The age-herald., 1899-07-09

or less than one-half of the amount con- tributed by the little barroom mentioned above, and then, as stated In my previous letter, you have valued your stock very reasonably, compared with a large com petitor of yours First avenue, mention- ed before, who contributed last year, in all to the eity's welfare, merchants tax and license of SS2.50 or a dry goods store on Second avenue which contributed in all on- ly SI0.O0; and the largest store probably in town contributed in all $1S250; or the sec- ond largest store which only contributed $l02 90; and the third largest store contribu- ted in all only $72 90. That embraces license and merchants tax, in fact, all dues paid to the city.
 And so Mir President, could go on al most indefinitely and without trouble con vince any fair minded man of the great in- justice practiced by some of the merchants toward the city.
 No, you gentlemen do not contribute enough to pay for the fire protection you receive; not taking into consideration the police, schools, and other benefits derived by virtue of living in a city. Nor does any one of you merchants contribute as much as 1t would cost you to employ a private watchman to protect your property.
 Notwithstanding these facts which cannot be contradicted, you merchants during this week, had the audacity, through your chairman of the insurance committee, to ask the city to appropriate 900 more an- nually for additional fire protection to you; when you know, MT. President that this amount would be over one-half of all the taxes and dues contributed by all of the merchants (not including the liquor mem to sustain the city The balance of the tax payers and professional men have some rights, and they protest. When you want more fire protection, pay for it, and do not expect for some one else to hold the bag.
 What is the consequence, instead of the city (which it should do) spending $50.0OO at least year for additional schools, pub lie parks squares, public buildings and for beautifyng the city, they have not enough money to meet their obligations or to keep the city clean-rc: figuring on additional fire department stations or equipments, wanted by your board of trade, or addition al police protection. building new crema- tory so badly needed; or new city hall In the place of the old one, which Is unfit for man to stay in, and hardly good enough for the beautiful fire department horses.
 The board of aldermen this week, by reso- lution, empowered the mayor to borrow S1O,- 0O0 to tide over and to continue municipal existence.
 MT President is it not a fact that the merchant in assessing his taxes, makes oath to the amount of stock he carried on tho first day of January? Now, Is not the stock of merchandise on the first of Janu- ary considered largest and most complete?
 Why, then, Sucn a large ulllSieICc pe- tween the amount of stock he assesses and the amount he actually carries and insures the same for? Judging from this, admit that the merchants are abundantiy able to take care of themselves"
 But we will not let them do that. They have been doing this long enough, but we will now insist upon their helping to take care of the welfare of this community, and not do all the smoking and let us sit by and do the spitting."
 Neither l. MT Chalifoux, or any other citizen would have any complaint to make of your board of trade if they had organ- ized for trade expansion, equitable freight rates fire insurance rates reasonable rents, etc, but when they organized for the pur- pose of fighting the already nominal amount contributed by them to the city, then "patience ceases to be virtue,' and "even the worm will turn.
 You must do better, MT. President. l asked you in my previous communication to call your board of trade together ere it is too late and remedy the evil; but you have not done so, for I see nothing of it In tn epress.
 I now call upon the authorities, beginning with the governor, the board of revenue, back tax commissioner, and concluding with the city tax assessor and mayor and board of aldermen, to do their sworn duty, and make equitable and fair assessments; and not let few liquor men and the few professional mon pay for the maintenance and keep up the city for the benefit of the four or five hundred dealers in merchan- disc.
 assure you MT. President, that the leg islature in its next session. will do the rest. F. REPPLIER.