New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-21
Taxation and Representation.

In the sta.e election Of 1912 the total
vote in the Twenty-third District Of New
York County was 26.294. This district
vas entitled 70 one Member of Assembly.
In the same election the county Of Put
nam cast 3,O35 votes and elected an AS
semblvman. For purposes of legislative
representation, therefore, one vote IN Put
nam was as good as eight in the Twenty
third Assembly District.
In 1912 the combined vote Of Put
nam, Schuyler, Yates, Lewis and Seneca
counties was 23,111, against 26,294 for
the Twenty-third District In other words
these counties. with a combined vote
smaller by 5000 than that of the Twenty
third District, elected five Assemblymen
against one for the local district
In the Assembly, therefore, on such a
question as the S1S,OOO,OOO direct tax,
s13.OOO.OOO Of it paid by New York City,
five rural counties, with a combined popu-
lation of less than one New York district,
have five votes to impose the tax for one
to oppose it. These votes are cast regu-
larlv to make New York City pave village
streets and snag upstate fish ponds
But there is an injustice still graver IN
the present inequality. New York City
is taxed on a 100 per cent basis, upstate
counties on a so per cent basis. A state
board of equalization, controlled by up
state influence, perpetuates this wrong.
In sum, then, New York City is de-
prived of equal representation in the State
Assembly. Thus deprived, it is taxed at
4 2 to rate and large portion Of the
money taken from the local taxpayers IS
used for purposes which are not beneficial
to this city.
The remedy for this abuse lies in the
Constitutional Convention. In that con-
vention New York City will ask for rep
resentation in proportion to its popula-
ton. 1t will demand that a county up
state with 5000 voters shall no longer
have equal voice with a city district with
26,OOO in levying taxes.
The 25 point increase in the tax rate
next year is the direct consequence OF un-
fair apportionment. Fifty-two per cent
of the people of the state lived in this city
in 1910. They had 40 per cent of mem
bership in the Assembly. The next cen
sus will show a far greater advantage IN
population for this city, even with the
aliens excluded viii it be wise states
manship, sound party policy, to per
petuate a system of taxation without rep
resentatiOn?
The course Of the Republican admins
tration at Albany this year has provoked
a conflict between the city and the country
sections of the state. Within the city senti
ment is reused as never before over tn
question of unfair unreasonable and in
defensible raiding of the local treasury
by a Legislature dominated by rural Re
h publicans.
Sl Henceforth the city is bound to grow
y faster than the country and increase it
advantage in numbers. Denied its rights,
will fight more and more desperately TO
them until they are obtained. More an
more we shall be citizens of New Hor
lefore we are Republicans, Democrats o
Progressves. Will Republican leader
be wise to undertake to fight time an
numbers to perpetuate control based o
injustice too patent to permit argument
New York City's battle in the Legis
lature has been lost. 1t will be continue
in the Constitutional Convention. Los
there it will be carried to the polls whel
the constitution is submitted to the people
There, at east, numbers will TELL a ma
iority rule In piling SlS,000000 of un
necessary taxes upon the people of thi
town the present Republican administra
ton has opened a struggle which, how
ever long, can have but one ending.