meeting:
Whereas The recent unnecessary ana un)us, N,
crease Of real estate Valuations sedless exorbi,ant
burden upon the taxpayers. apparently win no
other object than that OF raising funds tor 'ns
creation Of useless and remunerativ" oHices anu
sinecures for political adherents: and
Whereas The fixing Of the Valuauons reierrea
to have been Influenced largely by political con-
dishonesty and resulting In the most nasrah'
discriminatory and H.. .,o..,,v
will result in our taxpayers having 10 bear more
than a just proportion Of State and county taAes'
Resolved That pay no taxes Until every e g.
in our power Is exhaustei 70 SCI 49, o ~,
unjust valua ton which has been placed upon our
property; and be II further 49,. .-,
Resolved That a committee of two from every
ward of this city be appointed for the purpose q.
perfecting organization or our taxpayers, VIZ.
,-ieu, N securing such legislative action as may
he necessary for our protection and the city n.
nances against the threatened assaults OF May"
Gleason and mis- tools and dummies.
Resolved That the recent wholesale dismissal o.
competent experienced and defenceless puo.c
sohn aoItsachers TO make place for new residents,
he called 10 the notice OF the State Superintendent
Of Education with a request that he investigate
and II possible. remedy the great wrQng "h.s sa
bas been done not only 10 the teachers but 10 the
children Of our taxpayers by thus converting ne
public schools into political machine ana engine
OF oppression. -
A resolution was also passed asking the Grea'er
New-York Commission to investigate the question
of Mayor Gleasons citizenship ana the chargss
against him before proceeding turner VII" '''
framing of the charter