New-York tribune., 1868-04-08
UTC HWdY ROBRERS.
ing it,.

When the heavy taxation rendered necessary
in consequence of the Democratic Rebellion OF
1861 was first ordered, we had five cents fare
in our city railway cars. Because they were
assessed one-eghth of a cent for each passen-
ger, they took the highwayman's privilege Of
even change, and charged us six cents instead
of fve-that is, they robbed us of seven -eighths
of q cent every time we rode i'll their cars.
Now seven -eighths on each six cents is bout
fifteen per cent over their lawful charges; there
are 2OOO0,OO0 of passengers per year; this, for
seven years, gives clear swindle Chats the
word) upon the public of one million two hun
dred and City thousand dollars within that
time
That the Companies should have paid the
Government tax without picking it from the
pockets of their customers, we all know. How
the robbery was ever submitted to, it would be
difficult TO determine, unless we say what Is
everybodys business is nobody's But since
then there have been many amendments to the
Revenue laws, and ione Of the earliest (that
which expsessly authorized this tax to be leved)
provided that OH the LIST of this month the
tax should cease. So, on All Fools day, we
congratulated ourselves upon a return to the old
five cents fare. Ii did not come. We asked
the reason. We got for answer that at some
previous day, while the Revenue law was
undergoing modification, the section which a1-
thorized this tax was tinkcred so as to alb
stract the limitation. gi wing the Companies the
right to continue it forever. But. as we under
stand it, the tax is now altogether repealed
the Government asks nothing from these rich
corporations beyond the ordinary tax upon IN
come. This being So every sixth cent paid for
ear fare is thrown away; every Company eN-
acting it robs the passenger OF so much money
quite rs cfcctually Tobs him rs does the
galrotcr who pinions his arms and picks his
pocket
This must be stopped The ears are patron
lied chiefly by hard-working and poor citizens.
For seven years laboring men and shop -girls
have paid to these rich corporations for every
ride not only the Government tax but seven
time, as much, 20 which the rich corporators
had no more right than they have to the pocket
money of Queen Victoria. TO this extent they
have plundcred us-snd the plundcr has been
taken from those who could least afford A.
We earnestly hope that the Legislature will
not adjourn without bringing these Dick Tur-
pin> 10 acrount. The tlimsy prctcnsc of Gov
,rnmcut tax exist, no longer; even The inad-
mis,iblc excuse of high prices Of working the
road, i, gone they have not = shadow OF au-
thority or excuse for their outrageous swlndIe
Let the Legislature bring them to u sense ol
duty, ii no, of justice. II they do not choose
10 run their roads az five cents fare let them
sell out: there arc thousands oil men who
would gladly take the franchises, pay ior the
,,.,t,rioI and RIM th. ears for fOul OF even
three cents. Six cent, i, a bold aud ineXcll>a-
bic swindlc We hcar much of pickpocbetS on
the cas- are the Railway Companies emulouS
OF rivalug the light fingered gentry in light
cuinc the pockets OF the unwary!