The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1875-05-18
JUDGEMENT AGAINST DEL1N
QUENT TAX PAYERS.
Private Corporations Excepted.

As~bS IVA gS4 SSe@SAAS 1
1t will be remembered that Judge Wiki
inson, attorney for certain private corpor-
atoms, appeared before our board of
supervisors, at its late session, and stated
that Dimock, Gould & COMPANY, Deere &
Company, The Moline Plow Company,
The Moline Wagon Company, The Rock
Island Gas Light & Coke Company, and
B. d. Buford 4 Company having foreign
stockholders stockholders residing outside
this state) therefore had the right to apply
to the Federal courts to restrain the col
lection of what they claim to be an illegal |
tax upon their capital stock, assessed by |
the state board of equalization, in 1873, and |
that they had done so; and that the cases
would be carried to the Supreme Court of
the United States. Judge Wilkinson said
that there were five other private corpor-
atoms in this county for which he was also
attorney, and that they, having no foreign
stockholders, could not bring suit in the
Federal courts,-he therefore asked that
the collection of the taxes assessed upon
them be postponed to await the action of
the U. 5. Supreme Court, as it would be
only justice that all should be treated
alike. The board Of supervisors declined
to take any action upon the matter. And
now follows the action of Judge Guyer, Of
our county court.
On Monday Samuel R. Porter, Esq,
county treasurer, filed his tax lists and
publication notices and proofs for judg-
ment and order of sale of delinquent
lands. The application was resisted by
the owners of large number OF tracts,
upon various grounds, none of which pre-
vailed except those in behalf of the manu-
featuring companies, and the lands in Mo-
line township within this school district.
The manufacturing companies resisted on
ly in respect to the capital stock of 1873,
the taxes upon tangible property having
been paid. The main points of defense
were that the question of the liability Of
the companies to pay this tax was already
pending in another court which had COM
plete jurisdiction of the subject and where
discussion would determine the validity Of
the tax, which all parties would have to
abide.
The corporations are as follows:
Dimoch Gould & Co. Deere Company.
| Moline Pillow Co. Moline Wagon Co,
Z. 1. Gas Light & Coke Co. B, D. Buford & Co,
Barnard & Leas Mfg Co Moline Pump 60.
Moline Malleable Iron Wk's. William White i Co.
Rock Island Wooden Mfg Co.
The first SIX named have foreign stock
holders, and through them could success
fully resist the tax by suit in the Z. s.
court.
1t was the purpose of the other compan
les to create foreign stockholders, that they
also might avail themselves of the decision
of that court, but the successful resistance
of judgment here renders that course
unnecessary, for the present. at least
Besides these objections there was an
other important one from S. W. McMas-
ters, against tax Judgment on delinquent
school tax on his property in the upper
end of Rock Island. 1t was presented by
Messrs Connolly & McNeal. Hon. j. L.
Browning appeared on the part of Moline
township and replied to the objection. The
j arguments on both sides were lengthy, anc
: at times quite spirited. The direct poin
q at issue was this The land owned by Mr.
e McMasters on which there is Delinquent
\ school tax, lies within the corporate limit:
of the city of Rock Island, and under thu
: special law of this state, passed for oul
n school district must pay taxes here in
i stead of in Moline But Moline township
has assessed this property as a part of he
territory, and desires that the taxes b.
paid into her treasury, This Mr. McMas
Il tiers objects to for the following reasons
as given in his formal objection TO thu
county court
Said described property at the time the taxes wer
n assessed against it was, and since has been
within the corporate limits of the city of Rock Isl
/ and, said being levied for school, roa'
J the city of Rock Island; and being so within tn
limits OF said city was not subject to assessment TO
tor OF on e sa
BILE to and having been assessed for city taxes il
It said city OF Rock Island, which said taxes hay
been paid. said land being within the territory o
7, said city for all road, bridge and school purposes
Said property at and before the time of the as
sessment of said school taxes against said land wa
within the corporate limits of the city of Rock Isl
tand within the Rock Island school district and a
t. SUCH alone subject school taxes and assess
-. mcnts for the said Rock Island school district
u but the taxes against said land for school purpose
were levied against the same on the levy Of take
made by the Board of Education of School Distric
| No. in Moline twp. in said county and not in tn
levy of ecnoOl taxes made and levied by the Boar
OF Education OF the School District of Rock Island
u Judge Guyer decided that the objection
u of Mr.. McMasters was good and that ia,
judgment on his delinquent school, roa,
# and bridge taxes should not be entered
l. The decision is an important one, for Mr.
McMasters' case was test one for all tn
5 land that lies at the same time in the cit
+ of Rock Island and within the western
boundary line of Moline township. Ac
J. cording to the above decision all school
) road and bridge taxes on such propert
must be paid to the city of Rock Islam,
4 instead of Moline.
There is no more popular hotel man il
). Chicago than Mr.. Sam p. Skinner, an,
bis friends, who are host, will be sorry t
n learn that he is going to leave the city, h
d having accepted position as cashier o
the Stockton House, Cape May, n. Y
We know Of no one more capable of fill
O ing the position, and bespeak for him
n successful career in his new field.