Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-09-17
RAILROAD ASSESSMENTS.
MIR. POstOn, ~ Memphis, and
Oiher Attorneys Object 20 the
Values Fixed.
Nn,hrille World. Is.

Yesterday was quite an interesting
day at the Capitol, especially in the
room occupied by the commission ap.
pointed by the Governor to assess a
value on the railroad property of the
State. 1t vas believed by the man.
agements of some Of the roads that
the values fixed upon them by the
assessors were too high, and as they
we're allowed under the law ten days
after the publication Of the official
statement Of the assessors to file ex-
oeptions, in the exercise Of that right,
and with a desire to have a hearing,
filed their pleas for o redress for what
was believed to be wrongs, and, per-
haps in many instances are such. Yes.
terday was the day set for a hearing Of
arguments.
The first case heard was Of the
ROgersville and Jacksonville road.
In this case the exceptions we're, in a
general way, to the effect that the
assessment on their property was too
high. The road was represented by
H. NJ. Aiken, Esq, the attorney and
general manager. His remarks were
plain and practical and directly to the
point.
The exceptions made by the Knox-
vile and Augusta road we're next
heard. In this case the exceptions
we're in general terms and about the
same as that Of the Rogersville aud
Jacksonville. This road was repre-
scented by General r. N. Hood, the
attorney and also general manager.
His remarks were to the effect that an
assessment Of more than 5000 per
mile amounted to almost c~onfiscation.
General Hood represented the Coal
Greek Coal Company's railroad. The
exceptions in this case in q general
way were to the effect that the State
board had no right to assess them for
taxation, and if they did, the present
assessment was too high. General
Hoods remarks, however, were OF a
pleasant character, practical, sensible
and impossible.
The next was that Of the Illinois
Central. Their exceptions we're to the
effect that the values fixed on their
property by the assessors were decid-
eddy too high and oppressive, and that
a road similar to theirs in every reN
spect could be built and equipped at
less than $4,000 per mile, This road
was ably represented by Mr.. Francis
Fentress Of Bolivar, Team, who, in a
speech of thirty minutes, presented
the cause Of his road with a great deal
Of force.
The next on the docket and heard
was the complaints of the Louisville
and Nashville railroad. This road
objected in a general way to the divis-
ion Of their different lines Of roads in
Tennessee. They insisted that the
board had no right to assess them sep~
arately, but that they we're compelled
under the law to assess them all to.
gether and at the same value. Specific
objections we're made to the assessed
value fixed upon their main stem aud
the Decatur division.
j. NJ. Dickersou, Esq of this city,
represented the cause OF this old road
before the board and made an earnest
and manly appeal for a redress of what
he considered the roads wrongs. Wis
remarks we're directly TO the point, and
his appeal a strong one.
The Cincinnati Southern made a
very modest plea against what was
considered to be a high assessment,
while the Alabama and the Great
Western expected upon the grounds
that the State had them charged with
more miles Of road than they had in
the State. Major Lewis Sheppard, Of
Chattanooga, ably represented these
two roads and made an exceedingly
modest demand upon the Board Of
Assessors for a lower assessment, es.
pecially upon the OincinnatiSouthern
Mr.. Sheppard is an exceedingly
pleasant speaker, and ably represented
thesroad.
The East Tennessee, Virginia anC
Georgia railroad system had filed ex.
ceptions charging in a special way tina.
the assessment made against their roaC
was too high, and made a special plei
against the value fixed upon their sid
tracks by the board.
This system Of roads WAS represent
ed by Judge Moses and Major w. NJ
Baxter Of Knoxville. Mr.. Baxte
made the argument before the asses
sors. He is an exceedingly pleasan
speaker and presented his argumen
in a manner which, to say the least
showed greatest familiarity with tn
Subject he had in hand.
The Western and Atlantic an
Z Chesapeake, Ohio and Southwestern
railroads both fled exceptions whic'
were carefully considered by III
a board. Neither Of these roads wer
represented by counsel.
The Tennessee Coal, Iron and Raj
road Company fled exceptions Whlcl