New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-07-05
TAX ENFORCEMENT HERE
A TRIBUTE TO PRESIDENT BARKER&
ADMINISTRATION OF THE LAWS
AS HE FINDS THEM


An important public document relating to local
taxation It affects farms has recently been sent
out by the United States Department OF Agricult-
ure. and has attracted the attention OF secretary
Bliss. of the Department Of the Interior: Mayor
Strong. President Barker. of the Department OF
Taxes and Assessments and many other we'll
known officials. II especially claims the considcra-
ton Of scientists who have made study OK taxa
ton as 1t relates to the agricultural districts
The remarkable feature Of this paper. which 10
denominated Circular No. s. Of the Department OF
Agricultures Division OF Statistics. IS the evidence
IT produces showing that only In New-York City
and under the plan enforced by President Barker
in his six years administration Of the Tax Depart
ment has there been anything but failure In the
line OF personal taxation.
The subject Of local taxation affecting farms. the
statistician. Henry A. Robinson, says in his report
to the Secretary OF Agriculture. has excited more
interest among farmers all over the United states
than any other species Of local taxation. FarmerS
conferences and associations constantly discuss u.
and legislation upon the subject arouses continued
anxiety No legislation upon any other subject
has been framed with more regard TO the opinions
OF farmers. II would be difficult TO name a single
State Of the Union in which the general methods
of local taxation. as they stand. were not
originally dictated by faHners Although there
are few States In which farmers have urged great
changes which they were not able 10 maintain
the report says 1T Is none the less that tho
statutes they exist In those very states
were originally drawn up in just such form as tne
farmers OF that day desired. This Is emphaticaiy
true Of the State OF NewYork. in which farmers
have for thirty years past desired more stringent
tax laws. but have failed 10 obtain them In iuHy
three-fourths OF all the States the laws governing
local taxation have been dictated by farmers Ia
their present form. and include everything which
any considerable number Of farmers nave ever ~
n nded as far as can be ascertained."
The power 10 make the law WORK as tns lar meIs
desired 1t. the report shows. has been iackns sno
ably aided by Thomas G. Sherman. who has for
years been an expert on the suoI,c, 1acssa tn
officers charged with the administration OF these
majority Of cases these ocers have been
ected by farmers. and majority OF tnem are
they are ali dishonest, and It would be untrue 70
that m@ory Of them on b are tar Of Ike
very farmers who elected them.
''0ne remarkable popularity OF the whole sys-
GENERALLY Speaking though Of course With many
exceptions. the system works badly and most u r
law is most faithfully intellgently and efficiently
enforced. As rule, az over the country The bet
point him in Pra ,S sd a o.:
the average farmer suffer from its Effects
This wel-deserI ed tribute. II Is believed IL then
paid to President Barker and the Tax Department.
so complete is the failure OF all efforts made by
ton that in New-York and perhaps other States.
| they have abandoned all endeavor to carry out
consistent scheme Of taxation and have simply re-
sorted to a club. 1t is notorious that the tax laws
are administered far more faithfully and ericienty
In the city of NcwYork than they are In any other
| part OF the State: and yet the farmers OF New.
York have always had sufficient political influences
| to maintain a Board OF EQUALIZATION; wn'cn every
year Increases the valuation in NewYork City. al
though 1T is honestly made and decreases the vau.
alton In the interior OF the State where II Is far less
| honestly made. for the sole purpose OF taking on
ST. 10000 100000 year from the farmers take.
| and laying them upon the large cities The result
| OF this rough and tumble method Of administer.
ing the law is trat the farmers OF New-fork are
| means than are the farmers OF Ohio, although the
tax laws of Ohio are just what the farmers wan,
otherwise" ,,
| Mr.. Robinson. in support Of his conclusions or
this subject presents an abundance OF ngures NJ
has selected the counties OF Cattaraugus, Chau
| tauQua Putnam and Westchester; two situate9 y
the western part OF the State and two situated u
| the eastern part. In an interesting comparison o
| these statistics he makes II plain that New foti
| civ Is far in advance OF any other part OF tn
| enforcing the taxation Jaws.