Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1901-03-14

Owners.
FLAGRhnT DISCRIMINATION CHARGED
Legislation Requested Under Which
the People VIII Have an Opportu-
nifty to Elect Members of the
Board, Who Are Now Appointed by
the Judges, toe Supervise. the As
scsxment of Real Estate.
Especial Correspondence
Philadelphia, March 12.-Philadel-
phia is now demanding reform In the
methods of assessing taxes, and she
has appealed to the members OF the
Legislature from the interor counties TO
assist her in getting through legisla-
ton which will bring about the desired
result.
For years there has been complaint
over what was declared to be fragrant
discrimination in the assessment OF
taxes against the owners OF small
properties Mechanics and other work
ingmen, who, through industry and
thrift, have managed to save up enough
to purchase small homes, have been
obliged to pay taxes upon assessments
which represent full IS per cent of the
market value of their properties. while
the mansions of the millionaires val
ued at 5000, 900 and upward, are assess
at but 25 per cent of what they would
bring II placed on sale in the open
market.
The assessment of real estate in this
do hNy
a board of real estate assessors, who
are named by board OF revision of
taxes. The members of the board Of
revision of taxes are appointed by the
board of judges of the courts of COM
mon pleas.
The eompiaint-is that by this round
about system the people have no re-
dress when they have reason to COM
plain of the assessment of taxes. They
cannot reach the members of the board
of revision of taxes, who are law unto
themselves.
What the people now demand is that
the present board of revision Of taxes
shall be abolished and that new
method of making assessments shall
be adopted, under which the members
Of the board having the supervision of
this work shall be elected by the peo-
Pile.
Bills providing for this reform have
been introduced in the senate and the
house of representatives at Harrisburg,
and they are being pushed through as
rapidly as possible There is no doubt
that in the event of their passing. both
houses they will be signed by the gov
ernor who is in full sympathy with
the movement for tax reform in this
city.
Those who have for years, through
the influence of the judges, controlled
the patronage of the board of revision
of taxes, and the real estate assessors
naturally do not want to relinquish
their power.
They have, therefore, started an agi-
tation with the view of misleading
members of the legislature and getting
them to oppose the bills which are
designed to give the desired reform.
They have raised all sorts Of objsc-
tfons to the proposed change and have
sought to create the impression that
the legislation desired is simply in the
interest of certain political managers,
whereas the contrary is exactly the
case.
The men who now control the board
are 10th to yield their political infiu-
cnce which these positions represent.
REV. DIR. CONWELL SPEAKS OUT. |
Some idea of popular feeling on this
subject can be had from public state
ment from Rev. DIR. Russell Fl. Con-
we'll, pastor of the largest BAPTIST
church in this city. "The Temple" In
commenting upon this proposed re-
form legislation, he said: 1T is good
thing; an excellent thing. There was
never anything so completely un-
American as the present board. can
not conceive how the people of this |
city could ever have permitted them |
selves to give away their liberty To
such an extent as to- allow the founda-
tion of body constituted as this is. |
Understand me. I have not word To
say against the individual members of |
the hoard: they are estimable gentle |
men: but II is the institution that is |
American. The people. In permit |
ting Its existence. have created tyrant /
against whose dictum they have no re-
dress. They have created revisory |
hoard, which they cannot destroy. |
which has the power to tax them To |
ruin or to tax them to success. Once
appointed. the tax reviser remains for
life. II Is u condition creative OF
abuses.
The abolition OF the board az at /
present constituted and the substitu-
lion Of IA body of men elected by the
people Il the only logical way Ia Amer
icanize the institution. | am very glad /
IA hear that such a bill Ii befnre the /
legislature. and sincerely hope that /
II will pass and become law. At pres.
mt there i no way In cure an injustice.
The members af the hoard are their
own masters and masters of the people
hs we'll. A hoard elected hy the people
would be subject to the will ut the /
IaanIa xhIen Ia - II aIl..,II l.. L..