The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-01-27

the charges made by Rea. his means an
expenditure of not less than $1,000. The
utterance that BretZ made on the day Of
Whites election has cost the State just 5000.
THE REASSESSMENT BILL.
Taxation Made ain Malice and Re-
sentiment
SACRAMENTO. Jan. 26.-The Senate Com
mttee on Corporations met again this after
noon to continue the inquiry that has been
begun into the merits Of the reassessment
bill. Swan and Morehouse were present as
spectators. The railroad was represented
by Attorney Cross and Z. Black Ryan, tax
alton agent of the company. Senator
Seawell wanted to hear from John P. Dunn.
but as that would interfere with the order
of procedure that had been agreed upon
Dunn was told that he would be given an
opportunity TO be heard before the inquiry
was completed. The first witness called was
Deputy State Controller w. w. Douglass.
He produced the books of the Office con-
taining the assessment Of railroads for the
years during which the Southern Pacific
IS delinquent. The records OF 1888
showed that the Central Pacific is
operated in nineteen counties and was
assessed for that year AZ S15,000,000, upon
which the tax was S2lS. 80 rs. The books
showed that this amount was paid in full
on December %, 1888. The record of the
Southern Pacific Railroad for the same year
shows that il was operated in fifteen cOun-
ties. that il was assessed for S14.000,0e0 and
that the tax. amounting 10 S1S6. 756 60. was
paid in full on December %, 1888. The
books also showed that the Southern Pa
80 ffaa md
was assessed for S625, 600 in 1888. the tax
upon which. amounting TO SS3S4 is. was
paid in full on December %, 1888. The
Northern Railroad was assessed for s., 225.-
600, and paid the tax OF S27,640 50 in full in
that year.
Senator Seawell objected to their figures
being put in evidence. He wanted 10 know
if it had not been admitted that the taxes
for 1888 had been paid.
Carpenter replied that no such admission
had been made. On the contrary. he said.
it has been stated by many newspapers and
many people that the taxes fer 1883 and
subsequent years have lot been paid.
Attorney Cross then remarked that he
believed that a great many people honestly
think their taxes have not been paid. His
object was to prove the fact and settle it.
well" said Seawell. II know they have
been paid and will sign certificate TO that
effect II necessary"
II was finally decided that Douglass should
present statement showing that all the
railroads controlled by the Southern Pacific
Company have paid their taxes since and
including 1898 IN full.
E. Black Ryan, the taxman Of the South
ern Pacific Company, was called to testify.
he said the company paid between SI25, coo
and $4,000 q year on property not assessed
by The State Board OF Equalization. All these
taxes are now paid aud are not delinquent.
Ryan stated that in 1885 he rendered Con-
trOner Dunn so per cent Of the State taxes
but that official refused to receive the money
on the ground that the law would not per-
nit him to. With reference to 1886 and
1887 he could make no statement, for the
business was done in those years by Judge
benson. La 1884 out of the total sum the
company was assessed for. S353. $50 SO was
paid in 1888, 1856 149 Sc; in 1882, S376, 1874 70
and in 1881 $3.50, 9S5 e. and for 1880
1895. A. was paid. including local taxes
OF So, 800 7S6 40. In this total the amounts
paid for taxes not assessed by the State
Board of Equalization were estimated at
$4,000 year. The whole included only
the first instsllment for 1892. For IS85-S6-S7
there was delinquent S1.999 CSC r.
OF this sum only $4,000 has been since
paid. That amount was on small roads the
company desired to get off the books. The
witness was asked what his reason was for
not paying these taxes. He said they were
out of all proportion to other property and
be believed the assessment was made sin
malice and resentment" The Federal
franchise OF the Central and Southern Pa
cife railroads was included. not by name.
but in effect. and added to the values of the
assessment. Seawell wanted to know what
the witness considered fair assessment.
Ryan replied in this way: THE railroad
is perfectly willing TO pay a large portion
Of this delinquency. If reassessment
could be made on the valuation of 1888 and
al the rate for that year the difference,
think, would be promptly paid"
Dunn at this point stated that he could
not reeollect that Ryan had ever rendered
him pay of 60 per cent Of the taxes Of 1885.
Ryan convinced Dunn that he had, how
ever, by producing memorandum showing
that he had rendered $4,000 ia that year.
The ex-Controller then said that he rec OIL
lected the incident He still maintained
that 20 offer had been made for the other
years. Ryan was positive that he had done
so. Senator Carpenter brought out from
the witness that out of S1,900O00 dsiin-
quent S900.000 or nearly one-half, IS due
from the Central Pacific Railroad. He
said that the State Board of Equalza-
ton first excluded the Federal franchise
Of the Central Pacific Railroad and South
ern Pacific in 1885, In that year the blanks
were changed so as to place valuation on
the franchises derived from the State. The
company had not refused to pay the taxes
on the California Pacific and other lines not
having Federal franchises on any other
ground than that the assessment was too
high and out of all proportion to other
property and the assessments of the local
assessors.
Dunn wanted to know Of Ryan how he
knew the State Board had included the
Federal franchise for 1885 and other years.
Ryan replied that he assumed such 10 be
the fact from the size of the assessment
do you know" said Dunn, that your
assumption is disputed ?" 81 know it,"
was the reply, but l shall dispute every
body who disputes me on that point"
Ryan was then excused from the stand,
and the committee adjourned to meet again
tomorrow evening
IRRIGATION DISTRICTS.
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