The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-04-04
TAXATION REFORM.
Grand Jury Demands a Re-
assessment Of Hudson
County Property.
VICES OF THE PRESENT SYSTEM
Courts Sharply Raped for Extrav-
agance Toffsy's Extor-
tionaie Fees.

ulctmentS and two preSentmentS. Inc
presentments were read by the foreman,
Allan L. McDermott. One refers to ex-
to the method of assessing valuation. The
presentments are as follows:
To the Honorable the Judges of the Court
of Oyer and Terminer in and for the
County of Hudson
The Grand Jury respectfully present
that they summoned the assessors of the
various municipalities, and they all testi-
fed that in fixing values they endeavor
to reach figures representing about sew
enty per centum of true value. This
standard of assessment has been recog-
nized as proper by the State Board of
Taxation. In view of the fact that ap-
pellate powers are conferred upon the
State Board, it would be useless for the
local assessors to assess at a greater per-
centage than that laid down in the rule
thus adopted The constitutional direc-
tion that property shall be assessed by
uniform rules and according to it's true
value" is nowhere observed as a rule
of action in New Jersey. If Hudson
county should assess 100 per cent. of value
upon its property, owners here would be
obliged to contribute more than their
share of any tax laid by the State. So
far as the taxpayers of a given munich
pality are concerned, it is of no conse-
quence to them what percentum of
true value is assessed if the as
sessment is uniform, and contribution
is made of county taxes upon similar
valuations in the other divisions of the
county. We do not find any objection to
the rule laid down by the State Board.
If it is carried out equality will be OBJ
tained. That it is not carried out is a
matter of common knowledge. Some
property in Jersey City is assessed at
more than can be obtained for it in fair
market, and some at much less. There
are three assessors in Jersey City and
they cannot give their personal judgment
upon the value of each piece of real es-
tate. To a great extent their assessment
must be the result of guess work, or of
acceptance of the judgments of their pre-
decessors. What is needed is a complete
re-assessment of the city. There should
be in each tax bill columns showing the
separate valuations of each lot and build
ing; then every owner would have an
opportunity to learn whether his property
was assessed under uniform rules. The
Board of Assessors of Jersey City esti-
mate that it would cost about fifteen
thousand dollars to make such an as
sessment of that city. The cost would
probably exceed this estimate but if it
doubled the money would be well expend-
ed Those chosen to make such an as
sessmeft in Jersey City should also re-
+ha oil ot1 ,ar~Y nj
palities in Hudson county. The entire
county once so assessed, there would be
equality of taxation within each munich
pality and in the distribution of the cost
OF county government. This plan was
adopted in assessing the railroad and
canal property of the State, and has
given enduring satisfaction. Until it, or
an equally effective scheme is legislated,
we do not believe that any reform can
be brought about by the judicial depart
ment.
Respectfully
ALLAN L. McDERMOTT,
Foreman.
To the Honorable the Judges of the
Court of oyer and Terminer of the
County of Hudson
The Grand Jury respectfully present
that, in their opinion, the administration
of justice in Hudson county is unneces-
sarily expensive Within twelve years
the cost of this department of govern
ment has increased over one hundred per
cent A part of the increase can be ac-
counted for by the fact that an addi-
tional session of the Circuit Court has
been provided for, but this Should be
more than met by the fact that the
police courts of Jersey City are exercis-
ing a jurisdiction in a class of criminal
cases formerly punished through indict-
ment An examination of the records
shows that the increase in expenditure
cannot be accounted for by an increase
in civil or criminal business. One source
of great expense will be found in the
number of witnesses subpoenaed to at
tend upon the Grand Jury and the Courts
of General Quarter Sessions and Spe-
cial Sessions. A large amount can be
saved if committing magistrates are re-
auired to return statements of the prin-
cinal witnesses so that the Prosecutor
of the Pleas can determine whom it is
necessary to summon
An examination of the report of the
County Collector for the fiscal year end
ing December /, 1887, shows many in
stances where money could have been
saved In the first month of that year
there are items that can be used for IL
lustration. There was paid to Mr.. Tof-
fey. then Sheriff, for securing evidence in
.liuuor cases. and cases of gambling,
$S7S.20. There is not any good reason
why items of this kind should appear in
the county expenses. Each municipality
is provided with a police force, charged
with the duty of enforcing the law. If
those charged with this duty will not per-
form it, there may be an excuse for ex-
penditure of county funds in the premises.
but il should be to secure the Indictment
of negligent or criminal officials. The
people should not be taxed for a double
police system to detect or punish VIOLA
tions OF law that cannot exist if the local
police do their duty. Several thousand
cellars were paid last year for special
watchmen to guard convicted murderers-
These officers could have been dispensed
with Ordinary care by the employees a
the Jail will provide all necessary protec-
ton in these cases, and the special
death watch can be abolished without
danger to the community or the proper
administration Of justice.
Whether the number OF court days cam
not be reduced is a question that we re-