Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-04-05
SOME OPINIONS.

The Oakland Tribune, referring to the
extra session of the Legislature and the
scare attempted to be worked up as
basis upon which to found it, says; THAT
scheme was spoiled when the railroads
paid the taxes and asked only that they
might be accorded the rights common to
all taxpayers, a legal definition and deter
mination OF their Just obligations to the
State. All this was done long before the
Governor had yielded to the opportunities
of the bosses who control him as well as
the party, and any plausible excuse for an
extraordinary session removed. This has
been reiterated 50 often, without any at
tempt to controvert it, that it is fully I'M
dcrstood."
The Grass Valley Union, referring to
The resolutions of As,emblyman Wallace,
and the declaration that the railroads be-
long to the people, SAYS then the people
can put them in charge of their own agents,
and there Is therefore no need to legislate
about taxes and fares and freights," but
simply to put the doctrine into the Constitu-
ton and get rid of those who claim to have
some property rights in the roads But,
il adds. that there would come a pinch.
California gave very little aid to the Pa
ci6c roads. the interest on SI,500,000 Of
bonds land for that there was given what
the State deemed ample compensa-
lion in the way of service 10 be
rendered without limit as to time.
The General Government could come
forward and claim ownership as from that
source came the subsidies in moneys and
lands that made the roads possible 1t
really looks as if the State would have to
give way to the superior interest Of the
General Government. Owing to these evil
dent complications it would appear as if
Judge Wallaces theory will not work in
practice. and that it will be safer for the
Legislature to conclude that the railroad,
re,erred to are owned by their stockholders,
who have a right to manage them, under
iae usual law, relating to common car
ri-r~."
An error Of the Union in the last quota
uon is in the statement that the General
Government ever gave the roads any
money subsidies. The General Govern
u,snt loaned its credit and took security,
and the interest advanced is being steadily
paid. The only contest concerning it was
as TO the time when it was payable. The
Government gave lands in aid of railroads,
bur appreciated her adjacent lands by
double the original price, and thus abso-
Iutely gave nothing from the public fund
OF property. to say nothing of its
gain IN the general development Of
line country 1t Is supposed that
there is nothing more popular than
90 mouth the well-worn phrase that
ihe Government gift, Of money to the rail-
roads built them, but there Is nothing
more untrue since the Government gave
tue roads no money. At the same time
with the most refreshing efirontery, the
political schemers have descanted from
every stumpin the country upon the money
gifts OF the Government to the railroads
However, all this is ancient history among
intelligent people.
The Colusa san, referring to the special
message 10 the Legislature and the clause
recommending the assessment of railroad
property by the State Board of Equaliza-
lion, and to the speech of Assemblyman
Wallace at the first legislative caucus, says :
rAs a matter of fact Creed Raymond did
offer TO Governor Stoneman, before the ses-
son was called, to enter into any stipula-
ton the States attorney might draw for
the advancement Of the tax cases on the