Sacramento daily record-union., 1883-09-18
SAN FRANCISCO.
IExrRAoTs FROM SAN FRANCISCO EXCHANGES.
RAILROAD TAxEs-pEcrsIoS IN FAVOR OF

RAILROAD TAXEs-DECIsIoE IN FAVOR OF
THE COMPANIES.
The Circuit Court of the United States has
decided sight rsilrCad tax suits, tried as repre-
sentative cases, there being eighty-iye in al
before the Court. Tue Court decided that
pr perty acquired by a corporation in the
exercise of its powers or otherwise is pro-
tectsd by guarantees OF the Coustfution TO
the sane extent as the property Of individu-
| als, ana can be subjected only to such burdens
as are imposed upon the property OF individu-
al. The Court also hoids that the Central
| Pacific and Southern Pacific Railroad Com
| panies are not exempt FROM State taxation
because employed as agents Of the general
Government for postal and military purposes,
in the ahse1cs OF Congressional legislation
declaring such exemption. The opinion was
delivered by Judge Field, of the Supreme
Court of the United States. Judge Sae yer
slso fled az elaborate opinion. The result is
tbat there must be q new assessment Of prop
erty before the taxes of The State can be eel.
lec:ed.
OCEAN FARES AND FREIGHTs.
The United States Circuit Court has also
decided another important Gaze. Judge Field
delivering the opinion. with reference 10 fares
and freights on ges5el5 enrolled for coasting
trade under the laws OF Congress. The Rail-
road Commissioners arc authorized under the
Constitution Of Cslif0rris &c regulate fares
and freights on all transportation companies
in the State and were about TO regulsts such
fares and freights on certain steamships max
ing voyages from San Francisco 10 OREGON
and British Columbia, ans 10 ports in the
State on tie Pacific coast south OF San bra;1s
cisco. Ths Court held tLst 90 far as the
yegsels we're engaged IN foreign q Interstate
COR rnerce, they were beyond the control Of
the State or its RAilroad OomInissieners, and
as vessels going south from San FraHcisco 10
other ports Of the State navigate the Pacific
OCEAN beyond a uagins league from tho shore,
they pass out of the jurisdiction Of the State
and come under the control Of the United
States; and in respect to such voyages and
commerce thus carried ca thara il no divided
jurisdiction, hut that 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
Kearny. Last Wednesday he wss taken sick
with what was at first supposed 70 be erYsip-
elias, but later proved TO oe an soute atisck
Of jaundics. Mr. Hodge came TO this State
in 1S49, and established stationery business.
In 1864 he returned 70 New York, leaving his
business in the keeping of L. II. BonCstsn.
Though he Was IL New York Q grea5 portion
of the time. it can hardly be said that he was
| resident of thst place, a. he often csme to
this city to look after his affgiis. In 1878 he
| took up psrmsGeut resi9snGe here. Ia This
| year he sold out bis stationery business on
| lhs corner OF Ssnsoms and Sacramento
| streets TO tie prssent firm o! Cunningham,
| Cursiss & WEIGH, but soon re-established him
self in the ssme line on California street.
| The deceased was "a years Of sge, and leaves
a wife and two daughters, who sre liyirg in
| Paris with g relative. Thsse have been nosi-
fied OF the death. Blr. Hodge was q member
OF the California Pioneers S,c.ety.
THE "ALTA TO CHAs = HANDS.
In reference TO the reported sale OF the
| Alta California to ex- LiSuter ant -GSovernor
johnson, on Inquiry it was found that the
| sale has not yet been cCnsuumated. but that
DemocratF 10 this city, hss put up lsrge
sum as forfeit money TO purchase the Alta
| WITHIN q specified number Of days after the
Probate Court hes s6judicated the estate of
the late Mr.. McCreliisb, senior partner Of
the Alta. A large sum of money will be ex-
pended to improvs the local matter OF the
paper, increasing its local staff, etc. It will
continue to pay the same ettentio TO coc,-
mercial matter as heretofore. Gentlemen
familiar with the terms of the proposed
purchase state that it will be issued IS an
independent paper, with Democratic lean
ipgs.
THE "ooEAEIc's" LONG VOYAGE,
The Oceanic arrived yesterday from Hong.
kong and Yokoloma, 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-
tileiy reftted at great expense.