New-York tribune., 1898-09-25

AN AFFIDAVIT FROM COLONEL ROOsE-
WELT IN SEPTEMBER, 1897, TO AN
OYSTER BAY ASSESSOR.

OYSTER bA1 HSSESSOrN
James l. Waldron Of East Norwich, Long
Island. made public the information at Oyster
Bay last evening that when he was an as
SCISSOR in September. 1897. Colonel Roosevelt had
sent an affidavit fro n Washington to the Oyster
Bay assessors announcing that he was resi-
dent OF New-York City. and would pay his per-
sonal tax there Mr.. Waldron said that in Sep
tember 1891 when he was assessor for the dis
trct in which Colonel Roosevelt has Ais oyster
Bay home. and while the Colonel was In Wash
ngton attending 20 his duties as Assistant Sec
retary Of the Navy he CMr Waldron) found in
the assessors books that the Colonel was down
for $1,000 in personal property. While the as
sessments were being made up Mr.. Waldron
ceived from the State Board OF Assessors he
| said. instructions TO make general Increase in
personal assessments. In accordance with this
Colonel Roosevelt's was raised TO $4,000
Colonel Roosevelt then sent on from Washing
ton his affidavit that he was n resident Of New
York City. and that he would pay his personal
taxes there.
Mr.. Waldron added that this affidavit was
locked up with other papers belonging TO the
assessors. and that he could not gain access TO
1t last night. James l.. Long. the Town Clerk
Of oyster Bay. told Tribune reporter that no
personal tax was charged against Colonel Roose-
for the circumstances which led to the drop
ping Of the personal tax Mr.. Long said he
knew nothing about IT. bu; referred the reporter
to Mr.. Waldron. Although the affidavit Is prob
ably locked up in Mr.. Longs office. II is with
papers belonging to the assessors and therefore
not among the documents over which the Town
Clerk has personal care. The Town Clerks
| books however, contain mcmore ndum In pen
ell showing that $4,000 would have been the
amount II Colonel Roosevelt had not sent in the
affidavit
Colonel Roosevelt has paid a real estate tax
at Oyster Bay for a number OF years. In 1888
his estate was valued at $4,000 In 1892 the
valuation was raised to $4,000 In 1895 it was
doubled, and In 1896 It was raised again TO
$4,000 In 1891 according TO an Oyster Bay
assessor. 1t was raised to $4,000 but James A.
| Roosevelt. representing the Colonel, had it re-
duced to $4,000 For the current year II is
expected that the valuation will be placed at
100000. although the books are not made I'D
The personal assessment was $1,000 from 1888
until 1897. when it went up to $4,000, and was
not collected because Of the affidavit in which
| the Colonel testified that he was a resident Of
New-York City. and paying his personal
tax there. The Colonel has paid dog tax at
! Oyster Bay since 1896
! The citizens OF Oyster Bay without exception
speak Of Colonel Roosevelt as their fellow
! townsman, and refer to the fact that when he
! made his address to them on Wednesday he ad-
dressed them rs fellow -townsmen and neighbOrs
and emphasized the fact that ne had refused to
! speak anywhere until he had given you. my
neghbcrs." an opportunity to hear him. He has
! lived in Oyster Bay many months Of the year
since he nine years old and he usually
J stays in his house there with his family until
! Christmas, returning again In May.