The record-union., 1893-01-19

have been levied since the adoption ofthe
new Constitution, and should apply to
the future as well as the past. Provision
should also be made whereby the COM
panles would be credited with all sums
paid on account OF such delinquent taxes.
Many serious questions may arise in
regard to such reassessment, among
which will specify:
In making the reassessment, should the
rate OF taxation be the same as fixed for
the year in which the reassessment is
made. or should it not be enacted, that
the rate should be the same as the rate
which was fixed for the respective years
IN which the taxes were originally levied?
is there any mode through reassess-
ment whereby the people may recover
from these corporations the interest upon
the taxes from the time they should have
been paid, if properly assessed, up to the
time of payment?
Win a reassessment bill give to the
people as much money as an Act of the
Legislature authorizing settlement OF
these taxes?
AS before stated, the railroad companies
have offered to pay 81, ,207 ,056 TO- being 90
per cent. OF the taxes of 1885, 1856 and
1887. Ii the Legislature viii authorize
the receipt of such or greater sum in
settlement, with per cent. interest from
the time the taxes should have been paid
II properly assessed, the companies Will
accept such proposition
Such a settlement could be made within
short period, whereas, if the assessment
is made, there is no assurance that the
companies will pay, and may continue
the litigation for number of years, as
! they have previously done, and the peo-
pie be again delayed in getting what they
are entitled to.
The Attorney General suggests that as
tho raj road t,ox II 70, -,
full since 1887, and there is now no doubt of
| the validity OF the Constitution concerning
taxation OF roads operated in more than
one county, and considering it now pos
sible to end that litigation, would it not
/ be better for the people to obtain a reason
\ able settlement, and put the money in the
/ Treasury, rather than wait perhaps for
/ years to effect any result by means OF d
reassessment Of the roads.
think the following the best course to
! pursue in the settlement of this veXatious
question:
First-That joint committee of the
/ Senate and Assembly be appointed, to
which committee all bills upon the sub
! ject should be referred. That the COM
mittee examine the subject-matter in
/ volved and report to both houses the re-
/ suit OF the committees consideration,
1 which should include whether the State
can obtain more of these delinquent tax
moneys by settlement than by reassess-
| ment.
Second-That two bills ought to be
passed, one authorizing the Attorney
/ General to accept not less than a certain
sum to be fixed by the Legislature and
also a perfect bill providing for a re-
assessment, so that in the event a settle
ment is not obtainable a valid reassess-
ment may be made.
! From perusal of the tables the Legis-
lature can determine whether the COM
/ panies have moral or equitable grounds
for objection to the assessment of 1885,
S6-ST. 1t must be remembered that the
roads are now of but little greater value
than then, while all other property has
largely increased in value. 1t follows
that the taxes on the railroads are less in
proportion now than then.