Perth Amboy evening news., 1906-03-09
Gov. STOKES
LETTER ABOUT
HILLERY LAW.
In Reply TO Mayor Fagan's Let
Ter He Tells Meaning of
the Measure.
Special to the EVENING NEWS:

TRENTON, Mar. 9.-Governor
Stokes yesterday afternoon admins
tered a severe rebuke to the Mayor
Pagan faction in Hudson county, in
the shape of an open letter to the tax
ing officials of that county in reply to
heir request for the repeal of the
Hillery maximum tax rate law passed
by the legislature of 1905.
The governor refers to statements
which, it is claimed, were issued by
Mayor Pagan in which the Hillery
law was held up to be a measure in
the interests of the railroads; that it
was meant TO raise the taxes of the
people so the taxes of the railroads
would be reduced. Governor Stokes
says so to characterize the law insults
the intelligence of the people of New
Jersey. AS the result of the state
ment issued by Mayor Pagan, Gov
ernor Stokes has received numerous
postal cards from Hudson tax officials
asking for the repeal of the law. The
governors open letter is in reply to
these. 1t follows:
Trenton, n. j., Mar. s, 1906.
I have your favor requesting the
repeal of the Hillery Tax Law.
also have a copy of the statement sent
you. urging you to send this request
to me. If your opinion has been in
uenced by the statement in question,
it is only fair that you should be un-
deceived. 1t is hard to conceive that
a statement so full of misrepresenta-
lions could be sent out in good faith.
In this statement you are informed
that the Hillery Law was a railroad
trick to lessen their taxes and in
crease yours. The truth is that the
law was conceived in good faith to
reduce the taxes of the taxpayer and
the rentpayer as well, and to give
the voters control over this important
function of government. The law
provides that the voters in any NUM-
cipality shall have the right to deter
mine the rate which shall be levied
against them.
Misstatement number two consists
in the assertion that the rate in your
city is limited under the act to $1.70.
The fact is, there is no limitation of
rate in the law applicabel to your
city. Your board may impose upon
you a tax rate of 81. 70, plus the
state school tax, plus a tax neces-
sary to satisfy any judgments against
the city. AS the state school tax is
27ia cents on the hundred, your
board may levy a rate against your
property of $1.97 u, plus an addi-
tional rate necessary to satisfy iudg-
ments. This rate can be increased by
the votes of your own citizens.
Indeed, the only difference between
the old law and the Hillery law, so
far as The tax rate is concerned, is a
difference not in the rate, but in the
power TO fix the rate. Formerly, your
board had absolute power TO deter
mine the tax rate for your city. I'm
der the Hillery act they may fix il
up to $1.97 p, plus judgments, and
for any rate above hat must have
your cooperation. In other words,
the Hillery act gives every voter a
voice in determining the amount of
taxes you will pay. The citizens of
Elizabeth under this act, voted for a
rate of $2.S6. the citizens of Pater-
son for a rate of $3.50, the citizens
Of Passaic for a rate of 50. 90, and
the citizens of Ocean City for a ate
of $2.25. To characterize as a rail
road measure Il law that gives the
people a voice in the determination
of their tax rates at the ballot box,
Just as they have a right to select
their own public officials, is 4 charge
that lacks sincerity and insults the
Intelligence of the people.
Whatever your views may be upon
This subject, it is fair that you should
know the provisions of the law. The
Hillery Tax Law is of course a legiti-
mate subject for discussion and diff
ference of opinion, and | shall be
glad TO give your request the fullest
and fairest consideration.
Before your request had reached
me, Senator Hillery had already in
troduced in the legislature a modifi-
cation of the act, known as senate
bill No. los.
! take the liberty of sending you a
copy of my message, and refer you to
page ~, on taxpayers and tax spend
crS.
With best wishes, l am,