The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1908-02-25
Want Law Repealed.

Want Law Repealed.
i In the State House at Trenton, Wednet
day, there was meeting which was in
tended to be gathering of people fror
/ all parts of the state to protes
against the present tax laws. Tn
movement was started by the authorize
of Merchantville, who were very muc
dissatisfied with the assessments in tina
Borough and the inability to raise suffi
cient money to run their government.
space writer in one Of the Philadelphia
papers had given very much attention t.
this subject and for several days h
published long interviews on it and tn
announcement was made that 1t was tn
intention, at first, to have the movemen
confined to Merchantville, but so mucl
announcement had been given from othe
portions of the state that it was decided
to have all municipalities take part.
Thinking it would be interesting to hea
the points to be discussed, representa-
tive of THE News concluded to go to Tren
ton. Not being entirely sure of the day ant
hour he telephoned to gentleman whose
portrait had appeared in the city paper IL
connection with an interview" and who
was represented as having been selected
as "a delegate to the mass meeting. In
reponse to the inquiry this gentleman said
he had no knowledge of the affair and bad
not been notified that he was to act in any
manner
Discovering the meeting was to be held
on Wednesday THE News representative
went to Trenton and in the Senate chamber
found nine men. They were: Mayor
William M. Longstreth, William Weikel,
William Early, Merchantville; Mayor F.
G. Brown, Riverton; F. G. Mittergh, G.
De Naylor, Bergen County; E. A. Lloyd.
Somerset County; Neil II. Miller, Mon
mouth County; Samuel Townsend, Union
County. This constituted the mass meet
ing.
Mayor Longstreth was the chairman,
Mr. Weikel the secretary and Mr. Early
presented the views of his people on the
subject under consideration. The report
in the Philadelphia paper referred to show
that the object of the Merchantville people
was practically to get rid of the County
Boards of Taxation. This was as near
the truth az many other imaginations OF
the youthful reporter. The real purpose
of the persons interested was to have the
tax laws so amended as to allow munich
palities to raise as much tax for home use as
they desired to. Mr.. Early, who is the
solicitor for the Borough of Merchantville'
said it was the unanimous impression of
the people In his locality that the law of
1906 which provides for an annual reduc-
ton of the tax rate, should be repealed
and that the law of 1908. making no limit
alton, should be again put in force. In
the opinion of Mr.. Early the present tax
law will Ultimately bankrupt many munich
palities, as the income is not sufficient to
meet expenses. Plans for local improve
ments are held up because the law requir
ing an annual reduction in the rate does
not secure the sum desired, but 1t does re-
quire the increase of valuations in many
instances beyond the true worth of the
A petition was read which is to be cir
culated for signatures and then sent to the
Legislature, asking that the act of 1906,
(the Hillary act9, be repealed either in full
or so much of it as will allow the various
of the state free to impose
such tax rate for local government and
as may be deemed advisable
by the governing bodies of the same. The
petition further reads:
eve have no criticism to make OF the
motives which prompted the enactment of
these laws which we are now seeking to
have repealed, believing as we do, that
their purpose was to raise assessments
the State to true values, andwe
pledge ourselves to the support OF such
measures as will most readily accomplish
an equalization of assessments"
There was some discussion on this petit
ton and the general impression prevailed
that it was necessary to act promptly If
anything is to be accomplished at this
session. One gentleman thought COM
mittee should be appointed to send out the
petitions and that care should be taken to
see that they were circulated only in such
localities as have been affected by the
law. Where the tax rate has been lower
ed it would not be worth while wasting
any time. The petitions are to be sent to
the Mayors, Chairmen of Township Com
mittees and ether municipal officers, such
official signatures to be sufficient, as 1t
would require too much time to get in
dividual signatures. A suggestion that the
petitions be sent to Boards of Freeholders
was not favorablY received as in the words
of one of the speakers that would look
as if we were trying to abolish the County
Boards of Taxation" And this seemed to
be the sentiment of those present as there
was not word said that would indicate
such move is contemplated.
After appointing committee toprepare
and circulate the petitions the meeting
adjourned.