The Rutland weekly globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-09-29

that such real estate should be subject to
the general provisions of the law relative to
the assessment and taxation of real estate.
The law declared that the road bed and
track of any railway, and all land taken
and used for railroad purposes, should be
deemed real estate within the meaning of
the act, but that no road bed or track
should be assessed at valuation exceeding
two thousand dollars mile of the main
line Of the road in such town or cily--other
real estate belonging TO railroad to be as
sessed or valued the same as real estate of
any individual,
In order that railroads in the process of
construction, or projects looking to the
construction of new lines, might not be
discouraged, and that such roads might not
seem to be Disseminated against, and might
have the same favors extended to them as
had been extended to the old roads, 1t was
further provided that the real estate of all
railroads should be wholly exempt from
taxation for a period of ten years from the
time "when regular trains for public traffic
and accommodation shall have COM
" menced running over the entire length of
4" faid road within this state"
The law, as a whole, was perfectly fair
and just TO the railroads. Every argument
is in favor of the taxation of railroad pro-
perry. Not a single valid argument can be
aduced against the principle of railroad
taxation. They receive the protection OF
the state, and should contribute their share
toward its burthens. This is the whole
principle of taxation, and it applies as
well to railroads as to other corporauont
or to individuals. The general assembly,
in applying the principle, Disseminated
against the people and in favor of the rail
roads. While individuals are supposed to
be taxed on the full value of their property
railroads were to be taxed only upon val
e uation of the greater part of their rea
t estate which must necessarily be far below
' its real value; while they were entirely ex
$ empt from taxation for the period of tel
years, or double the period for which nev
manufacturing establishments were ex
j eupted
] Notwithstanding these determinations
f the people were disposed to accept of tn
o aw, and give it, at least, a fair trial befor
G skiing to have these corporations placed o
f N equality with themselves. But, if cul
n rel iumor is TO tic received, these railroa
- companies fesm ready to give us a pract
cnl illustration Of The I'D adage, whicl d
o c'ares if yon give an ell they will take q
l. iach. The txes which accrue, or are SUI
is posed to accrue, from the assessment c
k railroad property benefit, of course, onl
= those to&n in which such property is sitl
II ated; and it is reported that the sewers
he railroad companies Ill the state, tai ing &C
J. vantage of this fact, have combired, an
|. are endeavOring to further combine wit
~ the towns ID benefited, for the purpos
of procuring the repeal of the law-th
practical effect of which would be, the e.
i emption of all railroad property from tai
n alton.
n We can hardly believe that the severI
n railroad corporations in the state can
n shortshighted enough TO pursue so suicid,
n a course. There is no reason why the
e should not bear their full share of the pull
J. lie burthens. The argument used b
n them, that they are embarrassed with il
l. debtedness, is wholly without force; as
s would be equally applicable to all, or nea
IS ly all, other sources of taxation in til
: state-and, if given force, would, to
}, greater or leas extent, do away with taxi
lie ton. 1t may be true that they are emba
I'd raised, are losing money; but so are 9th,
as tax-pay ers-and one should not be exemp
d. ed unless all arc. 1t is only necessary
D. get the facts before the people, as we b
lieve, to defeat this scheme of railroad ma
= ayers The people will insist that IL
D. present system have fair trial, and if an
T. change is made, it be change in the int
NC est of the people, not of railroad corpor
" lions.
ST | =-=T--=--
THE OHIO CANVASS.