The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1905-03-13
they know that it will not be adopted
by the Republican majority.
CITIES PROTEST
Larger Municipalities De
mand Amendment to
Hillery's Tax Rate
Bill g. 0. P. Ma
jority Worried.
Special TO .Ths Jersey CITY Newg.,.1

Special to sThe Jersey CITY News."o
TRENTON, March IS. 1905. sena-
tor Hiilery's bill which provides for a
maximum tax rate Of $167, has caused
the Republican majority in the Legisia-
ture no end of wolrimelt and the proba-
bilites are that it win be allowed to
sleep in the graveyard of the Committee
on Revision of Laws of the Senate to
which it was referred unless il is 50
amended ay to pacify the Senators who
are opposed to it.
There developed considerable opposi-
tion to the measure in the larger cities
like Newark, Elizabeth, Camden, Tren-
ton and Paterson, because il would
necessitate the increase Of ratables in
these cities and also, in some instances
at least, it would increase the cities
share Of State school and county lakes,
leaving the rural committees with a
largely decreased apportionntent Of such
taxes.
Governor Stokes. in his inaugural ad-
dress, advocated the establishment Of a
maximum TAX rate for all municipalities
at $1.7o, claiming that It would have a
tendency to force the local assessors TO
place a fair market value on all property
and increase The ratables. Senator Hill
cry discovered the logic Of the Governors
idea and drafted a bin which. II it be-
comes a law. Limits the amount to be
raised by taxation in municipalities for
local purposes to he one and one-half
per cent on the ratab!es, excluding the
State school taxes or any sinking fund
or bond from lis provisions.
Itswas figured that Mr.. Hillery's bill
would limit tlle tax rate to S1.67 aud
This caused many of the Senators rep
resenting municipalities where the tax
rate exceeds such amount to open their
eyes. These Senator's Immediately be-
gan to array themselves against the bin.
They contended that their communities
would never stand for maximum tax
rate of S1.67. thereby forcing an increase
Of ratables, and they strongly opposed
the bill
The Senate Committee on Revision Of
Laws consists of Senators Horner, Nc
Kee and Hillery, of which The former
is chairman. While Mr.. Hillery pleaded
for a favorable report on his bill, his
two colleagues shook their heads, claim
ing that it was against the policy of the
party to report such bill at this time,
and besides there was 50 much opposi-
tion to the bill that ii would only be
defeated on the floor of the Senate.
Senator Hillery was persistent in his
claims that the bill was good bill and
should be favorably reported. He re-
fused to allow any amendment to be
tackled to it claiming that any amend
ment would kill its purport. He argued
that Governor Stokes had recommended
the adoption of such measure. and that
he would sign it.
Senator Holner turned a deaf ear~to
the Morris County Senator's pleadings.
He absolutely refused to allow the bill
TO be reported until he had received such
orders from the Republican leaders who
were instrumental in having the bill held
up. To satisfy Senator Hillery he
agreed to give hearing on the bill. but
did not specify any date when such hear
ing viii be given. The chances are now
that no hearing will be held and that
the bill will be allowed to sleep the
everlasting sleep in committee, and that
Senator Hillery will be called off by the
leaders not to urge its passage any far
ther.
The Democrats have given the bin no
censiderati,~ and viii not do 50 until
it is reported. They are amused over
the fact that Senator Hillery has placed
his own party in such dilemma thai
it is unable to determine how to proceed
] nroceed