Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-08-13
TAXATION OF RAILROADS
SENATOR'S DISCUSS THE COUNTY
PROPOSITION.

One Side Claiming That no Partially
should be shown the Carrying COrpo-
rattons The Other Raise the Cry of "a
Tendency to be Too Severe.
ATLANTA, GA, Aug. 12.--The Senate
to-day read the third time Mr.. Rankin's
bill to tax railroad property by counties.
Discussion of the measure occupied the
entire morning session. Arguments in
favor of the bill were made by Messrs.
Glenn, Sheffield, and Rankin, and against
1t by Messrs. Falhgant, Russell, and
Colley. The advocates OF the measure
argued that railroad property should be
taxed the same as any other property
represented in enterprises or industries Of
that character. They thought that there
should be equity in the taxation of all
property, and saw no reason why a rail
road should be exempted from any tax.
BELIEVED TO BE CONSTITUTIONAL.
They believed the bill to be consti-
tutlonal, and Its provisions similar TO those
embodied in the laws of other States for
collecting taxes from railroads. So far
from railroad benedtiug real estate in the
counties through which IL passed, Mr.
Glenn said that in his district land could
be purchased for less money in the coun-
ties having railroads running through
them than in those counties having no
railroads. TwO-thirds OF the stock OF the
railroads in Georgia was owned by non
residents, and could not be reached for
the purpose of taxation.
CLAIMS OF THE OPPOSITION.
The opponents of the measure thought
that the bill was unjust and unconstitu-
tlonal. Some Of the railroads built many
years ago were exempted from taxation
by special acts Of the Legislature when
their charters were granted. This bill
sought to impose tax on them aud the
new lines that did not have the same pro-
lection from the hands OF the tax assessor.
Railroads were great benefit to a State,
and should not be continually prosecuted
by legislative acts. They had as much as
they could contend with already--the
commission ruled them with an iron rod
Under the provisions of this measure, If
mile of track was levied on in a county
and sold for taxes, the purchaser could
build fence around the section and bot
tie up the entire line.
AT the hour OF adjournment the bill was
still being discussed.
IN THE HOUSE.
In the House to-day, j. s. King, the
new member from Upson county, was
sworn in and seated.
At his request, Mr. Connell, of Decatur,
was allowed TO withdraw the bill intro
duced by him to levy a tax on bachelors.
The resolution relating TO the comprO-
mise OF the Georgia State lottery was re-
ferred to the special committee.
Under the head of new business general
bills were introduced as follows:
BY Mr.. Brandt-TO incorporate the
Georgia Terminal Warehouse and Bank
ing Company.
BY Mr.. Brinson-To incorporate the
Louisville and Wadley Telegraph Com
pany.
BY Mr.. McLendon-To incorporate the
Columbus and Florida Railroad; also to
incorporate the ThOmasville and Augusta
Railroad Company.
BY Mr.. Bond-TO prohibit the mauufac-
ture or sale of firearms in the State.
FREE SCHOLARSHIPS.
BY Mr. Russell, Of Clarke-Making ef-
fective free tuition in the State Universi-
". 1t provides for 225 free students, and
appropriates to each scholar $3.50 per year
for board, ETC., this being done by issuing
100000 in 7 per cent. bonds, TO run so
years.
BY Mr.. Wilson, Of Camden-To establish
school of technology in the state as part
Of the State University, open to white and
colored at a cost Of $4,000.
Local bills were Introduced as follows:
By Mr. johnson. of Scriven-TO provide
for the registra ion of voters in Millen.
BY Mr.. Gorlon-Amending the charter
Of the town Of Vernonburg, Chatham
county.
MINOR MATTERS.
The remains Of Edward Il. Hoge we're
buried to-day. The funeral was one of
the largest ever seen IN the city.
The Gate City Guard returned to At
lanta to-day from New York, where they
bad been for he purpose Of taking part
in the exercises connected with the burial
of Gen. Grant.