New-York tribune., 1884-02-27
THE NEW-JERSEY LEGISLATURE.

lEONsIDERING THE PROBLEM OF RAILROAD TAX
| ATIoN-THE PROVING OF WILLS.
| lFRoM TIIR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT THE TRIBUNE
| TRENTON N. j., Feb. 26.-The Railroad Taxation
bills argued in the Assembly, in Committee OF
| the Whole, this afternoon. S. b. Ransom, of Jersey
| City, appeared in favor of the Albeit scheme and
against the bill presented by the Special Commit
| tee. He asserted that the latter measure was un-
| equal in its operations and demanded the passage
of an act that would tax the railroads at the same
rates as individuals. CortIandt Parker, of Newark
counsel of the New-York, Lake Erie and Western
Railroad objected to the consideration OF the pis
at present as premature, and declared that proper
time had not been given to their preparation. The
| taxation of the Erie road at present, he said
equal that of individuals by reason of high valu-
| ations division of the tax laws was needed In
other directions as much in the matter of rail-
roads, and be suggested the appointment of board
| of seven assessors to establish valuations
on a fair footing throughout the State.
Ex-Governor Bedle, representing the Delaware,
Lackawanna and Western Railroad Company, COM
planned of want of time for preparation, but pro-
ceeded at length to point out inequalities in
the Albeit bill.
Ex-Secretary George NJ Robson said that he did
not appear the representative of any corporation,
but he protested against hasty action on measures
City, appeared in favor of the Special Committees
bill No. 313. He said that while counsel pleaded
for delay, they exhibited remarkable familiarity
with the measures. 1t had been asserted that the
roads were paying fair tax. The New-Jersey
Central, with an acknowledged valuation of $685.
600, 900, paid low rate on only $4,000, 600.
The claim of the railroads that they deserved espe
clal consideration because they had built up the
State was baseless. 1t might be doubted whether
State with such advantageous water communica-
tiOns gained anything by bringing the boundIess
West into competition with her in the
New-YOrk markets The claim was made by
some roads that they ought not to be
fairly taxed because other roads had charters ex-
empting them from such burdens, but shall the in
justice be wdened by applying 1t to all companies,
shall the effort be made to reduce it much as
possible Mr.. COrbin discussed the inc
qualities of taxation at considerable length and
said that both the bills before the Legislature were
necessarily compromise measures. lie pointed out
explained in detail the advantages Of the commit
tees measure.
AsSembyman Gator in favor of a change in the
present system and the adoption of or the other
OF the pending measures. he committee rejected
motion TO delay consideration of the bills and re-
ported " progress" to the House The bills will
probably come up for final consideration next
week. 1t is announced that the railroad cOnpa-
uies will oppose their passage, aud an exciting con-
test is expected
A BELATED SPEECH on THE TARIFF.
The consideration and passage of the Senate resO
lutions against the Morrison bill last evening
serious disappointment to Senator William Burr
Miller, representing Cape May County. He had had
prepared and had carefully read extended argu-
ment against the resolutions, but the manuscript
unfortunately was ieft in the second of the two
coats the Senator habitually brings to Trenton. He
wore the first last evening. To-day he had the
second on, bulgng with the unborn address. By |
unanimous consent he was given permission to |
record his vote against the resolutions. and under
the pretence of explaining his action proceeded 10
unwind sentences on the tarlH Tor the space OF |
half an hour. As he explained, the speech ha0 |
been landed to him before the resolutions passed, |
and he therefore begged the Senate to some |
iuconS nSistencles of expression. The epocoh proved
almost reasonable argument against some things
in the tariff, and much praise was given the au- |
thor of the remarks.
The Senate discussed and laid over bill to permit
the pTObatng OF Wills before the death OF the tes
tatOr. The act Is based on the Michigan law and
was introduced by senator Stainsby, who was i'm
pressed with its merits after reading article in
InE TRIBUNE on this topic. Senator Schenck OPP
opposed the bill as an innovation, and 1t was con-
sequently delayed for time Mr. St2lnsby is
confident of its ultimate adoption.
The report of the Oyster Commission was received |
and ordered printed
Mr. Armstrong introduced bill authorizing any
assessment insurance company to do business i'll
this State upon payment of a fee of $25 and upon
nounced by the Commissioner of Insurance to be +
intended for the admission of the graveyard" " in
suTance companies which have thus far been sue
cessfully excluded from New-Jersey Mr. Arm
strong says he msmfOrmed as to the nature of
the bI and will withdraw It,