Sacramento daily record-union., 1883-09-18
SAN FRANCISCO.
IExrRAcrs FROM SAN FRANCISCO EIcHANess.l
RAILROAD TAXRs-DECIsIoE IN FAVOR OF
TILE nnNfp ANIEa

RAILROAD TAXRs-DECIsIoE IN FAVOR OF
THE COMPANIES.
The Circuit Court of the United States has
decided sight railroad tax SUITS tried as repre-
/ sentative cases, there being eigbty-fiye in Ill
before the Court. The Court decided that
| pr perty acquired by a corporation in the
exercise of its powers oT otherwise is pro.
| tectsd by guarantees Of the Constitution to
the same extent as she property Of individu-
als, ana Can be subjected only 70 such burdens
ss nre jmpo3ed upon the property OF individu-
| al. The Court also holds that the Central
| Pacific and Southern Pacific Railroad Gem.
panies are not exempt froin State taxation
because employed as agents Of the general
| Government for postal and military purposes.
! in the ahsenca of Congressional legislation
declaring such exemption. The opinion was
delivered by Judge Field, 1f the Supreme
Court of the United States. Judge Sawyer
/ also fled az elaborate opinion. The result is
| thst there must be q new assessment Of prop.
erty before the taxes of She State Can be cCl'
lec;ed.
OCEAN FARES AND FRFIGHTs.
The United States Circuit Court has also
decided another important case, Judge Field
delivering the opinion. with reference to fsres
| and freights on vessels enrolled for coastiDg
trade under the laws OF Congress. The Rail-
| road Commissi0usrs afc Duth0TJZ-d under the
| Constitution Of California 20 regulate fares
and freights on all transportation companies
| in this State and were about TO regulats such
| fares and freights on certain steamships MAJ
ilg voyages from San Francisco 10 OREGON
aad British Columbia, ans to ports iR the
| State on TIE Pacific coast south OF San Fran.
cisco. Ths Court held tEEt 90 far as the
| vessels we're engaged In foreign G. Interstate
| COR merce, they were beyond the control Of
| tire State Or its Rsilcoad Commissioners, and
| as vessels going south from San Frsncisco 10
other porte Of the State navigate the Psci6c
| OCEAN Beyond marine league from Che shore,
| they pass out of the jurisdiction Of The State
| and come under the control Of the United
States and in respect to sueb voyages and
| commerce thus carried ca thsre is no divided
| jurisdiction, Tut thar of the United States ia
exclusive.
ANOTHER PIONEER DEAD.
John G., Hodge died Sunday morning at
| 4:30 o'clock IL his room on Post street, near
| KsaEny. Last Wednesday he wss taken sick
with what was at first supposed 70 be erIsip-
elias, but lster proved TO 5e en seute astsck
Of jaunoics. Mr. Hodge came to this State
| in 1S49, and established Stationery business.
In 1864 ne returned TO New York, iesving his
| business il the keeping of L. Il. Boucstan.
| Though he was il New York greab portion
Of the tins. it can hardly be said chat ne was
a resident of thst place, a. ha often csne 20
| this city to look after his sfsiis. In 1878 he
took up s. psrmanent resijsnce here. In this
year he sold out his stationery business on
! lhs corner OF Ssnsoms and Sacramento
streets 10 Tire prssent firm OF Cunningham,
| Curtiss & Welch, but soon rs-establishei him
self in the ssme line on California street.
The deceased was 81 years of age, and leaves
wife and two daughters, who ere Eyirg in
Paris with . relative. Thsse have been uoti-
fad OF the death. Blr. Hodge was g member
Of the California Pioneers S-c.ety.
THE "ALTA TO cHA1 y hands.
In reference 90 the reported sale OF the
| Alto California to ex- Lie uter ant -tiovernor
johnson, ON inquiry it was found that the
| sale has not yet been ccnsummated but that
Democrats 10 this city, hss put up lsrge
within q specified number Of DAYS after the
| the late Mr.. McCrellisb, senior partner of
pended to improve the local matter OF the
paper. increasing its local staff. etc. It will
continue to pay the same attention TO corc-
| mercial mater as heretofore. Gentlemen
! familiar with the terms Of the proposed
| purchase state that it will be issued as an
| independent paper, with Democratic leal-
| ings.
THE "oCEAEIo's LONG VOYAGE.
The Oceanic arrived yesterday from Hong
kong and Yokohoma, after voyage from
| this port of over years duration. Sne has
made the grand voyage around the world,
and while in England was repaired and en-.
| tiIely refitted at great expense.