Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1861-02-21
The Tonnage Tax.

House, some warmly iavoring and 9th
ers bitterly opposing it. In this neighbor
hood the question mainly centres on the
local matters likely to be affected by its
provisions, some deeming it likely that the
branch to Reedsville will at once be made,
and another portion, from the fact that the
work mp to grading will have to be done
by subscription before any portion of the
funds provided by the bill will become
available, that it will not be made at all, the
first mile with river bridge alone being
costly affair. We append some remarks in
favor of the bill, alluded to in our last, and
again invite the opinions of our readers
! both pro and con OH the subject
For the Gazette.
| 4 Feto Reflections IN Relation to a Bill En-
tH(ed az 1ct for tie Communication Of Ton,
mage Duties.
! First 1t is upon its face manifestly fair,
just, and equitable, for it places all routes of
public transportation upon perfect equality,
J so far as the same can be effected by legisla-
! ton.
! Second. The repeal of the tonnage duties
imposed upon the trade of the Common
wealth, is demanded by the highest conside
rations of public policy, by the purest integ
rity by the clearest good faith ON the part of
the Commonwealth.
Third. 1t is demanded by public policy.
| because it is crushing burthen upon all the
business which flows through one of the great
arteries Of trade in the State 1t positively
excludes from our State a very large amount
of trade, for the tax is so heavy, that it finds
a cheaper access to the sea-board, through
channels Of trade leading to cities in other
/ States.
1t taxes raw material so heavily as to pre-
vent its transportation, in many cases, and
thus oppresses the industry and skill which
would be expended go proftably to our citi
zens. III converting that raw material into
manufactured product.
1t taxes certain classes Of our citizens to
the exclusion Of others, discriminating at the
same time against those least able to bear it
surely, if we discriminate at all in taxation,
it should be the reverse Of this i: it should be
in favor, and not aaginst those least able to
bear it.
Fourth. The repeal of the tonnage tax is
demanded by the purest integrity, for it was
originally imposed only to protect the Main
Line Of the Public works from an anticipa.
ted loss Of revenues, which never in fact oc
Cured The building of the PENNSYLVANIA
Railroad, being in effect the same as extend
ing the Columbia Railroad from Harrisburg
to Pittsburg, produced an increase of reve-
nue. on the Columbia Railroad, exceeding in
value that which was lost to the Canal, so
that the revenues of the Commonwealth in
creased instead Of diminished by the con
strueton of the Pennsylvania Railroad and
this reflection will be the more striking when
it is remembered that in 1916, when the Penn
syyana Railroad was Incorporated, the New
York Central, and the New York and Erie
Railroads, the enlarged Erie Canal, and the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad were approach
ing completion, and about to enter into com
petition with our Main Line, the cost of doing !
business upon which was too great to meet
this competition, and it's traffic would ncces-
sarily have been reduced to local trade, de- !
stroying its value as source of revenue.
If further reflection needs to be added, you
are reminded that the Main Line Of the Pub
lie Works, west of Columbia, which the ton
mage tax was intended TO protect, and which, !
so far from yielding q revenue. had always
proved really heavy source of expense an
nually to the Commonwealth, has since /
been sold by the State, and bought by the
Railroad Company. 1t, of course, therefore, /
no longer needs protection, though wholly
Improbable to its present owners, and the
reason for the tax having ceased, tie tax It
self should be removed.
Further the company are willing to pay
to the Commonwealth taxes on their proper /
ty, and franchises to the same extent, and in /
such manner as will place their works up /
on an equality with similar Improvements ,
they desire to be placed upon this equality In !
order to be able to transport as cheaply as !
others, and to make their property more ben /
etcial to the public than it can be whilst bur /
thened with tax so heavy as to prevent, to /
q great extent, the proper development Of the !
resources Of the State.
Fifth The removal Of the tonnage tax is !
required by the pnrest good faith. At the
time Of the purchase Of the Main Line by
the railroad company, the then Executive of
the Commonwealth pledged his good faith .
and so far as he was able, that of the State,
for the repeal of the tax, and, IN consequence .
Of this pledge, earnestly recommended Its re
peal in his annual message ofJanuary, 1898. I
Without this pledge, the company would
not have bid for the works. They did pur-
chase. relying en- the good faith of the Com
monSealth for the repeal of the tax, in ac- 7
cordance with this pledge Of the Government,
giving for the property much more than 1t
MAS worth 70 the Commonwealth or any 9TH |
er party. {
Sicti. The reduction of rates for transpor-
tation, as required by the provisions Of the |
bill, will aid in the development of the re-
sources of the State, and, of course, increase
the value of real estate-thus directly bene-
ftt;pg the citizens, and improve the taxable I.
values Of the Commonwealth.
iSere,lth The distribution Of loans, as pro (
,osad in the bin. will enable all the roads
amounting in al to more than go miles,
referred to, to be completed within q reason
able time. and thus add much to the taxable
value Of the property in the regions of coun-
try that Will be benefited by developing
their resources.