Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-04-24
THE TAXES WE PAY.

The comparative statement of the Demo-
cratic League, published In our issue
OF yesterday, on the subject Of the taxa
bic values and tax-rates OF cur CITY,
with others therein named. demands
more than passing notice. It Is vital
10 our best interests that the lesson IL
puts before Us should be learned, and
the business Of our city brought TO
plane of conservatism in expenditures
that shall bear close relation TO the con-
cIusions thus made manifest.
Eliminating from attention the fact
that we have for some years continued a
policy of appropriations in excess of cur
rent income, and have been forced year
ly TO make an issue OF bonds to meet the
deficits unwisely continued. I is proper
that VIC should accentuate some Of the
poinfs In taxation furnished by these
talj0. The older cities IN the country
north. northeast, and northwest-have te-
naciousiy chung TO rate OF taxation
based upon only 60 per cent. Of the true
value OF their real estate. whilst Richmond
10 cover the legality of its bond issues
within the charter limit OF is per cent,
had advanced by 1880. its assessed values
up 10 eS 2-5 per cent. OF the full value
For the benefit of our readers, who
have little time for close analysis. we
motto these facts:
/. Our tax-rate is laid upon an assessed
value of 9S 2-5 per cent. of the fun value
whilst the next highest on the list
of seventeen cities does not exceed ~
uer cent, most of them keeping at o.
per cent, as New York, Cincinnati, and
Fall River; the others at. 90 per cent;
Cleveland. &c per cent; Pittsburg, a per
cent: and Chicago as low as Ia per cent
2 If the tax-rate of these seventeen
cities be brought to the Richmond basis
then the burden of taxation is heavier
an our city than in any Of these cities
except Cincinnati and Brooklyn.
II our $40 tax be graded to the usual
basis of 60 per cent, then our tax-rate
becomes s2.Sl; Philadelphia, S2.Os; New
York. A.s7; Chicago. 81; ST. Louis, Sl.5S;
Atlanta. N.ee.
our per capita debt higher now,
but SASS in 1880. Is the highest on the
list. except Cincinnati; two and halt
.,,nes larger than Philadelphia; six and
q half times that of Chicago; larger than
that OF New York. and If based upon our
white population solely, stands at VIZ
about. -
our annual expense In 1890 seems to
stand at about 5 per cent oil the value
Of our real and personal property; those
~ the other cities at .ol. 2 and per
cent. an.
( .sraking the nine cities-Albany Ale
,hanv. Columbus, Syracuse, Worcester,
vo,edo. New Haven, Paterson, ana
o,,ell--with which Richmond Is grouped
nv tae census in point Of population, we
ana that Richmond. with reai-estate
-,aln. the lowest on the list-lower from
one-haif to two TO three tmes-has
handed debt twice that of the next high
est. three times, four times. fve times
s,x times that OF some of the others.
reference has been, and will be, maze
10 the assets OF the city Of Richmond
and the value thereof Let 1t be borne IN
s,sna however, that the cities compared
,,ove usually own their water-works and
pther city property-thus; Lowell s0'iOs'
400: worcester. S.SSs,OOO; Patterson
roaooo; Allegheny, s2,leo'ooO.
n again we note the expenses OF
,hesa cities. as set forth in the tables
we and that Richmond In charities anc
,,atuities. spent In 1880 more than any o.
them except I'VE.
po.ice--Less than any except Ave-
ssreets--More than any. Crhe custom
Of 20
property owners for street improvements
RAY possibly have bearing upon THU
5tein1
Public b,ilidings-Repairs-M thai
any except two.
Care OF parks and public piaces-Mor
than any except two
Fire Department-Less than any excep
three
Heaith-More than any except two.
Interest More than double the mex
highest; and reaching three. four. ant
i've times the amount OF others. Our In
crest account for 1895. including interes
On floating debt, viii reach. and perhaps
sxceed 100000.
That our contrast may not be confine
% cities 70 the north Of Us. we here sui
nit a contrast with an enterprising cit
"A If the South-i e.. Atlanta. Ca:
FROM the state and city supplement c
The Financial Chronicle;
Rlobsaond debt. 1886 ....s7.cisiSs
floating debt -. ...s..., $4,000
$3.50. II
Atlanta debt, 1886 ....a......... tess.o'
+ ~
Asxets Of Richmond. valued NJ ....s5.tss7s