Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-02-28
REPORTS OF SELECT COMMITTEES.

Passed.
RAILROAD INCOME TAX, ETC.
Assembly Constitutional Amendment No. b
Amendment to the Constitution relative 10 tax
alton. Read third time.
Lynch moved to recommit the bill 10 com
mittee of one, with instructions 10 insert So IN
place OF 30 per cent upon the gross receipts
and presented some statistics on the question.
Recess.
Afternoon Session.
Assembly Constitutional Amendment No. b
The question being on the motion to insert rs
instead OF 20 per cent.
Lynch continued his statement of statistics in
reference to earnings and tax levy, and III sup
port of his amendment.
Motion lost-ayes II, noes y.
Reddy made q long argument against the
Cross offered resolution calling for an even
ing session to take up the second reading OF
bills.
THE IRRIGATION QUESTION.
At $50 the Senate was declared 10 be IN Com
Inttee of the Whole.
Assembly Bill No. 40 relating to irrigation,
was taken up, on the motion by Whitney 10
strike out and the laws thereof concerning
the appropriation Of water for purposes OF irri-
CATION and to that extent forms no part OF such
laws. ana the use of water for said purpose oil
irrigation is public use from Section ,. Car
ried.
Whitney also moved to strike the word "topo-
graphy' out Of the section Lost.
Johnson OF Sonoma said ne had changed MS
opinion as to the power of the Legislature to
define a public use He thought that power
did reside in the Legislature, if there was moth
ing in the Constitution Of the United States or
the StNte inhibiting it, He quoted number OF
authorities on both sides of the question.
THE INCOME TAX AGAIN.
At > P. ". the Committee OF the Whole arose
and reported progress on Assembly Bal No. 40.
Assembly Constitutional Amendment No. Is,
relative TO taxation, was again taken up, and
Reddy continued his argument against the pro-
posed constitutional amendment
A vote upon the bill then being called for, Nc
Clure moved call of the Senate. Carried. The
roll was called ana further proceedings dis
pensed with
Chandler. in explanation Of his vote, said the
Senator from Mono Freddy seemed 10 denOunce
every one who intended 10 vote for the measure
lie thought the people were usually right in
their Judgment. and he found among his con
stituentS 4 diversity OF opinion III regard to the
matter ana was therefore wiling 10 submit the
amendment to the people to decide for them
selves whether they would stand by the present
system or adopt this new method OF taxing rail-
roads.
cussing this bill at its second reading offered
an amendment making the rate 5 per cent, and
il was voted down by Is to 10. then offered
another making it % per cent. That was also
voted down. | endeavored to make it fair
bill. have been III those halls now three
sessions, and this question has been before US,
and has taken up great deal OF time, and
nothing accomplished. Now, We have another
method Of taxation presented, namely, taxing
the gross receipts, and this requires constitu-
tional amendment The State l came from
Wisconsin-has adopted this method of taxing
their railroads. When I left that State il was
Democratic, but OF late years ii has been very
strong Republican, but at the last election II
was very close. so ! think this bill works well
there, and shall vote it back TO the people, rs
they are always right in the main
Steele also explained the manner IN which he
would vote by saying he thought the people
themselves ought 10 decide as to this great
N he
do so.
Spencer OF Napa said If the people could not
be trusted they could trust nobody. He did not!
know as to the percentage which should be
charged but those who claimed 10 know better
than he said twas an honest tax. He was will
ing to submit it to the people, and, If II was I'M
Just, they could reject Il.
johnson of Sonoma said he would vote for
the bill with great deal Of reluctance, but he
thought the people ought to have the question
submitted To them, to say whether Or not they
would adopt il.
Taylor said The evil. sir ofcxplaining votes
If such It is-seeniS 10 be catching aud while
il j. going around each may as well have little
OF il. Ny position in this matter IS that / am,
and always have been-I may say-constitu-
tionaly opposed 10 an income tax, believing,
sir, that IL is an Oii0Us method of taxation. and
This proposed amendment imposes certain IN
come tax But SIR when 4 look back az the
history oi tilS great state, and consider the con
tests and struggles We have had with the great
corporations with whom we have wrcstlei, and
prosperity, and then, S!r, in connection there
with ! give respectful consideration 10
the opinions OF such men a Charles
Francis Adams, Jr., ". b. Williams and
fCi examination OF the various systems of rail
road taxation now III use throughout the civii-
ized World, that system like this. or very siini-
lar 90 lt, gives mon real satisfaction than any
other may. sir. dy.eg nay Judgment upon the
method. ut le.ls. 10 the extent OF being willing
o. submit 20 the people the question ortheir dc
termination. And sir, may vote that / am
willing 10 submit II 10 Tie people with entire
consistency, when would uOt vote Tor IL 60 be-
come "a law. Regarding the rate per cent. while
J do not claim 90 know. II is IA nay Judgment too
low. Efforts have been made here 10 raise the
rate but in that We have failed. ! think it
should be three per cent. and II the people are
uot satisfied with two and half thcy viii de
feat THIS proposed amendment.
81, il 5ds been my lot heretofore 20 stand
up9n this floor and contend l7r principle con
corning the scale 81 rates OF freight upon rail-
roads AID though in small minority at inst
have since tnat tine had the satisfaction OF
seeing that principle Endorsed IS correct by that
Railroad Commissioner IN this state who is the
embodiment % auti-mo8opOiyism III tbs State.
u right then, may be right now.
Sir am not Gnn,indfUi of the feet that rs
Senators we stand upon this floor the cyn0sUre
ut the eyes OF tic people OF California, and that
when our votes are recorded here We become al
once the subjects OF comment. good or III,
of the press, and ia accordance with the
inclination and interest of is various managers.
But sir, ali this can make no difference 10 me.
] am ready and willing 70 assume any response
bhity that may attach 90 me for my vote upon
TINS and any other question. shall vote upun
this couscientluHsy aGd Ms my best Judgment
Dictates. IL this amendment j. rejected bs the
people, little OF no harm viii be done by il
Submission II lt is adopted, and good results
arise from It, al may rejoice and u Il is ADOPT
ed and lis effects are not satisfactory. the r.
spOnsibility therefore VIII rest upon the people.
IN whom all inherent power lies, and who have
SIN thereafter the power 70 abroggte il.
the bill was thcn passed BY vote Of 81 ayes
GENERAL business
Reidy moved 70 reconsider the vote by which
tine senate refused 20 pass to tlfd reading Senate
Bin No. g., relating to the qualification OF
Rcddy moved the bill be made the special
order Tor 10 morrow morning.
Taylor moved 20 take up Assembly messages
The Assembly message relating 10 the appalnt-
met OF a committee Of conference upon Senate
Bil No. as relative 70 the establishment of ii
Branch Normal sehooi al shasta was taken up
and Foster moved the appointment OF q COM
ulittce of conference Carried.
At5sa Taylor moved 10 t1ke recess III $50
Evening Session.
Senate reessembled at 100 P n. President
D. Assembly Biil No. o. (oDonnelrs morgue
biz was taken up out OF order and ordered 10
Senate Bill No. 50 and Senate Bill No Us.
Assembly, BIZ No. Is, relative 10 boundaries Of
Lake county. Ordered TO engrossment.
Senate Bill No. 2i6 relative 10 powers OF Boards
of supervisors. Read second time and ordered
10 engroSSment.
Senate Bill No Il, relative TO division fences
in cities and counties Same action.
Senate Bill No, l76, concerning municipal cor
porations Same action.
Senate Bill No. g. for protection OF miners.
Same action.
Senate Bill No. los, relative to appeals in civil
cases Same action,
Senate Bill No. Isl, relative to organisation
and management Of agricultural associations
Same action,