The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1905-01-17

interest of the taxpayer. 1t should be
carried out with an eye single to his
benefit. I suggest, therefore, that in
framing the statute, at the discretion OF
the Legislature, it be provided that the
value of his property be certified by the
State Board of Assessors to the various
taxing districts in which the property
lies, that this be added to the municipal
ratables already ascertained and that
upon this aggregate valuation the local
tax rate be struck. In this way, and not
otherwise viii the taxpayer receive the
benefit of a reduced tax rate and find re-
lief to their extent from increasing bur-
dens of his annual tax BILL (Applause)
Governor Stokes recommended the es-
tablishment of an equalization count for
taxes. In regard to this subject he said:
''Of the many abuses of our taxing sys-
tenn, cite one illustration. In order to
escape part of the county tax. some tax
ing districts have resorted to low yalua-
tions and have released from taxation al
most all personal property. Under such
condition some counties are escaping
their share of the tax burden as com
pared with others. The people of New
Jersey are raising every year for school
purposes. under the agency of the State,
about 81, ,SS6,000 The amount that is to
be raised by each county is determined
by the proportion its taxable property
bears to the taxable property of the
State. These counties, therefore, which
reduce valuation and allow property to
escape taxation altogether, do not bear
their fair share of this school tax. 1t is
not sufficient answer to say that ninety
per cent. of the sum thus raised is re-
turned to the county, that raises it, be-
cause ten per cent. of the amount is
put into the common fund for distribu-
tion, at the discretion of the State Board,
of Taxation with greater power: or, bet
Ter, perhaps the creation of a State Tax
Court that would sit as Court Of APP
peal in these matters, with equitable
powers to remedy inequality in valuation
and equalize the same, not only in the
case of individuals and corporations, but
in cases of appeal between taxing dis
tricts and between counties where there
are contributing to common cause"
Regarding the States work in the care
of its Dependents, Governor Stokes said
that the situation which confronted the
State in connection with this problem
was appalling and the legislation should
be enacted compelling the relatives or
these dependents to assist in their main
tenance and care so far as their means
would permit. He stated that Morris
Plains and the State Hospital at Trenton
We're overcrowded and Notwithstanding
that new county asylums were being
erected the increase ws so large that all
could not be accommodated.
He recommended the creation Of a
commission of Charities and Corrections.
having at his command State architect
and State Sanitary Engineer, who
could press upon all proposed new build
ings or additions to existing institutions
and who could serve the interests of the
States wards as WELL In advocating
the creation of such Office, he said that
of $3,500000 expended by the State dur.
ing the past ten years about one-quarter
Of such sum could have been saved by
proper central supervision.
The Governor also recommended that
improbable lands in some sections OF
the State should be purchased and de
veloped as forestry preserves.
At the conclusion of the Governor
address, Rev. Henry Collin Minfou
closed the ceremonies with a benedictioa
Governor Stokes and his party then
drove to the Trenton House, where they
partook of luncheon, after which they
1
went to the State House to review the
parade.
Col. Dickinson and the members 81
his association presented an imposing
appearance in line. They arrived at the
Clinton street station of the Pennsyl
vania road about 11.30 o'clock and, head
ed by their standard bearer, marched te
academy street where they awaited the
conclusion of the ceremonies in Tayfor's
Opera House before participating in tbs
inaugural parade
Col. Dickinson's STAFF was made up as
follows
Chief of staff, John Mitchell, presi
dent of the Police Board and presiden
of the association. The members of tn,
re-