The record-union., 1891-02-11

property and the equalization of the
same in eases where q former assessment
is invalid or void, and in relation to the
collection of taxes on said reaSSeSsment
ION final passage).
Mr.. Berry, the author of the bill, spoke
in its support. He said that it was no
new measure, and did not require much
explanation. He did not deny that it was
aimed directly at railroad companies from
which taxes had not been collected.
Remarks in its support were also made
by Messrs. Ostrom. Wilson. Crandall and
Langford.
Mr.. Carpenter spoke against the bill.
He said it was an attempt to throw dirt
upon the Judiciary by trying to resusci-
tate an old matter that had been settled in
the courts, and to cover the State with
slime as bad as the locust plague of
Egypt. If the bill We're ameritorious one,
why did it leave out the delinquent taxes
of 1S79-S0-Sl on property that did not be-
long to railroad companies, which would
place upward of $1,000, 900 in the State
Treasury? The author of the bill had
stated that it was intended to reach the
railroad companies alone, and any tyre
in legislation knows that the Constitution
expressly inhibits anything of that kind.
As a matter of fact, every kind of tax un
paid in this State in the last eight years
arc included in this bill. 1t goes back to
levy taxes on property that has passed
into innocent hands within that time and
force the present owners to pay whatev er
sums may be charged upon them by suits
commenced for their collection. The
Constitution says taxes shall be assessed
and collected in one way, and this bill
says it shall be done in another. For his
part, he stood by the Constitution, and
placed his foot upon the bill.
Mr.. Carpenter then explained the utter
revolution the bill would entail among
property titles in the southern part of the
State. 1t was the railroads that changed
California from sheep pasture to one of
the most beautiful and prosperous i'll the
Union. When corporations come to the
Legislature asking for improper legisla-
! ton in their interests he will oppose
them, but he would also support corpora
| tions in their legal rights. The title of
the bill should be changed to read: "a
| bill to promote informers and to assist
! Assessors in the art of bribery"
! Mr.. Dray's objection TO the bill was
that it went so far as to open the door for
the reassessment of property that Assess
orS may have missed, but which has
passed into the hands of innocent per-
sons. The scope of the measure should
be limited and not allowed to operate for
| an indefinite period and until it might be
repealed
Mr.. NcComas opposed the bill, and in
| dorSed the remarks of Mr.. Carpenter in
/
settling property rights III the southern
counties. Lands that had not been as
sessed until the statute OF limitations had
! run against them had been resold as hav-
/ ing clear titles, and it would not be right
nor just to jeoparttize those interests.
The roll was called on the passage OF
the bill, and it was lost-ayes q, noes 10.
MUTUAL INSURANCE.
The next special order was S. 3. 121,
! authorizing the formation Of mutual in
surance companies, regulating the trans
action of their business and defining the
| duties of the officers thereof.
| Mr.. McGowan, who introduced the bill,
said its purpose was not aimed to inter-
fere with the business of any other or
class of companies engaged in fire insur-
anee. The intention was to allow neigh
bors to organize mutual protection by in
suring their property against loss by fire.
He explained the manner in which the
bill would operate if passed, and claimed
that companies thus organized did not
belong in the category of irresponsible
companies, whose disasters had been
held up as an argument against the bill.
The system, he said, had worked success
fully in Ohio and other States, which was
the best argument in its favor. In Ohio
the average cost per 81 zoo to insured is
81 so, while in California it is about So.
He believed the people demanded the
measure.
MIR. Sprague was opposed to the bill.
He said that in all his campaign tour he
did not once hear demand among the
| people for the passage of a bill OF the kind
before the Senate, nor was he, in any in
stance, asked to support one. He directed
| his argument against the measure on the