Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1885-04-02


Ia held by some that even II the money
shouldbe paid back the State ia not entitled
to receive 1t, as the tax was paid directly
BY the people, and to try TO pay back
each taxable or his legal representatives,
after Q lapse OF % yesrs would be su
almost hopeless tack. Mr.. Truths reso
luton was lai1 en- The table.
DOVER, March 26 The long-expscted
contest over the non. payment of State
oGpiiAtion tax by the junction & Break
water and BreskwAter & Frankford rail-
road companies was developed In the
soon assume lively and interesting as
poet. It started several days ago, when
Representative Salisbury offered reso-
luton calling uptn the state treasurer to
report what railroad aud canal compa.
MES had failed to pay their oapitAlion
tax, as required by law, and we'll de-
fined lumor that John had another req
olution OF like character In soak brought
Lawyer Jacob Moore, attorney for the
Delaware, Maryland & Virginia railroad
(Rhioh nov embraces the J. & B. and B.
4 r, rosis) TO Dover, for the purpose OF
getting Affairs strsightsned ont in satis
factory manner. This morning the State
treSsurer's report, Ia reference to the
matter, was presented 10 the House, and
following II came The railroad company's
memorial, both Of which are given in
full in the detkiled proceedings. They
were referred 10 joint committee, ard
another committee will be appointed Oh
Mr. SEulsbury's subst quent resolution to
inquire into the legal status Of the com.
panies that have failed TO pay the State
tax.
The State tax on railroads was orisi-
nsted by arevepue bill pass August
l1.h, 1854, which imp ssd upon thS rail.
road companies a tax OF 10 cents for each
passenger carried within the bouuds OF
the State. On April 11:h, 1873, an
amendment. was passed allowing the p,
W. & B Railroad Company 10 pay the
gross sum Of &l3, 900 annually In lieu OF
the cApitation tax, aud authorizing the
other railroad companies to pay q sum
which should bear the came proportion
to their gross receipts from their pSssen.
ger business between points in the s ate
that the sun OF $l3, 900 would bear to
the like business Of the p, ". & rail
road for the came year. This is ths plan
the indefniteuess OF which ia given by
the D NJ. Il V. Company as an excuse
for not making any payment OF tax to the
Stats for the past 10 years.
What the outcome Of the fight will be
ia not nov known, but II Ia certain that
Representative Salisbury will make 8
determined fight to seoure the payment
OF these delinquent taxes.
THR MILTON RAILROAD BILL LOST.
This afternoon Mr.. Atkins called up for
= third reading his bill t. incorporate the
Milton & Delaware Bay Railroad, Plank
Road and Turnpike Company, aud had II
amended In the mAnner stated In the de
tailed proceedings, There had baen CON
siderable speculation about this bill, as
1t was known that II was opposed by the
Delaware, Maryland & Virginia company,
and action upon 1t was awaited With
much interest. A full House was
present with the exception Of Rapre.
sentative HeArn.
Just bsf0re the roll call CONNER cad Mr.
Salisbury arose aud said he understood
there was come opposition to this bill bul
for the life Of him he could not nader
stapd why this was the case Tho incnr
porators named were residents Of the
neighborhood, fully able to buId the
road, and Il ecnflioted with no other road
In the State. We had not heard the op
ponents Of the bill give any valid reason
why 1t should not pass.
Mr. T.uiIt aid hs could GOT urderstapd
Why the people Of Milton wA:ted tbi,
fsilr I'D, ss they had ore Of ths beet
rivera iu this State running through theii
town. He also thouget the bill very
broad In its provisions, as II suthor'z.d
either 4 rsilrosd turnpike or plsak road
Mr.. Salisbury, with con iieFable
warmth, inquired OF Mr.. Truitt What the
people of Milford wanted With railroad
or the peotle Of Marlborough s both had
good, paViRable rivera at their doors, and
yet they asked for railroads and got tn,
State TO appropriate 100000 for their
construction. The gentlemen in,e esttd
in the Milton road are f1lly Gbls to build
It, said Mr.. SAulsbury, and they will NOT
ask ths State 30 build II aud then form 8
ring that can come here afterwards and
steal the money that belongs to the State
The vote on the bill was J3 ayes 10 z
nays, one less that two thirds majority.
Messrs. Salisbury and Moore immediately
changed their votes, and the former al
once secured . reconsideration, after
which the bill was again laid on the
table. II Is thought the needed vots will
be secured and the bill passed next week.
DOVER, March 27.-Ths question OF the
motives Of membeTe in cEstiug their votes
upon various measures, As again touched
upon In the House, this morning during
the consideration Of the bill to repeal the
$40, 900 tax clause Of the Water Commits
sion bill. Before Representative Moore
opened the discussion, Mr.. Barlow
arose and said that he was opposed
to the bill and understood that his
motives were questioned by some Of the
members. He wanted It understood that
he had the right in accordance with the
dictates Of his best judgment, and In this
case he felt sure the Water Commission
had mot been in existence long enough
for the people OF Wilmington to know
how II would Affect their interests, one
way or the other.
Mr.. Salisbury said he was willing 10
accord every man the right to vote his
hoI est sentiments on ali occasions. but
he also thought that no member had A
right to oppose measure demanded BY
the people Of . community without giving
a good and satisfactory reason therefor.
The bill under consideration, he
said, was asked for by the City
Council OF Wilmington and by
the unanimous voice OF the people Of
that city. II WAS also strongly urged by