Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1867-04-05

I ton We have now been called here to accomplish
as vel as Of the whole machinery Of the gov
ernment by which they are created and protected.
We shall, suppose, in all probability be met at
the outset by the cry that the Railroads are in
creasing incidentally the value Of our taxable
property go that we can well afford to let them
go scot free.
Not to so into any special pleadinrs. l would
for moment just turn the tables and sec if by
parity Of reasoning this very argument, If It
proves any thing, does not prove too much.
Suppose our industrial interests, our farmers
and manufactures, should claim that Railroad
Corporations could exist only on the business
which our products afford them, and are greatly
enhaucei in value by our contributions, there
fore they ought 10 ray all the taxes and We be
enabled 90 increase our own products and 80
help them to grow and ftten,-it strikes me
We could make out :" a case" very easily.
But shall waive the question Of policy, and
INSIST on the merits Of the idea OF equal taxa
ton Of the property Of the country
had intended 10 allude to the value Of the
investment in the instance Of the Vermont s
Canada Road, and the unscrupulous manner N
which its managers conduct its Affairs 20 in-
crease It's earnings and bolster up rs power
The remarkable phillipics Of YESTERDAY against
competing roads for charging exorbiiant rates
lor freight and passage seemed little overione
to Vermont ears, fancy. We having been so
long patiently acquiescing in a system Of over
charges as 20 te almost " case hardened " when /
We actually pay % per cent less fos a car load /.
from chicago % Boston than for the same lead I
back from Boston 10 poIne in our own State;
when We pay iess freight for barrel Of -four from
Montreal 70 St. Adams, than for that same /
barrel from 81. Adams back to the State line, /
and 50 on. But | proceed TO suggtst that
Shiie without doubt large proportion Of other
ia1abe property IN one way and another escapes
the duty and the burden Of taxation, some Of Il \
IS inevitably caught and feecel to pay the lack
ing balance.
While We have authorized many Of our towns
10 invest largely in corporare stocks, We have
made no attempt at a provision against
that notorious and r0Hsir0us practice Of
ietraudiug the public treasury By eyaI-
ug the taxation, ayd the whole amour,
IN these roads and bonds nav
very easily be kept by juiicious sud shrewi
adjustment Of running expenses ard salar.ei
ihcers at point so far below the per cent.
iiv.dend Of profits specified IN the statutes as 10
'e legally exempted. There is moreover very
ingular and remarkable feature IN the proyI-
ions Of the bill granting authority to the towns
o subscribe for stock 70 aid in building Iai-
o4ds which, as It seems 10 me germain 10 the
utject in hand. | desire to notice, viz, that not
majority Of the freemen and legal voters in
own meeting. but majority Of wealth shall
etermine who shall be taxed for building these
oads, thus attempting 70 protect the capitalist
gainst his comparatively Impoverished neigh
or, to throw the balance Of power into the
ands Of the rich to protect them against the
oor. have always thought it a vastly greater
ardship for the poor to pay their snail taxes,
ut Of their penury, in very many cases taking
ven the very necessaTits Ci life, than FOR the
ich cut Of their oyer-abundanee to pay what
ley can well afford to spend.
With these hasty remarks. Mr.. Speaker,
abmit the PROPOSITION 10 the consideration q
lis BODY.