Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1906-03-29

Senate bill Al, introduced by Senator
Avis she first week Of the session, has made
slow progress..in the legislative mill-quit as
little progress as that to permit Third class
cities to build and operate lighting plants,
yet we are told it is scheduled to pass. II
is undoubtedly true that the people favor
the latter bill, but in the evolution toward
Capitalization of governmental authority
bill Al is yet SO far ahead of the procession,
that even the Republican Senate has been
slow in acting on its
Under this bill the Governor is empow-
cred to appoint in each county three per-
sons to be known as a Board Of Equaliza-
tion Of Taxation, not more than two Of
whom shall be of the same political party.
In this county the salary would be 81, 600
each, to be paid out of the county treasury.
The duty of these Governor made Asses
sors would be to equalize assessments in
the county, and if the work Of an assessor,
chosen BY the people, did not meet their
have neyer TO remove the homemade
official. Nov. it is just possable that after
more than hundred years of self govern
ment, and three or more generations of
free schools, the people are not competent
to elect assessors, and that state super
vision of the town assessments is neces-
sary. But why stop at assessors Why
not have County Supervisors Of Chosen
Freeholders, and township committees
Three such boards could work in entire
harmony, and when the County Board Of
Equalization Of taxes had values sufficiently
increased, the county boards could assist
the local boards in expanding it, and thus
insure the people against a surplus in their
treasuries.
The press Of the State has taken the sub
ject up, and comments are not altogether
favorable to the bill. Mr.. Avis says he
did not draw the bill, but does not say who
its parents are. Opinion is divided between
ex-Judge Armstrong, Of Camden, and Boss
Lentz, Of Essex. The sentiments of the
bill are those Of the Essex Boss, but finer
hand formulated its provisions.
The representative who votes for such a
measure is at heart opposed to popular
government, hence we hope to see the bill
presented in its true form; and let's count
noses.
Under the caption, "The Unconstitu-
tionaI Avis bill, y the Newark Advertiser Of
Saturday said:
ssIn defense Of the discredited Avis bill,
the paternity of which nobody acknowl-
edges, the. Trenton Times puts up some
lame logic. It is necessary to enlarge the
powers of the State Board Of Equalization
SO as to enable the board to bring about the
desired assessment Of all taxable property
al the constitutional rate.
The Avis bill would simply defeat that
object To authorize the board to reduce
railroad assessments to figures below real
value would give dangerous powers to the
board, which would be sure to be abused
by some future board.
I'm equal taxation Of 100 per cent val
uation, the State will secure valuable
assessments from the railroads, which will
have a material interest in seeing that the
tax laws on property are justly carried out.
When the Stale Board Of Equalization has
she power to fix and maintain all the
assessments at 100 per cent. there will be
no reason for the railroads to complain Of
high valuations when they are assessed at
the same figures of valuation.
(r7ss