The record-union., 1893-03-10
The Railroad Tax Question in
the Assembly.
MIR. FINLAYSON1S SUBSTITUTE
A Duplicate Of the SeaWeII ReaSseSS-
ment Bill
ADOPTED AFTER A LONG DEBATE.
Mathews Of Tebana Makes Great Speech
Santa Ynez County Beaten
-USury Bill
ADOPTED AFTER A LONG DEBATE.

Mr.. Finlayson sprung an unexpected
substitute in the Assembly yesterday for
Senator Carpenters reassessment bill
and the amendments which the Judi
ciary Committee made to that bill. which
may defeat legislation for the payment OF
taxes TO the State by the Southern Pacific
Company.
His substitute is, in fact, the bill intro
duced in the Senate by Mr.. Seawell,
which the higher branch of the Legis-
lature refused to adopt. 1t provides that
railroads shall be reassessed from the year
1879 to the present time at the rate OF
taxation which prevailed for each of such
respective years.
In Offering the substitute, or amend
ment, Mr.. Finlayson said he believed
that the Assembly has thus far been con-
sidered upright and honorable by the
people of this State.
HIGH OPINION OF THE ASSEMBLY.
If the members wanted that opinion to
be entertained they would necessarily be
compelled to vote for the substitute he
offered. He related the years for which
the railroad taxes are delinquent. He
said that the Carpenter bill provides for
the reassessing of the railroads at the rate
of taxation for 1893. He believed that
measure to be unconstitutional, as it
did not provide for uniform taxation.
The average rate for the delinquent years
would be Z! cents higher on the 500
valuation than what this year will be,
assuming that this years rate will be sc
cents on the 500. He said the Seawell
bill is highly constitutional. He would
not be satisfied with any compromise.
In conclusion, he remarked: Shall we
sanction the prostitution of our fair State
by accepting less than what is justly due
US ?"
ANOTHER VOICE.
Mr.. Kahn felt. he said, that he would
be recreant to his trust were he to refuse
to vote against the amendment offered by
the gentleman from Los Angeles and in
favor of the Carpenter substitute. ITO
my mind,' he said. this entire matter
resolves itself into this proposition
Either these corporations owe the money
to this State for back taxes, or they do
not. If they do not, it would be unjust,
yes, more, it would be a crime to demand
a single cent. But if they do owe this
money, they should be made to pay
every dollar of their Indebtedness. The
question then arises as to whether they
are indebted to the State? Judge Heb
6erd of San Francisco, a wise and up
ight jurist, an incorrupt and honorable
nan, whom am proud to call my friend
n a decision replete with good, sound
law, declared that for the year 1887 alone
the railroad companies owe in round
numbers $4,000 Then why should we.
as chosen representatives of the people,
go to these corporations, hat in hand,
fawning for favors. l maintain, Mr..
Speaker, that it is our duty to go as men,
as representatives of the sovereign State
of California, erect and proud, demand
ing the States rights.
OPPOSED To ALL CoMPROAIIs Es.
81 am told that the Carpenter substi-
tute is a compromise measure. Now,
Mr.. Speaker. 1 have heard enough OF
compromises. The Legislature of '9l
passed an Act allowing the Attorney
General of this State to compromise with
the bondsmen OF defaulting Secretary
of the Board of State Harbor Commits
sioners. The sequel to that compromise
is too fresh in the memories of the gentle
men of this House to require any ex-
tended notice at my hands, but the lesson
taught must be apparent to everyone
AS a child who has been burned breads
the fire, so do dread a compromise In
conclusion, 1 again say that l believe
these companies owe this money, and
firm in that belief, shall vote for the
amendment or the substitute offered by
MIR. Finlayson."
WHAT IT REALLY MEANS.
Mr.. Simpson followed. He was sur.
prised at the remarks Of the gentleman
who preceded him. The Carpenter sub.
stitute was referred to the Judiciary Com.
mittee, which heard arguments on bott
sides. The committee adopted certain
amendments which were reported to the
House. He believed the amendment.
covered every requirement that could be
demanded OF the railroad. He believed i
the Assembly should adopt the Senate
substitute as amended by the Assembly
Judiciary Committee, the railroad com.
pany would pay the money due the STATE
in less than six months. If the substi
tute offered by Mr.. Finlayson i.
adopted it simply means that no legisla
ton will be accomplished, the railroad
will have the use of the money for two
wears more and the State will get moth
ing.
Bledsoe delivered one of his character.
tistic demagogic little speeches. He sale
there was S4O0,OO0 due the State from the
Southern Pacific Railroad from 1879 tc
1852, which the Senate substitute a:
amended would not include. In hi:
opinion not one-tenth of the people of th,
state from San Diego to his county would
sanction the action of the Assembly
should it refuse to adopt the substitut,
offered by the gentleman from Los Ange
les. He evasively answered question
asked by Mr.. Raw. as to whether th'
courts have not decided that the tax levy
on the railroads from 1879 to 1882 wer,
invalid.
WHY A CHANGE OF FRONT?
"Iam at loss to account for the chang
of heart on the part of the gentlemen wh'