Year: 1878

LETTER FROM COMMISSIONER ANDREWS TO TIE


MAYOR.


Commissioner George II. Andrews, OF the
Department Of Taxes and Assessments has sent letter
70 Mayor Ely, in which he reviews at length the meth
ods By which property has been assessed in this city,
and the proportion OF tho state tax which the city is
compelled to pay There good deal of uneasiness
among taxpayers generally in regard TO their taxes
he says and this city 1t the form OF otec-
ton to the rate Of assessment. year called pub
lie tentlon to the necessity Of giving taxpayers ef
fectve relief by reducing the expenses of the city gov
ernment To give effect TO such remedy
would doubtless reduce the well earned stponds
OF many deserving officials but when the whole
body Of taxpayers in distress, officials cannot justly
expect to avoid participation in the general suffering
Relief OF the public burden in that manner would ne e
fectye and real An idea pervades the community,
however that relief can be had by reducing assessed
valuations The taxpayer will find difference in his
tax bill whether he pays per cent 500, or 100 per
cent on 81 The result is precisely the same II the
millions of be reduced there will be relief; but
the millions of only be reduced there would
simply be the preparation of deusve trick the gV
ing Of q stone when bread is asked for"


Mr. Andrews then gives figures showing that the
valuations of property have increased since 1871 %l29
9i50iG while the cost OF new buildings and improve
since that date, has been S196,l37,543 " For
several prior 1871 he continues the basis OF
assessment was go per cent OF the actual value. hold
II TO that the actual values Of to-day with such
exceptions as the Commissioners have already recOg
nized by reduction, at least am fully prepared 10
recognize upon written application to the board nave
not declined TO the assessed value fixed formerly on
the then basis of 60 per cent In 1874 this city paid
51S per of the whole State tax in 1873 will pay
only 44s per The reduction in the percentage OF
the State tax paid by the city has been accomplished
by adherence to wise and conservative policy. New
York cannot afford, just now to throw away the ad-
vantage OF her position. reduction Of 80 TO so per
cent Unfortunately upon present valuations, made for
the purpose of evadng fair proportion OF the State
tax would provoke q reaction in public sentiment
throughout the State and penal sum would with some
show of justice be imposed upon the city Tor resort 10
such a subeTfuge. The power to impOse such penalV
the Board of State Equalization, and ii would DE
wise 'unchan the tiger There be no dOubt
that the proportion would not exceed 3S per cent OF
the whole Yet strange resolution Is now pend
ing in the Legislature looking 10 the discovery OF some


of redress for other counties, because tie lr0por-
ton for this city not fixed at 47G per cent OF the
whole desire 20 place upon record my PROFOUND con
victOn general reduction of the assessed Vaina-
made to the extent and Tor the pur-
pose proposed would exercise disastrous 1n1uence
upon the interests OF this city, and especially apn real
estate and utterly fan in its specific puruose as ayoWed
TO effect u reduction in the quota of the state tax


After stating his intention resign before the assess
SAYS: In the meantime. as one only OF the Board or
Commissioners shall not assume to dictate as 10 he
policy of the department Ii my colleagues Nhink
proper adopt the policy recommended by 1Onr HONOR
and approved by the Board OF Aldermen they shal not
be Obsiruced by any factiOus opposition from me-"