New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-03
TIFFANY &CO.
UNION SQUARE
NEW YORK

Thieves there, and say. Bobby they've got real
thieves, too"
How much easier it is to make an allegation than
1t is to prove it. The assessors are persistenty
charged with favorins corporations yet Of nearly
seven thousand corporations which are assessed
upon the tax books when they were opened this
year for correction. nearly 80 per cent have no
assessable property. What with excess OF In
debtedness assets and the deductions to which
they entitled under the law, the large num-
Der referred to beyond the reach Of the asses
Perhaps 1t would be expecting too much IL a sug-
geston was made to those who prefer such reck-
less charges that they might more discretion
hereafter. for IA sound discretion is not so much
indicated by never making mistake as by never
How recklessly unfounded charges may DE made
case Of shrewd Irish detective who was detailed
TO go TO distant town by his chief to arrest a
notorious criminal who was supposed to be con
cealed there Great secrecy was to be observed IN
wording of the telegram announcing the arrest to
e e n his ne mon S n%s after E f bis de-
parture the chief received from the detective the
following dispatch
Il have arrested Draw"
The chief as furoqsy angry after readns the
Return Immediately and resign. You are in,
competent. l ordered yoa to arrest on, one Ward Ard
will will be %''s sued ITO for false arrest
TO this the crafty detective answered:
Have got the right man. Is not Draw Ward
backward? Spell it and see
The Ingenious detective was, not pressed for his
resignation further.
MONEY ENOUGH. But
1t was valuable suggestion that was publicly
made within a recent period that there was enough
money In the banks and trust companies In Wall
Street pay the city tax without further assess
ment. That is true, and one can so further ana
say that there is more than enough. 1t Is pleas
ant duty. after being compelled strenuous.y to
deny many unfounded assertions. TO be enabled
to admit at least tho accuracy of this one
1t recalls to mind brief paragraph that ap-
con :erning a prominent Irish gentleman of dig
nifed department who was then resident here
Colonel - has six toes - NO. ., er.t IN.
cined to call his traducer out but calmer reason
prevailed. and he wrote this brief reply 10 the
offending editor of the paper in question:
"Sir: In a recent issue of your paper you pub
lished statement that ! had six toes ] den9unce
the statement as malicious and infamous iase-
The offending newspaper next day printed the
"A few days ago we published a statement that
ment and go further. We say now that he
controversy enUed abruptly there. If it had con-
tinued II is impossible TO anticipate how numerous
ly adorned the ColoneFs pedai extrefni'ies might
1t is unfortunate for those men who thus refer
surmountabe obstacles in the way; They might
have added another equally valuable suggestion sho
thercfrom by the assessors. loaded trucks and
Was found ' 10 be- ,nscenty eommodous e
tain this untold wealth doubtless Golohe Warng
ground to meet the pressing exigencies of such an
1t may be deemed cruel to knock into somnolenee
the schemes of wild theorists but facts are stub
born things. Banks are no; assessable on their
capital at all, and they the only stock corpora
lions this State where tho stock Is assessable
Bank is the place Where all that banks stock is
assessed, whether the owner thereof resides IN
this city the owners Of the bank stock must pay
their tax thereon 10 this city.
TAXING BANK STOCK.
There upon the tax rolls Of this city to-day
over 1900 shareholders Of bank stock. comprising
four large volumes, and their residences are scat
tered all over the habitabe world but all of them
pay this city. If banks were assessed upon
their capital all other corporations are, almost
all OF this large army of people would escape tax
aticn and the city would be heavy loser there
There were ninety-six business banks doing bust
ness in this city last year. and they were assessed
for personal property for 1896 s374s7562 will
per cent of the personal tax. In addition thereto
they paid real estate taxes on valuations of ST.
Taa msknF he cy IN @ eaS ON %SS9
In view of these established facts. it seems alb
not adequately assessed, when the truth is that
they are taxed. in proportion to their capital. far
beyond any other class Of corporations. The banks
of this city do not emulate the tactics of the tax
dodger, nor they Of that class described by
Holmes in his song of Many Seasons:
Old Time. in whose bank deposit notes.
Is a miser who always wants guneas FOR greats;
He keeps all his customers still in
BY lending them minutes and charging them years.
Banks cannot doctor their reports, do other
corpora TONS making for the perusa Of the
stockholders and another for the Tax Commission
ers This latter class resemble the boy whose
father dealt in horses and kept sales stable near
Bulls Head.
One day the old man and stranger were in.
speeding horse that stood in the street in front of
the stable, when the former called his and said
TO him:
Sonny jump that horse and give him few
the street.
The boy not recognizing the animal, in doubt
for a moment TO how he should conduct the
thing, and. turning to his father whispered:
Il say, pop, how do you want me to ride-to buy
to sell?'