Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-09-05
THE RAILROAD TAX MONEY.
The Views of a Correspondent, Coupled
with Suggestion.

EDS. RECORD UNION: The public have
recently been RECALLED by characteristic
letter from Controller Dunn, in which he
makes belabored effort to justify his &C
ton in refusing TO cover into the treasury
the amount paid BY the railroad company
on account Of taxes. As might be expected
he poses as an earnest, conscientious officiai.
animated in his action solely by principle.
and anxious only 10 conserve the public
interests, yet betrays either his ignorance
or insincerity by the line of argument he
adopts. Studiously ignoring the question
at issue, he labors to fire the popular mind
by methods peculiar to the sand-lot
Hear him d" l have before me certificates
of redemption of real estate sold to the
State for non payment of taxes. These few
are as follows Land in Alameda county
original tax, &c cents; cost of redemption,
So 70: Los Angeles county-original tax,
| IS So; cost of redemption, SIG -. Shasta
county-tax, S74 65; redemption, $lO7 81
| ETC., etc. Through forgetfulness or misfor-
tune these taxpayers became delinquent
| their land was sold, and, when wishing TO
redeem, were met by this enormous in
crease in costs penalties and interest.
j Would you, as AttOrney-General, accept 60
.
! and have the State sue for the balance?"
While the above has no relevancy to the
| subject-matter at issue its object is clearly
apparent. and that is, to create the impress
sion that there is distinction made be-
tween the wealthy corporation and the
small taxpayer; that the principal law off
Ger of the State accepts 60 per cent from
the wealthy corporation, while the full
amount due, with all the penalties, is rig
orously enforced against the small tax
| payer. That this smacks strongly of dem
agogism goes without mention.
No one disputes the right of the State to en-
force payment of taxes legally assessed, with
interest and penalties added. That power
is essential TO the maintenance of govern
| ment, but in the matter at issue, the pay
| ment is resisted solely on the grounds of
the lllegality of the assessment. and the
Court besides that the position is well
taken; that in the manner of the assess
ment the railroad company have been
denied the enjoyment of a substantial right
guaranteed by the Constitution of the
United States, hence the assessment is
void. AT this stage of the proceedings,
what is the status of the company Legally
they do not owe the State dollar. but the
State has equities out of which grows a
moral obligation on the part of the rail
road to contribute its quota to the support
OF the government, and to cancel this
moral obligation, they moved TO yacate the
judgment in their favor and allow iudg-
ment to be taken against them for the face
OF the taxes, which proposition was accept
ed by the Acknowledgement. Judgment
was entered in accordance herewith, and
Immediately satisfied by the payment of
the coin. Through this action no right
OF the State was preiudiced, and if in the
future the State can establish any legal
claim against the railroad for taxes, or any
thing else, the shpuiations on file are such
that II will be properly paid, and if not, its
payment can be enforced TO the uttermost
farthing.
In the meantime $474, 062 20 belonging to
and needed by the taxpayers, lies idle and
unsecured, withheld from its rightful owners
by the obstinacy of single man. Mr..
Dunn sadly mistakes the temper of the
taxpayers of the State if he thinks his ac-
ton meets their approval. When their in
teTests are at stake they are hardly prepared
to accept his diction az the law. and then
feel that he should be admonished by his
experience notably in the drainage claims
and payment OF railroad coupons, that his
Judgment is not infalible.
Since the anti-monopoly howl mas spent
its force there is Il growing conviction in the
public mind that the railroad companies
have not been fairly treated in the matter
OF assessment, and disposition exists to
repair the wrong, and at the same time
protect the interests of the State Think
ing men particularly bide the time which
speedily approaches, when the diciples of
the sand lot will be relegated to the OBJ
security from which they sprung.
Perhaps it would be well for the Super
visors Of the counties interested to take
council and determine whether any legal
power can be invoked to bring the contu-
macious Controller down from his high
perch and compel him to perform his duty
in the premises. CITIZEN.
Lincoln, September s. 1885.