The Rock Island daily Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1872-1873, 1873-09-29

I2-JDhp W, SUUdUs, OF ChSs,
l3-Stephen ID. Fisher, of Logan.
14-Joseph English, of Nermillion.
lb-Sdnaei HcNUn, of Edgar,
ID Daniel L. NcCd,cieg. of Clay.
17-GfOrg, Hunter of Macoupin.
lS-Daniel X. MCMasters, of Randolph.
lg-Arad h. HcCdbs, of Gallatin.
[Six opposition in Italics
1t is the duty of the State Board to as
sess all railroad property in the State.
The assessment of this property is not
done by the township or county assessors,
like other property, but by the State
Board. Two propositions were before the
Board-the majority of the committee on
railroad property having reported in favor
of taxing the improvements on the right
of way, OF the grading of the roads-and
the minority having reported against as
sessing anything for this improvement.
1t would seem, to most people, that the
grading is an Improvement on the value of
the property, as well as buildings, rails,
ties and other improvements. Certainly
the railroads did not pay the farmers for
this improvement when they acquired the
right of way. They first get a charter
from the legislature authorizing them to
run through or over any mans land, and
cunningly provide for commission 10 APP
praise damages, and authorizing the com
mssioners to take into account benefits as
well as damages The injustice Of this is
seen in the fact that adjoining lands,
through which the roads do not run, are
not assessed for benefits If it benefits OF
. increases the value of farmers land OF
city lot owners land to have a railroad ruu
through it, then it certainly is also q
benefit to the owners of adjoining lands o.
lots but such owners are not assessed
benefits at all they escape that tax anC
it all falls upon the man whose lands art
taken from him.
The price paid for this right Of way i
not the value of the right Of way after the
grading has been done and why that add
ed value should not BE- assessed at some
thing is, as Lord Dundreary says "wha
no fellah can understand" But the mel
who do the assessing being generally il
the interest of the monopolies and in favol
of increasing the burdens of the mass Of the
people for the benefit Of the monied anC
monopoly classes, know very we'll how tt
manage that thing.
While tbs question was before the State
Board of Equalization, the Farmers As
ISOLATION Of Henry county met and passeC
the following resolution of instruction t,
Mr.. Wiley. our member of the Board
Rssolrs5 That our member OF the Board o
EQua izati0n be. and he Is hereby. instructed TO us
hi influence TO assess railroads and railroad prop
erry at its cash value real estate and 9th
rr property has been assessed in this STATE.
And the Secretary of that Association
sent a copy of the resolution to Mr. Wiley
Here is his answer:
sPRINGFIELD. H.. sept 10 1873
Ny DEAR SIR: Yours Of the Sd inst, duly re
ceiyed. Tue resolution enclosed. passed BY Won
honorable body az the meeting held in Camhridg
on the 81 inst, meets my hearty approval.
think large majority Of this Board entertain -tmia
views.
The ouly difficulty in arriving at n Just conclu
sion will be to HNd the real r1tf. Of that class
property.
ny Vl,. "a ae ii III ' W, l,st VI o. ut,,'
prs of the District, whom ! have the honor to rel
resent am very respectfully YOUR,
WM l. WILEY.
To G. NJ stevens. Secretary Farmers As-oci:
ton Henry county.
The letter is mere subterfuge, designe
III Al r Ill U-.I :.
l" oi'ud ti1 lal ulolS' "h'It " my III
,cdey way, is working in the interest Of tn
raliroaaS.
Now read the following.
SPRINGFIELD. ILL.,, Sept 23-The ses
ions of the State Board of Equalixatio
were occupied to-day in The discussion
the merits of the majority and minority r,
ports submitted by the Railroad Commi
, tee. AT noon no decision had been reache,
and a resolution was passed requestiu
| Gen G. f. Lippincott, as Auditor, to ii,
the Board his views in writing, when
should reasemble at O'Clock The fo
lowing is his opinion:
To me Honorable state Board Of Equalization
In reply to the resolution of the Board adopt
carefully considered the Subject Of the manner ANN
assessing , railroads ana have ayaied myself Of !
which have r ached il that the law does not co
template the Assessing of the cost of construct,
or grading or any part Of the property denominat
railroad track in Sec. ~ of the Revenue law, b
ina any ran, Tsul"g ir9m or rd NeonEnS to sn
tainsd 10 the assessment Of the capital stock of a
stand that The short time allowed me for reply
M . b 3hg sgefSt 1rEn oi
er circumstances, appear sgmewha curt and do
out careful Consideration. Very Resp cffaly'
w. DS.2neo' y b. llrriN'orr' Audi'Or