Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1879-10-07
BOARD OF EQUALIZATION.
No Reduction on Railroad Assessments.
Its Members Bow to the Public Will.
Opinion of the Commissioner.

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After discussing some minor applications,
at Mr.. Wren's request the hearing of the
| application OF the E. & p. road was post
poned until Z p. NJ. The Board then adj
journed to Judge Cromer's Office, and the
case of the Central Pacific was taken up.
A large number Of u most prominent
citizens were present, and listened
with interest to the debate between Mr..
Wallace, on the part Of the Assessor,
and Mr.. L. b. Ryan, the tax agent Of the
Central Pacific, who appeared for that cor
poration.
Mr.. Ryan is a small, wiry man, evidently
possessed of great tenacity, and handled
his case with the skill of an old veteran OF
the bar, and we heard with surprise his
assertion that he was no lawyer. Certainly
no nan appearance was more deceptive,
for he looks every inch q follower OF
Blackstone.
The debate assumed o wide range, and
took in every species Of taxable property.
Mr.. Wailace's position, in brief, was that
the value of the entire road should be as
certained, that the value per mile should
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ment made accordingly. In other words,
the value Of the road per mile should be
adjudged the same in Nevada as in Cali
fornia, without regard to business trans
acted.
Mr.. Ryan quoted at length all points of
law bearing on the subject. The ASSESS
ment, he claimed, was excessive, and was
far above that imposed by other counties
in Eastern Nevada. In the course of the
argument Mr.. Wallace asserted that the
possessory right of a mine could not be
assessed, in fact no. portion Of it save
the bullion product and improve
ments, under a sale for taxes
only u portion could be sold as could
be taken away. In this Mr.. Ryan agreed,
and said that according TO Mr.. Wallace's
argument only the rails and ties of the
road could be sold under such sale, that
the right to operate the load could not be
touched, nor could the easement granted
by Congress be effected. That part of Mr..
Wailace's argument, he said. in relation to
mines, was an untenable one. The bullion
product of a mine was newly developed
property, and if the mine yielded ten mill
lions yearly, and was valued at that
amount, the newly developed property
would be taxed, but the original property,
also worth ten millions, would escape tax
alton.
In reply to a question by Mr.. Page,
concerning the earnings Of the Central
Pacific in Nevada Mr.. Ryan submitted the
following statement:
II have before me statements of the
month OF August last, which were made
up with great care and at considerable ex-
pense, showing our entire receipts from
freight and passengers, collected for the
pro rata proportion Of the road operated in
this State. | find the pro rata earnings
for that month (Which was the largest
months earnings for the year,, for freight
forwarded from points in Nevada, S4S,-
$40 65; for freight received at all points in
Nevada, S74,7i5 06, and for passengers for
the same period, both ways, $27, 974 90,
making in all only S151 800 II. On the
other hand. ! find for the same month that
the taxes and amount actually paid out to
our own men, residents of this State,
reached S62,3i7 81. Now, IL we add to
his-which is not included in the above
the cost OF material, such as new rails, fast
enings, timbers, lumber, material for
shops, fuel, etc, used in this State, to-
gether with a proper proportion Il inter
est, salaries and other expenses, we would
find the amount we paid out was greater
than the proportional amount OF earnings
received from all the traffic from the State
within its boundaries"
A petition, signed by a large majority
OF the taxpayers, requesting that nc re-
duction be made in the assessments, was
presented, but Mr.. Ryan objected TO its
reception, stating that attempts to in
luence the Judges flor the Commissioner
we're virtually Judges by such an attempt
at buildozing was unheard Of. The petit
ton, however, was read by consent Of the
Board.
Mr.. Ryan then requested that the decis-
ion Of the Board De reserved until after
the hearing Of the application Of the E. &
P. road, as questions would probably arise
affecting both roads. This was granted,
and the Board adjourned until Z O'Clock.
Evening Session.
At o'clock Judge Cromer's office was
filled, considerable interest being mani.
Tested to hear what Mr.. Edgar Mills would
say, it being known that he would take
the stand.
Mr.. Wren represented the railroad, and
Judge Baily and George W. Baker appeared
for the people.
Mr.. Mills was sworn, and in respon to
heterogeneous by Mr.. Wren, claimed that
the assessment was excessive and unjust,
The road, he said, was doing less business
now than last year. He had, however. nc
disposition to act obstinately or TO array
himself in opposition to the people; he was
willing to assist them in bearing the bur
dens OF taxation, and would chcerfully
consent to a raise OF 81. 500 per mile in ex.
cess OF the assessment of last wear. Con.
corning the Income Of the road he refused
to make any statement. The business OF
the road, he said, was his private affair,
INTO which no individual or set of indi.
viduals had any right to pry. and should
be as invlolate as that of any merchant;
Inc road was open for inspection. and
couiu De assessed Tor whatever sum the
Commissioners in their Judgment might
see fit. All he asked in the remises was
simple justice. In building the road M
had asked for no assistance, and now he
did not propose to ask for any favors
Every ton Of ore or bullion taken over thu
road reduced its value, from the fact thai
the camp was just n ton nearer its fnal
end. He had the same right as property
holders to secure a fair return on the capi.
tai invested, and claimed that the assess.
ment on the road was in excess of tina,
made on other property, and that the
profits on the road was less than that on
property in the town Of Eureka.
Judge Baily and George W. Baker, Esq,
both tool a hand in the cross-examination,
but elected nothing Of note.
Mr.. Wallace was questioned concerning
the assessments on other property, and
explained the manner in which he arrived
at the conclusions that induced him to fl,
the assessments at the present rate.
Judge Baily and Mr.. Baker were also
called to the stand by Mr.. Wren, his object
being to show that in their cases Their
property was only assessed at half its
original value, and that therefore no dis.
tinction should be made against the road
Several other witnesses were examined,
but nothing of Importance was brought
out.