The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-20
ABOUT THAT RAILROAD TAX.

The State Senate or al least majority Of that
honorable body, seems 10 be Of the opinion that
two wrongs will constituted right Their action in
regard TO violating the terms Of contract made with
railroad companies leads us 10 this conclusion. The
State OF Mississippi through Us regular agent the
Legislature thereof, has at various and sundry dit
fcront times madcvarlousand divers different con
tracts containing various aud different terms with
various and sundry corporations With some OF
these corporations, to-wit railroad companies the
State through IL regular legal agent the Legislature
among other Inducements held out to tho rllroad
companies. promised and contracted AMI agreed TO
and with these said companies. that II they, TIM
nid companies, would eKpcnd 30 much OF their
capital In the construction Of railroad racks and
other Improvements OF n like nature within the
limits OF this Siato within certain time, then the
State, by reason Of these improvements and invest
mcnts. would remit the taxes on the property
OF the companies, for a certain length OF
time. II was the opinion Of the then existing
State agent, the Legislature, that these railroads
would materially aid In developing the resources
OF the country; would induce immigration; would
very greatly enhance the value Of real estate near
the line Of said roads, aud by reason Of access Of
population, increased values In property, real and
personal, would finally very materially rebound to
the general prosperity aud good Of the country AT
Legislature, aud tho Governor signed IT, The rail-
road companies, believing that the great common.
wealth Of our grand old Mississippi was acting In
good falth wont IN work and built llielr roads,
erected their houses. opened up some Of our
wilderness, and IN 40 doing spent millions OF dol
Ian right here within our Suite. Thcy thought
that our State was governed by honorable men,
aud never dreamed that tho State was not worthy
Of the mos, implicit confidence Il secms how.
ever that thoy had bettcr opinion OF us than We
dcseryod.-Gnnaia Gdsohe
Our esteemed contemporary Is, 10 our
thinking, away from lis moorings. No
one Legislature can bind another, nor can
Legislature assure the people that the
laws Il makes will stand the final test OF
the Supreme Court. Therefore, all logis-
lation, no matter what its class or charac.
ter, II 10 be taken ON trust. II II Is right,
II II squares with the Constitution, II will
stand. II II does not II must fall. Truth
and righteousness OF life must prevail.
Tho Legislature Of Mississippi that ex.
empted the railroads from taxation did q
wrong thing That wrong should not be
permitted TO exist moment longer than
the next Legislature can right II by sweep
ing Il of the statute books Of the State.
II the contrary rule was 10 prevail there
Is no knowing where the ignorance OF
cupidlty Of Legislators would carry them.
The Constitution Is their guide the Con.
siilution and the bill Of rights. Under
these Il Is plain that all men are equal NJ
well as free. They enjoy equal rights and
arc 10 bear equal burdens There cannot
then rightiully exist anything like class
legislation. To exempt railroads Is 10
erect them into favored class and put the
burdens Of taxation they should bear
upon the people who are not exempt
This Is uniair, aud everything that Is unfair
u unjust, and everything that Is unjust !:
unlawful. The Legislature Of Mississippi
should not lose a moment In Fighting q
great and gross wrong. II should repeal
the law cxcmpiing railroads from taxation
and compel thcm 10 bear their fair share
Of the burdens OF the State that protects
them by is laws, It's authority aud II,
power.