St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-02-26
For A REHABILITATION
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE vARI-
OUS COMMERCIAL BODIES TALK
1T ALL OVER.
TO MEET THE COMMISSIONERS
JOHN wANN WRITES AN INTER-
ESTING LETTER TO COUNTY
ASSESSOR SENG.
HE GIVES COMPARATIVE FIGURES.
Rate of the Tax Levy i'm All the Prin-
cipaI Cities of the COun-
! try.

Representatives of the Commercial
club, chamber of commerce, jobbers'
union, Trades and Labor assembly,
board of aldermen, house of delegates,
board of public works held an impor-
tant meeting with the assessor and
members of the board of county COM
missioners ct the chamber of COM
merce yesterday afternoon, the object
being to talk over the assessment Of
real estate this year About fifteen
persons were present. William p. Muir
ray presided, and the subject of real
estate and rate of taxation was talked
over for about an hour. The tenor
of all the remarks was in the same
vein as that of the letters from lead
ing taxpayers, published in yesterdays
G b e, so it is not necessary to go
into details with reference to the Vari-
Gus opinions expressed. 1t was de-
cided to hold another conference with
the board of county commissioners
when that body meets at 10 o'clock
tomorrow.
Among the answers which County
Assessor Seng has received on this sub
ject in addition to those published in
the G e of yesterday, the following
from John Wann, is regarded as par
ticularly valuable, showing, as it does,
the rates of taxation in every city in
the country:
ST. PAUL, Jan. 80, 1S96.-Robert H. Seng,
Esq, County Assessor-Dear Sir: 1 am in
receipt of your favor of goth inst. desiring
my opinion In relation to the assessment of
zeal estate.
AS the law provides for the cash value of
real and personal property Tor the purposes
Of taxation, this is the only basis upon
ha noIn
having reference also to the assessment of
personal property, especially bank stocks,
which are assessed at 20 per cent of their
rash value, that an equally and lust dis
lribution CT the tax levy shall be arrived at,
Tree from cavil, and legal contention.
Under the positive shrinkage in values of
real estate in Ramsey county during the
past five years of from 20 to so per cent. a
corresponding reduction is now imperative
heYond all question, and this reduction
s1cessarily calls for higher tax rate. In
asohhcctlon with this enclose a statement
showing the tax rate and percentage of
SaSh value OF real estate in all the important
Sit1es of the country, by which you will OBJ
terVe That the most prosperous, judged by
&c OF population since 1880, have high
saX rates from % mills in Ohio to A. go mills
IN chicago, and the percentage of cash
sSiIseIangIng from 10 per cent in Chicago
to 60 in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati,
ana ~ in Brooklyn, Buffalo, ETC.
am occasionally asked to sell pronertv
mere Ior non-residents, if it would only
brmg the assessed value, and, failing to do
LIS, tne owners are disguised with st. Paul,
secry the place, complain of high taxes. ras,
ssnty in the administration of our affairs
arc gross discrimination.
IN my own case, with a decline in rents
OF nearly so per cent since 1897 the va Io'
ZION elon has been increased 20 per cent Within
three years, and lots in Warmers Kjttson,s
an ana other additions have remained I'M
changed since 1890, and 1 would gladly sell
at one-half the assessed value. while IN
G Ia sections of the city there have been
large reductions, and many Of the Office
value. " 49," 'Aan nail their
-, win many others, I am hoping for relief
o epi1 your administration, and if not re-
Aai%eu, snail cease to pay taxes for Soma
the property l have named -'i Soine
Per Cent