Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-11-14
THE TAX COMPROMISE Casa FEW
PROPOSITION MADE.

In 1850 the Central Pacific Railroad
Company was assessed by the State Board
of Equalization at $50, 264 per mile and the
Southern Pacific Railroad Company at
Sl4, 1873 Is per mile. In 1881 the assess
ment was S25 900 and SIG. 500 respectively.
assessed at S2l, 604 and the Southern Pa
cifc Railroad at Sll, 5l2 per mile. In 1888
the Central Pacific Railroad is assessed at
$29, $50 40, and the Southern Pacific Rail-
road at Sl4, 929 50 per mile.
The attorney for the companies proposed
to the State recently to pay the taxes for
1880, 1881 and 1882 upon the basis of the
valuation fixed by the State Board of
Equalization for 1882 That is to say, at
the valuation of SCI, 604 and 81, SO per
mile respectively. Also to pay, when
they become due, about 60 per cent. of the
taxes of 1883 without prejudice to the
right of State or counties to recover against
the companies the balance claimed. The
companies also agreed to pay the Court
costs of past litigation and counsel fees at
the rate of 10 per cent. on the sum to be
paid.
It is matter of familiar history that the
assessments are inequitable and excessive.
At the time of the making Of the assessment
of 1882 the generalization of 1880 and 1881
was admitted, and we may presently re-
produce In full the reasons advanced by
the Board for it's valuation of 1882. They
were at the time freely published, and met
with no sufficient response in opposition.
They were, in brief, based on the assump-
ton that the Board of Equalization had
the power to increase individual assess.
ments which idea the Supreme Court OF
the State dispelled.
The State officials. though there is
ample precedent upon which to act,
have declined to accept the offers made.
The reply of the law officer carries with it
She imputation that the railroad companies
are lawless and hostile to the State Govern
ment, and impugnes the motive on which
the offer was based. It is scarcely neces-
sary to refer to the undignifed assault, nor
to the baseless character of the imputation.
History gives it denial. Citizens asso-
Glazed in these corporations have but
awaited themselves of rights guar
anteed by the Constitution and laws in re-
sistance of oppressive and inequitable bur-
dens. To seek the protection Of the laws
IS at no time and under no circumstances a
wrong. It is well known that the pay
ment of the disputed taxes was resisted
because of their inequality and notorious
injustice, and not with a disposition to
evade lust and equal taxes for the support
of the Government. The excessive assess.
ments were the outgrowth of spirit that
is now dying out.
It is fact that to pay the taxes de.
handed under the excessive assessments
referred to would seriously cripple the rail
road carriers and greatly lessen theii
efficiency. 1t would amount, with loca
taxes. to about 500 per mile to be paid by
the Central Pacific Railroad Company fol
the year 1888 for instance, rate that it il
shown the property cannot bear and thu
operating Of the road be continued. TIT
highest rate known is that laid upon tai
Pennsylvania Railroad, 1898 5l4 per mile
although that road traverses densell
populated section, the resources OF which
far exceed any section OF the Pacific coast
and though that line has double, tripl'
and quadruple tracks, while the Contra
Pacific Railroad is single track line.
The leading railway lines of the country
Esssslg taken, the statistical exhibits do no
a52sR taat any approach has ever beef