New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-02-04
UNJUST Personal TAXATION.
soMB INSTANCES FROM one WHO HAS SUFFERER
UNDER THE LAW.

soMB INSTANCES FROM ONE WHO HAS SUFFERED
UNDER THE LAW.
To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: / have read with considerable interest
your editorial on the personal tax question in
your issue of Saturday last. It seems almost IN
credible that such law. 80 UNANIMOUSLY tyran-
meal and unjust. should be allowed 70 stand
upon our statutes Almost all tax commissions
ers in the past have ACKNOWLEDGED its cruel In
Justice. and only expressed regret that. finding
such law. they are obliged 20 execute Il until
it's repeal. II the law could be faithfully and
thoroughly enforced upon every one liable, rich
and poor alike. it amounts 70 just this: taking
one-half Of every mans iac0me-a percentage Of
taxation that does not prevail even in Turkey
and which would bring about A revolution In
New-York and vigilance committee, and soms
hanging to lamppOsts IN a short time ana yet
this law does take from widows and orpnsns,
and men Of moderate means with consclencss
just this amount. and perhaps little more
Permit me TO give you few instances where
am personally interested:
man dies and leaves the frugal savings Of
many years, the income OF which is just about
enough to support widow and her daughter
The Tax Commissioners, having access TO the
will. know just where this property IS and
pounce upon it. and one-half OF her income IS
taken for taxes. bringing real suffering and dis
tress upon them. The result IS the widow
moves 10 New-Jersey. where they Will never
collect another cent.
Another case in our own business: We were
assessed $4,000. and paid the tax without any
question. When they found We were 50 Wiling
to pay they marked up the tax 10 $4,000. Then
we paid that and then they thought that SoO,OOo
might do better. We could not swear II or,
and although we went before the Commissioner
and stated the harshness. and stated lhaI ~
they taxed all other mercantile business Il.
New-York in that ratio they would drive many
such out Of the city. the Commissioner adhltSu
il was a severe law, and frankly stated that no
hoped IL would be changed or wiped OUT entrey'
but his official duty left him no discretion. Now
this year we get a bill for S1OO,ihO assessment;
and we don't know but what next year they VII
put it up 10 $25O0O0 and so on. Ana ms on !.
business that has not paid its owners any pEons
for the last four years. and which pays a lats'
tax to the city in rental OF Sl2ooO per anluiii
The third and last case Is my own peisgnan
was taxed on $1,000. and paid it quietly ana
said nothing. Then they thought mlsh. a.
we'll pay on $1,000, which did. And then tns.
thought was SO willing they woula , 80
$1,000 And when they found that no ooJecuon
was made to that this year they marked me w
to $4,000. And 1 presume It will go on IN inc me
upward ratio until it gets, by yearly yGinps, ~
has over 81 OO0OOO invested In rare paint
ings. tapestries and household furniture horsTsss
and carriages. etc. swears his on. Inc So 80
is. I am forced and am going 10 move 10 New
Jersey where what | save from my future per.
sonal tax will be handsome interest on '''
amount invested in new home.
II seems almost incredible that we are Tep,ue
scented in the State LEGISLATURE by men WY
allow this cruel and unjust law 20 stand NV
minutes. But | had forgotten we thaI n@.e
anything are not represented in the LeslSittute
at all. il is the other people, who have nolhnis'
who are represented, and this system OF y,nI.
ncal robbery and extorton is only part OF 'ns"
doctrine that -.
From him that hath shall he taken away
ONE WHO Is ROBBED
New-York. Jan. 81. 1899.