| Show r POINTERS FOR TAXPAYERS 19 t taxpayers of this city should sr particular notice of the proceed 3 of the city council in relation to i tax question there is not the doubt that the general public a grievance against the city As r he has placed too high a j upon real esta teall round this I 1 believes believe is universally conceded t being the fact there ought to be medy y t tie to provided provided in the city charter jaeb ch confers powers upon the council correct the assessment roll so as to ake it just and fair and equal the ii has bas passed an ordinance tiding for a board of equalization posed of the entire Coun cilto carry effect leffeck t the purpose set forth jo in the tw A majority of the board have ded that a reduction of twenty per shall be made upon the whole ment on real estate an attempt was made by them the minor nor led by the mayor to reconsider resolution reeo lution but it failed the city arney following the wishes of the tor has given an opinion that the rd has as not the lawf lawful ul power to make wholesale reduction but other more experienced attorneys dis with him entirely and the plain aage and evident intent of the ter r and ordinance are also against ase e now says the proper way to make reduction action is for the council to reduce rate instead of the board reducing assessment the city attorney 0 preceded him gave a legal a I 1 to the effect that the council had power to reduce the rate after it had nee been fixed both of them we leve were in error and each of iem ni studied more to please the mayor nd his liberal l associates than to ideal I 1 out straight law and justice to the ax nav e rs last night the boar I 1 of equalization teok apok up the reduction question again the vote to reconsider having J failed the mayor was great pay chagrined and suffered his vexation atlon to get the better of his hia judgment and his usual courtesy A I 1 sW solution introduced by councilor K R W young which tersely and coh cah antly placed before the public the I 1 reason for the action of the board in making the reduction was decided cigut out of order although it was certainly in order having been offered be fore the motion to adjourn was put by the mayor and when the motion to adjourn was actually voted down the mayor declared it carried ignored the call for a division seized his hat and followed by the minority left the chamber it is to be regretted that the gentleman took such a highhanded or pettish course he was either so angry that he be forgot his duty as chairman or was dete mined to play the autocrat a role for which he is not adapted and so violated the rules of order and broke up the meeting the mayor believes no doubt thas all the funds expected from the tabet will be required for intended ex expenditures and for a balance on hand when the present council goes out of office there was a handsome sum in lb abe treasury when it laid hold of muni apal affairs that is all gone and nd vast amounts besides there is little to show for it by way of public improvements and to leave an empty treasury after all would be rather mortifying to the mayor and a very poor certificate for the liberal party his zeal in support of the assessors valuations and indifference as to the wishes of the taxpayers can thus be easily accounted for but it does not justify the course he has P pursued and will not add to his bis popularity the majority have done well in holding to their position after once taking a stand in favor of economy and justice to the taxpayers we do not see how the wrong that exists can be righted in any other way that will be satisfactory and consistent real estate has been listed too high considering the state of the market values have depreciated prec precia ted yet in many instances the assessment has been raised personal property while perhaps over valued as rel regards lards household effects has been placed in the main at its cash value as to merchandize merchandise dize stocks bonds money etc the wrong is as to realty and the reduction to is to apply to realty this thid ought to be done it clearly can be done and unless some now new movement to obstruct shall be made it may be said that it has been done we 0 do o not see on what ground it can be prevented and hope the city council ors who have stood their ground for it thus far will not permit themselves to be bulldozed or cajoled from their position the public should note all that has taken place on this matter the persons who have figured in it and the course they have pursued thee theae things will form pointers for the next municipal campaign and they ought not to be forgotten |
