The Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1869-1872, 1870-05-11
subsidis. to Railroad Compute.

4
One of the ablest papers of Cor. HaiSht, of
California. has recently been published in re-
lation to the power of cities and counties to
subscribe for stock in railroad companies. or
donate subscriptions to aid their construction
The Governor shows very conclusively that
no such authority exists, and that all such do
nations made in California, or proposed by
/ recent acts of the Legislature to be submitted
to vote Of the people, are void, and that any
taxpayer may resist the Imposition or collec-
ton OF any tax for that object, whether sane
toned by vote of a majority of the people
OF any county or not. This position is sus-
tanned by liberal quotations from late decis-
ions of the courts of Iowa, Wisconsin and
New York. The conclusion is undoubtedly
correct. There is certainly limit to the tax
ing power, and that limitation is very clearly
defined when it imposes an oppressive burden
upon the people for the purpose Of assist
ing private incorporation, whether that cor
poration be created for railroad purposes or
for manufacturing, mining or any other pur-
pose designated to put money in the pockets
OF private company at the expense Of the
public. Counties even under the sanction of
Legislative enactments have no more power TO
levy tax upon its residents for the building
of railroad belonging to private individuals
than Elko county would have 10 levy q tax
to construct smelling works in this town for
the use of an incorporation. If citizens or
counties can be authorized TO tax their peo-
pie five per cent rs subsidy for the con-
struction of a railroad, they have an equal
right to impose tax of one hundred per
cent for that Object, and virtually to confs.
cate the entire property of n county for the
purpose of making present to q railroad
company.
1t is well that the subject is receiving some
consideration at this time, Many of the
Western States are practically bankrupt
through this agency. Long lines of counties
which generously contributed bonds and sub
sides to aid railroads across their boundaries.
i'll the vain hope Of immense local advantages.
are now sweating under n load of debt which
this generation can scarcely stagger under.
and which the generations yet 60 come will
live to curse as an everlasting blunder; while
the powerful and wealthy interpretations.
brought into existence by their boanty swt.erp
in naughty contempt across the lands of IN.
fools whom they have used and have no fur
Their use for. 1t is enough to grant the finest
lands OF the country to railroad companies;
1t is more than enough to compel unwilling
subscribers to take stock in them, or to con-
tribute by donations of money to their con-
struction. This coast has had but little cx-
perience in the disastrous results of this hasty
railroad policy, but within the last few years
1t has made sufficient progress to already
load down many of the counties of Califor-
MIA with most oppressive debts, for which
they are receiving comparatively no rcmuner-
ation, and numerous schemes are on foot Ia
extend the field Of operations over one of the
most magnificent sections nf the continent.
If it be truc that these subsidies and dnna.
tions are really Illegal, it is due to tho railroad
companies that they should understand il and
base their plan of operations accordingly; but
1t is also due to the taxpayer, that know
ing their rights they may dare maintain them.