Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1861-03-20
Corporations Us. TIse People.

The bill for the repeal Of tho tonnage tax
has been signed by the Governor, and IS now
a law 1t not only releases the Penusylva-
MIA Rail Road Company from the payment of
this tax for the future, but also from all Of
said tao nor due, amounting to about $3.50
900. We would like 10 know with what
kind Of logic, the members Of the Legislature
and the Company sustain this part Of The Act.
The principal reason urged in favor Of the mea-
sure by It's friends was, that the tax was not in
reality tax on the company, but on those Who
received freight over its road, that the com
pany increased its charges on freight TO an
amount sufficient TO pay the tax, and that con
sequently the receivers or owners of freight
and not the company PaidIt. We cndeavored
few weeks ago, to show the failicy Of this
argument, but granting that 1t is Correct
what right has the company TO be released
from the SUM Of $3.50. 600. now due and un-
paid According to its OVID statement this
sam was collected by it for the use Of the
State, off of those persons to whom it deliver
ed freight; that IS, every person to whom it
delivered freight was IN addition to the reg
ular charges Of the company, compelled to
pay the amount of the State tax chargeable on
the same. The company therefore received
the money in trust for the use ofthe State, and
it at once belonged to the State and not to the
company. What right then has the Company
to claim it as its own after it admits that it col
lected it IS State tax OF of the honest hard wor-
king citizen of the Commonwealth Ifthere
was really anything wrong in this matter in he
first place, 1t would be right for the Legizla-
ture to direct that this money should, if posi-
bic be refunded to those who paid it, but
it has 10 right to make a gift of it to one
ofthe weaithiest corporations now in ezis-
tsuce in the United States.
The Legislature having now got through
with all the legislation the Pennsylvania, and
the Sunbury and Erie Rail Road Companies
required. is, We presume, ready 20 adjourn.
But it It probable there are jet few sOulless
corporations, whose business has not yet been
disposed Of If they are wealthy, of course
it will be attended to promptly. Corporations
now may be truly said to rule Pennsylvania,
for they control the Legislature which makes
the laws In truth there is now but little
Legislation save that concerning, and fer he
benefit of these artificial bodies. Take VI
the Pamphlet Laws OF the last session, and
you will fud that nearly all the laws it con-
tains relate to corpoatioas, many of which are
clearly intended to cripple individual enter
prize, and benefit the few at the expense of the
mary How long shall this state of affair:
be permitted to continue? 1t is time the peo-
pie should arouse themselves to a sense ef tho
impending danger. If they are determined
to remain freemen instead of becoming slaves
''hewers of wood and drawers of water" IL
soulless corporations, it is time that they were
up and doing. The Legislature must bc
wrested from the grasp and rule of corpora
tions, or 1t will be hereafter farcical to tall
about the people of Pennsylvania governing
themselves. They threaten ere long to be a.
dangerous to the liberties and rights of tbe
people. as was the United States Bank when
Geni. jackson dealt it a death blow. And
worst of all, many of them, the Pennsylvania
Rail road for instance have already began
to interfere with our elections. Is it not then
high time the subject should command the
attention of the people Of Pennsylvania, who
wish to live frcemen in reality and Dos in
name e?