The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-01-08
REFUSE TO MAKE RETURNS.
COLLINsVILLIANs PREFER TO BE
DOUBLE TAXED.


Claims the City Promised to Open
Certain streets, Pending Which
They Won't Recognize the "Slip"
Bill Which Now Puts That Section
Within Taxable Ltmits-AIdermen
Disposed to Open the streets and
Avoid FrictiOn-After Jan. 20
Board of Tax Assessors and Re
Ceivers viii ASSESS lthe New Sec
ton.
The present administration has had the
misfortune to get into more difficulties
with property owners than almost any
other i'm the history of Savannah. On ac-
count of the slip in the wrong tax bill pass
ing the legislature a majority of the peo-
pie of CollinsvilIe will decline to make
their tax returns prior to Jan. 20, as le-
quired.
Failure to return property by this time
makes it the duty of the board of tax as
SCISSORS and receivers to assess double
tax on all defaulters. From the present
outlook this viii include about all the peo-
pie of that section, and promises TO give
this or the next Council some trouble.
The property owners do not intend to
combat the law, but they claim the city
made certain promises TO them in the
amended bill which failed to be presented
to the county representatives for pass
age The bill provided for the opening OF
six streets in that section, and until TINS Is
done a large number of the property HWh-
ers claim they will not make their returns
I, q ,.a,s rar.a
deceived by Council or not said one man.
but we claim The board promised to open
certain streets, and until that IS done, we
do not consider it proper for Us TO make re-
turns of our property for taxation
Mr.. ]. S. Collins is one of the largest
taxpayers of the section now part OF the
city Until the city has compiled with us
agreement in opening the streets meh'lot-
ed in The amended bills, he said, he did
not propose to make any return, ana ne
did not think there was any one else III
CollinsyiIle who would DO so. He was Oh
the impression that the streets would De
opened by the city in a short time, now
ever, and that there will not be any trou-
BILE. He said he had been assured by Al
derman Davis that the work Will proceed
until the streets il is proposed to open are
finished and the promises the city maze
at the time it consulted with the property
All along it has been the understanding
that the aldermen took in the situation
and did not intend to use the little slip
in taking any advantage of the property
owners. There is every indications the
board will make an effort TO appease the
people who object to making their returns
1t would seem the city has a double
leverage on the property owners, however,
and will probably be able to get in the
xUh Most of the
Co.hnsville property holders also have
property in the main portion of the city
By a rule in the city treasurer's office
property owners are required 90 pay the
taxes on their entire holdings, if they are
to get the benefit of the discount which
the treasurer has the right TO refuse If
this rule is not complied with. When taxes
are rendered which do not include thai
on property owned in Collinsville, the
treasurer will refuse to allow the discount
if the whole amount is not paid.
At best ii looks as if there is to be 4
mudded state of affairs if the streets are
not opened by the end of the time for re-
ceiving returns. The City Council may be
called upon to pass an ordinance exempt
ing the property owners on account of the
circumstances which prompted them not
to return their property. In the event
things are not smoothed over this will like
" be the course the matter will take
The present Council had the misfortune
10 get into a nisunderst standing with the
Bull street property owners who recently
paid their paving assessments under pro-
test and after a long squabble, during
which the efficiency and judgment of
those who had charge of the paving work
was brought seriously into question. Much
to the chagrin of some of the board, the
| Col.insville people, who also appeared be-
fore Council several times to get the tax
bill shaped, are now in arms and threaten
ing not to return their property for taxa
ton until the city complies with what
they claim to be its promises.