New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-07-28
BUFFALO'S TAX RATE.
MAYOR KNIGHT CARRIES OUT HIS
PROMISE OF A NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
REPUBLICAN PROSPECTS.

Buffalo. July q (SpeciaD.-There is far more
cheerfulness of feeling among the prominent
Republicans of Buffalo than there was six
months ago. Then the removal of the Republi-
can Sheriff OF Erie County by Governor Oden
and the dereliction of a city official caused
apprehension as to the political effect of these
occurrences. But it was recognized at the time
that the Governors act was just one, and the
improvement in the administration of the
Sherifrs office indicates. also. that the Governor
made no mistake when he appointed Frank t.
Collins as the successor to the man removed.
Added to this the capable administration of the
city's affairs by the Republican officials has
shown that as a class. they are loyal to the
peoples interests. Consequently the outlook for
the Republican party is brighter than it was in
January last.
The voters of the city at the election of 1901
put every branch of the administration Of the
city in the hand ~ Republicans. Only three
petty Democratic officials in office The
Mayor is a Republican; there is majority OF
Republicans in both the Board of Councilman
and the Board of Aldermen. The other chief
city officers Republicans. Thus the respon-
sibility of the administration of the city's at
fairs has been exclusively that of Republicans.
II taxes should be high the responsibility would
rest on the Republican officials
Erastus c. Knight the Mayor of the city, re-
signed the office Of Controller of the State in
order to return to Buffalo and take the place
of Mayor He had been Controller of the city
of Buffalo. and knew thoroughly the needs OF
the city and the character of the Democratic
party's administration of the city for four years
previously. Mayor knight in his first message
therefore dwelt on the necessity of lowering the
taxes. He said upon this matter:
without seeking to criticise the administration
of any branches of the city government | am
impeled TO refer to the recent demand OF the
citizens OF Buffalo for change in management
in order that their interests might be better
conserved. The only possible construction
which can be placed upon that demand is that
the taxpayers insist that sound and economical
business principles be applied in the admins
tration of the government; that eXtraVagance
with the citys funds be prohibited, even as 10
the smallest items. and that rigid economy be
! exercised, so that municipal expenditures oe re-
duced 20 the lowest possible amount consistent
with the city's progress and development. &.
RuffalOnianS are bearing tax burdens Tar
greater than any citizen should be compelled TO
shouIder and thew are Justly demanding in no
uncertain tones that the loads snail be nght-
ened. 1 am sincerely and heartily in favor OF
a substantial reduction in the tax rate. and L
believe that II can be accomplished by the exer-
else of prudence and economy on the part OF the
heads Of the various city departments
Six months have passed since this plain pledge
was given to the taxpayers OF Buffalo that an
effort would he made 10 reduce taxes How has
that pledge been kept? An answer Will De
found in the statement that the tax rate re-
Gently adopted for the year 1902 is only s1I 20
A thousand whereas under Mayor Diehl. Demo-
crat. in 1901 the tax rate was SIS ii thou
sand. This tax rate of ST 90 this year is the
lowest in four years-and Mayor Diehl was
Navor four years The tax rates under sue
cessive Mayors have been as follows;
MAYOR BECKER CREPA
1855 ........... S14 So 1850. sl4 IL
MAYOR BISHOP CDEM).
800 .......... SI4 OS 1898 $50 -
10 81
1892. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Is Is