The Placer herald., 1874-08-08
$4,000 PER MILE. j..

opinion that the County Board of Equaza-
ton would raise the assessment of the rail-
road property in this county to $25, 900 per
mile. This was the opinion of nearly all
who we heard express themselves on the
subject. But, alas! for general opinion, as
to future acts, when frail, weak mortals are
the actors. That opinion now, along with
all our proofs and pleadings, to say nothing
about precedent and justice, to the people,
are knocked higher than Gilroy's kite.
Whether it is right or wrong, the interested
public must be the judges. Our verdict is,
wrcng. The actual cash value Of the Gen.
tral Pacific railroad, if based on what it
would be taken for in payment Of just debt
due from solvent debtor, is, at the very
least, s25, 900 per mile. We have the best
reasons for believing it worth $50 900. But
we make the liberal deduction of one-haf,
to allow for possible errors in our calculation.
Why we believe it worth that amount, we
have often shown Our Board of Supcrvis-
ors say, $12 900 ridiculous. We don't
only mean that $l2,O 900 per mile is rdicu-
ously low, but equalizing it at that rate
caves the county in a most ridiculous per-
dicament What are we going to do about
last years taxes? If $4,000 per mile is
right, $25 900 per mile, as levied last year,
and year before, is oppressive; and we, as
an honest people, demanding only what is
right, cannot conscientiously accept from the
railroad company taxes to double the amount
of their just dues, even if the courts decide
The matter, which in time they doubtless
will, in our favor. On the other hand, if
S25 900 Fer mile is right, then the assess
ment at ST., cooper mile positively unjust
i discrimination in favor of a rich, puffed-up,
unscrupulous monopoly and against "A mass
of toiling, honest people. To say the road
has decreased in value would be the height
of folly, in the face of it's steadily increasing
business. Hartman has been bold enough,
from the start, to give us to understand that
he would oppose a raise in the assessment.
That was all right we expected nothing else.
Soule has been, on this subject, from what
we could gather, not much unlike weatbe,
cock in storm, rather unsettled. So from
him, on this subject, we were prepared for
any result. We have regarded him as a
/ l.. 4 81, ,,I
ject it requires considerable substance to
withstand the pressure. If he had, by hs
vote, happily surprised us by saying raise,
we would have thought 20 much the more
Of him. Men f r action is what the country
wants to-day, and where they are found,
they shall be duly esteemed by us, let them
claim allegiance to what political faction they
may. Mann has been silent on this subject
though we regarded him as reliable. We did
not regard him thus without cause. When
he was elected, the question was fairly a
test of strength between the monopoly and
the people. He was the peoples candidate,
md WAS elected, and if the people look upon
this matter as we do, they will be sorry that
he has disappointed them. He assures us
his action in the matter was governed by his
best judgment, and knowing him go well and
long as we have, as a most scrupulously
honest, steady, and upright man in all other
matters, we cannot entertain doubt as to
his sincerity in this But regard it as very
unfortunate circumstance that what he think s
right, should so conflict with the ideas and
interests of his constituents. Barrett and
Laird need no praise. They did what was
expec ed Of them. Their dissent against the
decision of the Board as published elsewhere
in this issue, shows their views on the sub
ect, are in strict accord with the people.
A fact which, since practically known, should
entitle them to deeper hold on the conf
dence Of their constituents.