Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1893-02-09
LET THGQyEsTIoN BE SETTLED.
The Constitution Is. Impartial 1t
Knows No Favoritism.

Hon. T, r. Jernigan, the fearless
and aggressive, but always well pois-
ed and sound thinking editor of that
admirable Democratic newspaper
the Raleigh Chronicle, is nothing if
he is not true to the best i~nterests~of
all classes of this his native State.
TO ex eeeding natural ability and
studious research he has added the
experience of wide travel in this and
foreign lands, so that he is well
adapted for the responsi BILE duties,
he SO admirably sustains, of the edl-
tor of a great Democratic newspa :
per-and that is what he is making
the Chronicle.
The ARGUS has watched the
course of the Chronicle with inter
est and qualification, and it is 70
little pleasure to us to know that we
have always touched elbows with
brother Jernigan for Democratic
ascendency and the safety of North
Carolina. -
We cordially endorse every line
and sentiment of the following we'll
timed and soundly equitable, article,
which was the "leader" in yester-
days issue of the Chronicle:
The constitution of the State pros
vides for an equalization of taxation.
The meaning is that every species
of property shall bear, in proper
proportion, its snare of the public
burdens.
Then has the General Assembly
the right to grant exemption from
taxation?
In no case has it such Il right, ex-
cept in such cases as may be plainly
contemplated by the constitution,
The General Assembly of North
Carolina vas empowered by
the organic law of this State to. ex-
empt any railroad from taxation.
But it has exercised this power of
%exempting corporations from taxa
ton, a power which the trend of
legal decisions have denied aud have
nullified.
Now, what should be done when
the highest court decides that cor
porations which have enjoyed ex-
emption from taxation, under color
of legislative enactment, are not
empt, and are liable for taxes ccru-
ing during the period it was sup
posed they were exempt?
There can be but one answer
Let them gracefully surrender their
legislative right of exemption and
pay their taxes as a citizen of the
State pays his.
But herein comes another ques-
ton: Should they be made to pay
the full amount of back taxes, taxes
which accrued when it was sup
posed they were exempt?
The equity of a settlement lies in
the answer to this question. We
believe that the General Assembly
will recognize the principles Of
equity and justice that should gov
ern all such settlements.
AS we favored the law providing
for the railroad commission, the
usefulness CT which all now admit;
as wefdeny the right of any citizen
of this State, or corporation Of the
State to shift upon the shoulders of
others >bis or its proper proportion
of the public burdens, which should
be shared and borne equally, we
hope that we can say, without being
misunderstood, that a citizen of
North Carolina, whether a member
of a corporation or not, should be SO
dealt with, under all circumstances,
by the authorities of the State, as to
be made to feel and acknowledge its
justice and equity.
1t is time for these railroad con-
troYersies to be finally adjusted.
They have been the Lying of the
demagogue, the tource from which
he has drawn his stock in trade.
Settle them and then these pestifer,
GUS political beings will soon pass
into merited oblivion, and people
can own property without being
suspected of dlsloyalty to liberal
government, and the mutual inter
est and interdependence of capital
and labor will sooner be made mani
fest to all.
Another campaign will o be
upon US. We will nave to depend
upon the means and patriotism of
North Carolina Democracy to win
it. There should I've no hesitancy,
no uncertain sound about Democ-
racy.