The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1864-08-24

OF bill regularly reported by that COM
mittee. What do We see, sir2 The bill
is brought up for consideration by the
chairman Of that distinguished commit
tee, and we find to our utter astonishment
that the chairman is the only member Of
the whole committee of fifteen members
that thus far favors the passage Of the
bill upen this floor. There may be others
that faver 10; I do not propose to speak
for the whole committee but after hours
of discussion, but one individual so far
favors the bill, or rather the section of
bill that IL oses taxation upon railroads.
Now, sir, this is little remarkable It
was stated here to-day that it was very
common for committees to report bills in
regard to which all the members Of the
committee were not agreed; that they
report them for the purpose of getting
them before the House. That is true
enough; we all see that every day; but
it is remarkable and unusual for COM
mittees to report bills with an affirmative
recommendation, when all the members,
save one, are hostile to the passage of
them when reported. 1t is not usual in
legislation, and it is not fair towards this
House. When a bill emanatos from so
grave committee as this one, and is
placed upon our files, nen of less inform
alton on these subjects have right to
suppose that it has received the consid-
Grafton of the committee, selected as it is
from the House with direct reference to
intelligence upon financial questions, and
the House has the right also to suppose
that at least a majority of the committee
favor the passage of the bill. But We
learn to our astonishment that in reporting
this bill the committee have simply been
"paltering with US in a double sense,
keeping the word of promise to the ear,
and breaking it to the hope" This bill is
utterly worthless, SO far as the sanction
of the committee is concerned. Sir, if
they had "negatiVed" the bill, it would
have been fairer treatment towards the
House.
Well, sir, this bill proposes to impose
tax of two per cent. upon the gross re.
ceipts of railroad companies. Bat as soon
as the bill is called up, we have an amend
ment offered by member of the com.
mitteo that reported it. Now bear il
mind, Mr. Chairman, that the attention
Of the country is directed at this time to
some system of taxation upon railroads !;
directly upon railroads that is the
persistent demand of those that sent US
here, SO far as [ know anything Of their
wishes. We have bill before u that
proposes such taxation, and an amend
ment is offered which changes entirely
the character of the bill; it simply i'm
poses taxation upon tonnage and directs
the railroad companies to collect it from
additional charges upon freights. It is a
cheat and delusion. SIR, the gentleman
from Lebanon, (Mr. Coleman,) who has
offered this amendment, is thrusting
base born bastard into the cradle of the
lawful heir The people have asked for
bread, and he would give them a stone.
Sir, il is not an amendment to the bill,
but it IS the destruction of it. The peo-
| pie have said to US, owe are too heavily
taxed already; make up such additional
revenues as are necessary from taxation
upon railroads and other corporations"
and We have bill before US looking in
that direction, and an amendment is Of
fered which simply puts additional bur-
dens upon the people and leaves the cor
porations untouched.
Now, cir, the amendment may be better
than tho original bill it is undoubtedly
30 IN tho present estimation Of majority
of the Committee of Ways and Means
but | hope no man in this House will
attempt to deceive himself by even call
i ing it taxation upon railroads. Why
should this amendment be adopted, and
why should not the additional revenue
which We must have be derived from the
proper source2
| have already remarked, Mr. Chair.
man, that the railroad capital is one hun
dred and sixtytwo millions of dollars
This enormous capital paid in taxes for
the past year, all told, but tho sum of
two hundred and nine thousand dollars
less than one mill and q half upon the
dollar. Twenty-siz millions of dollars in
in banking capital pays three hundred
and twenty-seven thousand dollars in
taxes into the State treasury, while enc
hundred and sixty,two millions in rail-
road capital pays but two hundred and
nine thousand dollars. And how is it
when We bring real and personal estate
into the comparison2 Let US sec. The
entire assessed valuation of the State is
six hundred millions of dollars and from
this assessed valuation for the past year
at least fifteen millions of dollars in taxes
have been collected, including State and
Local taxation. Now. bear in mind. Mr.