The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1881-06-08
RAILROAD TAxATT0N.

suggestive facts. many of which we are Ger
tain were new to them, relative to the railway
business of the United States, and its relation
to our wealth producing elements and activi-
ties 1t was there incontestibIy proved tnat,
while tile growth and Increase of our railway
facilities have been enormous, there has been
an equally marked reduction of the cost OF
railway service to the peonle, which has vastly
added to the general wealth and prosperity,
and that IN this benefit both the producer and
the consumer have largely shared. The fair
deduction is that railway enterprise should be
encouraged, not discouraged, and that It Is
for the interest of everybody that the great
and growing systems of transportation OF
merchandise should be facilitated, not OBJ
structed. We now wish to invite attention
to another and cognate topic, which deserves
thoughtful, nay, most careful attention, both
on account of its importance, and the difhcni-
ties which environ tito wit the taxation of
railroad corporations--which Is an especially
vital matter for this city and It's people. II Is
always wise, In taking up an Important ques-
tion to try to view it from all sides Impair
tally. If we would properly measure ITS d.
mansions, and give it intelligent considera-
ton. Especially is this the case In considering
question, like this one, of the taxation OF
railroad corporations, where we are met az
the outset by legal and constitutional difficult
ties, which cannot be settled In town meeting,
or in any popular assemblage. We have al
ready suffered In this city from the injudicious
course pursued toward the Cunard Steamship
Company, by we'll meaning but unwise per-
sons, which finally resulted In the withdraw
of tho line from our city, and the loss OF all
the business incidents its location here. ANY
action Of our city officials, or of the citizens,
which drives away from Jersey City any i'm
portant commercial or business enterprise or
company, is simply suicidal, and this applies
to the railroads with which our city and
county Is being gridironed, as well as to any
other undertaking or business. Anotner
thing shoald be understood, mere talk or the
ebullition Of excited feeling, even though 1t
be on just provocation, will achieve nothing
practical. We cannot afford to treat this very
serious question upon the basis Of popular ex.
element, or denunciation of railroad COM
panies. The natural eject of such course
will be to check the improvements already
projected, which, If carried out Will add
greatly to the future prosperity OF Jersey
City. All agree that our present burden OF
taxation is onerous, and that 1t is very desira-
BILE to reduce it, il possible but it should be
remembered aud frankly acknowledged that
this burden is In large degree the result OF
mismanagement and extravagance In the past,
on, the part of those whom We selected to
manage our municipal affairs and who allow
ed our present enormous debt to be rolled up.
It will not help matters now, to shut our eyes
to this fact or to attempt to put the whole re-
sponsibility for our present unfortunate mn.
ancial burdened condition upon the railroad
companies Another fact should not be ig.
nored, and that is, that the policy OF which
we now complain, and to which Mayor
Taussig refers in his recent message, OF OK
empting the termini of railroad corporations
from local taxation, was empatically approved
by the people of the State when IL was adopt
cd and it has always been pursued by the
State and applies to all railroads within our
borders. The same feature, il should be also
remembered, is incorporated In the present
general railroad law, which was also populafiy
approved. In our case here in Jersey City,
this exempted terminal property has since be-
come very valuable, but the question is not
thereby rendered any easier of solution, how,
either In law or equity these contracts SO
made by the State with these companies and
ratified by the people, can now De properly
exasperating denuncations of corporations.
1t will doubtless be held by outsiders, by all
those who have not our direct pecuniary in-
terest in the matter, that we have been greatly
benefited and our growth aud prosperity
largely increased, by reason OF these fran
chises granted by the State, which have
brought to our city and shores the trade OF
continent, and furnished the means of sup
GEMS Another point in the case Is this 1t
is mistake to suppose, as we find many per-
sons do that the railroad companies escape
taxation altogether. Under their charters,
for us, they pay the taxes to
the State, aud the income from this source
defrays pretty nearly the whole Of the expen- |
ses of the State government. This OF course
suits the taxpayers OF New Jersey outside of |
Hudson county pretty well, as 1t appeals di.
nxfl 30 thAsn nolf ssstar IN nudl
we think correctly, that as to the railroad |
corporation 1t is a matter Of indifference to |
them whether they pay their taxes into the
State or city treasury bdt the difficulty in |
the case Is, and will be, to persuade our fell
low citizens In other parts Of the common |
wealth to turn over to US what they now re- |
ceive. Two Of the railroads, it has been de-
cided by the highest judicial tribunals, have
irrepealable contracts Of exemption from mu- |
nicipal taxation these are the Pennsylvania |
Railroad and the Delaware, Lackawana and |
Western Railroad corporations, and these de-
csions are from our own Supreme Court. To
meet these cases Mayor Taussig made q sug-
gestion which 1t seems, perhaps, at first view,
feasible. He recommends that steps be taken
TO procure the passage OF constitutional
extiDguishiug these irrepealable
contracts by the payment of their money
value. Mayor Taussig does not venture to
say what he thinks these values might
amount to nor is it at this stage of the discus
SION material because whether such a course
IF relief Is In any case practicable or not will
depend, not ON the number of millions of dol
ars invested, but entirely upon the willing
ness or upwillingness Of the rest of the State
20 assume the payment of the sum which
would be required to represents the value Of
these franchises. OF course such an amend
ment must pass through the successive ordeals
II Nj Ian mr. nf irfx,sr vnt.