The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-05-07

It's late session, but having requested the
ntlemen above named to write out
their remarks on the question Of rail-
road taxation, when the same was pend
ing before the Senate, We now place
them before our readers. These speeches
discuss an important question to the
people of Mississippi, and the views Of
four srch cIear-headed and conservative
gentlemen thereon are worthy of serious
consideration.
On Monday, February 20, 1884, bill
was before the Senate to charter railroad
| and exempt the same from taxation for
/ twenty years. when Mr.. Simonton offered
1 an amendment striking out the exemption
clause, and, in support of his amendment,
spoke as folIoWs;
REMARKS OF SENATOR sINoSToS.
MR. President: / move to strike our
the 18th section Of the bill-that portion.
sir, which relieves for twenty years Ihis
railroad IRON taxation. | do this because
believe the policy heretofore pursued by
this State in exempting railroads from tax
alton TO be wrong in principle and policy.
It is said by those who favor the passage
of this bill, without making this ameno-
ment, that if this section is stricken out
that it will in effect kill the bill Ms
opinion, Mr.. President, is that there is NOT
a railroad now in the State that has this
clause of exemption in its charter that
would not have been built if the exemption
had been left out What is the exemption
of taxation for twenty years to corpora
ton that proposes to make an investment
which they expect to make permanent for
themselves and hand down to their chill
dren who may come after them? Why, sir,
with the capitalist who proposes TO invest,
d just, wise and equitable tax, based upon
a stable foundation, recognizing the facl
that while the railroads are the property
of those who invest their money In them,
in one sense, yet In another sense they are
the property of the State; and while the
State takes from the people their privat
property it is for the puolic good, and 10
| the extent that the public is benefited, the
State should relieve The railroads from
taxation. This, sir, would inspire conf
dence, and capitalists would see that We
have just conception OF The relation that
the railroads sustain TO the people and
that we, AZ representatives. justly conpre-
mend our duties TO the railroads, and to
the people But, sir, further, is il
relief from taxation that causes the build
! ing of railroads? No railroad has ever
been built in my Judgment, where the
parties building il did not think the short
ness of the route, the COST Of construction
and the important comm reiai center can
neetIon, would LII Ike it 20 i paying road,
independent ut tine qn .sliun III tax atlon
| Nav, Mr. President, The very argument
presented by tbs Senator FROM The 18th
| District on tae subject vi supervision of
railroads only few days ago Is a strong
yes, sir, | might say almost conclusive
argument in favor OF the position advanced
by me on this point, OF its being the con-
nection Of commercial centers, that causes
| the investment OF capital in railroads.
| That Senator has undertaken TO show that
our supervision wonld only be local, and
| that the local or domestic traffic would
| not pay for the construction of railroads.
This argument clearly shows that but for
the connections beyond the limits of our
State, no railroads would be built, taxation
or no taxation. But we are told by the
Senator from the 24th District that the
time has not come for Mississippi to change
the policy adopted in 1882 to release for
70 years railroads from taxation When,
Mr.. President, will the time come when
our State shall be checked from north to
| south, and from east to west, making this
grand old State of ours highway over
which the products of other sister States
are being exchanged, and discriminating
in local tariffs against us so as to compel
us to keep our products at home until they
rot upon our hands or put them in the
markets at disadvantage. Shall we wait,
sir, until this Senate Chamber is filled by
men who are controlled by the mighty in
hnence of this vast network of railroads?
Ii this is the policy that is to characterize
our action, then, sir, they will never be
taxed. Now, sir, | am no enemy to rail
roads. On the contrary, | appreciate fully
the benefits arising from this efficient aud
speedy mode of transportation, and am
their friend; but at the same time | am a |
friend to the masses of this State, and as
long as | have the power of utteranee, the |
ability that God has given me shall be |
used in defense oftheir rights, and in main |
tanning what | believe to be Justice and |
equity to all. That the burdens of govern
ment should be borne by those who are the
bene6ciaries of its protection in an equal t
and just pr portion, is one of the funda- |
mental principles upon which stands the
superstructure of our State. and |, sir, for
one am in favor of maintaining it, and be- |
lieve that now is the accepted time to place /
ourselves firmly on this platform as legis- I
lators. ! believe that Justice to the people
demands that this amendment should be
made to this and to all other bills OF like /
character, and hope, sir, that it will be
adopted.
REMARKS OF SENATOR LUsE.
Mr.. PRESIDENT: The Senator from the
18th district moves to strike out the 18th
section of the bill exempting this railroad
from taxation, and the Senator from the
I'd district moves to amend by inserting
that the road be exempt from taxation
until completed, provided it shall not be
for more than ten years. / shall oppose
both amendments, sir, and proceed briefly
to give my reasons.
This Senate, a few DAYS since, set eight
or ten railroad charters as special order
for to-day. 1t is evident, that it is desired
to settle certain issues involved in these
charters, conspicuously that of taxing cor
porations The latter amendment does
not present that issue clearly, and is not
even a proper compromise. Il changes
the liberal policy of the State, and so far
from encouraging the building of railroads /,
it offers bonus to those that lag in con- ,
struction, or leave unfinished parts of their !
roads in order that they may hold to their
exemption. This same proposition had ]
the honor to argue, and the qualification .
to see defeated few days since for the .
same reasons above stated so pass from :
that point, trusting that the Senate viii !
reaffirm its decision.
The Senator from the 18th District
saws. that exemption from taxation will :
not cause the building of roads. We :.
know, sir, how small a difference in the
profits Of investments where millions are !.
involved, will decide or divert them. We
have seen the United States government !.
exempt her bonds from taxation that mil
ions of them might be taken and 1t was /
isle We have seen eur State adopt this :,
liberal policy towards corporations, and :
millions have been invested permanently :
aere and still other millions spent con-
tructing and operating our railroads and :.
actories, and now that twelve or fifteen :.
charters are again asked to enable foreign !,
money to come amongst us, it Is urged that :
We shall Suddenly, in the midst OF the i
most rapid development ever known ID our Il
tate, reverse this policy with no assurance :.
Except speculative reasoning that the j.
hange will not divert the vast sums that i
re coming into our State. :
Gentlemen, urge that 1t - wrong to ex- 81
mpt these corporations because they say =
u property should be taxed alike There &
ro two answers to this argument, Mr. Y,
resident LIST 1t Is not . proposition to z.
xempt 3 thing IN esse, from taxation, s,
ut = pledge that It shall be exempt for q !.
ertain time, as an inducement or means
Dr. its procurement. I'd. That all proper
! should Be taxed alike, Is impracticable
Unnecessary, and unknown to any govern
lent. The great n ass of agricultural pro- 8
nets, Is well IS other classes of property. q
Re exempt from taxation and should BE.
Il IS urged By Senators that no in. :.
estnents ID raiIroads would be pre- g
ented b. taxation, that the amount e
ouId Be too small to eject them. This &
rgnmept. Mr. President. Is surely not sus- g
lined b the resent supervisory inyestiga- = =
ons Of the different States. re will take ~ ~
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